Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Obama Blasts Both Rivals Over Iraq Positions

He notes McCain's gaffe confusing Sunni and Shiite groups

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 19, 2008 6:17 PM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama laid into both presidential rivals on the Iraq war today, chiding John McCain for misspeaking about terror groups there and criticizing Hillary Clinton for voting to authorize the conflict. "We heard Sen. McCain confuse Sunni and Shi'ite, Iran and al-Qaeda," Obama said, pouncing on McCain for errantly accusing Iran of training Sunni Al-Qaeda in Iraq. Iran is known to train Shi'ite extremists.

"Maybe that is why he voted to go to war with a country that had no al-Qaeda ties," Obama said. McCain's camp acknowledged the mistake but shot back that Obama's plan to phase in a troop withdrawal is of greater concern. Clinton's camp, meanwhile, said Obama did little himself to try to end the war until he began his presidential campaign.

Sen. John McCain visits the town of Sderot, southern Israel, Wednesday.
Sen. John McCain visits the town of Sderot, southern Israel, Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Uriel Sinai, Pool)
Sen. Barack Obama speaks in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday.
Sen. Barack Obama speaks in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a town hall rally in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday.
Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a town hall rally in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks at a campaign rally in Detroit Wednesday.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks at a campaign rally in Detroit Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Next Prez's To-Do: Fix Diplomacy

Poll: Obama or Clinton Would Beat McCain

Obama, McCain Trade Potshots Over Iraq War

Foreign Views Prove Less Neat Than 'Hawk' and 'Dove'

Obama: Swift End to Iraq War Will Strengthen Security


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne