McCain can’t even find the goalposts

January 21, 2007

I recently suggested that Sen. [tag]John McCain[/tag] (R-Ariz.) is in the process of moving the goalposts when it comes to his favored policy for troop escalation in Iraq. As of today, McCain’s only consistency is his willingness to be inconsistent.

Let’s take a look at McCain’s position over the last couple of months.

* Three months ago, McCain we should send 20,000 more troops to Iraq.

* Two weeks ago, McCain said 20,000 more [tag]troops[/tag] aren’t enough.

* A day later, McCain said he wasn’t sure if 20,000 more troops would be enough.

* One week ago, McCain said 20,000 more troops are enough.

* And today, McCain is back to saying 20,000 aren’t enough again.

On NBC’s Meet the Press, McCain said, “I would have liked to have seen more” troops sent to Iraq. He added, “If it had been up to me,” more U.S. troops would be on their way into Baghdad.

Remember, McCain’s principal selling points as a candidate are a) his “expertise” on military matters; and b) his consistency.

It’s difficult to say whether McCain actually believes sending more troops is the right thing to do or whether he was suggesting that so he could say sometime down the road, “If only they listened to me…”

But politically, it’s pretty obvious that McCain is deliberately trying to distance himself from Bush on Iraq so that he won’t have what happens wrapped around his neck. But notice he’s leaving enough wiggle room just in case Bush’s plan actually works.

Of course, that’s one huge “if.”

  • Perhaps when we are closing in on the presidential primary season his inconsistancy will be that we should not be in Iraq.
    Hey, it’s a hopeful thought.

  • He’s moving the goalposts on his personality, too. If you saw him on Meet The Press today, he was totally staid; inhibited, even- but if you’ve ever seen him on Letterman, he was a totally different guy- raucous, racy jokes, everything.

    I guess when he gets unpopular enough it becomes time for him to reestablish his famed integrity. After seeing how shy and restrained he is when confronted with the formidable mind that is Tim Russert, I for one am entirely convinced. That was pretty slck putting him up against Ted Kennedy too, a guy who likes McCain enough to start out the interview praising him.

  • So when will media drop the “maverick” identifier? McCain has proven himself just another political hack, and not a very good one at that.

  • McCainiac has hidden the goal posts and the resulting constipation has caused a major crap back-up into his head. His only consistency is the consistency with which he will lie and lay down for anyone in hopes of getting in the Oval Office.

    I would expect any person with a gram of decency to stop the damn lies after a while, but like the creature he hopes to replace he has no decency, he just wants something and he’ll do what he thinks necessary to get it. Does America need 12 straight years of rule by sociopaths?

    Didn’t think so.

  • Does America need 12 straight years of rule by sociopaths?
    Didn’t think so.
    Comment by The Answer is Orange

    Damn truth! Could we even survive it? McCain needs an exploratory committe to find his own soul, if any. If Gore wearing earth tones meant he didn’t know himself, then McCain should dress like a harlequin.

  • McCain’s problem is finding a policy so stupid, not even Bush would do it, yet can convince the American people would have one the war, if only Bush had adopted it. There is no such policy.

  • McCain needs an exploratory committe to find his own soul, if any.

    [Dale]

    He’ll need Dante on his team. That’s the only person I know of who went to Hell and came back to tell about it.

  • Keep an eye on McCain’s staff. If people start to tiptoe away to other jobs, it’s a sure sign that his ship has sprung some major leaks.

  • Out-bullshits Bush in front of the Neocon Base….

    Goes Wingnutty for the Falwell crowd….

    Zig-zags faster than one of those futuristic sewing machines….

    It’s—“McChameleon Man!!!”

    *cue cheezy, live-radio-era, hero-time music of your choice here….

  • Are these all video clips? Someone should compile them into a nice commercial for McCain’s presidential run.

  • So when will media drop the “maverick” identifier?

    Never.

    This has been another edition of Simple Answers to Simple Questions (h/t Atrios).

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