WOW! AC360 calling McCain's latest gaffe about the timing of the "Sunni Awakening" a "game-changer"

Olbermann covered this story, too, but said the part where he made the mistake was edited out, but Cooper just played it. Here's the part from the transcript:

Couric: Senator McCain, Sen. Obama says, while the increased number of U.S. troops contributed to increased security in Iraq, he also credits the Sunni awakening and the Shiite government going after militias. And says that there might have been improved security even without the surge. What's your response to that?

McCain: I don't know how you respond to something that is such a false depiction of what actually happened. Colonel McFarlane (phonetic) was contacted by one of the major Sunni sheiks. Because of the surge we were able to go out and protect that sheik and others. And it began the Anbar awakening. I mean, that's just a matter of history. Thanks to General Petraeus, our leadership, and the sacrifice of brave young Americans. I mean, to deny that their sacrifice didn't make possible the success of the surge in Iraq, I think, does a great disservice to young men and women who are serving and have sacrificed.

They were out there. They were protecting these sheiks. We had the Anbar awakening. We now have a government that's effective. We have a legal system that's working, although poorly. And we have progress on all fronts, including an incredible measure of security for the people of Iraq. There will still be attacks. Al Qaeda's not defeated. But the progress has been immense. And to not recognize that, and why it happened, and how it happened, I think is really quite a commentary.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/22/eveningnews/main4283813.shtml

The banner says, "BREAKING NEWS-McCain Makes Gaffe About Iraq Timeline"
:bounce:

McBush - you may get the coverage but it may not be exactly what you wanted.

playing dirty against Obama!

pointing out one of his MULTIPLE screw ups seems like the journalistic thing to do.

to name more gaffes.

This is the meme we need to cause people to question McCain's competence, NOT Obamas.

McCain is the Risky choice, not Obama.

I love it. And it seems like they feel his comment about Obama willing to lose a war in order to win an election went too far.

and the outrageous comment about Obama shows his terrible temperament. The surge timeline screw-up plays on the age/confusion issue.

that's a terrible combination. Especially when compared to "No Drama Obama."

:hi:

I was afraid that only KO would cover it.

It IS a "wow" moment that it's breaking news on CNN! GMTA! :hi:

of his gaffes.

News" may give this legs!

I could not find it at the link.

Regardless of the results of this election, this ass-clown is the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee and even he can't recall the details of Iraq correctly.

This doesn't bode well for our government and, frankly, makes me fearful for this country.

It's fucking pathetic and inexcusable.

YES!!!!

He said he had worked, of course, with Ronald Reagan and said that honestly, Reagan was never so off message in all the time he worked for him as John McCain has been in the last three weeks. From David Gergen - that is nothing short of stunning.

EDIT: added emphasis

-the one about his opponent being willing to lose a war to win an election. He and Gergen both expressed outrage over it. Klein even admitted, in the course of rebutting the talking pt about the media being in the tank for O, that they all used to be in the tank for McC!

I saw that right after watching a clip of Matthews on Leno last night, practically endorsing O by name. blew me away.

If the media continues not to get in the way of the public at this rate, we may f'ing win this election.

they just read McCain's campaign statement about the gaffe "Democrats are trying to push this storyline to change the subject about the fact that Obama will not admit that the surge has worked". Ummm, methinks you guys are trying to change the subject about the mistake.


God, I hate Anderson. Totally defending McCain. Hmm, Gergen thinks this might be an age issue, and that this isn't really a huge deal. But he brought up a bunch of other McCain confusions, and seemed to suggest that the age thing will matter to people. Klein is saying that McCain's problem is overstating his case and not acknowledging grey areas. Said that McCain scraping bottom of barrel with Obama attacks today is a "very signif. turning point in this campaign" or something.

Yeah, Cooper was defending McCain, but still, this is now an issue about McCain's gaffes due to his AGE.

:toast:

win an election.

"There's not really a big difference between Obama and McCain in Iraq, besides what happened in the past"....




:wtf:

I guess he had to get his RW digs in while being forced to cover the story.

:toast:

crazy dangerous things and still get elected.

damn I'm not feeling so good today despite the good news for Obama. I've felt like this too often before just to be heartbroken.


shit i hate thinking like this
i want to enjoy the ride and throw caution to the wind

I really think Obama is doing EVERYHTING right to WIN it from the Repubs. and their smear machine.

With all the bullshit about the media favoring Obama, lets see CBS explain why they editted out McCain's lie regarding the surge causing the Anbar Awakening, rather than visa versa. The NYT exercises some editorial discretion regarding an editorial, and they get crucified. CBS cuts and pastes an interview to cover up McCain incompetence, and CBS gets a free pass.

and the beat goes on..

"Critics Pile On As McCain Gaffes Pile Up"

Politico: Verbal Blunders Bring New Attention To Sensitive Issue Of His Age
Comments 811
July 22, 2008

"Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) said “Iraq” when he apparently meant “Afghanistan” on Monday, adding to a string of mixed-up word choices that is giving ammunition to the opposition.

Just in the past three weeks, McCain has mixed up Iraq and Afghanistan, Somalia and Sudan, and even football’s Packers and Steelers.

Ironically, the errors have been concentrated in what should be his area of expertise - foreign affairs."
<more>
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/22/politics/politico/main4281173.shtml


"The speculation before Senator Obama left for Iraq that he would possibly commit a presidential-bid-ending gaffe was deafening. So naturally the media was caught off guard when John McCain managed to beat Obama to the punch."

<Jon Stewart clip/hilarious>
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/07/22/daily-show-mccain-makes-the-first-gaffe-of-obamas-iraq-trip