How will McClellan’s book affect the election?
Click the play button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say.
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Bush White House sold the Iraq war to the American people with a "political propaganda campaign" that was led by the president, and focused on "manipulating sources of public opinion" and "downplaying the major reason for going to war."
These are some of the withering charges in an explosive new book by former White House press secretary Scott McClellan. McClellan saw it all from the inside as a member of the president's inner circle.
McClellan stops just short of saying that the president lied about Iraq, but he says the administration played fast and loose with the truth in a way that almost guaranteed that the use of force would be the result. McClellan concludes: "What I do know is that war should only be waged when necessary, and the Iraq war was not necessary."
The White House is dismissing McClellan's claims as the work of a "disgruntled" former employee. But his book may have implications for John McCain. McCain has practically staked his campaign on his national security credentials and the war in Iraq – suggesting the U-S could be in Iraq for 100 years. He has also criticized Democrat Barack Obama for having "no experience or judgment or knowledge on Iraq."
McCain and Hillary Clinton voted for the war. Barack Obama did not. McClellan's book would suggest Obama got it right.
While McCain goes around saying he will never surrender in Iraq, without saying whom he would surrender to, his sale of the Iraq war to the American people as a campaign issue just got a whole lot trickier. A White House insider says the war wasn't necessary.
Here’s my question to you: How will Scott McClellan's book affect the presidential election?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Judy from Exeter, California writes:
McCain doesn't have an ice cube’s chance in hell now. McClellan has done the right thing, but for many, it's too little too late. Sleep well, Mr. Bush/Cheney. How can they live with themselves?
Shawn from Rosharon, Texas writes:
The question shouldn't be whether McClellan’s book will affect the election. Rather, the question should be whether or not the American people will listen.
Terri from Virginia writes:
When he left his post at the White House, McClellan received accolades and we heard how he would be missed. Now that he has the audacity to challenge the "facts" leading up to the war, he is a disgruntled employee. I think it has the potential to hurt McCain's campaign if the Rove machine doesn't figure out a way to spin this.
Margarite from Florida writes:
It’s just another political hack trying to make money by selling his friends and employer out.
Steve from Laguna Niguel, California writes:
The truth shall set you free! The American people are finally getting some truth to how pathetic the Bush administration really is. The book will only enforce the notion that we need change.
Andrew writes:
Sadly, the book will have little impact on the election. Fewer and fewer voters read. Of those who do, those already planning to vote Republican will dismiss the book as a hatchet job by a writer looking to cash in on his service with Bush - and those planning to vote Democrat already knew that Bush lied to bend public opinion. The book's message is: "Same story, different day."
Linda from Woodbury, New Jersey writes:
The combination of the HBO special "Recount" and the McClellan book was the one-two punch that made me feel that neither “We The People” nor the electoral college is running the show, and that the media has not given us the guidance we needed to get us through. It may affect the election. I might not vote at all. Is there any point? All we get is spin. We don't have a clue.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
i do not think it will affect the election at all. the people who want us out of the war would not vote for mc cain in the first place.and this is not anything new about bush. to me it just all remains the same!!!
The scary thing is that after all of these years and all of the evidence supporting these accusations, that anyone thinks this is a new story. Even scarier is the fact that the people shocked by these accusations are also voters. Our elections are now beauty contests with too many in the public not bothering to actually understand either the issues or the individual candidates true positions.
Jack – It reinforces what everybody but the McCain campaign knows:
a) "A Vlillage in Texas is Missing Its Idiot"
b) Bush and Cheney committed high crimes and should have been impeached
c) The war was based on complete lies
d) All of the above
It won't. He's just another person whining about the Bush administration. There's another 200 million like him in this country.
It means that regardless of who runs for the democrats, even if it were my buddy bozo the clown, they will win in November.
Jack
Just another cement block around John McCains ankle. The timing on the release of this book was right on the money, the democrats are celebrating today.
I doubt that McClellan's book will change anyone's mind – at this point folks who back the war do so in spite of the shennigans that no doubt went on during the prelude to war, and those that have turned against the war or were against it from the beginning are just saying "I told you so!"
Don't know how much it will impact the election. Most intelligent people have decided. It does show that McClellan has found his conscious and grown a backbone. Too bad it is so late in the game.
Tom expresses my thought completely. I only wonder why it has taken so long to Impeach and try as war criminals. We have charged people for war crimes for much less.
The Iraq War has cost many lives as well as enormous amounts of money. It has also ruined America's international reputation and respect.
But an election is not a blame game - it is about the future of the country, not about its past.
Well Jack sometimes the truth hurts. But, a little reality can only help.
Most of us knew what was happening and why. Now it is more available to all from a consummate insider.
Jack,
For McClellan's book to have any effect on the upcoming election American's as a whole would need to be completely surprised that anyone in the Bush administration was even capable of telling a lie. But since we're all aware of the total lack of ethics and complete disdain for the truth held so firmly by this President and his accomplices this book should ammount to little more than another loyal Bushie turned American and have no direct effect on the election.
Last I checked, John McCain was not a member of the Bush administration, nor was he privy to any of the "information" that his administration "had". It should not affect the general election.
If the WH thinks because he was fired that he said those things then what is the reason for the other 99% of the population?
Minimal impact – everone who thinks already knew that Bush misrepresented the situation.
This is hardly news; we already knew the administration made at least 237 misleading statements on the Iraq war. I think most voters have been taking that into consideration for quite some time now.
studio city, ca. Jack, I believe it will have little or no effect . CNN should do a poll of reading americans..it's my belief that Obama leads this demographic already by a whopping margin. It would be the non hard working whites with too much time on its hands!
