McCain Heads to Libya to Meet With Rebels — Does that Mean Al Qaeda too?
- Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:28am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Sen. John McCain, one of the strongest proponents in Congress of the U.S. military intervention in Libya, is heading to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi for a meeting with forces fighting to overthrow Moammar Gadhafi, an aide told The Associated Press. But the trip begs the question: Will he be meeting with al Qaeda jihadis?
As we’ve noted, (here and here) there are al Qaeda terrorists fighting among the Libyan rebels, a fact that has many Americans deeply concerned about U.S. involvement there. If McCain is going to encourage the rebels, could that mean he will also be emboldening the America-hating terrorist group?
The conflict doesn’t seem to bother McCain. He has pushed for going as far as arming the rebels, saying the U.S. and its partners cannot allow Gadhafi to consolidate his hold on one section of the country and create a military deadlock.
McCain was scheduled to arrive in Benghazi on Friday, said Brooke Buchanan, a spokeswoman for the senator.
The visit by McCain was shrouded in secrecy due to heightened security for the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee in a country fiercely divided by the 2-month-old anti-Gadhafi rebellion.
McCain’s trip comes as Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Thursday that President Barack Obama has authorized armed Predator drones against forces loyal to Gadhafi. It is the first time that drones will be used for airstrikes since the United States turned over control of the operation to NATO on April 4.
The rebels have complained that NATO airstrikes since then have largely been ineffective in stopping Gadhafi forces.
Invoking the humanitarian disasters in Rwanda and Bosnia in the 1990s, McCain pressed for U.S. military intervention in Libya in February, weeks before the U.N. Security Council authorized military action to protect civilians and impose a no-fly zone.
When Obama acted with limited congressional consultation, McCain defended the president, saying he couldn’t wait for Congress to take even a few days to debate the use of force. If he had, “there would have been nothing left to save in Benghazi,” the rebels’ de-facto capital.
But as the U.S. handed operational control over to NATO — and withdrew U.S. combat aircraft — McCain criticized the administration.
“For the United States to withdraw our unique offensive capabilities at this time would send the wrong signal,” McCain said. He said the U.S. must not fail in Libya and said he spoke as someone experienced in a lost conflict, a reference to his time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (102)
Ailene Wright
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:50amHope the republicans come up with a better candidate than McCain for the next election. The people weren’t given much of a choice the last time around. McCain was a very weak candidate . If we don’t get a strong person with a good strategy this time around we are screwed.
Report Post »Netsurfer2
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 12:13amI strongly agree with you! I hope we get someone that thinks outside the box! Ear marks don’t cut it!
Let’s get back on track with drilling our own oil, refining our own and telling the Arab’s what they can do with theirs! Time to change gears! “We need a real American in the office” Someone that will stand up to the rest of the world and create our own way out of this mess!
Report Post »hempstead1944
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:45amPlease, someone lock this has-been up…….
Report Post »hightide
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:43amThis is why McCain needs to step out of the way. He‘s getting senile and doesn’t know he is aiding and abetting the muslim brotherhood enemy.
Report Post »lambchop60
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:24amMcCain is not the hero that he claims to be, check it out for yourselfs lookup some of the newspaper clipping from that era. John McCain has got American soldiers blood on his hands. he sold out America just the same as Jane Fonda, why do you think all his records are sealed
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:49amWhat’s important is that he [unlike you genocidal anti-Muslims brainwahed bigots] is developing a conscience and believes what is true-that it is right and just to help people who ASK for help in overthrowing tyranny.What ever his past as another American terrorist war criminal inViet Nam [dropping bombs on the people of Viet Nam] like his other American terrorist buddies there,that he wants to help Libyans who asked for help shows he has broken with the anti-Muslim genocidal propaganda machine and has grown as an ethical human being.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:18amFirst it was Secretary of State Clinton that met with rebel leaders. Now its Senator John McCain. Progressives like change no matter who is changing things, or what the changes are!
Report Post »Entropy
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:17amIn a crackly old lady voice the crows of AZ say “He’s a maverick!!!!”.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:52amLet me tell my freinds I`m a maverick thats right my freinds I vote 95% aginst my party heh hehehe cough gag my freind the old lungs ain`t what they used to be’I think my one working brain cell is failing .Now what was I soppose to be doing here.Duuh.Let me show you my freind this picture of Obama and me .Yup an idiot and a jackass
Report Post »scoter
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:51amTake Obama and OBAMA Wife
Report Post »scoter
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:49amPlease take Obama and his Wife..
