Clark Stands By Comments About McCain War Record

Clark wasn’t saying *anything* about McCain’s war record. Unlike the Swift Boaters, who claimed Kerry’s war record wasn’t a lie.
All he was saying is that the war record, in an of itself, is not a major qualification to be commander-in-chief.
It’s unfortunate that he had to go through it, and it’s heroic that McCain was able to survive as he did. But that doesn’t mean that experience is enough, in isolation of anything else, to make one the prime candidate for Commander-in-Chief.
It’s too bad Obama is trying to play it safe, when a good explanation is all it needs. Obama looks bad here no matter what, but he’d look better if he tried to explain that it wasn’t actually a disparagement.

Love it about time some one stood up for what they believed…..Way to go I would like to see him in the cabinet in the spot of Sec of Defence……..

Great comment, Nick B,
I will add that the Republicans can splatter mud but can’t take it. Did they condemn the swift boat lies?
I commend Wesley Clark for this intelligent analysis

Eric: A lot of people got shot down over Hanoi. It was one of the most dangerous places in the world to fly. It was before we had stealth to go in and knock out the anti air batteries before the major assault came. I am not saying we should vote for McCain because of his war record alone. But his courage in going back up to be shot down a third time should not be ignored, either. I don’t think I would have had that kind of courage. And then to spend all those years in a POW camp – and the North Vietnamese knowing who his Dad was did not make it easy on him. I don’t care who you vote for or why – though I hope its on issues. But your lack of respect for what McCain and many others went through saddens me.

Clark the paper-pushing political general is cutting down the service record of a front-line soldier after defending Kerry’s record?
What a partisan hack?

McCain’s war record in and of itself doesn’t make him an expert on foreign policy- I agree with that. But I don’t believe that the Swift Boaters destroyed Kerry’s candidacy. His antiwar activism was considered by many to be less than dignified long before he ran for president. Add that to all the other problems with him, and it’s easy to see why he lost against a very weak incumbent. This independent will be voting Democrat in November, but I gotta tell you there’s something I just don’t like about Wesley Clark. You ever get those feelings about someone? You know, you just meet them and you take an immediate and visceral dislike? That’s the way I feel about Clark.

The general didn’t minimise McCain’s military record. All did was point out that his experiences in the services don’t specially qualify him to be president.
Look at Eisenhower and Ulysses S Grant. They were soldier-presidents who served at the highest level, led whole armies and directed the conduct of entire wars. McCain is highly decorated and famed for what he went through, but he was a captain, not a five-star general. That’s a naval captain, the equivalent of colonel, but it’s still nowhere near the level of supreme commander. Or commander-in-chief. McCain is making his case based on his service as a senator, but some of his supporters on line seem to think he should be elected because he was a prisoner of war. I agree with General Clark that that is not a qualification for the position.

Well, he is right. I mean, being a general sure as crap didnt help him with his presidential bid! HAHA. But on the flip side, if McCains military service, and long years as a senior senator doesnt qualify him, can I pose the question of, then what in sam hell makes his candidate Obama more qualified? Only 3 years as senator?

Remember, as many innocent were being tortured to death, Wesley Clark was switching caps with Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic and yuking it up for the cameras. Mladic is and was a fugitive war criminal. That’s the kind of judgement Wesley Clark has!

Everyone here who keeps talking about experience- some of our finest presidents (think Lincoln, jut for one) had less experience than Obama. Other qualities are at least as important. Power tends to corrupt.

