Obama Tries To Disavow Clark’s Attack on McCain’s Service
Tags: Barack Obama, blogs, John McCain, Mark Noonan, Washington.
Click here to get Caucus of Corruption: The Truth About The New Democratic Majority by Matt Margolis and Mark Noonan.
I’m sorry, but as Barack Obama has said before, words matter, and Wesley Clark’s despicable attack on John McCain’s service demonstrates the Obama campaigns desperation. Make no mistake about it, Clark was speaking as a surrogate for Obama’s campaign. Obama can’t take those words back, and it’s pathetic that Obama, for all his self-righteous rhetoric about words mattering and judgement, he seems to think that he can make up for various misjudgments and missteps by writing it off as a boneheaded mistake, or by coming up with some longwinded, manufactured excuse that’s suppose to make it okay.
Word matter, Obama. Clark’s attack on the service and patriotism of John McCain is beneath the dignity of a presidential campaign. A simple “disavowing” of Clark’s comments isn’t enough.
UPDATE, by Mark Noonan: And Senator McCain shows real class:
“If that’s the kind of campaign that Senator Obama and his surrogates and supporters want to engage in, I understand that,” he said. “But it doesn’t reduce the price of a gallon of gas by a penny” or do anything else to help Americans.
He added a moment later, “I know that General Clark’s comment is not an isolated incident. I have no way of knowing what involvement Senator Obama has in that issue.”
UPDATE II, by Mark Noonan: Clark’s comments have raised a lot of military ire:
Thank you for visiting Blogs For Victory. If you enjoy our content, please consider making a donation to help us cover the costs of our servers.The Obama campaign’s disgraceful attacks on John McCain’s military service are unworthy of the ‘new politics’ Barack Obama claims to represent. John McCain has proven his leadership and courage by putting his country first in the most trying of times, refusing early release from prison and standing strong with his fellow POWs. Barack Obama should realize that these tactics have no place in this campaign, and he can make that clear by denouncing these reprehensible comments. – Colonel Tom Moe, former inmate of the “Hanoi Hilton”
As a Marine pilot who served in Vietnam , I am deeply concerned about the disgraceful remarks from Barack Obama’s campaign surrogate, Gen. Wesley Clark, regarding John McCain’s military service. 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. Being in command of a military squadron, regardless of whether the country is at war or peace, requires the true leadership that is necessary when assuming total responsibility for the well-being of the men and women in one’s unit. John McCain’s military experiences solely qualify him to be Commander-in-Chief when compared to any other candidate running for President of the United States .
Having gone down in a helicopter myself in Vietnam , I know firsthand what is required to stay cool under fire. When John McCain was shot down, there is no doubt that he was in total control of the situation and made all the right decisions under fire. I personally feel betrayed by Gen. Clark’s statements against John McCain. And when Barack Obama allows his surrogates to attack John McCain’s military record, it simply proves that Barack Obama is to be nothing more than a typical politician who will say anything to get elected. – Colonel Jack Jackson, veteran of 600 combat missions in Vietnam
Senator John McCain is an American hero and an inspiration to those of us who have served our country, faithfully and fully, in times of war. He understands sacrifice like only a wounded war veteran and former POW could. At a time when fewer and fewer Americans know what it is like to serve in our armed forces, Senator McCain’s experience will be immeasurable when he is elected President. Barack Obama’s willingness to allow his campaign to smear Senator McCain’s service is an insult to all of us who have worn the uniform. – Master Sergeant Terry Benson, 24 year Air Force veteran
Matt Margolis is co-author (with Mark Noonan) of Caucus of Corruption: The Truth About The New Democratic Majority. He also blogs at The Buffalo Bean. Follow Matt on Twitter.
96 Responses to “Obama Tries To Disavow Clark’s Attack on McCain’s Service”
Caucus of Corruption
Kahn,
Why are you denigrating the military and Clark’s service? Shame on you….
“McCain wins this argument and it hurts Obama.”
No he didn’t and no it doesn’t. Only to McCainiac…
Wow Willem, what a leap. Im sorry maybe I missed it but could you please give me an example of where republicans advocated the idea of either walking away or using a nuclear attack? I have heard the democrats often say we should leave, but never have I heard anyone in politics state that a nuclear attack is the answer.
holycrap;
“Retired General Hugh Shelton was asked the same question after giving a talk at a college in California. Shelton, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was Clark’s boss in 1999 when Clark was unceremoniously told that he was being removed from his position as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. “I’ve known Wes for a long time,” Shelton said. “I will tell you the reason he came out of Europe early had to do with integrity and character issues, things that are very near and dear to my heart. . . .”
“Was Wesley Clark removed from his job Supreme Allied Commander, Europe for lack of integrity and character issues?
Randy Black says: “I am not saying that you are wrong, or that I am right. You are certainly in a better position due to your experience and friends on the inside to make such a determination.
