Wesley Clark Stands By McCain Criticism

** UPDATE BELOW **

Despite heavy criticism, Gen. Wesley Clark is standing by his statement this weekend that Sen. John MCain's military experience doesn't qualify him to be commander-in-chief.

"I certainly honor his service as a prisoner of war," Clark said of McCain on Sunday. "But he hasn't held executive responsibility. That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded -- that wasn't a wartime squadron. He hasn't been there and ordered the bombs to fall."

That statement from Clark has come under withering criticism from McCain's campaign and was rejected by Sen. Barack Obama, both of whom (along with the media) distorted Clark's words by painting them as an attack on McCain's military service. (Notably, several U.S. veterans, including Iraq vet and VoteVets.org chairman Jon Soltz, and Lt. Gen. Robert Gard Jr. have come to Clark's defense.)

This evening, Clark issued a statement reiterating his respect for McCain's "courage and commitment to our country," as well as his belief that McCain's judgment on crucial national security issues has been deeply flawed:

"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."

UPDATE: Via HuffPost's Sam Stein, Clark appeared tonight on MSNBC's Verdict with Dan Abrams:

Clark stood by his comments late Monday night on MSNBC, apologizing only for detracting from the "bigger issues."

"I honor John McCain's character," said Clark. "As I said in the show he's been on of my heroes for a long time. He's been over to my house. This is about the qualifications to be president. It is also about the nature of politics today that a comment can be taken out of context so much to create a hullaboo."

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Clark stressed that when he initially suggested that McCain's time in Vietnam did not -- by itself -- qualify him to be president, he was speaking as his own agent and not on behalf of Barack Obama's campaign. In addition, he pointed some of the spotlight on the fact that one of McCain's surrogates in batting back the criticism was Bud Day, a member of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth organization that McCain once criticized.

"I think language of this type and this part of the discussion shouldn't be part of the campaign," he said. "I reject the idea that you take something like this and Swift Boat it all out of proportion."

Asked repeatedly by Abrams whether he was sorry for his statement, Clark did not offer an apology. He even playfully hinted that his remark couldn't have been all-too-controversial as it was first stated by CBS Face the Nation hoest Bob Schieffer: "It was a great line," he said, "I didn't make it up. It was given to me by the interviewer."

But Clark's appearance was clearly an effort to clarify the message that his earlier remark sent. And in the process, he threw in some lines of support for his candidate of choice: Obama.

"I think anybody who serves in uniform who serves their country in wartime and has gone through the hardships like John McCain should be honored for their character and courage," said Clark. "I think people look for character and courage in their pres, but I don't think you' have to have been at war to have shown character and courage. I think you can see that in other candidates. I think you can see that in Barack Obama's life."

Comments

[WomanInOrangeSweater]

What is with this world that someone says something true and it becomes a huge controversy? The newscycle devotes itself to dissecting the comments, getting comments from pundits and then dissecting those. Meanwhile, the world is imploding with stupidity and nobody bothers to talk about that because they're too busy gasping in horror at some guy telling the truth.
I'm gasping in horror that anyone is gasping in horror.

[GoldenRules]

At first I laughed at this comment but then it sunk in and realized the TRUTH HURTS!

Simplicity at it's finest, nobody likes pain.

[WomanInOrangeSweater]

They may not like pain, but they certainly seem to enjoy picking at the scab.

[kinmin]

So what's the problem? Are the McCain people saying that getting shot down over Hanoi IS a qualification for being President? Because, after all, isn't that all that's at issue here? Clark said only that getting shot down over Hanoi is NOT a qualification for being President. Seems pretty sensible to me.

[MPCarr]

It ithis the same Wesley Clark that ran on his war record in 2004??

[mathme]

But he does the experience that he says that McCain doesn't have. He says that a war record does not, per se, give someone the necessary experience to be president, meaning that just because you have one, doesn't qualify or DISqualify you.... McCain's SPECIFIC record does NOT qualify (though it doesn't disqualify him). There are a number of factors that lead him to believe that McCain is not qualified, and his military record and lack of executive experience and leadership qualities make him unqualified. Comprehension people... come on.

[kingofscotts]

You really didn't even attempt to answer the question.

Clark ran on his war record (which in terms of actual war was one month....w­hich is one month longer than I have spent in war so hats off to Clark).

Kerry ran on his war record.

So suddenly Clark has a problem with that when it's the other team using the same lines?

It's so blatantly pathetic it's almost funny.

Clark is of course partially correct. It's just funny that it was ok when HE did it or when Kerry did it.

[oogabooga]

Clark told the truth. Why apologize?