How low can Obama and his surrogates go? Clark should absolutely apologize to McCain.
What kind of experience and for that matter qualifications does Obama have to become president?? None.
Obama’s character is questionable along with his judgement; and is getting more and evident every time Obama or his surrogates open their mouths.
How in the hell did the democrats come up with this character, they are known for picking complete losers. (and I am democrat saying this; soon to be independent)

To answer your question savageone_94, its obvious he doesnt have a job yet. He is in the process of interviewing for one now! LOL

Indp,voter-I would love to see Clark at Defense Secretary. That way republicans can mock and call for his resignation like they did for Rumsfeld. Wasnt he fired by President Clinton? I do believe he was…

AT least John MCain has a military record! When he had the opportunity to be released, he stayed with his fellow soldiers and was tortured.
His courage makes me “Proud to be an American where at least I know I am Free.” GOD BLESS THE USA

I absolutely agree with General Clark. McCain was a prisoner of war, this qualifies him for a medal but does not qualify him for president. If that were true, every fireman, policeman, etc would be running. And possibly they are more qualified that he is.
McCain did not support the new VA bill until the very end. He’s taking the credit but do your homework. He only supported it because he is running for president. Not because he cares for veterans. McCain is not qualified for president.

Well at least McCain was serving his country. The United States has always taken pride in its Military and I think the President should have first hand knowledge of that our Military does everyday. McCain does love this country and that I respect.

I agree with Clark’s comment. Being a war hero doesn’t mean you would be a good President. We are all made up of our life experiences. I’m really getting tired of these comments. I want to hear about what the candidates will do for our current economy, the war in Iraq, our planet’s future.
I also think Obama should back up Clark’s comment — it wasn’t wrong.

A Couple comments:
(1) Wasn’t General Clark asked to resign/ Doesn’t anyone recognize “sour grapes”?
(2) John McCain was an attack pilot, not a fighter pilot. The mission, by it’s very nature makes him susceptible to being shot down.
(3) McCain was a Test Pilot School graduate and the Navy does not accept substandard pilots into that assignment.
Let’s not blur the lines between myth and fact.

Clark is a great American hero who not only fought in wars but also as he said moved through the ranks to become a military leader who handled complex political situation. His explanation on GMA, clarified the precise point that he was trying to make as an individual educating the public about the difference between serving the country honorably and leading the strategic thrust of the armed forces to bring about a desired peace mission or protecting American interests. I commend GMA for giving Gen. Clark an opportunity to respond to the twisting of his comments by the press and making it appear as though he was diminishing John McCain’s service. We need people like Gen. Clarke who has led the armed forces and interacted with Presidents and high officials to dissect the experience of John McCain so that we are not fooled and mesmerized thinking of elevating John McCain beyond what he deserves to be. What Gen.Clarke did was to cut him down to the size that is fair and appropriate. As an independent registered voter, I would like to warn Obama to be very careful about distancing himself from his staunch supporters who provide some deep insights such as Gen Clarke and who have been his support base. I think Obama should accept the point that Gen. Clarke was trying to make and state that he agrees with it or else if he fails to do that he is going to loose some wise and strong supporters. There is no need to accept the kind of submissive behavior of the politicians and the press who were silenced after 911 into becoming lambs worshiping Bush like a God and loosing all objectivity and vigourous dissent. I have a feeling John McCain wants a free ride and deceive people into thinking that he is the perfect choice for the Presidency which he is not and so to the Clarks and others bring em on, let us hear the truth about John McCain, he is running for the highest office and the commander-in-chief of the most powerful force in the world and we need to know everything about his ability to lead and use proper judgment and be physically fit to deal with the tough challenges facing the nation. Well done Clark, you are a brave general, you have stood up to a political giant, who is not as outstanding as some believe he is.

General Clark is equitable to General Powell. A GENERAL IS A GENERAL.

General, What do you know about qualifications for President?

Mccain called President Carter lousy and I may be mistaken, I think Carter was also in the Navy? And when another citizen criticises Mccain, it becomes an issue? Carter not withstanding his shortcomings deserves some respect. Mccain has to first apologise to Carter.

I have become very disappointed in both Obama and Clark. I was hoping Mr. Obama would tell “Pretty Boy” Clark to shut up.
I served with Gen Clark. He is an egocentric, Teflon bigot. He was relieved form command. When I was in Bosnia at the time, the Russian Spezniz unit (our allies at the time) moved to Kosovo. Clark wanted the SFOR forces to engage the Russian troop and get them out of the way. Great example of leadership – Starting WWIII .