This shows us futher that this administration has gone on free will and not the will of americans that elected them.I blame the GOP for turning a deaf ear on anything/'everyone that countered there beleaf's.I blame the democrats for not impeaching BUSH & CHENEY.
I’m not sure what it will do, but what it should do – is have anyone considering supporting another Republican administration, think twice. I know McCain is not Bush but both of them have this chip on their shoulder, tuff guy, my way or the highway quality, which has gotten us absolutely, know where and frankly I have had enough of it. Hopefully so have America.
This book does not reveal anything we do not already know. Folks knew the Bush regime were crooks in 2004 and voted for them. What will change this election is people are hurting economically. It is too bad a lot of Americans only think straight when it affects only their well being.
It won't be on my must read list but how else is McClellan going to sell a book like this?
It seems to me that if he knew all of these things that he alleges then as an American citizen he should have blown the whistle instead of being part of the problem.
I don't think it will effect the election at all. Seems to me that all of congress were duplicit in failing to ferret out the truth before authorizing the 2 wars. They are all equally culpable for where we are today economy wise, war wise and debt wise. McClellan was just the messenger.
Jack,
McClellan's book will further remind Americans of what a disaster the Bush presidency has been. The more the Democrats can connect and equate Bush to McCain, the more dishonest and unelectable McCain will appear.
Nick
Ohio
Lying the country into an unnecessary should be a crime; so I intend to vote for the candidate who promises to put these people in jail!
Ed Reed
Port Aransas, TX
Hi Jack
this book couldnt have came out at a better time,while McCain and McBush where in a fun raiser together,I hope the American people finaly see Bush for what he is a snake in the grass and McCain right along with him,the GOP no longer can hide.
clearwater,fl
Hi Jack:
It is obvious Mr. Bush lied to us. I think he lied so much, he believes his own lies. That being said. I doubt Mr. McCain would be much different. His character demonstrates that.
I guess I don't need to read a book to see the obvious.
Ron San Diego
McClellan was a willing, very well paid participant from day one as Bush's mouthpiece….he did not have the morals, courage or good sense to walk away sooner and tell the truth. As a result, over 4000 of America’s finest men and women have been killed with tens of thousands more wounded in Iraq.
The ONLY reason McClellan is speaking out now is crystal clear …..the man has a book so sell and wants to make a big money from being a liar....
This book will tie those lies to Clinton for supporting the war when it was popular and then opposing it when the polls went south and to John McCain for wanting to keep American troops in Iraq for the next 100 years.........
Obama is the clear winner on this issue.....
Hopefully it will open the eyes of the people who have chosen to
be oblivious to what has been happening to our country.
Hopefully voters will realize how the Bush administration and
the republicans have only had their goals and ambitions in
mind when making decisions.
Hopefully this will prove how they totally failed to represent the
people of this country.
Hopefully they will not want another republican in office for
a hundred years, if then.
Jack,
The book confirms what a good portion of Americans figured out for themselves after the first two or three months of the war.
Obama will benefit from this book without even discussing it, thus avoiding the argruments from others that it's not true. He just needs to keep on reminding Americans that he was against this war from the beginning (unlike McCain and Clinton) and begin bringing the troops home after he becomes our next President.
Terri
San Luis Obispo, California
Anyone who finds anything surprising in the book must have just returned from a trip to Mars. Anyone who would even consider voting for McSame for any reason under any circumstance is as dumb as a post. Since 30% of the population still thinks Bush is a great president and even more think McSame will be a better one, there will be a lot of posts voting this year. It will have no effect at all.
Scott McClellan is my hero for telling the truth and asserting claims on how bad GWBush and his goons were in the White House.
This is basically a gigantic gift given to Barack Obama. I don't think McCain will comment on the book and he wont try to either. Once Hillary brings her support behind Obama, she will have a field day on the Republicans thanks to Scott McClellan.
The only thing that should follow here is the GWBush impeachment headed by Barack Obama.
For a President of the United States of America, isn't taking this nation to war for political and financial gain the worst crime possible?
Isn't acting as if the U.S. army were your own personal army considered to be high treason?
What's the penalty for high treason?
This book is basically the beginning of the end for John McCain.
It may slightly hurt McCain because he is joined at the hip with Bush. I commend McClellan for coming out with this book although he will certainly be excommunicated from the Republican Party, but that is a good thing. McClellan pretty much confirms what most Americans know about the crooks and liars running this country the last 8 years. It is time to clean house, Jack.
McClellan's book is supported by previous statements made by Bush and Cheney when they referred to the militants in Iraq as "nothing more than street thugs and hoodlums". In past history no president has ever sent a full force military into a foreign country to fight street thugs and hoodlums and it should never happen again under any president.
For me it won't affect a thing. I already knew that Iraq was a fairy tale. I just want to know why McCain is in it too. I gave him the benefit of the doubt thinking that he may be worried about the troops, but after his opposition to the GI bill I had to conclude he doesn't care about them either.
Are you kidding? After 24 hours the people who make decisions at mainstream media will dig up some left handed gay third cousin of Sen. Obama's who doesn't like broccoli and they will ram that "story" down their viewer's throats for a full week. The mainstream media has already lost interest in the lies about Katrina, lies about Rumsfeld quitting, lies about Iraqi oil money paying for Iraqi reconstruction and all the flip flops McCain has executed in the course of the campaign. Unless the movie comes out in October, none of you on TV will be talking about this book come November. cy gardner arlington, VA
I don't know whether it will affect the election or not, but it should. You know Jack, I must be smarter than a 5th grader because I saw through George Bush and his rush to war from the git-go. Maybe Barack Obama did too, but I wish he would stop saying he did not vote for the war . . . he couldn't have voted for it because he was not in the Senate at the time of the vote.
