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'100 Years' Flap Clearly a Sore Spot for GOP

Republicans' frequent complaints about Dems signal stress

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 9, 2008 9:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – Republicans are complaining loudly that Democrats keep distorting John McCain's comments about staying in Iraq for 100 years. So loudly, in fact, that it's a dead giveaway the GOP is seriously worried about the consequences of McCain's statement, writes Steve Benen in Salon. The continuing fallout is the "single biggest mess" for his campaign.

The claim itself was “politically tone-deaf” and “an awful policy prescription,” Benen says, but the Republican response is “telegraphing” to rivals “which attack hurts the most.” The party can keep repeating that Democrats look desperate, but McCain’s words speak for themselves—and the Dems will keep emphasizing them, Benen says.

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Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

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'100 Years' Flap Clearly a Sore Spot for GOP