McCain Knows Which Iraqi’s We’re Fighting – Doesn’t He?

While traveling in the Middle East to promote his foreign policy expertise Senator John McCain misidentified which broad category of Iraqi extremists are allegedly receiving support from Iran. Really?

There is no way Senator McCain doesn’t know what’s going on in Iraq, right? Could he be confused by President Bush’s claims about al-Qaeda’s presence in Iraq? Say it isn’t so Senator.

McCain 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."

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.

How could McCain keep getting this wrong? While it’s hard to make a factual argument that John McCain is not versed on foreign affairs, his repeated gaffes lend credence to some who argue that he’s too old to be president. The age issue is the 800 lb gorilla in the McCain candidacy and it’s an issue most don’t want to address but you have to wonder. If McCain, who turns 72 in August, wins, he would be the oldest person ever inaugurated as president.

Here’s what Anna Quindlen of Newsweek wrote about McCain and the issue of age.

… the senator is not your average man of his age. He takes stairs slowly and cannot lift his arms to comb his hair. One reason few people want to address his age, or his infirmity, is the valor of his Vietnam service. It's humbling to consider that he broke both arms and a leg when his fighter jet was shot down, then suffered fractured shoulders and broken ribs when he was tortured during five and a half years as a POW.

No one wants to say John McCain is too old be President. He’s a war hero and is widely respected for his independent views. But a few more lapses like the four he had this week and his candidacy might be doomed.