Is it too late to start impeachment charges against the entire Bush administration? Just starting proceedings would show generations to come that you cannot lie and cheat yourself through life and get away with it indefinitely.
It's doubtful that it will affect the election. It does prove, once again, that candidates should pick their own VP and vet their friends before allowing them to take office. It also proves that we, as voters, should not ever elect anyone of the same family. They are always influenced by what the fore-relative didn't get done. I think President Bush ran for office at the bidding of his father and then had to listen to his father on the unfinished results of the Saudi War. The former Bush should have listened to Schwarscaft, and then none of this would have happened. McCain is not likely to be blamed for every blunder of his fore-leaders, especially when he is making big waves trying not to even associate with them.
ds/missouri
John McCain just needs to wear an "I'm With Stupid T-Shirt" while campaining with George W. Bush.
It will hurt McCain dramatically since he has chosen to lock himself to president Bush. Also, president Bush should not get a free pass as a result of all of this; this is tatamount to a war crime and Mr. Bush's legacy will be badly damaged. I'll bet his final approval rating in office will be lower than Nixon's.
For the majority of us who believed we were lied to about the Iraq war, this book only helps to support our belief. I'm a true believer that the truth will eventually be known. In gov't it takes years to find out the truth. But this time the truth came to quickly for John Mccain's campaign and his Iraq war policies. His willingness to continue a war that was built on lies and follow in the person footsteps who was responsible for telling them lies, can only spell disaster for his campaign.
I doubt it will make much of an impact on the election at all. Most people have decided, and those who haven't will probably not be affecty by the book because McClellan took too long in choosing to do the right thing. It seems as though he's attempting to wash his own conscience as much as he is trying to demonstrate the gross incompetence and criminal behavior of the Bush administration. That said, his book is all the more proof we should drag Bush, Cheney, and all their cohorts before the International Criminal Court. Oh wait... we're not a party to that international body, either...
I, too, agree with Tom – Virginia, and have long-supported the impeachment and trial of Bush/Cheney but Nancy Pelosi won't hear of it. As far as I'm concerned, she has sanctioned the crimes of Bush/Cheney and is not fit to be Speaker of the House. As to the book, so tell us something we didn't already know or suspect.
I beleive it will Jack. The American people and Congress were duped by this presidency regarding Iraq. Look at the mess we're in. John McCain says he"ll never surrender; surrender to what? The justification of all this means a democratic win this November and change for the better!
It won't affect the election at all....it doesn't reveal anything we didn't already know.
It's hard to see what effect the book will have on the election from small snippets released to sell the book. I'll wait until the book in it's entirety becomes available to make up my mind.
If McCain's tired old brain has any synapses still working in it, he will immediately distance himself as far as he can from George Bush and his administration's disgraceful actions regarding Iraq. But he won't – and it will add a point or two to Obama's margin of victory come November.
This is one of many who have finally seen the error of their ways...hopefully it will tank the Republicans... and give heart to the Dems....
I also hope the world court is reading, watching and waiting for the opportunity to bring charges against Bush and Cheney for war crimes.
If the Democrats can continue to tie McCain to Bush, then this just makes Bush look worse, along with McCain.
In other words, McCain will have to explain to 300 million Americans why he wants to continue an unnecessary war.
If you make a mistake, no matter how big it is, the first step is to STOP!!!
Why is that so hard for someone like Bush or McCain to understand?
Now, my message to anyone who is not totally convinced that Bush is an idiot is:
If you've lost your baseball at Jack's house, do you look for it at Bill's house?
Because that's what Bush did. He knew that there were WMDs in North Korea. The whole world knows it. But he went to Iraq where there were none, instead.
Are you convinced now? If not, then may God have mercy on your souls!
It just confirms that Bush and company don't listen to anyone. Dissent obviously has no place in this administration. If McCain is to have any chance whatsoever he must put some major distance between himself and Bush. The sad thing is that he cannot because he the one talking about being in Iraq for 100 years. It seems that time always brings out more and more dissenters to the Bush White House. I believe that Bush has done irreparable damage to the Republican party.
It just goes to show how politicians will twist and turn events into their own agenda. In my opinion, John McCain is following the same path as George Bush. I would think the American people should be tired of the same old politics. We need someone fresh in the White House ... not the same old antics..
Does anyone think McClellan would have written a book positive about Bush if he wanted to make money? The answer is obvious and while it doesn't mean he is lying about everything it surely shows that he has a vested interest in putting the worst spin on everything.
As for the election I doubt it have any play. Will any CNN or MSNBC viewers suddenly have an epiphany and decide that they really don't like Bush? I don't think so and despite the strident efforts of the hacks McCain is still not a Bush clone and most people are smart enough to know that.
As far as McClellan's book"s effect on the election goes, it shouldn't effect the candidates, but maybe we can impeach G.W.B. now!
Jack:
It should draw some of the center away from McCain and toward Obama who said NO!.
Although I first believed after Powell's UN presentation; it soon became clear if was Bush "wagging the dog." The movie is listed as a comedy. No one is laughing anymore.
Jon
Calif.
Jack,
The McCellan book only supports what we American that have been truly following this administrations actions already knew. I'm not exactly sure how this will translate to the McCain-Obama race and I don't think anyone really knows. McCain did vote for the war and Obama spoke against it.
Even though Obama didn't have a senate vote at the time, he was actively running for election,so he should be given credit for taking a risk with his decision making and candidacy.
