Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Standing by What He Said

Updated below:

I suppose all of you have seen and/or heard about the faux flap some in the media are creating over General Wesley Clark's comments about McSame. The GOP and media are trying to make McBush's military service off limits as a campaign issue. Ignore the fact that he was nearly last in his class at the Naval Academy and that while being a POW and a veteran are reasons for respect, they don't make any difference in his qualifications for President. Good for General Clark. Because he's right. Even though the Obama campaign quickly tried to distance themselves from the issue and dissed the comment, he should stand by what he said. The media can damn well take another look at exactly what General Clark said and then try and tell us where he's wrong or disrespectful. Here is what Clark said today:
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.
Every word is the truth and there is absolutely no disrespect or denigration of McSame's service. This love affair the media has McBush is very tiresome. Let's deal and with the issues and the truth and quit trying to fly wing man folks. The country is facing serious issues and we deserve a media that tells the truth. They had no problem allowing all the lies about Kerry's service get traction and you see where that got us.

Update: Steveaudio finds a petition from votevets applauding Gen. Clark for telling the truth, and listing things that McSame's POW experience doesn't make him qualified to deal with.

Updated to correct some stupid spelling mistakes.

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