 |
2 more articles on this subject:
In the video above General Wesley Clark says, "I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president", about John McCain.
In an interview on Face the Nation, General Wesley Clark, who is a a key military adviser for Barack Obama, issued a critique that the LA Times 'Top of the Ticket' describes as something "Obama and his aides would just as soon stay away from", when he questioned John McCain's qualifications to be the president of the United States of America.
Clark claims that McCain is "untested and untried".
Pressed on that quote by moderator Bob Schieffer, Clark said that "in the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk, it's a matter of gauging your opponents and it's a matter of being held accountable. John McCain's never done any of that in his official positions. ... He hasn't held executive responsibility. That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded wasn't a wartime squadron. He hasn't been there and ordered the bombs to fall. ..."
These comments have caused a flurry of media stories as well as an uproar in the conservative blogosphere wondering if Clark or the Obama campaign understand the ramifications of questioning McCain's readiness considering the amount of experience Barack Obama has as well as having no military experience at all.
Brian Rogers, a spokesman for John McCain issued a statement immediately after Clark's remarks, saying, "The reality is he’s proving to be a typical politician who is willing to say anything to get elected, including allowing his campaign surrogates to demean and attack John McCain’s military service record.
John McCain is proud of his record of always putting the country first — from his time in the Navy, in Vietnam and through to today. And on the biggest question we’ve faced in recent years, the war in Iraq, the facts on the ground show that John McCain was right, as Barack Obama is about to find out after failing to visit there in over 900 days."
Retired Admiral Leighton "Snuffy" Smith, also criticized Clark's comments.
"If Barack Obama wants to question John McCain's service to his country, he should have the guts to do it himself and not hide behind his campaign surrogates. If he expects the American people to believe his pledges about a new kind of politics, Barack Obama has a responsibility to condemn these attacks. Smith said.
These exchanges between McCain and Obama and/or McCain surrogates and Obama surrogates comes just a day after McCain questioned Obama's trustworthiness while he was speaking at a fundraiser in Kentucky.
McCain had pointed to Obama’s not voting on a resolution to condemn a MoveOn.org political ad; Obama’s slowness to be briefed on Iraq; Obama’s not taking him up on his offer to hold joint town hall meetings; and Obama’s decision to forego the public campaign financing system.
The question of experience is a conversation that many believe that John McCain would welcome having with Barack Obama.
[Update] Barack Obama gave a speech I watched and in it he seems to be distancing himself from Clark's words when he says, "For those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country — no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary. And let me also add that no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides."
[Update #2] The Obama campaign's response to Clark's comments:
"As he's said many times before, Senator Obama honors and respects Senator McCain's service, and of course he rejects yesterday's statement by General Clark."
-
I see this as grasping at straws. Being hit by anti-aircraft fire is not something you criticize a person about. Obama must be having a hissy fit over being called untrustworthy, which he is not trustworthy at all, he flips around more than a fish on a hook.
Clark is going to get eaten alive by many service members, so if his reputation wasn't shot by aligning with Barack Obama, it certainly is now. Of all the things you can criticize John McCain on, and there are plenty, to pick being shot down as one of them just goes to show the mentality of Obama supporters because this is not the first time someone has said very untruthful things about McCain regarding that day he was shot down. They seem to think it is cute or something.
-
Haha, he said "Barack Obama can bring people together."
I am sorry, but what happened to the Democratic party? buwahahahahahahaha
-
Samantha, you make excellent points and they are the criticisms I am see about Clark's comments along with others.
If there is one thing the Obama campaign has stayed away from, very wisely in my opinion, is the comparisons on experience.
McCain has been serving his country in one way or another for decades and Obama's legislative experience pales in comparison and Obama has no military experience either.
That is one thing they have avoided like the plague and now because of Clark's words, that is a conversation that will be had.
I cannot imagine that Obama or his campaign is very happy with this specific turn of attention to the experience factor.
-
DJ thanks for the photo!
-
Here's a case of desperation for ya.
-
@ Debra Myers (skyangel)
Here's a case of desperation for ya.