The fact is everyone thorughout the world new the invasion of Iraq was conceived through lies including the British although their prime minister was Bush's pet poodle in this whole affair. The unfortunate part is in the U.S. people who spoke against the war and the administration are branded as being unpatriotic.
McCain forgot he wasn't supposed to mention the reason for the war was oil and had to try and cover up his remarks by saying he was referring to the Gulf War where Iraq invaded Kuwait.
McCain using the word "SURRENDER" is the same policy of thinking as he is counting on voters not being able to distinquish between patriotism and common sense as a reason to keep letting your soldiers die in the middle of someone else's civil war.
People are either aware enough to have already known about the deception the White House has been spreading for 8 years, or they're not. After Downing Street, Scooter Libby, Guantanamo Bay, and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, one more drop in the bucket isn't going to convince anyone who hasn't figured it out already.
Jackson
Rome, GA
Jack, your piercing analysis of McLellan’s scathing comments – and the effect they may have on John McCain’s defense of the war, is probably a most accurate picture of whatever effect the book may have on the campaign. The truth, however, is that the book only confirms what the American people have long believed. The average voter figured things out faster than did McLellan.
his revelations are not a surprise....what we wonder is why the president and his cohorts have not been impeached
The Repulicans have chosen their legacy. I'm not surprised by anything that I hear anymore.
mk – ex-Repulican in SC
The book just states the obvious, Jack. I don't think the american people are as gulible as the Bush Administration painted us to be. Nor are we guilble to fall for the same policies.
Doucbe trouble for Mc Same.
M
NY
his book just verifies what I thought all along . Bush has continually lied to the American people because he knew the people were gulable enough to swallow whatever he said. They are just now wising up, after he has gotten this country sold out to China and has gotten our economy ruined.
Jack,
McClellan's book is old news as far as how we got into the war, and is not applicable as to how we get out. Other than to give the war's opponents an 'I told you so' moment, this will have no effect. We need to get out, and we can do it Obama's way (run) or McCain's way (win).
It won't. Everybody knows this stuff by now. Anyone who doesn't know this hasn't been paying attention and will be voting for McCain anyway since all the republicans I know are very uninformed people who rarely know-or care-about things like this.
At the very least it will dredge up all of those feelings of being sold a bill of goods. With help from you and your colleagues it will remind the American people why the Iraq war was a bad idea, why they hate it and the President who got them into it, and that Senator McCain and Senator Obama are on very different sides of the issue.
Any impact beyond that would be surprising to me because after all we're talking about a book – do you have any idea how many people I know that don't like to read?
and for the rest of the story wait till Colin powells book comes out. then we will see if the remaining 30% of the bush morons who support him still think he is great..... doug in arkansas
Until this morning, most Americans forgot that Scott McClellan even existed. By the time November comes around, most people will forget this book exists. Although I agree with the tone of the book, I'm willing to bet he lies a lot in it. Probably just another Bush crony trying to save face in the court of public opinion while making a quick buck. I like his assertion that only now does he understand why going to war without a reason is a bad thing. That would imply that up until 5 years ago, he didn't possess logic. Please, he knew it was wrong at the time and only regrets that the administration was "caught" lying, not that they lied.
The only effect it will have– and this may be considerable– is it will make it just a little harder for McCain to sell the voters on the war– again. Making the war the cornerstone of his campaign, as he seems to plan on doing will more than ever highlight the Bush mistakes and lies.
Maybe McCain will have to find a new issue.
More than 4,000 American lives lost in an "unnecessary" war! Those families will demand that November 4th is MEMORIAL DAY!
How is the word of a man who knowingly lied for a living going to affect John McCain's Presidential bid? A great deal my friend. I mean, if you can't trust a guy who lies for a living, who can you trust?
Nothing will change the Believers, and HELLO, if you have not been in a cave, you probable KNOW this stuff already. The book is good thing for an un-employed speaker to make a living from, Nothing else.
Jack, sure it will hurt him if he continue to carry on the lie , but hanging around Bush without cameras will hurt him more. That was not a smart move.
Jack even though this is old news, it illustrates the fact that there have been far too many lemmings and not enough leaders in the Bush administration. My own thought is that this book is coming out way too early to affect the election in November. If it had come out closer to the election it could have easliy construed McCain as a lemming and Obama, simply through his opposition, as a leader.
It's just another posthumous dagger. People in the McCain, Clinton , and Bush camps give loyalty a bad name. Still, Sen. Clinton and McCain refuse to take any responsablity for their blind assesments. I suppose, now, in this country, we reward incompentence with a shot at the Presidency. Clinton and McCain should feel shame. Unfortunately, they view themselves as infallible.
alot if the voters want to know how McCain and his party think. I know the truth will hurt.
McCain might have to move his private fundraisers with Bush to some cave or underground somewhere.
Where was Scott McClellan's moral outrage before we entered the silly season? This is just old news re-hashed and re-wrapped. We all know that we got snookered by Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld over Iraq, and now some "tattle tale insider" wants to rub our noses in it for their own personal gain. No thanks. This book has nothing to do with John McCain and everything to do with cashing in.
McClellan's book will have no effect on the general election if enough people continue to believe that President Bush was right to go to war in Iraq and that McCain's embracement of this same war policy is good and should be continued. These same people would probably also believe the Reverend Jim Jones was a much-maligned prophet of God, and that he really didn't know the kool-aid was spiked with poison.
Most Republicans I know are more likely to believe the anonymous forwards in their e-mail in-boxes than what's on CNN and other major news networks. And, they don't read. So I don't think McClellan's book will affect their voting decisions. As for the rest of us, we're already behind the Democrats.
