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"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.

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.”

I actually respect Gen. Clark. His book "Winning Modern Wars" is a great read. I'm not into bashing anyone's service record. So it is very disturbing for me to hear that Clark is bashing McCain in this way. First of all, he has a hell of a lot more experience, both "executive" and otherwise than Obama. He has been a Senator for decades. What McCain did in Vietnam is something that very few members of the military could. Read "P.O.W." by John Hubbel some time. The North Vietnamese turned a number of senior American POW's into willing propoganda sources. Clark should think long and hard how he would have handled 5 and a half years of torture, starvation, abuse, confinement, and months hanging near the edge of death before he criticizes McCain in this way. It is one thing for a shadowy surrogate group to put out a smear campaign, it is quite another for one former high ranking military officer to denigrate the career of another.

It seems to me that Clark is laying the groundwork for the vice-presidency. If Obama had him on the ticket it would be difficult to criticize him on issues on national security. I would have wished him well but this is disgusting.

Because of the disrespect to Senator McCain's Service Record voiced by Generals Clark and McPeak; they are no longer Military Leaders that I respect.

From A Proud Vietnam Veteran

Yeah... I like Wes Clark too... But I honestly think he was out of line in criticizing McCain's service. That was uncalled for.

McCain may be a lousy choice for President, but that has nothing to do with his service to our country. Leave that alone.

I dislike Wesley Clark because he has not been able to stay out of politics since seperation from the service. He didn't even wait that long in fact.

He was giving political interviews to 60 minutes while he was out processing. I lost respect for him back then. I don't care what rank you are you need to set the example for the troops while your on Active Duty. He failed towards the end.

No comment on the companies he worked for in Arkansas after ETS but I am going to guess they were tied into the Clinton's in some way. You just don't leap from General to CEO of a large company without political help.

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

Yep, he is on the mark on that statement. And he is also correct that McCain has zero executive experience....

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I dislike Wesley Clark because he has not been able to stay out of politics since seperation from the service.

I guess you really hated Washington, Grant and Eisenhower.....

Why don't you just say you hate his politics. It would make a lot more sense.

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Because of the disrespect to Senator McCain's Service Record voiced by Generals Clark and McPeak; they are no longer Military Leaders that I respect.

That is hilarious Wes. Disrespectful? OK man why don't you just be honest and say you hate them for their politics?

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Originally posted by dmuhler:

quote:

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

Yep, he is on the mark on that statement. And he is also correct that McCain has zero executive experience....

No it is a fallacy and and attack. I could easily say, "I don't think being black and having catchy slogans qualifies you to be president." but that would be equally fallacious and unfair.

It's one thing to question somemone's actions when doing military operations i.e. Clark almost starting WW3 in Kosovo:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/671495.stm

Thank goodness for General Jackson.

However, isn't it below the belt trying to make someone seem incompetent for getting shot down while risking their life for this country?

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Originally posted by foxred03:

quote:

Originally posted by dmuhler:

quote:

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

Yep, he is on the mark on that statement. And he is also correct that McCain has zero executive experience....

No it is a fallacy and and attack. I could easily say, "I don't think being black and having catchy slogans qualifies you to be president." but that would be equally fallacious and unfair.

WTF does his race have to do it? Jees man are you out there or what....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dmuhler,

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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.

As if Obama has the necessary "executive experience" and is "tested and tried".

ROFLMAO!

What the hell is going on with army generals, former and current. They seem to go out of theit way to downgrade any actions conducted by any other branch of the service...the air force contributions in Iraq or Afgan, marine actions in the afgan aor, now go after McCains conduct while in the navy. Clark is no longer a retired officer he is merely a political hack like so many others in both parties. I don't think that he has the right to carry McCains g suit..much less critise his action while he was in the navy. He sounds like a 'leg'

92

I think you missed the point. McCain is claiming he has experience that makes him more qualified to be president. Clark takes issue with that claim. I agree with his assessment. The model over the last several presidential elections is executive experience is important....and that would be in the form of having governorship experience. Nobody in this election has it. As for his military experience, he has some but as Clark pointed out, McCains experience is extremely limited.

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Originally posted by spyglassA1:
What the hell is going on with army generals, former and current. They seem to go out of theit way to downgrade any actions conducted by any other branch of the service...the air force contributions in Iraq or Afgan, marine actions in the afgan aor, now go after McCains conduct while in the navy. Clark is no longer a retired officer he is merely a political hack like so many others in both parties. I don't think that he has the right to carry McCains g suit..much less critise his action while he was in the navy. He sounds like a 'leg'

It is called freedom of speech. He has every right to say what he wants.

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Originally posted by dmuhler:

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Originally posted by foxred03:

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Originally posted by dmuhler:

quote:

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

Yep, he is on the mark on that statement. And he is also correct that McCain has zero executive experience....

No it is a fallacy and and attack. I could easily say, "I don't think being black and having catchy slogans qualifies you to be president." but that would be equally fallacious and unfair.

WTF does his race have to do it? Jees man are you out there or what....

First if "doesn't" have anything to do with it. Secondly, that is a dumbass response. IT WAS VERY CLEAR FROM WHAT I WROTE THAT I WAS NOT MAKING OBAMA'S RACE AN ISSUE IT WAS A ****ING EXAMPLE OF HOW STUPID GENERAL CLARK'S STATEMENT WAS. What is so hard to understand about that.

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Originally posted by 92guru:

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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.

As if Obama has the necessary "executive experience" and is "tested and tried".

ROFLMAO!

Exactly! Clark should know better than using that to attack McCain. At least McCain didn't come close to starting another war, this time with Russia! Looks to me like his thinking of being tested, is one of bad choices. Like Fiannan, I am glad Gen. Jackson said no.

Clark has had an agenda for as long as I can remember. The guy is a total tool bag.

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It is called freedom of speech. He has every right to say what he wants.

Maybe so, but those comments put him in the same class as I hold Murtha! I wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire, might just add some gas to em.....

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Originally posted by dmuhler:
As for his military experience, he has some but as Clark pointed out, McCains experience is extremely limited.

You consider someone who retired as an O-6 to have extremely limited military experience?

quote:

Originally posted by dmuhler:

quote:

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

Yep, he is on the mark on that statement. And he is also correct that McCain has zero executive experience....

You opened yourself up for this, moderator or not. I suppose you have executive experience to stack up against McCain? What kind of political executive experience does clark (after his digusting attack on an actual war hero, he no longer deserves the repect of being referred to as general or in capitolized letters) have in comparison to McCain? I'll take McCains years in DC against clarks 4 stars any day.