Seems like it. -
Excellent report and comments Sam and Sue.
Clark says that Obama is more ready than McCain basing it on Obama's good judgement. Well that is certainly questionable.
He is also more qualified because of his communication skills? I see that communication skills are very important but if that is partly what you are basing the fact that you are more ready I certainly don't agree with that.
Seems like Obama is surrounded by people who hurt him more than help him. Lets see him try to do more damage control here also.
-
@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
Excellent report and comments Sam and Sue.
Clark says that Obama is more ready than McCain basing it on Obama's good judgement. Well that is certainly questionable.
He is also more qualified because of his communication skills? I see that communication skills are very important but if that is partly what you are basing the fact that you are more ready I certainly don't agree with that.
Seems like Obama is surrounded by people who hurt him more than help him. Lets see him try to do more damage control here also.
Thank you Picasso.... it is ok if I still use Picasso or do you prefer Cynthia at this point?
I am waiting, running searches right now on reactions trying to see if his campaign has issued a statement of any type yet.
I will update this if he does. -
Maybe "Wessley" would like to be VP, or better yet explain what would "qualify" McCain? McCain served and sacrificed (he spent eight years of his life as a POW and watched this friends die for this country). He's spent 10 times as much service in the Senate as Obee. Just based on the "Resolve Factor" McCain wouldn't side with our enemies and blame America for all the evil in the world.
-
@ Hammster
Maybe "Wessley" would like to be VP, or better yet explain what would "qualify" McCain? McCain served and sacrificed (he spent eight years of his life as a POW and watched this friends die for this country). He's spent 10 times as much service in the Senate as Obee. Just based on the "Resolve Factor" McCain wouldn't side with our enemies and blame America for all the evil in the world.
Good points all and I doubt Clark will be explaining anything right now. I would be surprised if Obama allowed him to speak publicly until they get over these latest comments and try to steer the story away from experience. -
@ Susan Duclos
Thank you Picasso.... it is ok if I still use Picasso or do you prefer Cynthia at this point?
Either name is fine. When I registered I was Picasso and I will keep that as a part of my name. -
@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
Either name is fine. When I registered I was Picasso and I will keep that as a part of my name.
Cool, I like the name. It fits you :o) -
Wesley Clark should be running for President!
-
@ G. Robert M. Miller
Wesley Clark should be running for President!
Well he is not. Anything to add that actually pertains to the article? -
Is Clark simply playing the role of peace time politician General as he played it so well during the Clinton years, or is he looking for a place of his own in the new administration?
He thinks McCain is untried and untested? What the hell does that make Obama, then, an idea that hasn't even been conceptionalized?
-
@ Mr Garibaldi
Is Clark simply playing the role of peace time politician General as he played it so well during the Clinton years, or is he looking for a place of his own in the new administration?
He thinks McCain is untried and untested? What the hell does that make Obama, then, an idea that hasn't even been conceptionalized?
Like I said, I seriously doubt this is an issue that Obama wanted spotlighted....but now it is and from the buzz in the media and blogs from both sides, it doesn't appear that it is going to go away as quickly as Obama would hope. -
-
-
So, basically, they left out most of the details and you consider that a better record? Also, it backs up the point that he received better treatment than others and still didn't get a military discharge even though he cooperated with his captors? AND he cheated on his wife. Awesome candidate. AND he claimed to have been offered an admiral position in the Navy and turned it down when the Navy claims no such offer was ever going to be made because he was bad at his job.
-
You know what I don't like about that POS record there atro?
They list three times when he was not responsible for the lost plane. Like once when another pilot misfired a rocket and hit his plane, and again the other when he was hit by anti-aircraft fire,and of course a flameout which he attempted to reignite 3 times before ejecting from the plane.
Sometimes I wonder if these anti-McCain people,like the ones on the website, would have rather he died the way they criticize him for living.
2 of the 5 I would say are questionable, which is fair, but the rest, just hype and fodder for the pigs to eat.
-
UPDATE: Obama tries to distance himself from Clarks words!!! Update added to the original article.
-
@ Samantha A. Torrence
You know what I don't like about that POS record there atro?