Boise, ID
Do McCain supporters read?
i hope not alot. i hope the public did not need a book by scott mcclellan to know that bush has lied repeatedly. but then, the public DID elect this bunch of frat boys.
The book says publicly what everyone was thinking anyway. I always felt Iraq was young Bush's continuing what his dad started...take out Saddam. Then of course, there's the oil issue.
McCain is just way TOO insistent on talking all the time about war, surrender (as compared to what and to whom?). McCain will be all war and no economic talk just like Bush. Bush abandoned our economy. McCain would do the same.
Ok...back to the book. I think it will impact voters a great deal if they will take the time to read some of it. Even greater impact is that Bush and his buddies are so furious? It McClelland's book was just a disgruntled former employee...then why are they all so upset?
The media WAS soft on the war in Iraq and Bush. Just think what an impact it might have been if the media had paid as much attention to Iraq back then as they have to Rev. Wright.
Pres. Bush can't comment on a book he won't read, just be briefed about. How can he reject what he hasn't read????
McCain is tied to Bush's apron strings as is most of the Republican party. Yes, it will have an impact, just don't know how much
The Bush administration cared more about pride than well-being of American people!
Re: Mclellan; now Bush has to do some real tap dancing. He is going to use a choreographer for this one of course, as always.
Has anyone considered the possible basis of this book???? Don't hear that the media has..
Books like this are written upon REFLECTION !
Meh....McClellen stated prior to leaving his post his primary motivator was money....bashing Bush sells, so why the surprise?
Amazingly, these very same players condemning W and Co, and for many reasons rightly so, are the ones that rallied behind Clinton as he blew up aspirin factories to distract the media was his Oral Office shenanigans!
Impeached? Grow up son.....W has been investigated within an inch of his life....if you take everything reported as fact, you are just as foolish as those still believeing Big Oil is evil.
let's hope so! Go Obama!!!
Jack,
This is just the long version of Mr. McClellan of saying: I endorse Barack Obama.
Mia,
Eau Claire, WI
The stars are aligning for Obama.
And the world is preparing the gallows for George W. Bush.
It will cause part of the republican evangelical base to wake up and stop allowing politicians to manipulate their faith and beliefs for personal gain since there's nothing Christ-like about lying and using propaganda to justify a war where innocent civilians are killed and soldiers are sacrificed. Also, Jesus was concerned about the poor and we all know how much Bush catered to the rich.
2 out of 4, don't worry the other two will come around
good stuff! this will make mr bush's war crimes trial much easier. impeach! indict! imprison! waterboard!
It won't affect it at all. People don't read.
When a close insider like McClellan says the Iraq war wasn't necessary, he hit the nail squarely on the head. I hope it's the final nail in the Bush administration's coffin.
It just on time I, been telling for a long time who Mr.Bush has lie to the American people to act in the aggression on Iraq, the hole thing is a lie a blunder and a fiasco for this Administration.
We need something to effect this election, it might as well be Scott and his book. I am so sure that most middle class americans are so fed up with the goings on of Bush that nothing will surprise them.
McCain says he has to educate Obama on Iraq.
The guy who said this...
"I Believe that success will be fairly easy. – John McCain 9/24/02
Has to educate the guy who said this...
"I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences." – Barack Obama 10/2/02
I don't think so.
This book should be free and put in the Room for Good Lavatory reading – Jack!
Especially, with all the B.S. that came from the White House and the Republican Party, these eight years .
If any for those who are still living on Pluto, they just might do away with the Republican Party and its" We are Better than God Theory" – "Believe Us – Would We Lie to You?"
Bush has alway's been about his agenda. I still don't know how he even won the presidency. He response when Katrina hit was beyond slow. I was shocked at how long it took our Government to send any help. This administation has been the worst in history. The truth will alway's shine it's bright face and this time everyone will see what deceiver's we have had in office the last eight year's.
Is america stupid!!!
Can't anyone tell Bush and his cronies duped us!!!
I'm not surprised at all..
The administration and its puppet, John McCain, will ridicule and debase Scott McClellan, but the Demoscrats will add it to their arsenal. If there is a god, perhaps use of this book can swing the election to the Dem side.
Disgruntled? I thought that Bush and him would be growing old together sitting in rocking chairs talking about "the good old days".
I don't think that the book really matters. It just validates everything that we've been thinking of the past 8 years of our lives. Bush failed this country. We all know that he's lied to us. We all know that he's worked to make the richer get richer and poorer will get poorer. He has a lot to answer for... if he is even articulate enough to express anything.
Jack – Bush and his administration did just fine on his own to effect this election, with or without book.
It won't effect anything; we all knew President Cheney, VP Rumsfeld and their idiot puppet, Bush were lying all along. It would have counted for far more if the spineless idiot had spoken up WHEN IT WAS HAPPENING. This country has suffered and will continue to suffer greatly because of the actions of the republicans – McClellan is just trying to line his pockets so he can buy back his soul.
Scott who?
From Rochester, NY: Scott McClellan always looked fidgety and uncomfortable when he repeated the White House line on Iraq, and now we know why. Bush has always depended on long-time associates, but more for their loyalty than their competence. But apparently McClellan has more respect for truth than for his old boss. So do 77% of the American people.
Greg ...Cabot AR has the best comment here.
This Blows both Hillary and McCain out of the water. How can we stay for 100 years for something that is nothing more than a propaganda ploy. And this goes to the credibility of Obama's judgement. McCain can no longer support the war with this revelation. And pretty much there goes his foreign affairs issue.
