Yesterday, John McCain went before the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and lied about Barack Obama’s record, saying that Obama voted to “legislate” failure by casting a single vote against troop funding because it did not contain a timetable, despite Obama’s having voted for funding the occupation every other time. McCain continued:
“One of the things that we have to change in this country is the idea that people can’t disagree without challenging each other’s character and patriotism.”
- Obama

“This was back when supporting America’s efforts in Iraq entailed serious political risk … It was a clarifying moment. It was a moment when political self-interest and the national interest parted ways.”

Today, speaking before the same group, Obama responded:

“Yesterday, Senator McCain came before you,” said Obama. “He is a man who has served this nation honorably, and he correctly stated that one of the chief criteria for the American people in this election is going to be who can exercise the best judgment as Commander in Chief. But instead of just offering policy answers, he turned to a typical laundry list of political attacks. He said that I have changed my position on Iraq when I have not. He said that I am for a path of “retreat and failure.” And he declared, “Behind all of these claims and positions by Senator Obama lies the ambition to be president” — suggesting, as he has so many times, that I put personal ambition before my country. That is John McCain’s prerogative. He can run that kind of campaign, and — frankly — that’s how political campaigns have been run in recent years. But I believe the American people are better than that. I believe that this defining moment demands something more of us.”

And:

“One of the things that we have to change in this country is the idea that people can’t disagree without challenging each other’s character and patriotism,” he said, to applause. “I have never suggested that Senator McCain picks his positions on national security based on politics or personal ambition. I have not suggested it because I believe that he genuinely wants to serve America’s national interest. Now, it’s time for him to acknowledge that I want to do the same. Let me be clear: I will let no one question my love of this country. I love America, so do you, and so does John McCain.”