Behind The Rise (And Fall) Of Gen. Clark's Veep Prospects

Not so long ago, Gen. Wesley Clark was thought to be out of the running in Sen. Barack Obama's vice presidential footrace. On June 10, the folks over at NBC's "First Read" blog pointedly excluded Clark from their rundown of potential Democratic running mates.

Later that same day, this reporter happened to snag a phone interview with Clark. Toward the end of our wide-ranging conversation, he let fly with a previously unheard criticism of John McCain's national security experience -- specifically, that the Arizona Republican was "untested and untried" -- that I immediately recognized as the proper headline for the article.

I had no way of knowing, then or now, whether the strident but authoritative-sounding critique from the four-star general was part of his calculated strategy for getting his name back in the headlines. But after meeting and chatting with Clark in person last week and then reading about his Sunday 'Face the Nation' appearance -- in which he doubled down on his rhetoric, saying McCain's getting "shot down in [his] plane" doesn't qualify him to be president -- I'm steadily less inclined to think this was all part of some well-considered master plan. Instead, it appears that Clark is winging his second berth as a vice-presidential contender, and is perhaps proving every bit as erratic a campaigner as McCain was an airman.

To begin with, Clark's aides had stressed to me before our first interview that it was being granted primarily for the purpose of talking about national security threats, not politics. The message: they weren't particularly interested in making headlines for their boss.

But the fact remains that headlines are precisely what Clark earned with his quip. After his follow-up appearances on television went reasonably well, Obama's image-conscious advance team seated Clark directly next to the Senator during one of the candidate's panel discussions with former military leaders. Suddenly, the man who had fallen from speculation was back at the cool kids' table. And even when the reporters wondered whether his attacks would work, they generally conceded Clark's standing to make such claims.

Hoping for breaking news lightning to strike twice, I trailed the General to an event at the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies last week. While Clark repeated the "untested and untried" line from our interview during his speech, he mostly played it safe (there weren't many cameras in the hall, or much press that I could see). Approaching him after the event ended, Clark surprised me again, admitting that his indelible line of attack on McCain "just popped out of nowhere." He cracked a sly grin and admitted to some satisfaction at the fact that his line "just went all over."

But improvisation can giveth as well as taketh away. Like a jazz musician who takes one too many choruses for a solo, Clark's latest shot from the hip is making some eyes roll among those in his intended audience. After Clark's Sunday dig at McCain, which at minimum seemed a touch too flip about the perils of combat, Obama communications director distanced the campaign from the remarks. [See update below.] (Meanwhile, any notion that Clark is an inconsistent politician will only reinforce lingering doubts from the 2004 Democratic primaries about Clark's skill on the stump.)

The McCain campaign clearly sees Clark's trash-talking as an opportunity to paint their candidate as a victim. Over the weekend, the Arizona Republican's press outift blast emailed a rebuttal to Clark's Face the Nation appearance. Then McCain's communications director cried foul, saying the attack "demeaned" his candidate's military service. And today, the campaign held a conference call with the "McCain Truth Squad," a group "aimed at countering the recent attacks on John McCain's military record."

But on the other hand, inspiring an opposition conference call -- much less a "squad" of any kind -- is truly the sincerest form of flattery in today's politics. Even if Clark proves too streaky a no. 2 hitter for Obama -- and despite the fact that First Read is once again down on his chances -- Gen. Clark has probably earned himself a place as a role player between now and November.

UPDATE: Obama spokesman Bill Burton has issued a statement that reads:

"As he's said many times before, Senator Obama honors and respects Senator McCain's service, and of course he rejects yesterday's statement by General Clark."

Comments

[akaJohnQ]

Gen. Clark is a patriotic citizen who happens to be a straight talker. He is correct to point out that McCain's military experience, while honorable, has not prepared him to be POTUS. There are millions of American vets who served honorably, but whose service did not prepare them to lead this nation. Clark did not mean to attack McCain or to denigrate his military record. He simply and honestly reported that McCain never held a command position in the Navy during wartime where he had to make life or death decisions. Clark also honestly stated that being shot down and being a P.O.W. does not enhance a persons presidential qualifications. I think that Clark is an honorable man who speaks the truth as he sees it. He should be seriously considered as Obama's V.P.

[marc1antony]

he should not have been rejected for his remarks - he was right on the mark about mclame

[duze]

Clark was right, being shot down does not qualify you to be president.

[AnaisKarim]

I think that the goal has been accomplished. We are all discussing the fact that John McCain's time as a POW does not qualify him to be CIC. I have been saying this for months and frankly I'm tired of him trotting out that tired story.

I love the way Wesley Clark speaks his mind.

[matthewhusseinsmith]

Let's be dispassionate about this, and just look at the facts:

McCain served his country: yes.
He his life was imperiled: yes.

For that we thank him and honor him.

On the other hand, as a senator, he has no executive experience: true.

What Gen. Clark said is true, but it was said in a way that is harsh and hurtful.

[matthewhusseinsmith]

"What Gen. Clark said is true, but it was said in a way that is harsh and hurtful."

I read the interview of gen. Clark by Bob Schieffer and I take what I wrote back.

Gen. Clark was respectful and factual.

[pfc1369]

This knee-jerk thanking-and-honoring him mindless crapola makes me sick.

What are you thanking him for? Dropping bombs on Asian peasants?

What are you honoring him for? Dropping napalm on Asian peasants?

That is what McCain ACTUALLY DID. The rest is propaganda.

Was Vietnam ever even the smallest microscopic threat to the U.S.A?

Of course not.

[matthewhusseinsmith]

These "peasants", for your info, killed hundreds of our soldiers in a pitched battle at Hamburger Hill and sent our ambassador scampering through the roof to his chopper; these same peasants slammed a SAM, the size of a telephone pole at McCain and brought him down.

