Organizing for America

DEBATE REALITY CHECK: MCCAIN ON MUSHARRAF

TONIGHT:

McCain: “I don't think that Senator Obama understands that there was a failed state in Pakistan when Musharraf came to power. Everybody who was around then and been there knew about it, knew that there was a failed state.”

THE FACTS: MCCAIN IN DECEMBER 2007 “WAS OUTSPOKEN IN HIS DEFENSE OF MUSHARRAF” THEN MOVED TO OBAMA’S POSITION

12/28/07: Washington Post: McCain “Was Outspoken In His Defense Of Musharraf” And McCain Said Musharraf “Has Done A Pretty Good Job.” “McCain was outspoken in his defense of Musharraf, who has had to contend with criticisms today from others on the campaign trail, such as Bill Richardson's call for a curtailing of U.S. aid to Pakistan. ‘I continue to believe Musharraf has done a pretty good job, done a lot of the things that we wanted him to do,’ McCain said, citing Musharraf's decision to relinquish his military post, to call elections, and to end martial law.” [Washington Post, 12/28/07 ]

8/18/08: McCain Said The Resignation Of Musharraf Is “A Step Toward Moving Pakistan Onto A More Stable Political Footing.” McCain said in a statement, “The resignation of President Pervez Musharraf is a step toward moving Pakistan onto a more stable political footing. Pakistan is a critical theater in countering the threat of al Qaeda and violent Islamic extremism, and I look forward to the government increasing its future cooperation.” [Boston Globe, 8/18/08 ]

OBAMA HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN CRITICAL OF U.S. SUPPORT OF MUSHARRAF

Obama Said That With Our Unconditional Support Of Musharraf We Have Gotten Neither Stability Nor Democracy. Obama said, “In Pakistan, I will reject the false choice between stability and democracy. In our unconditional support for [Pakistani President Pervez] Musharraf, we have gotten neither.” [Washington Post, 3/2/08 ]

Obama Said It Was A Mistake To “Put All Our Eggs In The Musharraf Basket.” Obama said, “On the question of Pakistan, which Senator Clinton just raised -- we just had an election there. But I've said very clearly that we have put all our eggs in the Musharraf basket. That was a mistake. We should be going after Al Qaida and making sure that Pakistan is serious about hunting down terrorists, as well as expanding democracy. And I was right about that. On the issues that have come up that a commander in chief is going to have to make decisions on, I have shown the judgment to lead. That is the leadership that I want to show when I'm president of the United States.” [Democratic Debate, 2/21/08]

Obama Said Musharraf Acted In An Anti-Democratic Fashion. Obama said, “Not only do we have a president who has acted in an anti-democratic fashion the past, but we also have the rise of Islamic militants in the northwest provinces that are going back and forth between the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan.” [MSNBC, 12/27/07 ]