We, of course, do have the photo of General Clark exchanging hats with a Serb general. [RH:
This reminds me of the photos of John Kerry and Jane Fonda. I do not know what it proves, RH].
“I suppose that my principal objection to Clark the Presidential candidate is that he declared as a Democratic candidate ONLY because the Republicans didn’t pay him enough homage. He was a Democrat of convenience. I recall General Clark stating that if Carl Rove had returned his calls, he would have been on the side of President Bush. ”
And this: A few memorable — even unforgettable — words of Wesley Clark:
1. On May 11, 2001, speaking to the Pulaski County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner in Little Rock, Arkansas:
“And I’m very glad we’ve got the great team in office, men like Colin Powell, Don Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice… people I know very well — our president George W. Bush. We need them there.”
2. On President Reagan: Words of Wesley Clark: “We were really helped when President Ronald Reagan came in. I remember non-commissioned officers who were going to retire and they re-enlisted because they believed in President Reagan. That’s the kind of President Ronald Reagan was. He helped our country win the Cold War. He put it behind us in a way no one ever believed would be possible. He was truly a great American leader. And those of us in the Armed Forces loved him, respected him, and tremendously admired him for his great leadership.”
3. On President George Bush: Words of Wesley Clark:”President George Bush had the courage and the vision… and we will always be grateful to President George Bush for that tremendous leadership and statesmanship.”
4. American military involvement overseas: Words of Wesley Clark: “Do you ever ask why it is that these people in these other countries can’t solve their own problems without the United States sending its troops over there? And do you ever ask why it is the Europeans, the people that make the Mercedes and the BMW’s that got so much money can’t put some of that money in their own defense programs and they need us to do their defense for them?”
Willem,
Evidently, the following from Hillary is pretty much in line with what the current administration is trying to accomplish.
The question is, what does Obama support?
peace, neocon
Iran must conform to its nonproliferation obligations and must not be permitted to build or acquire nuclear weapons. If Iran does not comply with its own commitments and the will of the international community, all options must remain on the table. – Hillary Clinton
It sure sounds like Clark says whatever he feels needs to be said to further his cause du jour.
Integrity indeed.
peace, neocon
(2003-12-23) — Bill Clinton should be fired as ex-president because he failed to stop the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, according to Democrat presidential candidate Wesley Clark.
“I was at the debate in Philadelphia,” Clark said in a Wednesday conference call with reporters organized by the Clinton campaign. “That’s where it really started, and I think it started with Barack advertising that he was going to go on the offensive and start attacking.”
Clark said that October night in Philadelphia was when “the tone of the campaign started to change.”
so, I get it. Let the Swiftboating of General Clark commence.
IOIYAR
And the source for neocon’s devastating reply….
http://www.scrappleface.com/?p=1211
Scrappleface.dot.com
LMAO!! Integrity indeed! LMAO!
1 source listed..newsmaxdotcom…and they don’t have any sources. Hmmmmm…
I love the 1 comment though.
“It could be. Decide for yourselves.1 1Hey, it’s no more ridiculous than the article that inspired it–which can also be found here…”
Hahaha, Scrappleface! Republicans believe anything when it suits their talking points.
Here’s more from Scrappleface:
Top Stories…
* Court to Mull Individual Right to Drill for Oil
* Obama Rejects Public Funds for Campaign, Entitlements
* Chris Matthews’ Russert Eulogy: Like a Belch in Church
* Qaeda Court to Grant Beheadees Habeas Corpse Writs
* CRISIS: Foreclosure Threatens .2 Percent of Homeowners
* Obama Family Not Distracted by Dad’s TelePrompTer
* Apple to Release iPhone 3.0 Before 2.0 Launch
* Senate Moves to Tax Obama’s Windfall Campaign Cash
* McCain Googles for VP, Rules Out Amy Winehouse
* Hillary: Require All to Eat in Senate Restaurants
Willem,
You may actually want to read McCain’s foreign policy position as it relates to Iran if you’d like to debate from a position of knowledge.
But somehow, I don’t think that’s your MO.
Baseless rhetoric is more fun, right?
