John McCain on Face the Nation [6/29/03]

JUNE 2003: McCain: Iraq Reconstruction Will Be Very, Very Difficult, Long And Perhaps Expensive. Discussing the ongoing violence in Iraq, McCain was asked: Rather than being over, are we now into a guerrilla war, do you think? He responded: I think we're in a phase of the reconstruction of Iraq, the installation of the principles and functions of a democratic society, which is incredibly difficult. I--I think all of us who saw this a--basically as two phases: one, a military operation which was decisive, which we're all proud of, and a--and a very, very difficult, long and perhaps expensive in American blood and treasure operation, worth it, but very long and difficult. The American people need to be told about that. I think they have the fortitude to support it, because of the incredible benefits that--that can accrue from it, not only there in Iraq but throughout the region. But they need some straight talk about what the plan is, how long we're going to be there, and sooner, rather than later, how much the cost is going to be. [Face The Nation, 6/29/03]

JUNE 2003: McCain: Everyone Was Surprised By Rapid Collapse In Iraq. Discussing the ongoing violence in Iraq, McCain said: I think all of us, including me, who consider ourselves to have some expertise, were surprised at the rapid collapse, which then caused these Ba'athist elements and other individuals and organizations to remain in so--to some degree viable. And that, I think, came as a surprise to a lot of us. And it's not--not so much that the--that we were surprised, because that's the--that's the great downside to military operations, no matter how successful. It's how we cope with it and how we handle the changed situation. [Face The Nation, 6/29/03]

JUNE 2003: McCain I Dont Know If We Need More Troops. On CBSs Face the Nation, Bob Schieffer asked, Do you think, Senator McCain, it's now going to be necessary to send more American troops to Iraq to finally get this situation under control? McCains responded, You know, I don't know the answer to thatWhether we need additional troops or not, I don't know. But I do know this: that a lot of our soldiers are getting very tired, and a lot of our reservists have been on active duty for a very extended period of time. [CBS, Face the Nation, 6/29/2003]

JUNE 2003: McCain Said He Didnt Know If More Troops Were Needed In Iraq. SCHIEFFER: Well, do you think, in the end, we--i--I'll go back to what I've talked about in the beginning. Are we going to have to send more people in there? Are there enough people in there right now? Sen. McCAIN: I think we need help from our friends and allies: India, Pakistan, oth--other friends of ours, including our European friends. Whether we need additional troops or not, I don't know. But I do know this: that a lot of our soldiers are getting very tired, and a lot of our reservists have been on active duty for a very extended period of time. [CBS, Face the Nation, 6/29/2003]

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News & Politics

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• john
• mccain
• iraq

[radiodj1520]

I Believe This Was A Video Clip Of CBS News' Face The Nation With Bob Schieffer's Report On Sen. John McCain Of Arizona, And Sen. Christopher Dodd Of Connecticut On Sunday Morning, June 29, 2003.