link A McCain Gaffe in Jordan By Cameron W. Barr and Michael D. Shear AMMAN, Jordan -- Sen. John McCain, traveling in the Middle East to promote his foreign policy expertise, misidentified in remarks Tuesday which broad category of Iraqi extremists are allegedly receiving support from Iran. He said several times that Iran, a predominately Shiite country, was supplying the mostly Sunni militant group, al-Qaeda. In fact, officials have said they believe Iran is helping Shiite extremists in Iraq. Speaking to reporters in Amman, the Jordanian capital, McCain said he and two Senate colleagues traveling with him continue to be concerned about Iranian operatives "taking al-Qaeda into Iran, training them and sending them back." Pressed to elaborate, McCain said it was "common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that's well known. And it's unfortunate." A few moments later, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, standing just behind McCain, stepped forward and whispered in the presidential candidate's ear. McCain then said: "I'm sorry, the Iranians are training extremists, not al-Qaeda." The mistake threatened to undermine McCain's argument that his decades of foreign policy experience make him the natural choice to lead a country at war with terrorists. In recent days, McCain has repeatedly said his intimate knowledge of foreign policy make him the best equipped to answer a phone ringing in the White House late at night. McCain was in Jordan leading a week-long Congressional delegation and has stressed that the trip was not political, despite the decision to hold a fundraiser in London later this week. But advisers said a side-benefit from the trip would be the image of McCain standing next to world leaders and showing his expertise on issues of war and terrorism. The U.S. has long asserted that elements of the Iranian security forces have been training and supplying weapons to Iraq's Shiite militias. Iran is an overwhelmingly Shiite country whose government has applauded the emergence of a Shiite-led government in Iraq but has denied supporting Shiite militias inside Iraq. Al-Qaeda in Iraq is a predominantly Sunni militant group which is blamed for deadly mass killings of Shiites, along with attacks on U.S. forces. Some extremist Sunni consider Shiites to be heretics and therefore legitimate targets of attack. The schism between Islam's Sunni and Shiite sects grew out of a dispute over the leadership of the faithful following the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 AD. unfortunately this doesn't get a lot of pub because its an actual issue
thank you so much for posting this- it serves to highlight the post's, and your complete ignorance of the facts on the ground in Iraq (and by extension, Iran). In fact, the insurgency in Iraq is multi-faceted, and iran is supporting each facet that supports it's strategic goal of a destabilized Iraq. American intelligence has confirmed Al Queda (in Iraq) is meeting in Iran. the idea that Iran, as a Shiite country would never cooperate with sunnis in Iraq is just absurd. fortunately, Mr. McCain has a far more nuanced view than simpletons such as the editorial board of the post, or basketball bulletin boards. and btw, Iraq is majority Shiite as well, and i recall a small matter of several million casualties between iraq and iran in the 1980s. you, as ever, are an idiot.
so why did lieberman have to correct him in the middle of his speech and mccain had to change his statement?
I saw this. I watch plenty of C-span, and find that maybe 5% of congressional members have any clue as to what is going on abroad. Surreal to think any presidential candidate can't speak intelligently on the subjects of Iraq/Iran/Sunni/Shia/Al-Queda. Of course, it may be he was having a senior moment... he is 104 years old.
hey dude, after you called me idiot for posting a legit media source you diappeared as usual why did mccain have to make the correction?
the saddest part of this is that people would rather argue about an opponent's church than his/her actual qualifications. state of american politics
Lieberman had been following Clutchfans during the 22-0 streak and ripped off our simpleton ideas. That dirty occupation loving plagiarist.
He mis-spoke, nothing less, nothing more. You are the one brought up qualification between him and Obama. Stop reaching for something that's not there.
obama's racist spiritual advisor is a MAJOR issue Obama is also not qualified what's he good at again?
McCain is not fit to lead our military much less our country. <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e4ykntCXZcE&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e4ykntCXZcE&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
Could well be the most relevant post of the thread, and it's not reassuring... to me, at least. I liked McCain a lot more, and forgave his age a lot more, before he started cozying up more to the Bush advisors. If he's having senior moments, the people standing next to him will become more and more important. It could be a lot like the deadly ventriloquist situation we have presently.