InDaVa,
That quote was from the General irrespective of the source. But leave it to a partisan to attack the messenger. So tedious.
have a nice day
peace, neocon
everyone has thier panties up in a wad about qualifications for POTUS
but did anyone even think about disqualifications? obama attended a black supremacist church for 20 years…i really dont think him AND his family did know that wright was pushing black ethics, black morality, and cones kill god theology….these folks are college graduates and hold positions of authority and responsibility in the public eye…they are not that stupid…so when obama said he had no clue…it was a lie….absolutely
and then….rezko….yup….how you take 1/3 of a million dollars off the price of a property is perpexling….ecspecially when a politician ad a crook both have thier hands in the cookie jar…just the image of impropriety should justify a federal investigation….but they havent even sniffed around the corners….like nothing is wrong…but rezko did get convicted….so somewhere….someone is lying about this too….
and in kenya…there are ashes on the ground….where a church stood….it was filled with christians and burned to the ground….by the crowd obama endorsed….one of them claims to be close to obama…his cousin….same tribe….barak hussein obama SR…obama’s fathers brothers child….who wants to impose sharia law over the entire nation of kenya…yet, obama, who said he was a christian…endorsed his cousin….and his cousins insurrection (by not condemning it)…
thats not even touching major issues…like obama’s mentor, the maxist….frank marshall davis…who obama bragged about in his “biography”….a self admitted communist…and obama….as a loyal follower of maxism…obama social conferences, seeking educational material, fliers, and pamplets…..training…for the future obama in politics…how to stoke the working underclass to social revolution…sound familiar? thats what lenin did in Russia…
this is who the Demoncrats want for president?
neocon,
“That quote was from the General irrespective of the source. But leave it to a partisan to attack the messenger. So tedious.”
Wow. I expected better from you neocon…”irrespective of the source.”
No source to anything you mean.
Your source(messenger) is a sham site with absolutely no integrity on reporting and you’re telling me I should take those Clark quotes as fact? Integrity indeed!
You really believe Clark said those words taking into account the reliability and integrity of the source? Really?
InDaVa,
Do you honestly think that scrappleface would make up comments and attribute them to Clark?
Do you honesty think that?
peace, neocon
“Hope and Change become Reality if that indictment comes down and the peresumptive GOP Nominee’s wife is on it for TAX EVASION.” – Sarah
And if not, it’s a McCain landslide. An indictment is the only “hope” the left has, and considering McCain’s financials are scrutinized every year because of his Senate position, I just don’t see a lot of “hope” in that.
have a collective day
peace, neocon
Frederick darling,
Don’t diminish yourself. Your website makes the DailyKos look like the NYT.
“What I’m saying is we have journalistic standars like not making up quotes.” – Frederick
Too bad spelling and punctuation aren’t a priority.
have a collective day
peace, neocon
neocon still doesn’t realize what scrappleface.com is.
LMAO
Deleted – off topic.
holeinthehead
>>>>Why are you denigrating the military and Clark’s service? Shame on you…>>>
My above post (54) was in QUOTES you MORON from pitchfork.
None of those were my words how frigging stupid can you be?
I was posting quotes from those whom he served for. DUHHHHH!
Sarah,
I GUARANTEE A MCCAIN WIN.
It’s as simple as that. Obama is another McGovern, and it may not even be close.
have a collective day
peace, neocon
sarabBLACCCHHH!
>>>>if that indictment comes down and the peresumptive GOP Nominee’s wife is on it for TAX EVASION.” – Sarah>>>>
Maybe in merry old england where you live it is.
Not paying property taxes results in a fine if paid late, forfeiture and re sale if not paid.
NO indictment will ever be used- but NOT being an American citizen makes you ignorant of this just as you pitchforkers from hell, are in ALL American politics.
Neo;
to fredputz……..>>>>Too bad spelling and punctuation aren’t a priority.>>>
AND
civility
anti Christian ravings
homosexual agenda pushing by lesbian publishers
porno
vile language and venomous rantings
and lunacy of a DEAD computer powered by gumdrops known as pain…….YEOW !!!!
Deleted – off topic.
SB
>>>and I called you a name that is not fair or very nice so I am sorry.>>>
are we married?
Im used to it LOL
32 years of married bliss, im sure she has used most of them…….
Deleted – off topic.
“are we married?” – FmrMarine
ROTFLMAO. Outstanding response.
peace, neocon
“neocon still doesn’t realize what scrappleface.com is.
LMAO”
Too funny…And I’m the one he called partisan….
fschwartsputz;
Actually, I prefer turner classic movies.
AND I do like debating politics.
I am from Buffalo, and lived on Staton island in the late 60’s
Spent a lot of time in Jersey and NYC.
Had a lot of Jewish friends maybe even tipped a few brewskies with you, Who knows life is strange..
my NYC friends and I all disagreed about politics but we were still good buddies.
PS Ill bet you cant stay nice here on this site….you just love to cuss and swear to much…Ill attempt to help you along on your “good behavior” LOL
Staten Island
fputz
>>>> I could point you to a few good fluid dynamics sites that explain the Lafreniere wave so a person with an IQ below 100 could grasp it if you like.>>>
but but but it’s 99.9999.999…DAMN!
it is an interesting theory, not so certain i buy into it.
Kind of like earbama…..sounds good.. but no cigar!
well not yet, slic may have left a few monicas around-just in case.
Deleted – obscenity.
fs
that was in S.Buffalo…the 1st ward area…Mick town.
I had relatives who lived there.
To damn cold for me and the snow…forget about it!