Report Post »Navyveteran
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 11:51amHey maybe the rebels will hold John McCain as hostage and will only release him if Obama, Biden, Boehner, Sustein, Pelosi, Reed, and Van Jones come over. Then if God sheds his grace on America we will never see any of these progressives on US soil again!
Report Post »headbanger
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:48amWell one more fool shows his true colors…..green, black and white!!
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:41amOne more “right winger” finds his humanity and breaks with the anti-Muslim genocidal brainwahsed by the media-pack.[They hate us cause we're not Muslims and want to establish a caliphate all over the world false narrative.They hate us for our meddling in their Muslim lands manipulating governments for our interests at the expense of the people-who self identify as Muslim- there.]And talking to Alquada [like we're now talking to the Taliban]would be the right thing to do.
Report Post »drago
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:36amMaybe he will stay there permanently………..
Report Post »begtodiffer
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:29amOld lump jaw. Hanging with his Musley bros. While his own border is being over run.
Report Post »Entropy
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:11amYou hit the nail on the head Beg.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:29amThe Muslims will love him, he’s Democrat-Lite
Report Post »Entropy
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:03amSince when does a guy that gets shot down and captured become and expert in military affairs? John McCain is a grandstanding idiot nobody.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:24amYou would think he would have had enough of being held HOSTAGE. He might not be so lucky this time…..
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:04amWe should be so lucky.
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:14amThe accompanying photo shows a paintball gun, LOL, hope that’s what they are really giving them.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:21amyep seen that to ,maybe they shoot glass ball with poison in them.Kinda reminds me of a story .
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:29amSo we’re arming the so called “rebels” with paintball guns? hehe. Good luck fellas.
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:58amSomeone needs to send someone to look at the gas pump meters.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:56amTrying to build browny points for his 2012 campane.
Report Post »Ampleforth
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:46amMaybe they’ll keep him. Then, maybe we can send Obama, too.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:50am@AMPLEFORTH ~~~
Now, there’s a HAPPY thought!
Report Post »kspatriot
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:46amWe took out Qadaffi’s air defense, tanks, soldiers when we have the chance, and now sending drones, but WE ARE NOT TAKING SIDES. DO THEY THINK WE’RE ALL STUPID!!! Doesn’t Obama need to be addressing congress about this soon?
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:43amWhy doesn‘t he stay home and control his daughter’s big mouth?
And, teach both his daughter and his wife that $$$ is not everything. Maybe learn that lesson himself?
If he thought POW camp in Vietnam was tough, he hasn’t seen where he is headed for eternity….
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:33amAgreed. McCain is a typical progressive,high taxes and control peoples lives through central planning.
Report Post »He was one of the Keating five years ago,he should still be in prison.
Entropy
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:13amWhat is amazing is that those OLD CROWS in AZ voted this clown back into office for the sole reason that he is old and senile like them. They say (in an old lady voice) “If he is old like me, he must be a good man”.
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:41amNot optimistic, but McCain may have one of his senior moments and say something intelligent.
Let’s hope.
Report Post »shorthanded12
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:39amBIG ASS MISTAKE…….Just like Our Big Ass Mistake America. Is this what you call keep your friends close and your enimies closer? let France and Britian deal with this mess Libya oil dont mean squat here in America.
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 3:48pmLet China take care of them. They are the ones with a vested interest. Not the USA
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:37amGeez, what a choice they handed us: Obama or McCain. It was a trick question, wasn’t it?
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:51amYes, indeed. Sickening isn’t it??
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:55amYep, they made “Let’s make a deal with Hillary”. Didn’t turn out well for her.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:55amfull throttle progessive or half throttle progressive it wasn’t a choice at all.
Report Post »@ Coyote2
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 9:21amObuma or McPain. It made no difference. They both had the blessings of those dirty grubby mousy creeps with the funny black cowboy hats on. Then they put those dumb little beanies on and really proved their stupidity. Lieberman followed McPain around like he was a dog in heat.
Report Post »They both take their orders from the terrorists in Israel..
Jason Lanier
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:33amMcCain……………………………………No Thank you…………………………………………………………YGW
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:31pmI hold McCain partly responsible for the election of Obama. I hope he stays in Libya permanently.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:32amMcCain has no business in Libya he‘s a senator for Arizona unless he’s paying for his passage to and from Libya he ‘s wasting tax dollars in a time when ever dollar counts.
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:36amW The F is McCain doing in Libya? Wasting our tax dollars I assume. Apparently this isn’t going to be a short war.
http://www.usgoldcoinauctions.com/
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:49amWhat some grandstanding clowns will do to keep from appearing to be the irrelevant jerks that they are. Pity the poor fool as he tries to cling to whatever he can to avoid being ignored.
