Politician Wes Clark attacks John McCain's service
Is he the Wes Clark whom Obama knew?
By Mark Kilmer Posted in 2008 | Face the Nation | Hanoi Hilton | John McCain | Wesley Clark — Comments (33) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
UPDATE: Barack Obama's peeps have tossed Wes Clark under the Scoop. (The candidate himself has thus far said NOTHING.)
"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."
and:
Obama Communications Director Robert Gibbs did not reject Clark’s comments.
“Those are the comments of Gen. Clark and they are not the comments of Barack Obama. We certainly honor the service and sacrifice and heroism of John McCain.”
Will Wes Clark now be publicly bounced from Barry's campaign? The rebukes of Clark are very, very mild.
= = = = = =
This bears repeating: Wes Clark, former general in the United States Army, is now a politician whose mental functions seem to have dissipated, turning him into a nasty, bitter man. I quoted him yesterday in RedState's The Sunday Morning Talk Shows: The Review, but it was spelled out in a greater detail over Politico.com.
On CBS' Fact the Nation Sunday:
After saying, "I certainly honor his service as a prisoner of war. He was a hero to me and to hundreds of thousands and millions of others in the armed forces, as a prisoner of war," he added that these experiences in no way qualify McCain to be president in his view:
“He has been a voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee. And he has traveled all over the world. But he hasn't held executive responsibility. That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded — that wasn't a wartime squadron,” Clark said.
"I don’t think getting in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to become president." [emphasis my own]
We can ask what then were Clark's qualifications eight-years ago. More immediate: What qualifies Obama right now?
Read On…
Wes could take a page from Rahm Emanuel's book when, yesterday on ABC's This Week, ht answered just such a question asked by Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-Minnesota) about Obama. Pawlenty asked on what issue Obama had ever led. Rahm hemmed, Rahm hawed, and Rahm offered that Barry had once led on some reform issue in the Illinois State senate.
It didn't work.
Wes Clark's thesis was that John McCain is not qualified to be President, having in his life led only peacetime squadron in the Navy.
Again: "I don’t think getting in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to become president."
John McCain never said that it was a qualification; in fact, he has steered away from such discussion, certainly anything we might call self-aggrandizing. For Wes Clark to accuse him of grandstanding on his time as a POW is sick beyond the pale.
I applaud and appreciate General Wesley Clark's brave service to our nation and humbly admit that I've not matched it. I condemn General Wes Clark's glib condemnation of a Navy fighter pilot who spent five years being tortured almost beyond human endurance by an enemy which knew no God and observed no humanity.
What say you, Obama? Is this the Wes Clark you knew?
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Politician Wes Clark attacks John McCain's service 33 Comments (0 topical, 33 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
I don't know... the only lesson I saw Kerry giving during his military service was to abuse the system to use it to your advantage for personal gain.
I'm pretty sure that isn't the lesson to be learned regarding sacrificing during a time of need, to help your fellow man.
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Dependence is Slavery.
Wes Clark should stick to things he is knowledgeable about:
like casting anti-semitic aspersions against "New York Money People who are wanting a war with Iran"
and leave the political prognisticating to the experts.
"Small town folks get bitter after which they cling to guns or religion, or antipathy to people who aren't like them, or anti-immigrant sentiment"- Barack Carter Obama
the disgracing of a war hero,a good man who though we may not agree with on some issues is under full attack. What are are we as conservatives and Americans going to do about it? I'm simply beyond words to express exactly how I feel.(that I can post anyway)
Everyday brings Obama and the left more into clear focus and it doesn't look good. What must the rest of the world think after such remarks. Shameful.
I am an Indy voter who is very fond of John McCain. One reason I like this site is that you usually steer clear of obvious spin, but how can you explain this deceptive headline??
"Politician Wes Clark attacks John McCain's service"
Oh really? Can you point out to me where (exactly) Gen. Clack "attacked" the Senator's service?? The fact is there was no "attack." Not even close. Clark pointed out the geting shot down and held in a POW camp does not qualify you to be President. (It does, however, qualify you to be a hero, which Sen. McCain most certainly is.)
Moreover, if Sen. McCain is not "grandstanding" on his time as a POW (a claim Gen. Clark never made) why does the new McCain ad include a b&w image of him in a hospital bed after his rescue? (BTW: I feel it is completely appropriate to use this image but I also know why it is being used.)
Let's keep the dialog honest. Remember: You are entitled your own opinions; you are not entitled to your own facts.
(Otherwise keep up the good work!)
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
He said that McCain's running the largest squadron in the navy wasn't executive experience. Or the part where he said McCain wasn't qualified diplomatically despite his immense foreign affairs experience in the senate.
Let me ask you this, is being able to endure torture and not succumb something that you would consider a plus in the president ? Or is it something that you think doesn't matter.
Does it reflect on the person that they were able to put others before themselves ? Does it matter ?
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
Wes Clark accused John McCain of grandstanding, of using his five-year imprisonment to further his political ends. In doing that, he was attempting to cheapen McCain's service. He was attacking McCain's service.
Before you accuse me of lying again, I want you to THINK. Get it?
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
Okay, Mark Kilmer, you are not a liar....
Like many on the Right, you are just very frightened and increasingly desperate (and it's only going to get worse, my friend). You and your ilk need to find something--ANYTHING--to use against Obama and his supporters. So you embellish, you exaggerate, you spin and you omit important facts... but you never, ever lie.
Okay? Feel better?
