John McCain Blames Colin Powell For Second Iraq War

John McCain blasted Colin Powell after his endorsement of President Barack Obama, saying that Powell was the main reason the United States attacked Iraq during the Bush administration.

McCain sat down for an interview with The National Review on Friday, saying:

“Colin Powell, interestingly enough, said that Obama got us out of Iraq. But it was Colin Powell, with his testimony before the UN Security Council, that got us into Iraq.”

The news site also asked about John Sununu’s reaction to Powell’s endorsement (suggesting it may be racially motivated) McCain answered, “He retracted those comments this morning.”

The Huffington Post notes that McCain went on to say:

“All I can say is that Gen. Powell, you disappoint us and you have harmed your legacy even further by defending what has clearly been the most feckless foreign policy in my lifetime.”

While John McCain may slam Colin Powell for helping the US invade Iraq, it is worth noting that McCain voted in October 2002 to authorize force in Iraq. He was also an early proponent of attacking the Middle Eastern country. On October 18, 2001, McCain spoke about what would come next after Afghanistan, saying:

“The second phase — if I could just make one, very quickly — the second phase is Iraq. There is some indication, and I don’t have the conclusions, but some of this anthrax may — and I emphasize may — have come from Iraq.”

Powell made his speech to the UN Security Council in 2003 about Iraq’s suspected weapons of mass destruction. It lent significant credibility to invading the Middle Eastern nation. Powell has since spoke about the now-infamous speech, saying it was a “blot” and a “failure.”

Do you think that John McCain should criticize Colin Powell for his Obama endorsement and for his UN speech advocating war in Iraq?