John McCain's Shifting Policy On Terrorism


Barack Obama on August 1, 2007: "But let me make this clear. There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again. ... If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf will not act, we will."

John McCain on August 5, 2007, commenting on Obama's statement: "It's kind of typical of his naivete.... (and) if we did it "we would want to do it in coordination with Pakistanis covertly as well...."

John McCain on January 18, 2008: "I want to look you in the eye today my friends and say that if I have to follow him to the gates of hell I will get Osama Bin laden, I will bring him to justice. I promise you that."


So is McCain's policy "I will follow bin Laden to the gates of hell unless Pervez Musharraf objects?" Actually, it's not so clear. On at least two occasions, in May, 2007 and in October, 2007, the Arizona Senator used the "gates of hell" phrase. It is quite a macho phrase for a guy you would figure, having been tortured in North Vietnam, wouldn't need to put on a display of masculinity. But, hey, these are the Repub primaries.