McCain was a soldier, and he served his country in a time of war, and I honor him because he is unlike Bush, Cheney and Bill Clinton who got deferments.

You may argue that the VN war was a bad thing and I agree, but that's another topic.

[Peter Brown]

Hey Seth,
I don't know your politics on the Middle East---but any chance that you are trying to knock down Clark's prospects as VP because he has also been courageous and outspoken on Iran---pointing out the Iran does not pose an existential threat to the US and should be dealt with diplomatically??????

[MyNameIsJames]

General Clark

Has every right to go after McCain's military record. I mean we saw what happened to John Kerry right? General Clark was a foot soldier in Vietnam ( a war I hated) he knows about real combat.

McCain was a legacy, similar to George Bush. He did get captured and tortured by the Viet Cong, but who wouldn't be tortured if you are bombing a country that didn't even have an AIR FORCE! It is shameful that a man who kills people from the sky - Innocent people in their own land - is honored as a hero because he gets shot down.

This nation's morals are highly questionable on this one. General Clark - you pointed out the obvious and we are better for it as a nation.

[guitrock]

Clark didn't spontaneously come out with the "shot down" remark. Rather, Bob Schieffer posed the non-sequitur about Obama's lack of qualifications by saying that he had not been shot down in a fighter plane. Clark just pointed out the obvious - getting shot down while in a fighter plane is not a qualification for being president. The idea that Clark is belitting McCain's military service is completely ridiculous. Clark went to great lengths to praise McCain's service. He just said that this service did not entail experience which would necessarily help him in his executive capacity as commander-in-chief. Clark has the exact experience which he says McCain lacks.

Mario Cuomo once said something to the effect that when you ask General Clark a question, he will look you in the eye and give an answer that will leave no doubt as to the sincerity and depth of knowledge of this man. Cuomo added, "So you see he has a lot to learn as a politician." The political spin on Clark's assessment of McCain's qualification is typical of the way politics works. I agree with Jon Soltz - keep it up, General Clark.

[Heavenhelpusall]

What does McCrybaby's campaign have to say about Lieberman's prediction of an attack early in the next president's administration?

Wesley Clark can speak to heroism. Show us McSecrets military records.

[theone718]

I have no idea why this seems so outrageous Clark has every right to voice his opinion, darn I was hoping he would have been VP but now his chances have gone away.

[Spesabsquemetu]

What is there to reject?

The four star general honored McCain's service to this country, but raised fair questions over whether being shot down in a plane makes him ready to serve as commander in chief, while pointing to serious matters of concern that Clark sees as critical:

- ability to promote accountability
- ability to understand the risks involved in any given situation
- ability to gauge the opponent ( this one is really scarey since McCain often seems confused as to WHO the opponent actually is).

These are fair points to discuss. The fact that McCain chooses to respond by hiding behind a swiftboat is REALLY frightening.

[Zoolie]

Clark just asked the same questions many of us have asked. McCain loves to brag about his recoed, but we aren't supposed to ask how it prepares him for POTUS?

[bongogirl]

I agree with Clark. Now, if McCain had been treated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder like most POW Veterans have, then perhaps McCains leadership credentials and judgement might have some merit. BUT THEY DON"T! Does anyone know if McCain was ever treated for PTSD?

[Zoolie]

How could anyone know for sure? McCain won't allow access to most of his military records. Wonder what he's afraid of?

[Alablanca]

I COMPLETELY OBJECT TO YOUR CRITICISM OF GEN. WESLEY CLARK. HIS POINT WAS WELL TAKEN IN FACE THE NATION LAST SUNDAY. THE FACT THAT MC CAIN WAS NOT THE COMMANDER OF THE SQUADRON IN THE NAVY (HE CRASHED 5 OF THOSE EXPENSIVE PLANES) AND FOLLOWING THAT, HE WAS SHOT DOWN IN A SEPARATE MISSION TO VIETNAM DOES NOT MAKE HIM SUITABLE TO BE COMMANDER IN CHIEF. HIS REPUTATION IN THE NAVY WAS NOT THE BEST - HE WAS NEVER IN CHARGE OF ANYTHING. THERE WERE MANY PRISONERS OF WAR WHO WERE TORTURED AND NEVER CAME BACK - DID THAT MAKE THEM SUITABLE TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. I AM SORRY - NO ! WESLEY CLARK IS AN HONORABLE MAN WITH A FINE REPUTATION AND WAS RIGHT ON TARGET.

[LiberalBuzz]

Why does Obama's camp continually throw people under the bus?

[Cynth]

I wouldn't characterize it that way. Obama must take the high road and apply a more measured response. He's only distanced himself from Clark's statement (without attacking it), but not Clark himself. Obama has to minimize the Republicans' opportunities to attack his leadership, patriotism, judgment, etc.; and he has to maintain control of the agenda and not let the opposition set it for him. Until he's in office, he needs to be careful about how people perceive him. It's smart campaigning, it's not unethical, and if it will help improve his chances for winning (and putting the country back on track), I'm all for it.

BTW, the expression "thow people under the bus" has been way over-used in this election and it has tended to dramatize minor and mundane events. Let's apply on facts, reason, and critical thinking.

[Cynth]

As a follow up to my first reply... But the General does make a solid point to those who place undue emphasis on McCain's military record as a qualification for the Presidency. :-)

[Spesabsquemetu]

Perhaps Wes Clarks remarks were misrepresented to the Obama camp, when turning to them for a "response", much the same as the McCain camp distorted and misrepresented what Gen. Wes Clark had stated regarding his concerns over McCain's ability to lead.