Eric, do a little more research on the USS Forrestal disaster. McCain did not accidentally discharge a missile. It was caused by several events that led to the ultimate “Oh ####!” It was determined by Congressional investigation that several safety practices were short cutted by the ordinance crew along with poor communication by the crew chiefs along with outdated ordinance that should never have been on that ship. Basically, it was an electrical misfire that occurred while loading the missile onto the plane, an accident that could have been avoided had everyone involved followed the established safety practices. That being said, I agree with the consensus that McCain’s military service does not qualify him for president, nor is anyone else’s lack of it a disqualifier. There are plenty of other good reasons not to vote for OHB.

General Clark has raised a valid point relative to Senator McCain’s qualifications for president. If McCain and McCain’s supporters can’t take the heat, they need to get out of the kitchen.
The US of A is currently paying a dreadful price for allowing the Bushies to hide the record of George W. Bush. Take your shots at Senator Obama, but when you try to hide the record of Senator McCain you are doing him and the country a disservice.

Obama has already rejected Clark’s comments and am surprised. Maybe he wants to play clean politics. Thats why at the latter stages, I was really hoping Clinton may win. The Democrats need to give the Republicans fire for fire. Obama wants to fight but fight clean. Tell me how do you fight clean with the REPUBLICANS?

How can Gen. Clark say, with a straight face, that a general’s command experience is better than McCain’s after how badly the generals screwed up the wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq? A good Military historian with a heavy background in political history and comparative religions, and who actually read our own Declaration of Independence, could have developed a better strategy for each of these wars.

It makes me believe more that Hillary Clinton is a fighter. How can they spread false allegations about you and your wife and you still expect to fight clean? Now I believe Hillary must have contributed to Bill’s success.

well, if we ever need a president to be taken hostage, I’ll think of McCain. If we start needed rpesidents who graduated 4th from last in their class, I’ll be thinking of McCain. But with our dollar falling, gas rising, inflation coming fast and furious and the stock market tanking, I think the GENERALS comments are pretty on point – elect the smarter guy. we have to elect Obama now, We have no choice.

Clark is a disgrace to service men everywhere and to America. I think he is still upset because of his failed presidential campaign. Sorry, Clark, America is not buying your hateful spewing of a true American, John McCain!

I think Clark just said what a whole lot of people are thinking. The McCain wasn’t even a General. I mean General Powell or General Eisenhower as president, sure, soemone who was BOTH in the military AND proved to be very intelligent and successful, but mcCain wasn’t even an admiral was he? He got himself shot down, he lost how many planes? five? He graduated 4th from LAST in his class. Why is he even being considered????

Another presidential wanna be puffing up his own resume. What a disgrace.

Would anyone want to vote for or serve and/or work with McCain given the obvious contempt he has for the Average American?

is it any wonder that obama got so many votes in a country where American Idol is the top-rated show?

X marks the spot.
My question was why Democrats run a double standard about military service.
McCain’s leadership training came courtesy of the US Navy. His experience came from the same place and it’s where he proved his ability. I haven’t read that about Obama. He’s had no such training or experience. McCain proved his ability to handle the “3 AM call” by leading fighter pilots into combat. According to Hillary, Obama can’t handle the “3 AM call”.
Hillary Clinton claimed that Obama didn’t have the experience to lead our nation. Now he does? What a difference a few weeks can make. McCain has been in the Senate longer than Hillary and Obama combined. That doesn’t count since he’s not a Democrat.
Obama won’t question his opponent’s patriotism because he can’t. McCain has proven his patriotism in combat and by putting his hand over his heart when he declares it. Obama openly associates with and praises a man who openly declared his hatred for America and Americans and has refused to symbolically give his heart to the United States.
Robert E. Lee proclaimed that his heart and his sword belong to Virginia. I believe McCain’s heart and sword belong to the United States. We don’t know who Obama’s heart and sword belong to. Or that he can use his sword if he has one. He may use it on us.

