President Obama's re-election campaign is eager to remind voters of the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, especially now in light of the one-year anniversary of the raid. This led Obama's team to release a video last week noting the president's role and Mitt Romney's positions on the issue.
On Friday, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) feigned outrage, condemning Obama for trying to "politicize" his counter-terrorism accomplishment. In a statement promoted by the Republican National Committee, the failed former presidential candidate said, "Shame on Barack Obama for diminishing the memory of September 11th and the killing of Osama bin Laden by turning it into a cheap political attack ad."
Part of the problem here is that McCain still thinks he has credibility on matters related to national security and international affairs. He does not -- the bitter senator has been astonishingly wrong about every major foreign policy challenge in recent memory.
But the larger concern is that McCain seems to believe the president, during a re-election campaign, shouldn't "politicize" his counter-terrorism victories. It's an odd argument coming from the senator. Does he not remember this 9/11 tribute video at his own nomination convention?
Did this diminish the memory of September 11th? Is it as "cheap" to run a video about 9/11 as it is to run a video about killing the terrorist who orchestrated 9/11?
Digby noted several more videos from the 2004 cycle in which Bush bragged about being president on 9/11 -- and he didn't get bin Laden. I've looked for examples of McCain whining about Bush "diminishing the memory" of the attacks by "politicizing" the terrorism, but nothing came up.
There's a reasonable debate to be had about the propriety of any of these videos, from either party. But if McCain and Bus can exploit 9/11 for partisan gain, Republicans don't get to complain when Obama boasts about a development worth bragging about.
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pretty nice rules.
"Hey, um, incumbent - you can't talk about anything you've done in the past 4 years that was successful, because that is improperly politicizing the office and is beneath the dignity of the Presidency. Anything that you've done that hasn't been an unambiguous and unassailable success, however, we can spend millions of dollars screaming about 24/7 until November. Deal?"
Republicans: the party of Fair Play.
Instead of "bragging", Obama should have landed on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
Recent statements by the Vice President indicate that POTUS would not need the codpiece. . .
And because Sen. McCain is getting on in years - I see that he fails to remember how "politicized" he made his "military service" when it suits him. He also failed to remember how Bushco. "politicized" their "war on terror" fear-mongering amongst the American electorate in 2004.
GOP= Wrong for America and working Americans!
This is another case of "Do as I say, not as I do." Or, more currently, IOKIYAR.
Running a campaign based on fear because of a horrible attack on 9/11
vs.
accomplishment of killing terrorist that caused said horrible attack. No contest.
so, grampa grumpy rips obama for "bin laden end-zone dance"
f#ck mccain--bush woulda paraded bin laden's head on a spike across the white house lawn if he's caught him
Anyone remember the ice chest and dry ice that was sent abroad, for just that reason?
I think the GOP has NO DIGNITY whatsoever. They refuse to acknowledge any accomplishment of the Obama administration. Sorry GOP. Despite your sabotage!....there are many positive accomplishments. I hope the American People get smart really quick and make sure they not only vote another 4 years for Obama, but give walking papers to the remainder of the Republican/Tea Party members of Congress.
"Shame on Barack Obama for diminishing the memory of September 11th and the killing of Osama bin Laden by turning it into a cheap political attack ad."nudge nudge wink wink we went to war because of 9/11...what a JOKE McCain has turned into. Not ONLY did he run his entire campaign on his 'military experience' 'Vietnam' etc. etc. but he wrote several BOOKS about it. The GOP in 2004 snuggled up so close to 9/11 with their convention that you couldn't see daylight. They have done NOTHING but make sure that the anniversaries turn into political events. BUT BY GOD the President is 'distasteful' for talking about Bin Laden on this anniversary.
"There's a reasonable debate to be had about the propriety of any of these videos, from either party. But if can McCain and Bush exploit 9/11 for partisan gain, Republicans don't get to complain when Obama boasts about a development worth bragging about."
C'mon, Steve. You know better than that.
Romney has been unequivocal and outspoken on this issue. Foreign policy is an important administrative responsibility. The only questionable statement Benen makes is about this being debatable. Of course, Presidents will and should call attention to foreign policy triumphs, especially when criticized by an opponent for that policy.
Severe Conservatives Under Romney, all floating to the top of the stagnant pond.