They list three times when he was not responsible for the lost plane. Like once when another pilot misfired a rocket and hit his plane, and again the other when he was hit by anti-aircraft fire,and of course a flameout which he attempted to reignite 3 times before ejecting from the plane.
Sometimes I wonder if these anti-McCain people,like the ones on the website, would have rather he died the way they criticize him for living.
2 of the 5 I would say are questionable, which is fair, but the rest, just hype and fodder for the pigs to eat.
But of course and look at all it left out as well...yet some would prefer to have only a portion of McCain's full record if that portion comes from anything "anti-McCain".
Even Obama is running as far as possible from that angle because he knows when it comes to experience in public service, from the military to the senate, Obama is like a child in comparison. -
@ atroxodisse
AND he cheated on his wife.
Tell me did you feel Clinton was a good President despite the numerous affairs he had?
I remember being in Highschool when that happened and honestly I didn't care, so why would I or anyone else in my position care if McCain fell out of love with one woman and devoted himself to another. He did afterall date Cindy while going through separation and divorce from his first wife. -
@ Samantha A. Torrence
You know what I don't like about that POS record there atro?
They list three times when he was not responsible for the lost plane. Like once when another pilot misfired a rocket and hit his plane, and again the other when he was hit by anti-aircraft fire,and of course a flameout which he attempted to reignite 3 times before ejecting from the plane.
Sometimes I wonder if these anti-McCain people,like the ones on the website, would have rather he died the way they criticize him for living.
2 of the 5 I would say are questionable, which is fair, but the rest, just hype and fodder for the pigs to eat.
Can't blame a guy for wanting to live. That wasn't the point of the article though. -
Who brought up cheating again? Thats right, it WASN'T Samantha!!!
-
@ Samantha A. Torrence
Tell me did you feel Clinton was a good President despite the numerous affairs he had?
I remember being in Highschool when that happened and honestly I didn't care, so why would I or anyone else in my position care if McCain fell out of love with one woman and devoted himself to another. He did afterall date Cindy while going through separation and divorce from his first wife.
@ Samantha A. Torrence
Tell me did you feel Clinton was a good President despite the numerous affairs he had?
I lost a great amount of respect for him. I'm sure many people did, including foreign politicians. It couldn't have been good for him. -
Samantha, what do you think about Obama's speech where he referenced this without mentioning Clark by name?
"For those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country — no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary. And let me also add that no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides."
I seriously doubt Clark will be speaking again on Obama's behalf for a while....LOL -
[Update #2] The Obama campaign's response to Clark's comments:
"As he's said many times before, Senator Obama honors and respects Senator McCain's service, and of course he rejects yesterday's statement by General Clark."
Added to the article above.
-
@ Susan Duclos
Samantha, what do you think about Obama's speech where he referenced this without mentioning Clark by name?
I seriously doubt Clark will be speaking again on Obama's behalf for a while....LOL
I think he is skirting the issue, he says not to degrade someone's service, but alot of people will not consider the wrecking of some planes as "service."
I think Clark said this on purpose so people would be made aware of the bad academy record of McCain and the accusations of McCain being a bad POW. -
@ atroxodisse
I lost a great amount of respect for him. I'm sure many people did, including foreign politicians. It couldn't have been good for him.
At the time alot of people were disappointed, but at the same time it just became a blip in history. An amusing anecdote and a shield when people criticize him for the really bad things he did. Which is why even though I would hope people would be faithful to thier spouses, and it isn't one of the things on my "good list" for any candidate, it isn't as high up as other issues. -
@ Samantha A. Torrence
I think he is skirting the issue, he says not to degrade someone's service, but alot of people will not consider the wrecking of some planes as "service."
I think Clark said this on purpose so people would be made aware of the bad academy record of McCain and the accusations of McCain being a bad POW.
Perhaps but the outright rejection of Clark's words by Obama shows how quickly this hit Obama and how he must have felt the need to get far away from the words. Add a Comment
|
 |
|
|
Email
Print
Share
Wesley Clark: Getting 'shot down in plane' doesn't make John McCain qualified