Tracy
ofcourse it'll effect the election
Jack- It won't, Everybody with half a brain cell already knew that,
But for those 12% That still support bush-Mcsame, maybe just maybe, they will understand why 95% of us do not support the invasion. Now that one of their own has put it print, I JUST HOPE THEY KNOW HOW TO READ
The reason the book will not affect the election is that the american people who will vote for John McCain for president would vote for the Republican nominee no matter what and wont take the time to read such a book. The Republican spin machine will play hard enough on the fears of their base, that just like fear of hellfire keeps many going to extreme consevative christian churches year after year, fear of the "evil-doers" will keep Republican supporters voting for McCain.
It will have no impact because Americans have extremely short memories and the election is in like another 5 months. That's a lifetime in the memory of the bulk of Americans. Plus, who cares? Everybody knows we shouldn't have gotten involved in that crap hole in the first place and it's not going to change unless Obama gets elected. Just more noise during a noisy time of year.
Unfortunately, this will undoubtedly impact the independent vote for McCain - but only because there will be little or no effort made by most people to analyze McClellan's true intentions in this stunt. The reality is that McClellan is claiming to have been complicit in one of the greatest lies ever told to the American people. What has happened since that time to encourage him to come clean? Has he found God? More likely, he has spent too many years out of the spotlight and is starting to reach the bottom of his piggy bank. It is rare for a true traitor to the American people to air his dirty laundry so freely, so he must have been truly in financial straits and in need of another camera pointing in his face.
George Bush lied to the American people about the war? And the news here is what?
I seriously doubt the book will have any impact on the election. However you Jack – your keen insight and analysis – your profound ability to see the world the way it really is – you my friend will definitely impact the election! Don't stop now Cafferty the world needs you.
this is good for obama and the dnc jack,i think its time to start talk about impeech bush and his crony chainey
McClellan's book won’t change a thing. Remember, this is the same country that questions if a US Senator that is running for president is patriotic enough to be commander and chief. Once again propaganda will rear it's ugly head to say that McClellan is disgruntled or trying to renew his image. How on earth can McCain say that we are winning a war that should not have taken place in the first place? It’s kind of like hitting someone with their back turned before someone comes to the rescue to break up the fight. I wonder now If Americans will now take off the rose colored sunglasses.
I always sensed McClellan was uncomfortable covering up Bush's blunders. Perhaps now more fence-sitters will see through the McCain race for the presidency and bring this nation back to respectability by voting for Obama's platform of change. If not, we're all in for a horrific national decline.
If anyone thinks that the truth will sway the blind followers of Bush & Co., think again. They have been and always will be deluded into thinking this war was 100% the right thing to do and that any naysayers are unpatriotic for exercising their duty and right to question their government. How dare we!
Hopefully it will bring to the light how bad, the Bush administration wanted the war to happen and it will show how bad of a decision Hillary Clinton and John McCain made voting to give the President the power to create a war through fear and lies. If John McSame had a brain he would stay away from Bush during this controversey. If he doesn't, hopefully Obama or Bob Barr could capitalize off of it!
As a fellow Texan, I have been utterly embarassed to say where I was from when traveling outside of the state in work situations. I always felt a small sense of hope when the McClellans were picked for positions inside the President's administration.
I sense that the book has nothing to do with GW and I am anxious to read it.
I can't believe it! A republican actually "DOING THE RIGHT THING".
Jack It will not change anything in the election the people that are in denile about how bush got us into the war will still beleve that, and the rest of the nation will not suddenly decide ro change it vote either .
Somewhere in the ballpark from miniscule to zilch- the war-drumming neocons are dug too deep in their trenches; I seriously doubt whether chucking in a book will cause these cowards to scatter.
Ghandi quote, first they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then "you" win. Seems like what has been going on for decades by the government. Now we the people are about to win.
No Jack, the book will have no real affect on the election. It says that McCain and Clinton voted for the war based on information that the White House manipulated...we already knew that. Obama did not vote for the war because he was not in a position to vote for or against it. He was not in the Senate yet. The book will have an affect on Bush's legacy, and that is why the Bush White House doesn't like it.
Jack
Des Moines, Iowa
Florida, Iraq, and now this, I wish everyone would have listened to Jesse Jackson when he said we need to stay out the Bushes
The book won't do much to affect the general election because most americans already know that the Bush Administration went to war of poor and pathetic reasons.
Who is really going to take time to read his book? The media will have to bring up stuff in there in order for the public to pay attention...we have better things to do..like look for part time work to pay for gas!!!
Are you suggesting voters in this country read books? Silly.
Once again, Barack Obama did not vote against the Iraq war. He was not in the Senate at the time.
I think no more than the fact that McCain is a Republican.
McClellan's book will have no real effect. Everyone who was honest with themselves already knew what he says was true. People whose opinions were established by other considerations will still be driven by the other considerations.
Jim, Craig, CO
It probably doesn't mean much of anything to McCain. The American public will probably drink his kool aide anyway. All you have to do to get elected in this country is to be pro war, even if the war is wrong. i'm still waiting for us to invate Cuba. What the heck, a victory is a victory right?
Jack,
I find it amusing that Scott McClellan is now being characterized by this administration as a "disgruntled" former employee. What else would you expect from a morally bankrupt and deceitful administration that wouldn't know the truth if it hit them smack in the face.
What I do find disturbing, is that we have to tolerate 7 more months of this inept administration's continued spin on anything that it doesn't understand or fails to handle; wait... that appears to be everything.
This just further cements the Bush administration as being one of the worst in history and if the Democrats can associate Bush and McCain, the republicans have no chance
Jack,
I can't even remember the reasons what we're in Iraq anymore. First, it was to follow Al Qaeda there. Then it was because of the Weapons of Mass Destruction that were in Iraq. Then, it was to free the women and children. Or was it the way Saddam Hussein killed the Kurds? I dunno, I'm just too confused.
