Clark Hangs Tough

Perhaps it is just me but Barack Obama is starting to resemble Bill Clinton in demonstrating a propensity for bailing on supporters for what the opposition perceives as controversial remarks. The latest example is Obama distancing himself from Gen. Wesley Clark for questioning John McCain's qualifications to be president. To Clark's credit, he is hanging tough as evidence by the following statement:

There are many important issues in this Presidential election, clearly one of the most important issues is national security and keeping the American people safe. In my opinion, protecting the American people is the most important duty of our next President. I have made comments in the past about John McCain's service and I want to reiterate them in order be crystal clear. As I have said before I honor John McCain's service as a prisoner of war and a Vietnam Veteran. He was a hero to me and to hundreds of thousands and millions of others in Armed Forces as a prisoner of war. I would never dishonor the service of someone who chose to wear the uniform for our nation.

John McCain is running his campaign on his experience and how his experience would benefit him and our nation as President. That experience shows courage and commitment to our country - but it doesn't include executive experience wrestling with national policy or go-to-war decisions. And in this area his judgment has been flawed - he not only supported going into a war we didn't have to fight in Iraq, but has time and again undervalued other, non-military elements of national power that must be used effectively to protect America But as an American and former military officer I will not back down if I believe someone doesn't have sound judgment when it comes to our nation's most critical issues.

McCain and Patriotism

John McCain is going apoplectic over Gen, Wesley Clark's comment that spending more than 5 years as a North Vietnamese prisoner of war does not necessarily qualify one to be commander-in-chief. Hence, McCain calls a press conference to denounce Obama, his surrogates and his supporters for questioning his patriotism. This from a dude who allowed himself to be punked by George Bush in 2000, yes, the same Bush who managed to sit out the Vietnam war with dubious service in the Air National Guard; but, with the able assistance of Karl Rove, put the genuine war hero on the defensive. But the truth is, McCain has calculatedly used his military service as a integral part of his public persona, as the critical experience that allows him to hit the ground running on day 1 as Commander-in-Chief. So it follows that McCain's service is fair game, and can be discussed without calling into the question his patriotism. Frankly, I agree with Gen. Clark: spending years in captivity does not mean one is prepared to assume the duties of the presidency. Just for the record, Gen, Clark's comments on CBS's Face the Nation:

Transcript

Bob Schieffer: Well you, you went so far as to say that you thought John McCain was, quote, and these are your words, “untested and untried,” And I must say I, I had to read that twice, because you’re talking about somebody who was a prisoner of war. He was a squadron commander of the largest squadron in the Navy. He’s been on the Senate Armed Services Committee for lo these many years. How can you say that John McCain is un- untested and untried? General?

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Because 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. 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 Armed Forces as a prisoner of war. 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 Air- in the Navy that he commanded, it wasn’t a wartime squadron. He hasn’t been there and ordered the bombs to fall. He hasn’t seen what it’s like when diplomats come in and say, ‘I don’t know whether we’re going to be able to get this point through or not. Do you want to take the risk? What about your reputation? How do we handle it-’

Bob Schieffer: Well-

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: ’ -it publicly.’ He hasn’t made those calls, Bob.

Bob Schieffer: Well, well, General, maybe-

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: So-

Bob Schieffer: Could I just interrupt you. If-

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Sure.

Bob Schieffer: I have to say, Barack Obama has not had any of those experiences either, nor has he ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down. I mean-

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Well, I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President.

Bob Schieffer: Really?!