[Indoboy7]

FINALLY,..­..A T L A S T.....One person with principles, and ready to stand by it unflinchin­gly.I salute General Clark.Wish he could be cloned so perhaps -at least one- politician could take strength from Gen Clark well-reasoned statement.­...The reaction he received should show the whole country just how emotional, yet irrational people react, and how out of proportion the media tends to stretch, and "massage" the true meaning of what the general was saying..Am­erica's educational system is -once again- shown for the failure that it has become..Do­n't they teach deductive reasoning in High School or college..?­?THis was Obama's 1st REAL test of character, and he failed it miserably.­Just as he failed miserably on the FISA "compromis­e"....(rea­d: C A V E - I N )..As a former admirer of the Obama phenomenon -that is what it truly needs to be called-I have turned off the financial tap to his smoke and mirror performances.

[VOTER]

Go to VoteVets.org

and sign up to support Wesley Clark.

[WasteNJ]

Perhaps this is the difference between a real General and a politician playing like he's qualified to be more than a General? I'd assume that a real General, a man of principles, wouldn't back down when challenged on something he believes. That kind of General isn't commonly found among the Bush appointed military leaders, or at least not while they are working under Bush.

Strange how those who have the guts to speak their mind are instantly attacked and expected to change their story by those without the guts to even acknowledge truth when they see it. These people demand that those with courage sink down to their weak-minded level and capitulate, just like they do.
Then, poof! In the blink of an eye, they will turn around and tell lies with righteous indignation, and try to smother the voices of those who call them out rather than defend their lie.

Clark's an example of soft power. He holds the line when it matters and doesn't use big talk to get his point across.

[babylonandon]

If that's so true, then why is Barack - "throw every inconvenient freind or suddenly controversial position under the bus" - Obama your candidate instead of Wesley Clark?

I mean Obama certainly hasn't stood by anyone whose suddenly become a problem.

He had a stance on getting rid of guns in the hands of citizens. No more

His mentor and guide damned America for years but when folks got annoyed about it...by by Jeremiah guy.

Then suddenly his church - filled with the voices of discontent - became inconvenient and he took the bus across town.

Sounds like ol' Wes Clark is the one with cojones and leadership qualities.

Who would you have wanted as President in December 1941? 1860? 1963? 2001?

Cojones or "just walk away"?

[TJRich]

I think he has made it a point to not agree or disagree with manufactured distractions. His relationship with the General is unchanged. People speaking for themselves are doing just that. Nobody is being thrown under the bus.

[Independent voter]

Clark is right.

Would all of the people who think getting shot down in flames qualifies a person to be POTUS please raise their hands.

Obama should have the balls to back the general - but he has become obsessed with pandering to the middle / right.

[mathme]

I'm getting more and more disappointed in Obama as the days go by... No question I'll vote for him, of course.

And, no, not because of the finance thing, either, that wasn't a flip, nor a flop, and never promised anything of the sort...

[arteus]

I agree. Clark clearly stated that he in no way intended to deminish McCain's military service record, nor that of any american war veteran. Why can't Obama or any of his people simply dismiss the implication that Clarks comments were in any way an insult to McCain or veterens in general. The simple fact is that being a war veteran doesn't translate to being a better prospect for the POTUS, for McCain nor any of the millions who have served our country with honor. It's precisly because McCain is running on that premis that Clark should speak out on the subject with Obama's blessing.

[kingofscotts]

Give it up.

It doesn't matter if what Clark said was correct. It's a losing argument for the following simple reasons.

Clark ran in 04' on his war record.
Kerry ran in 04' on his war record.

Bush was laughed at by most of the same people making comments like yours because he had never served (in war). It was said that maybe if he had served he would know the horrors of war and wouldn't be so quick to send others (which I agree with).

Suddenly now that we are running against a real war veteran who experienced way more than Kerry or Clark ever did it suddenly doesn't matter much.

It's a pathetic argument and a distraction.

[westcoastsc]

Clark for number 2!!!

[heckofajobbrownie]

definitely. clark is an honest, courageous man, and with his decorated service record, that argument would be gone for mccain.

[LiberTLover]

Okay, if McCan't wants to run on his war and POW record, tell the media and McCan't's campaign we demand, as the public, to be able to see his full service and POW/MIA records that he had sealed. I'm sure the Vietnamese government also still have documents about the POWs that could be released so we can see his full record for ourselves. That shouldn't be a problem, right? But for all his talk about not getting special treatment as a POW, there are some who feel otherwise in the military.

http://www.usvetdsp.com/smith_mc.htm

[kingofscotts]

Just out of curiousity, did you make the same demands of Sen. Kerry???

You know because he ran in 04' on his war record.

Of course so did Clark. In fact Clark ran ONLY on his military record. What else could he possibly have run on? He had spent his entire career in the military.

How he can even talk about running on your military record and not get the irony is beyond me and makes me think he is a little dizzy.

[NoahVail]

Speaking of early release... Why was the Manchurian Candidate offered early release by the NVN? What is the whole story there?

[Jinxykb]

Clark is of higher rank than McCain so shouldn't we honor his opinions and service to the country as much or more than McCain's? If anyone is entitled to comment on the subject it's the General.

[Bagger]

Ha! Ha! Take it to em' General! I love it.

