NYT/AP: John Edwards Opposes More U.S. Troops in Iraq: Calls proposal "McCain Doctrine"

[DeepModem Mom]

Edwards Opposes More U.S. Troops in Iraq
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: December 31, 2006

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards says he opposes a U.S. troop increase in Iraq, as advocated forcefully by GOP Sen. John McCain and being considered by President Bush, and refers to the proposal as the ''McCain doctrine.''

Edwards, the 2004 vice presidential nominee, announced a repeat bid for the White House on Thursday. In an interview broadcast Sunday, he sounded like he was campaigning for the nomination and specifically against McCain, also a presidential contender, at the same time....

***

Edwards, who appeared with his wife, Elizabeth, on ABC's ''This Week,'' voted to authorize U.S. military action in Iraq when he was a North Carolina senator. Since leaving the Senate, Edwards has recanted his vote and now advocates a phased withdrawal.

''I actually, myself, believe that this idea of surging troops, and escalating the war, what Senator McCain has been talking about, what I would call now the McCain doctrine it's ...''

''McCain doctrine?'' interrupted host George Stephanopoulos.

''McCain doctrine,'' Edwards responded. ''He's been the most prominent spokesperson for this for some time. I'm just telling you it's his thing, and I know John McCain very well. He and I are friends, but I think he's dead wrong about this.''...

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Edwards-2008.html

[Zorra]

1. The McCain Doctrine...that's so perfect.

The McCain Doctrine, in a nutshell:

"When stuck in a quicksand like quagmire, struggle wildly until you sink and die".

[anotherdrew]

13. it's also the Lieberman Doctrine unfortunately n/t

[Kolesar]

17. It puts McCain on the defensive because it sounds like "the Bush doctrine"

Very good labeling by John Edwards :thumbsup:

[EVDebs]

20. "deep in the Big Muddy, and the damn fool says 'push on' !" nt

[Rowdyboy]

2. Put the stink of escalation exactly where it belongs-John McCain

[Mark E. Smith]

3. Smackdown!

He nailed the f*cker.

[bluedeminredstate]

4. Oh yeah!

Make him OWN it! "Dead wrong" couldn't be more fitting.
Do you think it was subliminable? :)

[Acadia Blue]

5. I love John Edwards. I really hope this man becomes President.

[JudyM]

6. Good strategy. Make it stick to Mccain like glue in '08. nt

[benny05]

7. Thanks for posting this

Edwards is "right on" about this one. Start leaving immediately!

[xxqqqzme]

8. damn, Edwards nailed it.

'mccain doctrine' so even if chucklenuts does it and it fails (as we all know it will) john-boy owns it!

[DemDogs]

15. Edwards has the best knack for putting it in words

Off the cuff, however. I want him to lay out the Democratic party agenda and talking points.

[dk2]

9. Another point that Edwards said

in the live cast from Iowa, that he wasn't for a draft either, I was so glad. He said that the miliary leaders that he has been in touch with are not for a draft, they like the volunteer soldier better.

[DeepModem Mom]

16. Thanks for your post, dk2 -- and welcome to DU! nt

[citizen snips]

10. I hope the Senate rejects this bill.

[ihelpu2see]

11. call it the McCain-Lieberman Doctrine.... we need to recall Lieberman in CT !

and make sure that McCain's presidential candidacy gets NO traction!

[Catchawave]

12. Yay! Stick it to the Republicans....

...a refreshing change on DU :evilgrin:

Let's hope the McCain Doctrine is also recruiting all those healthy young Iraqis I saw dancing in the streets yesterday!

[54anickel]

14. Ewww, found this site while doin' the google on "McCain Doctrine"

http://www.stopjohnmccain2008.com/

http://www.stopjohnmccain2008.com/2006/12/16/will-bushs-iraq-plan-sink-mccain/

Will Bush’s Iraq Plan Sink McCain?
Posted December 16, 2006

snip>

McCain must be sweating bullets. If Bush decides to add troops, the strategy going forward in Iraq will be known as the McCain Doctrine. The Senator never thought Bush would actually go through with it.

For Bush, this presents an excellent opportunity to work on his legacy. Go with war hero John McCain’s plan for Iraq and it suddenly becomes his problem. Bush gets good press for trying something new, and John McCain watches his presidential hopes go down the drain.

What can McCain do now? One option would be to escalate the number of troops and add other stipulations that he could later claim were the reasons for failure. Look for him to do that on Sunday with the morning talk shows. To avoid having Iraq hung around his neck like a rotten albatross, he needs to move quickly.

[Theduckno2]

19. Absolutely marvelous!

I revel the thought of Sen McCain sweating the consequences of resting his Presidential ambitions on a decision made by a hard werking man in Crawford, Texas.

I personally believe that Sen. McCain's best chances at the Presidency are behind him.

[BattyDem]

18. "McCain doctrine" ... that is a brilliant move, Mr. Edwards!

:applause:

[w4rma]

21. Perfect. (nt)

[chimpymustgo]

22. Brilliant, JRE. Nail McFake. And bring our boys home.

Sorry I read this too take to Recommend.