And to your point: John McCain IS using his POW status to further his political ends. (Which is understandable when you don't have much else to offer.) How else do you explain the photo of a bed-ridden McCain in his campaign ads? In no way does pointing out this fact "cheapen McCain's service," it calls attention to McCain central theme: I made great sacrifices for this country--now reward me by putting me in charge.
So, can you tell me exactly how and when Gen. Clark accused John McCain of "grandstanding?" or will you now be honest and acknowledge that he never did any such thing?
Does that Obama Tattoo on your forehead or right hand hurt?
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Dependence is Slavery.
... we saw a good initial gambit; decent obfuscations over "independent" status; a little too thick on the attaboys, but that can happen - but as soon as the first shot gets through alinda's defenses, wham! - we're fear-laden, desperate ilk.
Mobys are weird.
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
Can you find anything that qualifies Obama to be president ?
Any accomplishment
Any courageous act
Any principled stand he stuck to
Any sacrifice he made for another
Any success
Anything ?
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
< begin troll mode >
Well, first, he isn't Bush! Or John McBush!
Secondly, he is a black guy, so if you don't like him, it is probably because you're just a bitter white person with your guns and religion.
But he's also a very religious person, so if the religion thing I just said was offensive, understand that Obama can be your hope to.
Why, just last week, Obama healed a blind man.
He deserves to be Emperor of Everything For Life! . . . but he is such a humble man that he'll settle for President for 8 years.
< end troll mode >
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Dependence is Slavery.
Heh.
Obama knows better than to offer medical advice.
Obama: Under the new universal healthcare plan, please see your Primary Healthcare Physician at the physicians leisure, then wait in line for a few months for the proper x-rays, Cat Scans, MRIs or other tests the doctors want, then wait another few weeks for another appointment with the doctor to determine if you should have done anything while your toe hurt.
Don't worry, the government will pay for everything.... unless you try to do something to help your own pain, in which case it violates the terms of the universal healthcare plan and you will have to pay extra taxes on it.
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Dependence is Slavery.
Remember when John Edwards told us that John Kerry would heal Christopher Reeves and get him to walk again?
Obama will raise him from the dead.
"If they were merely incompetent, then at least SOME of their actions would have been to the benefit of the country."
One of Obama's peeps, Wes Clark, attacked John McCain. Can we doubt that he received his lines from Camp Obama?
Politician Clark said that McCain's time as a Prisoner of War, although he used terms cheapening the experience, did not qualify McCain to be President, which implies that McCain was making that claim. Clark was accusing McCain of grandstanding.
No, I expect you to understand none of this, let alone your own limitations. You are distracting from the discussion at hand. If you'd like to participate, please do; if you'd like to continue insulting me, you can do it on my blog or anywhere else. Just not here.
:looking down at smoking Boom Stick barrel:
Well, I probably should have made that one a little clearer, huh? :)
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
there was nothing you could have done. This one, she gave you no recourse. >> places hand on Moe's shoulder and stares wistfully into the distance, thinking of the casualties <<
"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." - Barack Obama (30 June, 2008)
'Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a
delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted
by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds
forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick
up a turd by the clean end.'
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
all through the town!
'Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a
delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted
by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds
forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick
up a turd by the clean end.'
*If you haven't seen it Soylent Green is recommended
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
Soylent Green, starring Charlton Heston -- and I bought her the DVD for Christmas a few years ago. We've yet to watch it, but I'll have to now. It could be an primer on Obama's tactics and on the Dem's view of a well-regulated state and the value of human >>burp<< life.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
Or if it is just a hungry Obamabus bearing down on the former general?
"If they were merely incompetent, then at least SOME of their actions would have been to the benefit of the country."
It is OBAMABUS, solitary and unique. And it is a jealous deity, indeed.
;)
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
-Barack Obama hasn’t ordered the bombs to fall, although to be fair, he has associated himself with someone who has — William Ayers.- Capt. Ed (Hot Air)
'Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a
delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted
by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds
forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick
up a turd by the clean end.'
has my vote, John Kerry in '04. Would it be asking to much of Democrats to have the consistency of your average schizophrenic?
Maybe Clark should have tossed McCain the bone of granting exceptional character to a man who was offered his release from captivity but refused and remained to have his teeth knocked out of his mouth. The only "hero's" who seem to count are Democrats, that virtue, like all the others, being politicized, expendable, and available for trashing.
Now if Obama had been in the Hanoi Hilton, well there would have been one great writhing mass of togetherness, everybody coming together, ecstatic in their undefined hope, prisoners and captors alike hanging on every gaseous utterance of The Great Empty Suit. And right about now we would be smothered by his legendary heroism.
"a man's admiration for absolute government is proportinate to the contempt he feels for those around him". Tocqueville
and the radio host (not sure who it was - AM 620, around 11:30 this morning) was talking about Bob Schieffer's response to Clark during that interview. He played the recording (I didn't see it live), and it was a hoot listening to Schieffer's total incredulity. Even the lefty MSM guy couldn't believe what he was hearing.
The Unofficial RedState FAQ
“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say. ” - Martin Luther
John Kerry is a man who in time of war can lead us as a warrior, but in times of peace, he will heed the call of scripture to lead us in beating swords into plowshares.
(APPLAUSE)
John Kerry will lead American with strength and wisdom. He has the will to fight. He has the moral courage born in battle to pursue and secure a strong peace. Under John Kerry, I have no doubt -- and neither should any American -- that we are going to attack and destroy the terrorist threat to America.
I'd like to see him try to make the same argument about Obama with a straight face.