Defending Wes Clark

The controversy over my colleague General Wesley Clark's comments on John McCain have generated a lot of media comment, much of it negative. I have known General Clark for many years: we served in the same Army and for the same country. He's a patriot. So to suppose that somehow Wesley Clark would denigrate John McCain's service to his country, while praising his bravery during the time that Senator McCain spent in an enemy prison, is absolutely ludicrous. So let's check the facts.

On CBS's Face the Nation, General Clark said that he believed John McCain was "untried and untested." Journalist Bob Schieffer asked him to explain what he meant. How could Clark make such a claim when "you're talking about somebody who was a prisoner of war? He was a squadron commander of the largest squadron in the Navy. He's been on the Senate Armed Services Committee for many years. How can you say that John McCain is un-untested and untried?" And here's General Clark's answer:

Because in the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk. It's a matter of gauging your opponents, and it's a matter of being held accountable. John McCain's never done any of that in his official positions. I certainly honor his service as a prisoner of war. He was a hero to me and to hundreds of thousands and millions of others in Armed Forces as a prisoner of war. 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.

As a retired military officer and a soldier who served his country for over thirty years, I can tell you that there's nothing in what Wes Clark said with which I disagree. He has not only stated the facts, he knows something about them. John McCain was a prisoner of war, an officer who served as a squadron commander, and has been and is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. John McCain can put his service to country up against anyone's. But General Clark has served also -- and with great courage: he was wounded four times in Vietnam -- and like John McCain, he has met and seen the enemy.

Is what Wesley Clark said true? Let's check some other facts: John McCain made claims about progress in security by walking through the streets of Baghdad. But as I recall, he was protected by at least a platoon of American soldiers and helicopters lying overhead. In matters of national security, as General Clark pointed out, "it's a matter of understanding risk," and it's "gauging your opponents;" and it's also a "matter of being held accountable."

So I too honor John McCain. And, like General Clark, I acknowledge his sacrifice for his country. But being a prisoner of the Vietnamese and serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee does not automatically qualify one for the position of Commander-in-Chief -- understanding risks, gauging your opponents and being held accountable does. We must end this glib obeisance to sacrifice and ask deeper questions: is a man who sings "bomb, bomb, bomb ... bomb, bomb Iran" a man who understands risks? Is a man who says that we must keep our troops in Iraq until we achieve an ill-defined "victory" really know how to gauge America's opponents. If we want to hold people accountable, then let's stand behind my friend Wes Clark -- and hold John McCain accountable for what he's said.

Oh, and one more thing: today President Bush signed the GI Bill -- which Senator Barack Obama has unstintingly supported. The bill will spend $63 billion over ten years for increased college aid for military service members and veterans who served after September 11, 2001. Good judgment?

John McCain opposed it.

Lt. General Robert G. Gard Jr. (USA, Ret.) is the steering committee chairman of Vets for Obama. Visit their official site or join them on Facebook.

Comments

[chewah]

Thank you General Gard. I was beginning to think no one way got what General Clark said or they were so taken by the "spin game" that they can no longer comprehend and report the facts. It just infuriated me and I kept yelling at the TV, "He didn't say that!" Well, it provided some relief.

I still think Wesley Clark would make a great VP!

[SaintZak]

He still is clueless on the economy, that only disqualifies him.

[AbbieXHoffman]

Clark is getting a bad wrap on this. His made a very detailed point, which as, usual gets blown out of context by the media for ratings.

Clark did not say McCain wasn't a patriot or that his service wasn't honorable, which is what the media is trying to say to make a controversy.

Clark said McCain's military experience does not qualify him for commander in chief anymore that Obama's lack of military experience.

[akennedy]

I am in agreement with Wesley Clark and hope Obama can see that too!

[jaglon]

Both Generals comments are correct. Being a POW is not a qualification for president. They were not questioning or putting down his service; they were saying it is not a qualification. The media, being the dimwits that most of them are, with the help of the republicans with all their mocking anger twisted those remarks. And, by the way, they did not come out of Obama's mouth.
McCain's judgement is open to question though because of his decision to support the invasion of Iraq, a country that had not attacked us. I would like to know what led McCain to make that decision and his continued support of the president on nearly every vote before congress. The Iraq war has led to the economic downturn in this country (yes, the economy and the war are linked) as well as higher oil costs (demand is also involved there) and our country's loss of good standing in the world. McCain, with a push from his pal Lieberman, is going to get us involved in another ill-advised war in Iran, if he can somehow lie and fear monger us into going along. So yes, McCain's judgement is very much open to question and the Obama campaign and the democratic party should be really hammering away on that.

[BetterDeadthanRedState]

Exactly. We have seen this again and again in this election cycle, all the way back to John Kerry being trashed for dissing the troops over something he didn't really say, but the complicit media just all go along with the GOP spin and pretend he said something he didn't.

To the media context is not relevant only conflict is.

[Garvagh]

Important point! The story should include scrutiny as to the reasons Bob Schieffer would so uncritically accept McCain's status as an ex-prisoner of war as a substantial credential for serving as commander-in-chief. This notion is utter stupidity.

Anyone who jokes about bombing Iran is a nutcase who should not be allowed anywhere near the war buttons.

[shel3364]

Thank you..

SInce when are "honoring one's service" and "questioning one's qualificaitons" mutually exclusive??

We can both honor his POW experience and question his ability to serve as CiC. I don't care much for the attitude that I'm seeing: "I was a POW, so everything in my military career is off-limits, bub".

Gen Clark made the incision, let's examine it.

[adamzdad]

As a soldier who served over 26 years in the military I think I too can comment on this issue. John McCain has forgotten more about foriegn policy that Obama will ever know. As for General Clark I will respect his service but I will also remember that it was him in charge during the Clinton years when our military got run over a few times and nothing was done. Such as the USS Cole and Bosnia. The General is looking for a job in Obama's cabinet and nothing more. Sorry General but your politics and as I see it turning your back on your fellow soldiers and pandering to the left wing propaganda is sickening.

