Clark blasts McCain's military service

[Thrill]

Clark said that McCain lacked the executive experience necessary to be president, calling him “untested and untried” on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” And in saying so, he took a few swipes at McCain’s military service.

“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.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080629/pl_politico/11425

Wow. That is a serious big time, audition for VP.

[TomInTib]

1. I have said that all along.

When your sole claim to fame is that you got your ass shot down and captured, that claim is pretty lame.

[EFerrari]

3. It's pathetic. It's like flashing an apendectomy scar and

saying "Vote for me and my scar!". What the hell kind of strategery is that?!

[fasttense]

17. To join in your analogy

Corporate media's claim that McSame's POW experience would make him a good Commander In Chief is like flashing your appendectomy scar and claiming you would be a good surgeon.

[Phx_Dem]

11. Yep.

That could just mean he wasn't a very good pilot.

[momster]

16. Crashed 4 Planes before Capture

and another one after his release. He was a terrible pilot.

[hokies4ever]

19. John "Reverse Ace" McCain

His Vietname buddies nicknamed him 'Ace' since he lost 5 friendly aircrafts. So technically speaking he is a "reverse ace." :rofl:

[Cirque du So-What]

2. Only a military commander of Gen. Clark's stature

is qualified to make such an assessment. Coming from anyone else in the Democratic camp, it would come across as a cheap shot. We're fortunate to have him on our side. As VP candidates go, he's on my short list.

[Occam Bandage]

4. Clark is the *only* Democrat who can say that. The *only.* He should be VP.

[papapi]

5. Big brass balls do come in handy sometimes...

especially when you're rolling them at a pinhead.

[JoFerret]

22. Only Colbert has brass balls

All other males do not judge their ability to show courage by such primitive measures.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. He did NOT "blast McCain's military service,"

and his remarks should NEVER be framed that way. What he said was being a POW does not constitute the kind of foreign policy experience that qualifies a person for the presidency.

[papapi]

9. Judge for yourself.....

Here's the interview - direct for CBS News:

Clark interview - CBS News

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. I've seen the interview already, and he didn't blast McCain's service.

What he blasted was the notion that getting shot down and imprisoned was a qualification to be president.

[papapi]

14. I posted for the benefit of others.

[Donna Zen]

10. Thanks Ocelot

I've been trying to weigh in at Politico; however, my registration won't go through. Those right-wing assholes should not be able to get away with this. General Clark made a big deal about honoring John McCain's service; however he wants the nation to understand that being a POW doesn't translate into foreign policy creds.

Anyone interested in voting for Clark as VP should go to CQ. com. While I have no truck with Biden, I believe that having an anti-war General Southern Rhodes Scholar on the ticket makes more sense than bringing senatorial baggage.

[Sparkly]

24. Exactly, nor was it "personal," as Politico called it

"...in one of the more personal attacks on the Republican presidential nominee..." Ridiculous.

[cbc5g]

7. Clark should be the top VP choice for Obama

no doubt.

[1Hippiechick]

8. Oh, yeah...some war hero - here are some clips that probably precede many readers in this forum

JOHN MCCAIN, MISSING, PRESUMED DEAD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBiti-ZbeO0

VIETNAM VETERANS AGAINST JOHN MCCAIN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFM1xqqTX_g&feature=related

F*CK MCCAIN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYJPuKWZlVs

[Phx_Dem]

12. Ladies and gentlemen,

I think we have ourselves a top VP candidate. I've been a pretty big supporter of Web, but why take a Dem out of the senate we have a great candidate in Wes Clark. He was awesome today on Face the Nation.

Obama/Clark. Works for me.


(Mrs)

[papapi]

15. I can digg it!

[TheDonkey]

18. Clark needs to keep it up. He was very nasty to Obama in the primary so it is time he steps it up

for the Obama campaign if he wants considered. This is a step in the right direction for him.

[Sparkly]

23. "very nasty?"

:eyes:

[ErinBerin84]

20. Didn't he more of "blast the notion that military service automatically = foreign policy credentials

The headline is stupid. Should be more like "Clark blasts McCain's foreign policy credentials, or "experience" I mean, he didn't really OVERTLY blast McCain's military service to me...think of how the RNC tried to accuse Howard Dean of that earlier, when Howard Dean definitely did not say anything close to what Clark said. I just don't want us to fall into the trap. Politco always seems right wing hackish to me. I'm sick of blogs (including the Huffington Post, but politco usually has more sway with MSM) stirring shit up. Oh well. Chew on that, Morning Joe assholes.

[Born_A_Truman]

21. RW Talking points

McCain's campaign accused Obama of criticizing McCain's military service.

The McCain campaign responded quickly, teeing up Clark as a surrogate for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and blasting away:

"If Barack Obama's campaign wants to question John McCain's military service, that's their right. But let's please drop the pretense that Barack Obama stands for a new type of politics. 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."