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McCain questioned whether Obama was aware of the al Qaeda base. Obama's response was: "There was no such thing as al Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq."

McCain was in Tyler, Texas, and Obama was in Columbus, Ohio.

"I understand that Sen. Obama said that if al Qaeda established a base in Iraq that he would send troops back in militarily. Al Qaeda already has a base in Iraq. It's called al Qaeda in Iraq," McCain said.

"It's a remarkable statement to say that you would send troops back to a place where al Qaeda has established a base -- where they have already established a base."

McCain's comments come in response to remarks Obama made Tuesday night in a debate with Sen. Hillary Clinton. He was asked if the president would have the right to go back into Iraq in order to suppress an insurrection after downsizing the U.S. troop presence. Watch what Clinton and Obama said about the war »

"I always reserve the right for the president ... to make sure that we are looking out for American interests," Obama said. "And if al Qaeda is forming a base in Iraq, then we will have to act in a way that secures the American homeland and our interests abroad."

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lonestar2004 said:

"if al Qaeda is forming a base in Iraq, then we will have to act in a way that secures the American homeland and our interests abroad."

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Either one of two things are happening:

1) Barak really is IGNORANT that al Queda is in Iraq... and I don't want a president that sticks his fingers in his ears and goes "lalalalala I can't hear you" and pretends things aren't happening.

or

2) He knows damn well al Queda is in Iraq and he's just trying to find an excuse to run on an Anti-Iraq-War while keeping troops in there if/when he wins and this gives him the ability to say that he wasn't technically lying.

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"lalalalala I can't hear you" and pretends things aren't happening.

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what i want to know is why the left likes the war on terror in Afghanistan, but not in Iraq.

Terrorists are in both Afghanistan and Iraq. so its OK to get them in Afghanistan but Iraq is like some kind of time-out base area????

what are the democrats saying?

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Quote:

CIA describes Iraq as terrorist laboratory...Iraq may prove to be an even more effective training ground for Islamic extremists than Afghanistan

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BrAiN said:

Just look at what Obama (and even Hillary) are saying. They run on this Anti-War platform... saying they'll end the war in Iraq,but they always insert this fine print saying that if Al Queda is in Iraq, then that's the only reason they'd keep the military in Iraq.

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McCain IS correct. Al Queda *IS* in Iraq in full effect.

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No, McCain is a lying scumbag. If McCain knows where an Al-Qaida base is, then why hasn't the military tactically struck it with missles? That's what the question was in regards to. Maybe McCain's working for them, eh?

BrAiN said:

So he says IF al Queda is forming a base in Iraq then we'll have to act...

Then he admits that al Queda *IS* in Iraq.

Sounds fishy to me

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BrAiN said:

I don't think we belong in Iraq... but the place is so destabalized, even the most anti-war people have to admit that al Queda will NO DOUBT get stronger when we leave. They'll use the vacuum of power to get stronger and try to form another Taliban-like gov't. What does Barak THINK al Queda is goin to do if we leave... just sit around and twiddle their thumbs?

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No, it sounds as though he wishes to support the Iraqi government to start taking care of itself, and, if al-Qaida does become stronger and, subsequently, starts to build clear infrastructure that will result from that strength and further facilitate them, then he will come in and tactically strike them.

We were bombing Iraq for how many years before we actually went in? Why is it so hard to discern the difference from the huge ground presence we have now, and tactically striking specific enemies?

I can understand why people are confused regarding this, but the only reason why they are is because McCain couldn't understand it and he had to make a fool of himself. He's a moron.

fireworks_god said:

We were bombing Iraq for how many years before we actually went in?

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BrAiN said:

When Osama bin Laden proclaims someone  as the "head of al Queda" in Iraq.. you can bet they're up to something.

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No doubt. Do you know what they are up to? They are trying to provoke America to continue its presence in Iraq. Do you know why? Because more intervention in the Middle East by America promotes their extremist ideaology. If Osama bin Laden's motivation were simply to strike America, would he be arrogantly announcing to us their presence in Iraq, or would they aim to be more subtle? I don't think he's a moron, because they already took out the WTC and he's still eluded us.... of course... we kind of just let him go.....

Let's not fall for his tactics, you know? They want more political support at home, and the best way is to bring prolonged foreign intervention in the affairs of Muslim countries. Obama said it pretty clearly, they weren't in Iraq, but now they are. Is it because Hussein held them in check, or is it because our presence brings more people to their cause?

BrAiN said:

Good Point.

But I still don't think Barak or Hillary would pull the troops out. Now that we're in... I'm sure al Queda is loving the fact that we'e there. I just think that if we started to pull people out, al Queda would immediately start stepping up the attacks hardcore.

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I admit that its impossible to know what Obama would actually do, but I think he has a lot more incentive to follow through on his word. Let's keep in mind, for example, that he was standing agansit the war while he was campaigning for the Senate, before it happened. I think that's more ballsy then a vote. After he has went through this much trouble to bring together the American people and work towards building a working majority, I don't think he can risk flip-flopping. I'm sure he'd like eight years instead of four. "Read my lips", anyone?

Also, I wouldn't be so sure about al-Qaida taking over like crazy. In fact, from what I remember reading, one of the reasons the Sunnis became more eager to work with Americans was because they wanted to kick al-Qaida's ass. I don't follow much the intricate dynamics of Iraq, though.

Seuss said:

> More proof the democrats are worthless liars

Replace democrats with politicians and I think you are on to something...

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This only makes sense.