Originally Posted by The Leaper
More Obama problems...via CNN
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(CNN) -- Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama engaged in a pointed exchange over al Qaeda in Iraq on Wednesday.
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 to right to go back into Iraq in order to suppress an insurrection after downsizing the U.S. troop presence.
"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."
In a statement sent out by McCain's press office Wednesday said, "Is Sen. Obama unaware that al Qaeda is still present in Iraq, that our forces are successfully fighting them every day, and that his Iraq policy of withdrawal would embolden al Qaeda and weaken our security?"
Obama responded to the latest attacks from McCain, saying his comments were taken out of context.
Obama said the question he was asked during the debate was a "big hypothetical."
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The only big hypothetical I see at this time is Obama's ability to lead this nation in foreign policy. The guy is a dope when it comes to international affairs. That is to be expected of a guy his age. A young JFK nearly put us into a nuclear war with the USSR, and there is no reason to expect Obama will show any better reasoning on the international stage. The guy was only a STATE SENATOR a few years ago...he SHOULDN'T have vast international experience. Unfortunately, being president of a world power requires some foreign policy experience.
Obama can try to backtrack all he wants...but to hold the stance that you want an immediate withdrawl of troops now, then say (even hypothetically) that you would support going back in if al Qaeda had a base in Iraq...when al Qaeda ALREADY is operating out of Iraq currently...borders on ridiculous.
Obama's lack of seasoning in foreign affairs is going to be a major weakness in his campaign this summer.
It will be interesting to see how Clinton utilizes Obama's comments against him. This was a slip by Obama, and McCain called him on it. Will Clinton also use it to her advantage?