John McCain on Iraq

With Barack Obama's upcoming trip overseas, the contrast between him and John McCain on foreign policy will be a key campaign issue. Perhaps the clearest difference between the two is that Barack Obama asserts his judgment is superior to McCain's, and John McCain counters that his experience better suits him for the job. The problem for McCain, of course, is that his experience helps make Barack Obama's case: he has plenty of experience making bad judgments.

I know none that is news to any of you, but here's a few quotes from McCain in the run-up to the Iraq War, some of which you might not have seen. I'm gathering them for a video I'm planning on putting up next week about McCain and Iraq, and thought you might find them interesting.

''For as long as Saddam Hussein is in power in Baghdad, he will seek to acquire weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them. We have no doubt that these deadly weapons are intended for use against the United States and its allies. Consequently, we believe we must directly confront Saddam, sooner rather than later.''
-- John McCain, December 5, 2001

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) visited the Roosevelt yesterday and shouted, "Next up: Baghdad!" from the carrier's bridge.

McCain has been pushing the administration to make Iraq and its dictator, Saddam Hussein, the next targets in the war on terrorism.

Pentagon officials and Powell have cautioned against focusing on Baghdad, but McCain said yesterday that Iraq poses "a clear and present danger" to the U.S.
-- January 10, 2002

''I believe there will be strong support for Congressional approval for the president to take whatever action necessary for regime change in Iraq,'' said Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, who is a proponent of action against Mr. Hussein.
-- September 5, 2002

Senator John McCain, the Republican from Arizona who contested Mr. Bush for the nomination in 2000, made a point of saying today on Capitol Hill: ''I am very certain that this military engagement will not be very difficult. It may entail the risk of American lives and treasure, but Saddam Hussein is vastly weaker than he was in 1991.''

Mr. McCain also said it was possible that military action may take place before Congress comes back in January.

He appeared with the Senate's Republican leader, Trent Lott, to express strong support for the president's call to arms. They said they would work to convince the Democrats, who control the Senate, to pass a resolution authorizing military action against Iraq before Congress adjourns for the November midterm elections.
-- September 13, 2002

"The burden is not on America to justify going to war. The burden is Saddam Hussein's, to justify why his regime should continue to exist as long as its continuing existence threatens the world. Giving peace a chance only gives Saddam Hussein more time to prepare for war - on his terms, at a time of his choosing, in pursuit of ambitions that will only grow as his power to achieve them grows."
-- John McCain, October 10, 2002