Obama Surrogate Wes Clark Dismisses McCain's Military Record

Source: THE WIDE AWAKE CAFE

Wesley Clark, a key military adviser for Barack Obama attempted a frontal attack on John McCain one day before Obama delivered a self serving speech on patriotism.

Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a key military adviser for Barack Obama, dismissed John McCain’s war record as a qualification for readiness to be president.

Appearing Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Clark downplayed the plane crash that led to McCain’s captivity during the Vietnam War, and said the squadron McCain commanded “wasn’t a wartime squadron.”

“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,” Clark said.

When asked by host Bob Schieffer how he came to describe McCain as “untested and untried,” Clark said it was “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,” adding, “He hasn’t made the calls.”

When Schieffer noted Obama has not had wartime experiences, Clark said: “Well, I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.”

McCain spokesman Brian Rogers issued a statement saying Obama’s campaign is proving Obama does not stand “for a new type of politics.”

McCain has not responded directly. He is scheduled Monday afternoon for a chat with reporters following a Harrisonburg, Pa., factory tour.

“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,” Rogers said.

“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,” he continued, and reiterated the standing offer to appear at joint town-hall meetings with McCain.

The exchange came a day after McCain questioned Obama’s trustworthiness at a Louisville, Ky., fundraiser.

There is more….

Admiral Leighton “Snuffy” Smith, USN (Ret.) issued a response on the McCain campaign website.

“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.”

I was out shopping recently at a gift shop and got to talking to the lady who waited on me. As she wrapped the gift, somehow the subject turned to the presidential election. The lady looked at me and said, “There is no way I can vote for Barack Obama. The man scares me.” She went on to discuss Sen. John McCain’s service in the Vietnam War. “The man was a prisoner of war for five and a half years. He could have used his family connections to be released from the Hanoi Hilton but he had the guts to stick it out. That’s character. That’s all I need to know about the man.”

There must be some troubling polls telling the Obama campaign that Americans doubt his patriotism and character. I know I doubt Obama’s patriotism and character. Me thinks the man doth protest too much about these very important issues. Hence, the Wesley Clark attack. What’s more, this was not the first attack by the Obama campaign on John McCain’s military service.

In addition, on Oprah’s message board clueless women are hooting about John McCain’s class rank at Annapolis. (as if they could ever endure Beast Barracks or Plebe Summer) Ironically, today is R Day at West Point.

Abraham Katzman of the Jerusalem Post writes about the “private character of John McCain.”

It’s widely known that McCain, a Navy pilot, was shot down, captured and tortured by the North Vietnamese for 5 and a half years - an episode worth a forthcoming column all its own. But few are aware that he refused early release until all the POWs captured before him were freed, and that he refused special treatment offered once it was discovered that he was the “crown prince” (the son of the admiral in charge of the Pacific Fleet) because he wouldn’t provide the enemy with any propaganda victories.

Even fewer seem to know that those years were a fraction of a 22-year Navy career. Although broken and battered, after his release from Vietnamese captivity he went right back to the Navy, where he continued to serve for an additional eight years.

Clark’s contemptible attack on Senator John McCain’s service and patriotism may have an unexpected result. I have had it with Barack Obama and his surrogates and his friends in the media. I have stated in the past that I will vote for John McCain because I am more concerned with national security than any other issue but I haven’t done much blogging about McCain or spoken up in support of him.

No more. I have had enough! I’m going to put my money where my mouth is.

Contrast John McCain’s twenty two years in the U.S. military, his five and a half years of torture, and his service in the United States Senate to Barack Obama’s “service” as a community organizer om Chicago, his subsequent career in the Illinois statehouse and one term in the United States Senate. The stark contrast must worry the Obama campaign.

Consider the friends of Barack Obama: Rezko, Ayers, Wright, Pfleger. These men are not exactly models of patriotism unless as Hillary Clinton once famously screeched, patriotism is criticizing ones’ government.

Using retired general Wesley Clark as a military adviser in the Obama campaign in the first place reveals how little interest Barack Obama has in military and national security matters.

Another very liberal friend of mine, who I expected would be a big supporter of Obama is not. She is disgusted with Obama’s refusal to wear the flag lapel pin at a time when America needed unity. That issue alone, turned her off Obama.

It’s what Barack Obama didn’t do when it counted. Now Barack Hypocrite Obama wears the flag pin. He refused to condemn MoveOn.org when they ran the despicable General Betray Us ad in the New York Times. Today, he slapped them a little. He plans a trip to Iraq. He sends out hapless Wesley Clark to attack John McCain’s military service. I’m sure his new favorite food is apple pie.

Today it has become clear to me that Barack Obama will do anything to win. I am going to do everything in my power to see that he loses.

I’m urging all who read this to go to John McCain’s campaign website and get on the Straight Talk Express. After all the great accomplishments of our military in Iraq (and in the world) we cannot now take a left turn and undo all that has been done.

Comments

[Danny Vice]

Wesley Clark trips all over himself every time he says anything, and does nothing more than make his liberal cohorts look like the power lusting, lying, manipulative flip floppers that they are.

Last go around, Clark crowed endlessly about Kerry’s service, and how horrible it was that anyone would doubt Kerry’s integrity. He held Kerry up as a hero and ABSOLUTELY advertised his service as a reason why Kerry was fit to be commander in chief.

Now he flip flops right on his face - as he usually does.

Conservatives flip flop from time to time, but they don’t throw any vet under the bus unless that vet is out there denigrating our troops - like Kerry did.

They are two peas in a pod.

Clark is a disgrace to the uniform and it’s a tragedy our soldiers and vets had to listen to him denigrate their service in such a way.

Danny Vice
http://www.theweeklyvice.com

[AntiObama.net]

It's pretty clear to me that Clark is on the short list to be VP. I actually think he will be Obama's choice. Whether or not Obama directly communicated with Clark that he wanted him to make these remarks about McCain, I don't know. But Clark knows that he is basically the only high profile Obama surrogate that can make these remarks and get away with it. That's one reason why I think he'll be Obama's choice. He can question McCain on military issues like no one else could. He also is a former Clinton backer and could possibly bring some unity to the ticket. But primarily he is seen as a strong military leader, which would cover Obama's weakest spot - his utter lack of anything having to do with national security or military issues.

[mke]

I just read that Clark may already be picked as Obamas vp, I also read that Obama will be picking his Veep pick at the end of the week, I have been looking at all the blogs trying to confirm this, Ive only been able to find it in one place. It said he will be picking his veep after July 4th. you can read it at you want. http://www.theveep.com