Obama questions McCain's patriotism

Parent Cafe
1

<p>McCain spokesman Brian Rogers just sent a statement, where he said, “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.”</p>

<p>See: [Jonathan</a> Martin’s Blog: Wesley Clark touches the third rail - Politico.com](<a href=“http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0608/Wesley_Clark_touches_the_third_rail.html]Jonathan”>Wesley Clark touches the third rail - - POLITICO.com)</p>

<p>I think we need to review Senator Obama’s long-term personal associations and use of the American flag, plus the questionable statements from Mrs. Obama once again.</p>

2

<p>No, he does not. He also disavowed Wes Clark’s statement. Obama has consistently said he respects and honors McCain’s service and patriotism and reiterated only yesterday that he would never question another person’s patriotism.
I don’t have a very high opinion of Wes Clark (who moved from the Clinton campaign to Obama’s) and perhaps he’sll be dropped from the ranks of Obama foreign policy advisors. But he is not Obama.</p>

3

<p>I suspect he actually does. If Obama actually did not want surrogates like Clark to make such public remarks - on a Sunday news program - he could have nipped that in the bud beforehand.</p>

<p>Clark knows all about discipline and taking orders. He’d have not said a word if Obama had not allowed it to be said.</p>

<p>See also: [Clark</a> hits McCain’s military credentials - Josh Kraushaar - Politico.com](<a href=“http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/11425.html]Clark”>Clark hits McCain's military credentials - POLITICO)</p>

4

<p>Once again, a single statement is being totally misinterpreted. Wes Clark stated, “I don’t think getting in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to become president.”</p>

<p>How in the world does this statement question McCain’s “patriotism” ? Wes Clark simply states that the fact that McCain was shot down does not (in and of itself) qualify him to be president. I see nothing wrong with that statement.</p>

<p>I also see no evidence to indicate that Obama supported that statement, or had anything to do with it. On the contrary, I agree that Obama has consistently praised McCain’s military service.</p>

<p>I really think that the anti-Obama media is grasping with this claim. :eek:</p>

5

<p>This may help illuminate the issue:</p>

<p>*Gen. Wesley Clark, acting as a surrogate for Barack Obama’s campaign, invoked John McCain’s military service against him in one of the more personal attacks on the Republican presidential nominee this election cycle.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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:</p>

<p>“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.</p>

<p>“I don’t think getting in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to become president.”*</p>

<p>(from the above news link)</p>

<p>I suppose refusing to go home via political connections (for years, while being seriously injured and enduring torture) before his fellow POWs were allowed to go home says nothing about McCain’s character or qualifications?</p>

<p>From McCain’s website:</p>

<p>*In October 1967, John McCain was taken as a prisoner of war into the now infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” where he was denied necessary medical treatment and often beaten by the North Vietnamese.</p>

<p>John McCain spent much of his time as a prisoner of war in solitary confinement, aided by his faith and the friendships of his fellow POWs. When he was finally released and able to return home years later, John McCain continued his service by regaining his naval flight status. His naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. *</p>

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<p>^^And how does that amount to “questioning McCain’s patriotism?”</p>

<p>This is a statement by Wes Clark: </p>

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<p>See also further down, “The General’s Big Mouth.”
[Marc</a> Ambinder](<a href=“http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/]Marc”>http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/)</p>

<p>So you suspect that Obama questions McCain’s patriotism? It’s not use to ask for evidence or proof, is it, for a mere suspicion? His regular declarations that he honors and respects McCain’s patriotism won’t persuade you. Just like it’s no use trying to refute rumors that he is a Muslim.</p>

7

<p>Yes, I do - I think Obama decided to attack McCain’s military service so as to negate McCain’s strength on this issue. Obama has nothing comparable, so he apparently decided - early on - to attack McCain via surrogates like Wesley Clark.</p>

<p>If Obama wants to discuss this matter as a political issue I think he should do so straight on and not use surrogates like Wesley Clark.</p>

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<p>Re: post #5</p>

<p>Which particular reference challenges McCain’s patriotism?</p>

<p>I think the fact that he called him a “hero” speaks volumes. However, all war heroes are not necessarily qualified to be President.</p>

