McCain was for aggressive war before he was against it

The presumptive Republican nominee, who insisted that the U.S. had a right to invade Iraq, believes now that violating the "territorial integrity and independence" of other countries is unacceptable.

"In recent days Moscow has sent its tanks and troops across the internationally recognized border into the Georgian region of South Ossetia. Statements by Moscow that it was merely aiding the Ossetians are belied by reports of Russian troops in the region of Abkhazia, repeated Russian bombing raids across Georgia, and reports of a de facto Russian naval blockade of the Georgian coast. Whatever tensions and hostilities might have existed between Georgians and Ossetians, they in no way justify Moscow's path of violent aggression. Russian actions, in clear violation of international law, have no place in 21st century Europe.


"The implications of Russian actions go beyond their threat to the territorial integrity and independence of a democratic Georgia. Russia is using violence against Georgia, in part, to intimidate other neighbors - such as Ukraine - for choosing to associate with the West and adhering to Western political and economic values.

In 2003, John McCain had a different opinion of military aggression. Back then, as the Bush administration beat the drums of war, McCain insisted that delaying the invasion of Iraq was unacceptable.

War is horrible. But the past century and 9/11 have taught us that there are things worse than war: accommodating international criminals implacably hostile to our interests and values. Failing to act to prevent another attack could make one inevitable. Standing by while an odious regime with a history of support for terrorism and hostility to America develops weapons whose use by terrorists could kill millions of Americans is not a choice. It is an abdication.

Who would not have attacked al-Qaeda before 9/11 had we known their plans? Who would not have heeded British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's call to stand up to Adolf Hitler when Nazi Germany was still weak and millions of lives could have been saved by acting first?

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Saddam is an international felon who has repeatedly violated the terms of his parole and is planning further crimes with his terrorist accomplices. He must be brought to justice once and for all.

In 2003, Iraq had never attacked the United States, and posed no imminent threat to the lives of Americans. Yet McCain, casting Saddam Hussein as a criminal who "must be brought to justice," argued for the expeditious violation of the territorial integrity and independence of Iraq. It's okay to invade other countries, as long as America is the invader.

It is not overstating the case to say that McCain was for aggressive war before he was against it.