thedrifter
10-30-08, 07:39 AM
nation and world
McCain hits rival's ability as leader
The Arizonan says Obama's economic policies would endanger national security.
By Michael Abramowitz
The Washington Post
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated:10/29/2008 11:30:31 PM MDT
WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain on Wednesday sharpened his critique on Sen. Barack Oba ma's ability to serve as commander in chief, arguing that the Democratic nominee's economic policies would "undermine our national security."
The Arizona Republican once had planned to make defense issues the central theme of his presidential bid, but global economic turmoil has become a relentless focus of his campaign in recent weeks.
McCain sought to link the two issues Wednesday, arguing that, in a "Democratic-dominated Washington," national security and the economy would both suffer.
"Raising taxes and unilaterally renegotiating trade agreements as they have promised would make a bad economy even worse and undermine our national security, even as they slash defense spending," McCain said in a speech in Tampa, Fla., after meeting with his national-security advisers. "At least when European nations chose the path of higher taxes and cutting defense, they knew that their security would still be guaranteed by America. But if America takes the same path, who will guarantee our security?"
The Illinois Democrat has not proposed cuts in defense spending and says he wants to continue President Bush's plan to expand the military by 92,000 soldiers and Marines.
But McCain seized on a recent call for a 25 percent cut in Pentagon spending by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., to stoke fears about what would happen if Democrats controlled both Congress and the White House.
The Obama campaign hit back. Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Scott Gration, one of Obama's military advisers, released a statement accusing McCain of wanting to continue Bush's foreign policy while distorting Obama's defense plans.
"John McCain's desperate and dishonest attack on defense spending only makes the point that Barack Obama has been willing to stand up to some in his own party from the first day of this campaign through his commitment to increase the size of our ground forces and our investments in 21st-century capabilities," Gration said.
Like McCain, Obama in recent weeks has emphasized the connection between national security and the economy, using it to sow doubts about McCain's judgment on economic issues.
Later, in an interview taped for broadcast Wednesday night on CNN's "Larry King Live," McCain said racism exists in America but will be trumped by the nation's economic problems and play virtually no role when voters head to the polls next week.
McCain said people will vote "for the best of reasons, not the worst of reasons."
He said "99 and 44 one-hundredths percent" of people will vote based on who they want to lead the country.
Ellie
McCain hits rival's ability as leader
The Arizonan says Obama's economic policies would endanger national security.
By Michael Abramowitz
The Washington Post
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated:10/29/2008 11:30:31 PM MDT
WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain on Wednesday sharpened his critique on Sen. Barack Oba ma's ability to serve as commander in chief, arguing that the Democratic nominee's economic policies would "undermine our national security."
The Arizona Republican once had planned to make defense issues the central theme of his presidential bid, but global economic turmoil has become a relentless focus of his campaign in recent weeks.
McCain sought to link the two issues Wednesday, arguing that, in a "Democratic-dominated Washington," national security and the economy would both suffer.
"Raising taxes and unilaterally renegotiating trade agreements as they have promised would make a bad economy even worse and undermine our national security, even as they slash defense spending," McCain said in a speech in Tampa, Fla., after meeting with his national-security advisers. "At least when European nations chose the path of higher taxes and cutting defense, they knew that their security would still be guaranteed by America. But if America takes the same path, who will guarantee our security?"
The Illinois Democrat has not proposed cuts in defense spending and says he wants to continue President Bush's plan to expand the military by 92,000 soldiers and Marines.
But McCain seized on a recent call for a 25 percent cut in Pentagon spending by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., to stoke fears about what would happen if Democrats controlled both Congress and the White House.
The Obama campaign hit back. Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Scott Gration, one of Obama's military advisers, released a statement accusing McCain of wanting to continue Bush's foreign policy while distorting Obama's defense plans.
"John McCain's desperate and dishonest attack on defense spending only makes the point that Barack Obama has been willing to stand up to some in his own party from the first day of this campaign through his commitment to increase the size of our ground forces and our investments in 21st-century capabilities," Gration said.
Like McCain, Obama in recent weeks has emphasized the connection between national security and the economy, using it to sow doubts about McCain's judgment on economic issues.
Later, in an interview taped for broadcast Wednesday night on CNN's "Larry King Live," McCain said racism exists in America but will be trumped by the nation's economic problems and play virtually no role when voters head to the polls next week.
McCain said people will vote "for the best of reasons, not the worst of reasons."
He said "99 and 44 one-hundredths percent" of people will vote based on who they want to lead the country.
Ellie