What's up with Arianna? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-tv/arianna-obama-bin-laden-romney-ad_b_1464156.html
Below is something to mull about this "issue" and here is the citation: http://www.democrats.org/news/january-19-GOP-debate/romney_flip_flopped_on_killing_osama_bin_laden
Romney Flip-flopped on Killing Osama Bin Laden
January 17, 2012 at 11:23 PM
Mitt Romney will say anything to get elected, but the Commander-In-Chief only gets one chance to get it right. Romney’s been all over the map on the key foreign policy issues of our day. He said it wasn’t worth “moving heaven and earth” to catch Osama bin Laden, criticized President Obama for making it clear he would take out al Qaeda targets in Pakistan, and flip flopped on setting timetables for withdrawing our troops from Afghanistan.
ROMNEY FLIP-FLOPPED ON KILLING OSAMA BIN LADEN
FLIP: 2007: Romney: “It’s Not Worth Moving Heaven And Earth And Spending Billions Of Dollars Just Trying To Catch One Person.” Romney said he doubts whether the capture of Osama bin Laden would substantially impact American security. Romney said, "It’s not worth moving heaven and earth spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person." He argued that the country would be safer by only "a small percentage" and would see "a very insignificant increase in safety." Rather that targeting bin Laden, he said he supports a broader strategy to defeat the global Islamic jihad movement. [Associated Press, 4/27/07]
FLIP: Romney On Taking Action Against Terrorists In Pakistan: “I Do Not Concur In The Words Of Barack Obama To Enter An Ally Of Ours.” Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney criticized Democrat Barack Obama on Friday for vowing to strike al Qaeda targets inside Pakistan if necessary as the Obama camp issued a strident defense of his plan. What had been an internecine foreign policy battle between rival Democrats Obama, an Illinois senator, and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, spilled into the Republican arena in the heavily contested state of Iowa. ‘I do not concur in the words of Barack Obama in a plan to enter an ally of ours... I don’t think those kinds of comments help in this effort to draw more friends to our effort,’ Romney told reporters on the campaign trail. Obama on Wednesday said if elected president in November 2008 he would be willing to launch military strikes against al Qaeda targets inside Pakistan with or without the approval of the Pakistani government of President Pervez Musharraf. ‘If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won’t act, we will,’ Obama said.” [Reuters, 8/4/07]
FLOP: 2011: Romney Said That “Any President” Would Have Given The Order To Take Out Osama Bin Laden.” Romney: “With regards to Osama bin Laden, we're delighted that he gave the order to take out Osama bin Laden, any president would have done that. But this one did and that's a good thing.” [Fox News Sunday, 12/18/11]
How dare you talk about killing Osama Bin Laden! Killing bad guys is what we're best at! Why if you start bragging about that then Americans won't vote Republican anymore and that's just unfair!
President Obama should only be doing the messaging that the Republican Party approves of.
#sarcasm
PS- does anyone else remember Sharon Angle stating this outright when she was running for office? She stated that she would only appear on Fox News because only Fox News would ask her the questions she wanted to be ask, thereby allowing her to stay on campaign message.
Presidential Re-election Campaign To-Do List:
1. Tout the things I've done that are good for America.
a. Killed Osama bin Laden...
Is there really anybody who would NOT begin their list this way?
1. a Killed OBL
1. b Killed OBL
1. c Killed OPL
I'd make it my top three.
After picking Sarah Palin, I should think that McCain would want to improve his public image and become a statesman. I guess not.
As Joe Biden says, "Osama bin Laden is dead, and GM is alive." What "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" really means.
When Romney said he would do neither before the President acted in both instances, only shows why Arianna is wrong again. Her comment is "despicable".
Unbelievable.
This moron's party used the 9-11 to lie their way into a needless war that killed over 4000 americans and bankrupted the country. And he has a problem with Obama pointing out that he managed to actually accomplish "mission accomplished".
You can't make this @!$%# up.
Guess what both candidates are running for office. Both need to be crowing about accomplishments and making public appearances. Just because McCain didn't win he shouldn't worry about other folks campaigns. Anyway if Obama can't rightfully crow about Bin Laden then Romney needs to stay away from Giuliani and Trump. What did he say about those annoying celebrity types? Nice try on the pointless complaining.