Obama’s response to all this is off the mark. Clark’s comment was not about patriotism, it was about experience. So Obama comes out with a speech equating patriotism with experience and says that he is as patriotic as anyone…smooth move that few have noticed.
Obama has cleverly shifted the debate from experience (in 2004 Obama himself did not think he was experienced enough) to patriotism as the determining factor for the presidency…
Don’t question each other’s patriotism or experience, or else…he is clever, but for me too clever by half.

I see people on hear posting things about McCain, making fun of him for being a POW! C’mon…not a damn one you that put him down would relish the thought of being held prisoner for 5 years, and then was told he could be released because of who his father was, McCain refused, he felt he was no better than any of the other prisoners. This says a HUGE deal about his character and his commitment to America. So, shut the f**k up by putting down this man for his gallant act. I’ve also read where posters have made fun of him for not being able to lift his arms above his head….did you realize this was because of the torture he endured. Geez….and you call yourselves Americans…..I call you pitiful! Regardless if this is a qualification for President or not, not a damn one of you would be saying these things if you had to endure what McCain has. As for Clark, he can go to Hades, he’s not an American, he’s an idiot!

If Wesley Clark has to back off, then John Kerry needs to get an apology from President Bush for what the Swiftboat Veterans for Lies did to John Kerry in 2004. Talk about disrespect of a person’s military service…Republicans feel free to do it to every Democrat who was in the service, from John Kerry to John Murtha and now Wesley Clark. Apparently, only Republicans who did service, if you can find any besides McCain, are worthy of respect. What a hypocritical party the Republican party is. Do as I say, not as I do.
The big difference with Obama or JFK is that they are smart. JFK was. McCain graduated at the bottom of his class. he lost 5 planes. He never made it to Admiral never mind General. McCain admits that he doesn’t understand
Wall Street and that economics is not his strong point. He’s just not smart. Period. There is just nothing that shows us otherwise. So if you try to find something else, his military record, well, in the absense of any real credible evidence he can run an economy or have a fiscal clue, sorry, no, he’s the worse of the two candidates. Folks who vote for the smartest guy will be voting for Obama. you Republicans can’t handle the truth. Gen. Clark is absolutely right in that getting your plane shot out of the air and being captured does not in and of itself qualifies one for the American Presidency.John McCain may be or not be a hero but that is not the issue. The issue is, does being shot out of the air and getting captured qualify one to be President? That is what the McCain campaign implies by trading on McCain’s war record as qualification.
If that were the case, then John Kerry should have won in 2004.

Clyburn a black Obama supporter calls the Clintons racist.
Clark a military Obama supporter attacks McCain.
Obama then comes in and denounces the surrogates.
typical Obama good cop/bad cop routine
Posted by: geevill | Jul 1, 2008 12:10:00 PM
4444444444444444444444444
Rove a White McCain supporter calls the Obama arrogant which is racist code for uppity.
McCain is noticeably silent.
Wesly Clark a military Obama supporter and Supreme NATO Commander in KOSOVO questions McCain’s qualifications to be POTUS.
Obama disagrees about entertaining the subject.
Obama has the decency to speak against, whereas McCain said nothing about Rove’s racist arrogant code for uppity remark.
Which shows Obama as the always respectful gentleman and McCain the hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil undone leprechaun.

I agree with the general. There is no reason to tip-toe around John McCain for any reason. ANY area where he claims to have an agenda or a strength, he is vulnerable to scrutiny. That’s the nature of politics. As long as nobody is out-and-out lying (swiftboat) about you, then take it in stride. As a man who supposedly put up with so much, your skin sure is thin. Bottom line is that being in a fighter plane that gets shot down does not qualify you to be president and that has NOTHING to do with your service. Its just a fact.