Will McClellan's book affect the election? Of course not! We are going to focus on things that will really show the candidates' ability to be President... like whether Obama meant Auschwitz or Buchenwald.
Hey Jack
Let me start by saying I really enjoy The Cafferty File. The reason why were still in this situation called "WAR" is because I believe it was best said by Colin Powell when he told Bush "if you break it you own it" and we been paying a whole lot for this debacle. Shame !!!!!!!!
We knew all that.
Media was the vehicle of all that propaganda and lies from this administration.
In any case, this book takes us back to those days of propaganda and lies.
McCain doesn't have a chance,everybody knows the invasion of Iraq was Bush crap even at the time it was being sold by the media for the Bushies.The only interest Bush and the republican's have in Iraq is oil.
Paul
Jack Scott McClellan’s book will not affect the presidential election. The Republicans can go any lower. The American people knew what was in it before it came out. Just look at the polls.
Jack, I bet you could find the name of almost 300 million Americans who didn't vote for the Authorization to use Military Force in Iraq. That doesn't mean they should be President.
Bel Air MD
I'm sure this is not the end of the truth. We need more people exposing the real Bush administration. I hope to see more people like Mcclellan follow their conscience and show Bush for what he really is. Keep up the good work Jack and CNN.
This guy is brilliant. Write a book from the perspective of an insider of an administration he is no longer apart of. Provide no more factual content than what is currently public knowledge. Stoke the fires of those that already passionately hate the bush administration. And the icing on the cake, those idiots buy his book. That's a perfect crime.
This book has the potential to be a vital blow to McCain's campaign, it comfirms what most of America has known for years now, which is that our current president gained support of the war through fear tactics and deciet. With McCain being such a strong advocate for the war it will be hard for him to overcome McClellan's charges; either way this is some tough literature for McCain, maybe they'll try to cancell out this book s publicity with Cindy's memoirs, they may need to push the release date again
McClellan is merely saying something that most of the American people have already accepted as fact. While it certainly isn't going to help Sen McCain, I can't see it hurting very much since the cat has been out of the bag for a long time
Jack, to tell you the truth, McClellan's book will not hurt John McCain. If McClellan had some semblance of conscience, he would have spoken up a long time ago...he did not and neither is he giving his advance for the book to charity. So why whine, Mr. Cafferty?
This book makes no diference. People who are for the war, are still be for the war, people who are against war, are still against the war, and people who don't care will remain oblivious.
Jack! This bush administration is nothing to right home about, i am just sick to my stomach how this people play their games with innocent Americans.
Jack,
Let's hope the 25% of people in this country that believe this administration has told the truth pertaining to Iraq now wake up and open their eyes. This has been a National disgrace – but the Bush's, McCain's and their spin machine will attempt to destroy Scott as they have done to anyone who disagrees or speaks out against the war. We cannot have another 4 years of this BS.
Dennis
Bristol, RI
Looks like the cat's out of the bag and the three liers have been caught red handed, bush, cheney and rove. Can't wait to hear the lies they are conjuring up as we speak. They are running out of paint and getting closer to the corner every second.
Although the people in the WhiteHouse say that McClellan's claims are not true, what else could they say? I think he is not disgruntled but is coming clean and it takes a lot of courage to do so. Thank you from your fellow Americans. Hopefully, Americans will pay attention when it comes time to vote!
Jack,
What else is new!
McClellan's book may not affect the result, but it's another example of the extensive failures of the Bush administration–and why McCain ("GWB, the Sequel") will fail in November.
President Bush with his cowboy tactics not only took himself two (2) elections but took the American people to a war that was not necesssy. He only wanted the oil that country was rich in while not taking in to account all the lives that would be lost because of his own selfish greed. How will we ever get out of this mess?
Freida
I doubt it will make much of a difference. I just read that 65% of republicans continue to believe that Bush is doing a good job so if they still identify with his policies, I don't think a book by McClellen will bring any new insight for them.
The McClellan book lays bare the lies justifying the war in Iraq. It leaves John McCain in the untenable postion of defending a war deemed by McClellan to be the product of propaganda and unncessary. There simply is no defense of an indefensible war. Good luck John!!!
Re: "Just another 200 million people whining about Bush."
Yeah, that's right, Tom. Just about three-quarters of the population think he's the worst president ever. But don't let that strike you as a significant fact. The 25% he's still got with him (at a generous estimate) are better and brighter than the three-quarters he has lots.
Obama didn't have a chance to "get it right" because he wasn't a Senator at the time and was not able to vote. This should be corrected.
How dare Scott for talking about President Bush and the gang that couldn't shoot straight. Now we know that they can't talk straight either!
I don't see this affecting the election. I don't know why people feel this will affect McCain in anyway. People seem to be mixing two ideas together. The first idea being the reasons why we should have went to war, which McClellan is critical of. The next idea is McCain's continued support for the war. They are two different things. The later has nothing to do with the former. I know of several people who were against the war in the beginning, however feel that we should stay because the consequences would be too great if we were to leave. I have heard McCain speak very little of why we should have gone in, rather I have heard him speak a great deal of why we need to stay there.
Before we hang the noose over McCain's neck for believing what Bush said, lets not forget that the majority of congress also believed, including Clinton, that what Bush was saying was accurate.
it will have a huge impact. Mccain states that he will never surrender in iraq. But what he means is he will not surrender the ill gotten oil back to the iraqi people.