[barackobama4prez]

Power to Clark...Do­wn with gramps! I do understand why prez O doesn't want any part of it. Last thing he needs is everyone to focus on EXPERIENCE again. But to me, it's rather a level playing field. Neither JM, BHO, nor HRC had enough experience because there is no SECRET FORMULA for determining the experience you must have to be POTUS.

[concern4civility]

I was disappointed that Obama distanced himself from Gen. Clark, rather than elaborate. Of course General Wesley Clark was not putting down McCain for his service. What nonsense! The General simply stated that acts of heroism in service do not necessarily translate into good LEADERSHIP qualities. A more appealing response by Obama would be indignant that McCain would have framed the General as attacking McCain's military service. Disappointed with the Obama campaign's weak kneed reaction to such a sensible statement. Would anyone deny the truth of it?

[Relax08]

Just watch. He knows exactly what he is doing.

[GoldenRules]

Thats what scares me the most. He should know better than to throw Clark (who should be his Vice President) IMMEDIATELY under the bus and then get behind the wheel of that bus. You can't play to the middle on every issue because your scared of pissing of potential "Independent" voters. I don't know a single voter that wouldn't have voted for Obama because he came out and clarified what Clark said, THE TRUTH! Eventually, you have to take a stand. If not now, WHEN?

[Jinxykb]

I kind of thought he distanced himself from the misinterpretation of Clark's remarks (i.e. no, you don't bash someone's service record), but not Clark's actual remarks. I only saw the recap clips, however and could have missed something. Did they mention clark by name?

[westcoastsc]

I like Obama, but this distancing himself of everybody who speaks the truth is getting mf-ing annoying. And if I hear anymore pandering, I'm going to puke.

[indeevoter]

I too was disappointed in Obama's response..­.deeply disappointed. I've continued to support Obama's candidacy, even though I haven't agreed with several recent decisions made by his campaign. But they were minor concerns to me - not like his repudiation of General Clark's comments.

Long before I knew of anyone named Barack Obama, I spent many months in 2003 as one of the early members of the Draft Wesley Clark movement..­.pledging, waiting, hoping, and praying that he would run. I remember being ecstatic when he jumped into the race - and devastated when he dropped out. Wes Clark is an honorable man, not someone who would take pot shots at a fellow veteran for partisan political advantage. What he said was true! John McCain most certainly knows that - and Barack Obama SHOULD have known that. But neither man has the XXXXX to acknowledge it. Despite their promises to run a different kind of presidential campaign, this 2008 campaign is beginning to look more and more like all those we've groaned through in the past.

[Ptama]

This whole thing is ridiculous, General Clark is so right. Being a fighter pilot and a prisoner of war does not automatically qualify one to be President. How will McCain’s military experience put Americans back to work, or break America’s addiction to oil, or improve our education system or repair our failing infrastructure, etc. or implement policies that up lift less fortunate Americans. You see my point; a president’s job encompasses a lot more than national security alone.

I hate the way the media automatically gives McCain a pass on the national security experience issue. McCain has some how become synonymous with national security, WHY! WHY! What has he done to disserve this status? With all his supposed experience he voted to authorize this disastrous war. He says he hates war but he voted for preemptive war in Iraq. He of all people should have known better, What a jerk! Some Maverick.

Thank you General Clark. For stating what many others were thinking?

[robodweeb]

Paraphrasing Patton:

A soldier's job isn't to be captured by the enemy, it's to capture the enemy.

[KBAR]

May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't.
- General George Patton Jr

[robodweeb]

KBAR: Barry said the surge wouldn't work. Now, even the NYT say it has.

Had "Barry" been listened to the surge wouldn't have been necessary. We'd still have those 4,100 soldiers and the tens of thousands wouldn't have been wounded.

Not to mention the $650 billion dollars.

[KBAR]

When the war started Barry was still teaching Marxism in Chicago and hanging out at Bill Ayres house. So, his opinion on the war meant nothing more than is opinion on the war on dandruff.

[robodweeb]

He was right. McC was wrong.

Bottom line.

[robodweeb]

By the way, you have your facts wrong... again.

In 2002 when he made his speech he was a state senator in Illinois.

It must be sad to have nothing but make-believe.

[LMT]

Clark was absolutely, 100% correct in his original comments.

No apology required.

[KBAR]

And Barack Obama’s “executive responsibility” would be…what exactly? Oh, yeah. Conducting leadership training seminars for ACORN shakedown artists!

[robodweeb]

It seems that intelligence trumps executive responsibilty.

And military experience.

[mccabe49]

umm KBar Barack isn't trying to run on executive experience. McCain is USING his military time and his POW status to try to get votes. Notice how often he brings it up and how often the pictures of him in the hospital bed are shown. Because he served does not make him automatically qualified to be President. Weslety Clark is right.

[westcoastsc]

by having the proper position on the war in the midst of all the extreme nationalist pressure for the war. Proven leadership despite all the pressure against it.