Democracy for Vancouver

Matt Lauer asked McCain this morning about the success of Surge (which McCain is always touting as his idea):

“If it’s working Senator, do you now have a better estimate of when American forces can come home from Iraq?”

McCain replied:

“No, but that’s not too important. What’s important is the casualties in Iraq, Americans are in South Korea, Americans are in Japan, American troops are in Germany. That’s all fine. American casualties and the ability to withdraw; we will be able to withdraw. General [David] Petraeus is going to tell us in July when he thinks we are.

“But the key to it is that we don’t want any more Americans in harm’s way. That way, they will be safe, and serve our country and come home with honor and victory, not in defeat, which is what Senator Obama’s proposal would have done. I’m proud of them. And they’re doing a great job. And we are succeeding and it’s fascinating that Senator Obama still doesn’t realize that.”

So, we’re back to a permanent occupation, 100 years and all that. Or we’re not, because the Surge will make it possible to withdraw. But, on the other hand, if things are safe enough to withdraw, then we won’t withdraw, because that would be defeat. And victory means staying in Iraq forever.

Tell me, Sen. McCain: Is this how the surge is working?

KUT - A roadside bomb killed two policemen and wounded four others while they were on patrol in Kut, 150 km (95 miles) southeast of Baghdad, police said.

BAGHDAD - Five minibus passengers were killed and 10 wounded when a bomb exploded in the Kadhimiya district of northwestern Baghdad, police said. Earlier reports said it was a bomb inside a minibus.

FALLUJA - Police said they found the bodies of five men, shot and tortured, near Falluja, 50 km (35 miles) west of Baghdad.

BAGHDAD - A civilian was killed and seven were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near a police patrol in southwestern Baghdad, police said.

KIRKUK - A roadside bomb exploded near a police patrol, wounding four policemen and a civilian in central Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

BAGHDAD - Two people were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near a fuel station in Binoog district of northern Baghdad, police said.

And that’s just today.

And, about that honor: how are you honoring the troops, Senator McCain?

• S.Amdt. 2909 to S.Amdt. 2011 to H.R. 1585: To specify minimum rest periods between deployment of units and members of the Armed Forces. McCain voted No.

•S.Amdt. 2032 to S.Amdt. 2011 to H.R. 1585: To limit the length of deployment of members of the Armed Forced for Operation Iraqi Freedom. McCain voted No.

• S.Amdt. 2673 to H.R. 2642: To limit the the use of private contractors in the Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted No.

• S. 1315: To enhance veterans’ and servicemembers’ insurance and housing benefits. McCain didn’t show up to vote.

• S. 1315: To enhance life insurance benefits for disabled veterans. McCain didn’t show up to vote.

• S.Amdt. 4245 to S.Con.Res. 70: To restore full funding for the international affairs budget, in support of the reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, nuclear nonproliferation, foreign assistance, fighting global AIDS, promoting sustainable development, and other efforts, with an offset. McCain didn’t show up to vote.

• S.Amdt. 2476: To establish a committee to investigate private contracting in Afghanistan and Iraq and the GWOT. McCain voted No.

• S.Amdt. 1933 to H.R. 2863: To increase by $360,800,000 amounts appropriated for “V-hull” up-armored tactical vehicles for units deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. McCain voted No.

• S.Amdt. 2519 to S. 1042: To clarify and recommend changes to the policy of the United States on Iraq and to require reports on certain matters relating to Iraq. McCain voted No.

• S.Amdt. 2634 to S. 2020: To provide an additional $500,000,000 each year through 2010, to be used for mental health and substance abuse counseling and treatment for veterans. McCain voted No.

• S.Amdt. 1052 to H.R. 2361: Emergency supplemental appropriations for the Veterans Health Administration. McCain didn’t show up to vote.

• S.Amdt. 149 to S.Con.Res. 18: To increase veterans medical care by $2.8 billion in 2006. McCain voted No. (McCain voted yes to increasing it be a measly $410 million.)

• S.Amdt. 16 to S. 256: To protect servicemembers and veterans from means testing in bankruptcy and to protect servicemembers from usurious interest rates. McCain voted No.

• S.Amdt. 3642 to H.R. 4939: To provide an additional $430,000,000 for the Department of Veteran Affairs for Medical Services for outpatient care and treatment for veterans. McCain voted No. (McCain was one of only 13 Senators to vote against it.)

• S.Amdt. 3141 to S.Con.Res. 83: To provide an assured stream of funding for veteran’s health care by restoring the pre-2001 top rate for income over $1 million, closing corporate tax loopholes and delaying tax cuts for the wealthy. McCain voted No.

• S.Amdt. 3007 to S.Con.Res. 83: To increase Veterans medical services funding by $1.5 billion in FY 2007 to be paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes. McCain voted No.

• S.Amdt. 2735 to S.Amdt. 2707 to H.R. 4297: To support the health needs of our veterans and military personnel and reduce the deficit by making tax rates fairer for all Americans. McCain voted No.

• S.Amdt. 4265 to S. 2766: To express the sense of Congress that the Government of Iraq should not grant amnesty to persons known to have attacked, killed, or wounded members of the Armed Forces of the United States. McCain voted No. (McCain was one of only 19 Senators to vote against it.)

• S.Amdt. 4292 to S. 2766: To establish a committee to investigate private contracting in Afghanistan and Iraq and the GWOT. McCain voted No.

And that’s only going back two years.

Imagine what he could do to our servicemembers and vets in four years - as Preznit