Unfortunately it will have no effect. I will buy it because I love to read about Bush and his disasters, and will support virtually anyone who attacks Bush. I get upset with McCain even if he acknowledges that Bush exists.
Jack –
Who cares? Everybody needs to suck it up for 6-7 months and then Bush and Cheney cannot have any power to influence laws or policies anymore.
The election, not at all. The polling, look out! It is going to harder for the pollsters & pundits to find anyone willing to admit they are supporting Bush's third term.........
Jack, it just adds more fuel to the fire. Between McClellan's book and the Charlie Black issues McCain's GOP platform is a doomed ship. This should swing over many voters.
Kevin
Warren, MI
Not at all. The bobble heads and Foxies are always too dazzled by the truth. They are like the boobs still driving around with Bush/Cheney bumper stickers, too slow to know that everyone is laughing at them. The rest of us already knew this..
I commend Scott for having the strength and courage to speak the truth about the Bush Administration. This book shines the light on all the lies and manipulations in this Bush White House, and serves to make a historical documentation of how, when and who is responsible for the situation that the United States finds itself in.
It is wrong for anyone to call this guy disgruntled, he is helping out this country so we can all shout down McCain down when he tries to win this election on being tough on security. Given the choice between war and peace anytime, I will choose peace. Yes it should affect the election unlessfolks are hard at hearing.
This book wont affect the election. Americans already knew that the Bush Administration lied about Iraq. We already knew that the deaths of all our US soldiers, the missing limbs from the wounded US soldiers, as well as the needless deaths of civilian men, women, and children of Iraq was totally unecessary. We also know that the monies spent on this unecessary war have crippled America's economy. If Bush has not been impeached by now, and if people are still listening to McCain saying, "I will never surrender to Iraq", then why should this book change anything?
I am not sure the American people care enough about the Nation to make the changes required.
Colin Powell may have something to say about this. Mr. Bush sent the then-Secretary of State before the full United Nations to make assertions about Saddam Hussein's "weapons of mass destruction"– assertions that were false, as the Bush inner circle surely knew.
We've known this for years now, practically from day one. I dont know what the big surprise is, Its definitely no Bush wearing dresses story!
I do not think the book will affect the outcome of the election. Scott McClellan had lots of time to resign if he felt the administration was not being straight with the American public.
Strange that he feels now is the time to bare his soul. What ever happened to credability in the people who govern us?
Bobbie
California
If we had honest news reporters in this country, they would investigate some of McClellans claims.
But they won't because then more light would be shed on how the democrats in this country have twisted the truth against the President for their own personal gain.
If you think Bush lied, then you are lying to yourself.
Educate yourself. The dems have been lying to you for years!!
Im glad the media is starting to get it right and investigate before putting out propaganda from the Bush team. Mcellen has only said what the Ameican people and the world have known for a long time. Thier not fooling anybody anymore. I just hope the media keeps the pressure on and hopefully somebody in the Bush team or Bush himself can eventually be charged for war crimes. Thanks for staying consistent Jack, we need guys like you.
let's face it. Mr. Gush is a good seller. he sold us the war a a good price with republicans complicity and the media. Let's pay for the war and impeach him.
Who controls the media control the minds. It's that simple.
The book will have no impact. Mr. McClellan lacks credibility for failing to speak out as press secretary. Now he thinks he can make a buck.
Four thousand eighty four American deaths in Iraq says it all. Shame on you Mr. McClellan for YOUR lack of courage.
Sincerely,
Jack:
Former White House press secretary Scott McClellahn's book may not affect the presidential election. It only confirms what Sen. Barrack Obama has been saying all along. "The war in Irag should have never been waged". Most American citizens agree that President George W. Bush decision to invade Irag was a political blunder. It's just sad that 4000 indiviuals lost their lives and many more have been either severly injured or now suffering from PTSD a mental condition known as Post Truamantic Stress Disorder.
Nisha
Sacramento, Ca.
It won't. The book will be forgotten by everyone including the media by the end of the week. Scott is no longer relevant.
It's sadden me now because for 8 bush years this country has lost its morale. He is just greedy like his father. He wants the word WAR in his library when he leaves office. Who wants to go to his library and read about this war that put us in bankruptcy.
Unfortunately reading isn't too high among most American's priority list perhaps McClellan should make this into a movie or mini series this would undoubtedly gain the attention of the American people. I'm sure it will be pushed aside by the McCain campaign because McClellan probably hasn't visited Iraq recently which is apparently the only qualification for making appropriate foreign policy decisions...
Release date for the book is next week and Mr. McClellan merely confirms what many of us knew back then. What is a surprise that this is such a shock to those inside the administration and those supporting the administration. The effect will be felt for several weeks, with both sides citing the book, spinning it in whatever position that will shore up their views. McCain will have a more difficult time with these revelations and if I were Obama, I'd use this book and its information very carefully and sparingly.
I also see flak and persona; attacks coming McClellan's way and plan to assess these verbal assults the same way I handled the selling of these war–not buying it.
It's about time someone who's had access to meetings and briefings at the White House reveals some of the truth of what really occured.
I'm just glad someone finally has the fortitude and integrity to do it.
I had the utmost respect for Tony Snow until he took the job and then demeaned himself by putting the deceptions and lies out through the press.
I haven't read the book, but it appears to me that Scott McClellan is right on. This was my belief from the very beginning. I always wondered why the press was so reluctant to go after George W. Perhaps it was timing, we were still too close to 9/11, and Fox News was getting the high ratings. Such a pity that Americans can't rely on the media to inform its citizens. He's right. The press should have known better. Americans were trying to find out about the truth, while the media was fighting a ratings war. How disappointing.
Janine
Tallahassee