I have a friend down here who has a Buffalo style bar who serves “beef on weck” and genny cream ale, a buffalo favorite.
The beef isnt as good as in Buffaol, but when it is the only place in town it’s the best.
My self ( dont let anyone know) I prefer Michelob Ultra.
[...] events by SEK I challenge anyone currently being critical of Wesley Clark to disprove his point on its face. I don’t want to hear anything about Clark’s own military record or [...]
rtp
Actually im not much of a McLame fan.
He is a RINO of the worst part.
That said his opponent is a flyweight al sharptonesque racist-marxist.
That sets him miles apart from earbama. Although McCain was my LAST choice to represent our party he does have the experience to be POTUS.
1. Graduated from Annapolis.
2. Graduated from Officers school.
3. Attended/graduated from flight school
4. Became a jet fighter pilot.
5. commanded a flight wing.
6. Had several missions over enemy territory.
7. Rose to the rank of Captain (Colonel) in the USN
8. Became a US Senator, and has years of experience on capital hill.
9. the MOST IMPORTANT………he is married to a BUDWEISER beer distributor!!!
51. HolyRoller – sorry Holly, in the polls – he does. You libs should pick your fights better.
i guess that means hussein isnt picking clark for VP?
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/29/america/campaign.php
sittin next to clark, right there
“9. the MOST IMPORTANT………he is married to a BUDWEISER beer distributor!!!”
So why does he want to be president? He has everything he needs.
Public service Casper. You as a teacher should understand.
Kahn,
You do realize I was joking I hope. If my wife inherited a beer distributorship I would quit my job tomorrow (as long as it was Coors).
Ok, I’m just kidding. I am one of those very lucky persons that gets to work a job he truly loves and one which might actually makes a difference. I wouldn’t quit for anything. Maybe McCain feels the same way.
Besides, he gets the beer either way.
“Obama Tries To Disavow Clark’s Attack On McCain Service”
But liberal posters here do not and have written much worse. What a bunch of saps. Every time you get suckered into a discussion about defense and terrorism and military service McCain’s numbers go up and Obama’s go down.
This election is not Obama’s any more than it was Clinton’s. For your own sakes, stop the madness.
Or not. No skin off my nose.
By the way – this is the way Obama plays race. Think about what I mean by that.
Id venture to say that the biggest block toward progress is the ones that keep justifying that even if we did try, it couldnt be done.
The fact that oil is sitting in the ground, on US soil, while we are being bled dry by enemies, and our economy is under attack yet congress is not lifting a finger in defense, can not be more obvious. Not drilling because liberals justify it from summarilly applied guesses is about as stupid as that Dutch guy with his finger in the dam.
There is absolutely no way that not drilling will help anyone in the USA, period (except of course, those who are fleecing the people already). The whole truth lies in one statement;
We are victims of our own governments stupidity.
“http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/29/america/campaign.php
sittin next to clark, right there”
js,
Thanks for pointing out what a complete moron you appear to be. That certainly doesn’t look like the set of ‘face the nation.’ Even better…I’ll link to the video and you tell what time you see Obama next to Clark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kag0bBJVkIw
I’ll wait….
Oh and neocon,
To answer your question…
“Do you honestly think that scrappleface would make up comments and attribute them to Clark?
Do you honesty think that?”
Yes brainiac, that’s what scrappleface does. It makes up news. Some people obviously take them seriously…
cricket…cricket…cricket…
InDaVa,
A quote is not news. A fabricated quote can be the basis of a libel suit. Evidently the General is either unaware of the fabricated quote, or not challenging it.
So for the sake of Clarks reputation, I implore you to make him aware of this egregious fabrication by scrappleface so that the libel suit can be filed.
Please report back asap.
have a another delusional day
peace, neocon
neocon,
Evidently you are really really dumb….It can’t be libel if the site is a news parody site which is exactly what scrappleface is. Like I said…. really really dumb.
Have another dishonest day..
peace, InDaVa
Wow this righteous indignation is amazing. I wonder where Clark got his inspriation for questioning McCain’s credentials. Clark’s comments seem pretty mild compared to what the Bush slime machine did to McCain in South Carolina during the 2000 campaign. McCain was falsely accused of leaving POWs behind in Vietnam and of ’siring’ an illegitimate black child — actually his adopted Bangladeshi daughter, Bridget — and his wife, Cindy was accused of having a drug problem.
The problem is with McCain. He used to have integrity. He wants to be president so badly that he will swallow his pride and team up with such a sleazy crowd, now that they are contributing to his campaign. Its good to see that he’s come so far. And he’s cheap too.
Wesley Clark trips all over himself every time he says anything.
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 his blather.
On the other hand,does military experience give you an advantage when dealing with military commanders – something the next President will have to do often? That’s quite obviously a yes.
Danny Vice
http://www.theweeklyvice.com