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:52amI’d rather see him going to Iraq than to New Hampshire or Ohio. At least he’s not running this time. What a nightmare that was. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKdScVerrBU I see the man he helped get elected has now formed another “task force” to look into the evil oil speculators.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 7:59amI wonder if he is going to redistribute Meagin’s trust fund? Like, she‘s so smart she doesn’t need those millions and, like, will look so chic in a burka.
Report Post »jeffyfreezone
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:03amI hpoe he takes Megan as well.
Report Post »ME
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:10am@Love Bandit Bestid
I second that, two socialist with one stone so to speak
Report Post »Leadthemtothelight
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:17amIs McCain the sacrificial lamb?
Report Post »Obama Snake Oil Co
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:36amDoes this mean that Obamas war isn’t going well so sent a republican to do a mans job? So the best leader we have goes to Libya and the worst one we have had in history is teeing off as we type.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:58amThe U.S. has no business in Libya let alone be sending arms or politicians over. McCain has no business still being in D.C.. O’darkgod has no business being in the White House.
So what’s news today?
tobywil2
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:59amIf Palin had not supported McCain for reelection, would his campaign have been successful? In directly, perhaps we have Palin to thank for this. http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »Dahart
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:05amGod help us! McCain just called the rebels “HIS HEROS!”……really?
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:07amI really hope McCain is looking for a retirement condo over there and decides to stay there. He’s as big a progressive as Obama in reality.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 9:30amGod help us now!!!
Anything at all happens to a US Senator over in that area, where he and us do not belong, and then Obama will have one more excuse to execute a full scale military intrusion.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 10:10amThe best we can hope for is McCain to be a two term POW…this time in Libya.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 10:14amThe quintessential Monday Morning Quarterback – John Wayne McCain.
Another RINO that needs to fade away into the nite.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 10:17amSnow
WE as a Nation have ignored God Almighty when times were good, there is no reason why HE should answer us when We as a Nation cry out for help. Read first few chapters from the Book of Judges and see what happened to the children of Israel after Joshua dies. The sin cycle. OF course if God’s people would exercise 2 Chronicles 7:14, God Almighty may respond. I personally see no evidence of the second. On a personal note, my local church has lost its power. Organized religion. Not a good thing at a time like this.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 10:25amMcCain is doing the “Zbigniew Brzezinski Two-Step”.
Report Post »logictrumps
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:02pmNotice that a RINO republican goes to visit Lybia. Someone needs to corner McCain and ask him how the rag tag Lybian Rebels managed to open a Central Bank two weeks after the fighting began. This has nothing to do with humanitarian and everything to do with a country that has an independent central bank that issues its own currency with massive gold reserves and is not a member of the BIS. The central banking cartels do not like Lybia acting as a sovereign nation and want them under the control of the international banking community. Gaddafi like Sadam wanted to stop pricing oil in Dollars and instead wanted to create a gold dinar that would be used for oil sales. This is a no no to the bank community as they want all oil priced in dollars.
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:42pmWhat’s up with the picture? If those are Libyans why are they holding an American made less than lethal FN 303 used for crowed control?
oh and JM is an idiot
Report Post »ME
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:44pmthe amount of scrubbing of post here is getting ridiculous. What gets a post removed??? What are the rules??? saying McCain should take his daughter and hopefully both don’t return is removed? For what he is not a Mormon (oops now this one will be gone) him and his daughter are media hounds, socialist and rhinos at best the sooner they are both history the better, I know of no one that thinks they speak for anyone but them selves.
Just have to ask does scrubbing post for the blaze count as missionary work for a Mormon? Keep up the faith brother/sister without you someone might not get their planet to populate in the afterlife.
Report Post »Devil Dog 7175
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 3:21pmSTAY THERE JUAN!!! No one wants you to come back you RINO!!!
Report Post »trekcyclist22
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 3:46pmSenator McCain is a 1-Delta-10-Tango for going to see the rebels. Is he trying to get GOP votes or a job in the Obama Administration…
Oh! 1-Delta-10-Tango = IDIOT! :P
Report Post »avenger
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 4:03pmthis ***** will regret this very soon…another useful fool…
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 4:05pmI thought he was only pretending to be stupid.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 8:59pm……..
Report Post »John:
Do us a favor.
Take your ego and go home.
Don’t give weapons to al Qaeda.
Didn’t we learn anything in Afghanistan?