Select2008 Blog - Comparing and tracking the 2008 presidential candidates

John McCain took the stage today to address the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Kansas City, MO. His address focused on the Iraq War, ahead of this week’s anticipated testimony by General Petraeus.

McCain made the case that his assessment on the military conduct of the war and that his support for the “Surge” have both proved right.

Results from Select2008’s election face-offs show that the Iraq War remains a highly divisive topic and that McCain’s views are not yet shared by a wide majority of voters:

- The U.S. is making progress in Iraq 49% agree and 50% disagree based on 5,000+ votes including 300+ last week

- The ‘Surge’ of early 2007 is the right strategy in Iraq 45% agree and 54% disagree based on 2,900+ votes including over 100 last week

- Maintain a residual U.S. force of 50,000 troops in Iraq to protect American interests and to conduct targeted counter-terrorism operations 38% agree and 61% disagree based on 12,000+ votes including 600+ last week

- Iraq will become a failed state if the U.S. withdraws its troops now 49% agree and 50% disagree based on 2,100+ votes and over 100 last week

Popularity: 53% [?]

McCain and Obama traded barbs over the last couple of days on Al Qaeda, Iran, Iraq, and their respective experience and judgment in National Security. Senator McCain went back and forth over the last couple of days about Iraq, Iran, Al Qaeda, the broader issue of radical Islam and the war on terror.

His comments on the Iran-Al Qaeda relationship incensed the Democratic blogosphere, which qualified them as a “gaffe”. Obama also took advantage of a scheduled talk in North Carolina to criticize his confusion and undermine his alleged national security experience.

Some bloggers and reporters seem to indicate though that his connection seems more of a gray area. Regardless, his campaign went back at Obama, pounced on the supposed connection and highlighted McCain’s alleged experience in foreign affairs.

This clash on the 5^th anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq gives an opportunity to revisit the top questions on the broader Middle East. Iran is indeed a key concern. Americans seem eager to avoid repeating the process that led them into Iraq. Al Qaeda remains also a key concern:

• Rule out using force with Iran – 39% agree and 47% disagree based on 1,000 votes
• Congress should authorize any preemptive or strategic attack in Iran – 45% agree and 36% disagree on 900 votes
• Withdraw all U.S. troops from the Middle East – 37% agree and 51% disagree based on 800 votes
• The Iranian Revolutionary Guard should be labeled as ‘terrorist organization’ – 27% agree and 29% disagree based on 2.500 votes
• The next President should rule out using nuclear weapons against terrorist leaders like Osama Bin Laden – 60% agree and 32% disagree based on 11,500 votes

Popularity: 89% [?]