<p>Clark said, “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” …</p>

9

<p>Military service and patriotism are not one and the same thing.<br>
Serving in the military does not give one the judgment to make foreign policy decisions or even to make decision regarding military strategy (on this ground, Clark would trump McCain).
Wes Clark did not attack McCain’s patriotism. Neither did Obama.</p>

<p>Find another reason to cricize Obama.</p>

10

<p>Obama himself brings up the issue of patriotism in this [LA</a> Times](<a href=“http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-campaign1-2008jul01,0,1224676.story]LA”>The 'new politics' will have to wait) article.</p>

<p>*INDEPENDENCE, MO. – Sen. Barack Obama said Monday that no candidate should use patriotism as a “political sword” in the presidential race, vowing to push back against charges that he is not fervent about his country.</p>

<p>Yet even as Obama repeated his call for a new brand of politics that avoids personal attacks, the day was dominated by an old-style clash over the military credentials of his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain.*</p>

<p>I think the two are already linked in the minds of the public.</p>

11

<p>From LA article: “In his speech, Obama sought to define patriotism, suggesting that military service is not the only criterion for patriotic feeling.”</p>

<p>I agree 100%.</p>

<p>My husband did not serve in the military, yet he is a very patriotic citizen.</p>

<p>My son will be commissioned as an officer in the army in 4 days.
He is no more “patriotic” than my husband. Probably no more qualified to be President either…:wink: (But he will be voting for McCain).</p>

12

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<p>I actually think this kerfluffle has nothing to do with Obama and everything to do with Wes Clark’s ego. Don’t you understand that HE’S the military man? McCain can’t be a hero because that would make Wes Clark less special and that just wouldn’t be acceptable. Clark is a loose cannon and Obama surely knows that and doesn’t take him too seriously.</p>

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<p>I think that sums it up perfectly, Zoos…</p>

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<p>I agree with zoosermom. It could also have to do with the army vs. navy superiority complex.</p>

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<p>Re post 12: I agree with you Zoosermom!</p>

<p>Re post 10: Here is the full text of the “patriotism” speech by Obama. Worth reading in its entirety:</p>

<p>[The</a> Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan](<a href=“http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/06/the-patriotism.html#more]The”>http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/06/the-patriotism.html#more)</p>

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<p>(again, my answer comes before Zoosermom’s post. We must be psychic.)</p>

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<p>Go Navy!
Beat Army!</p>

<p>:)</p>

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<p><a href=“again,%20my%20answer%20comes%20before%20Zoosermom’s%20post.%20We%20must%20be%20psychic.”>quote</a>

[/quote]
</p>

<p>We have a very deep, profound psychic connection. Can’t you feel it?</p>

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<p>No doubt Clark’s ego plays a role in his wanting to be heard. </p>

<p>However, do you really think a number of media sources would qualify Clark as a “surrogate” or “backer” of Obama if he were not conspicuously connected to Obama’s campaign? How would one (like Clark) gain access to speak on a Sunday news show if there were little or no connection to Obama and the association was otherwise weak? </p>

<p>Slow news day, perhaps? ;)</p>

<p>Further, Clark erupts from the shadows to weigh in on matters of a military nature that clearly benefit Obama. If Clark’s ego is so immense why don’t we see him on social issues or the economy - after all, he ran for president as well; certainly he has opinions and policy guidance for the country.</p>

20

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<p>It says tons about his character, but nothing about his qualifications. His longtime work in the Senate, is a qualification. I would even disagree somewhat with Wes Clark, and say that his leadership experience as a squadron commander is a qualification (not as relevant of one as a wartime squadron would have been, but still useful, as any executive experience would be). But his courage and heroism as a naval aviator, and later as a POW, is not a job qualification.</p>

<p>It was the interviewer who first brought in the language about being shot down in a fighter plane. Clark just responded using the same language. The actual quote:</p>

<p>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 –</p>

<p>CLARK: Well, I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.</p>

<p>Somehow, Clark saying “He was a hero to me and to hundreds of thousands of millions of others in the Armed Forces as a prisoner of war,” doesn’t sound to me like either Clark or Obama is questioning McCain’s patriotism.</p>