[MainSpark]

"As a soldier who served over 26 years in the military I think I too can comment on this issue."

Oh, I get it. In order to make a comment on the issue, one needs to have served in the military? Or, by having served in the military, one has special insight on this matter? If that's the case - and it isn't - count me in. I served in the U.S. Navy. (And it seems a bit odd that you mentioned that you were a soldier in the military, not the Army. The U.S.M.C. has marines, the Navy has sailors, and the U.S.A.F. has airmen. In which military branch did you serve?)

"As for General Clark I will respect his service but I will also remember that it was him in charge during the Clinton years when our military got run over a few times and nothing was done."

Our military "got run over a few times"? Please, be so good as to cite those times. As for the Cole, I'm pretty sure that Clark wasn't COMFIFTHFLT. So, how was Clark responsible for the Cole?

"Sorry General but your politics and as I see it turning your back on your fellow soldiers and pandering to the left wing propaganda is sickening.­"

Pandering? Turning his back? Oh, like McCain's recent vote against veteran's - yours and mine - benefits?

Yeah, right.

[herbjaff]

Well, you sure don't know much about history or foriegn policy. Bosnia was a NATO operation (a civil war just like Iraq) and our military did NOT get run over and the the USS Cole was a sea born terrorist attack that had nothing to do with the Army. If anyone is to blame it would be the CIA.
,

[Robert59]

I served in the same military, just retired after nearly 25 years this past October. What military did you serve in because it's not the one I remembered? When was our military run over?

I didn't agree with our intervention in Bosnia, but you know what, facts have proven me wrong. Tension remains, but countries were born, independence achieved. Even the Serbs are starting to get on board, prosecuting their own for war crimes against Muslims and Croats.

Clinton and Bush both underestimated Al Qaeda. Since I served plenty of time overseas I've concluded as long as Americans were dying overseas no administration has much cared. It was the price of being a superpower hence the tepid response to the Marine barracks bombing by Reagan, Khobar Towers, the Cole, and the twin embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.

Just because we're democrats doesn't mean we're leftists. As a member of the military you should know the difference. If you want to start name calling look up the definition of national socialism. Today's Republicans share alot of similarities with them, especially when it comes to government and corporate America being joined at the hip.

[aspen]

Our military got run over in Bosnia??? What military were you with for 26 years? Clark and the success in Bosnia are taught at the Leavenworth officer's training school. I know because my son was a student there.

You may be a conservative, but that is no excuse to be so ignorant of recent history, or is it? Bosnia was a very successful campaign, without a single American loss. Compare that with our fiasco in Iraq. I certainly hope the General gets a job in Obama's cabinet. We certainly could use him in most any capacity.

[aspen]

Our military got run over in Bosnia? What military were you in for 26 years? Bosnia was a success, which saw the dictator capitulate without the loss of American lives. Compare that with our fiasco in Iraq. General Clark and Bosnia are taught at the Leavenworth Officer's training. I know because my son went there.

I know you are a conservative, but that is no excuse for ignorance, or is it??

[lafemme]

McCain has been getting free ride through scrutiny-land purely based on his military service, and I still wonder why he is so untouchable. Obviously, he deserves much praise and honor for the service, but to use it as basis not to examine his record is another journalistic failure. Predictable that the media takes one sentence of an entire paragraph of truth-speaker General Clark's statement and creates a headline out of whole cloth. Instead, the media prefers to dub McCain a "maverick" despite his clear flip-flopping on every issue previously distinguishing him from his brethren.

[AnnaList]

John McCain himself brought his military record to the table perhaps thinking that it alone would make his service and capture in Vietnam, sacrosanct. I honor the service of each and every serviceman and woman, including John McCain. He considers both his military and his record in the Senate components of his experience. As voters, we have the right to consider and examine both his performance and his record. We certainly cannot rely upon the MSM to address these issues. We should be thankful that there are those, particularly a General of the caliber of Gereral Clark, who because of "his" experience and courage is able begin a dialogue on the subject.

[lafemme]

And to say that which we've all been thinking for a while, anyway.

[lafrance]

I don't think the uproar is in what Clark said. It is that he said it.
It is unspoken but, true that because of McCain's time as a POW that we are suppose to approach him with something of awe and always give him the benifit of the doubt when it comes to national security whether what McCain is saying or forgetting is facts.
The funny thing is that in 2000 there did not seem to be an outcry over this 'in awe of this hero' thing when Bush and co. set out to destroy him. Then it was accepted and the very people who now are screaming are the same ones who bought the Bush smears and did nothing to stop it.

[OldTiger]

As a retired Naval Aviator who served with John McCain, I have some clarifying comments concerning views of his heroism.

John McCain is no more and no less a hero than any Naval Aviator or Air Force pilot who engaged in air combat over North Vietnam. The fact that he was shot down can be construed as his bad luck, or in the context of his opportunity to become president, his good luck. The large majority of us who put ourselves at risk and did not have his luck were no less heroic. Not one single American serviceman captured by the North Vietnamese became so voluntarily. The POWs were either unlucky or remiss at the time of their shootdown.

As for McCain's refusal of early repatriation, one needs to understand the peer power of the POW community. The POWs had a very strict code that demanded that no one went home unless and until they ALL went home. In fact, each and every POW understood that to violate that code was to accept a fate worse than death. Can you imagine the villification that any POW, particularly the son of an Admiral, would suffer at the hands of not only the entire POW community but the entirety of the American Armed Forces and most of the general population, not to mention his shamed father. John McCain knew this and his decision to refuse early release was probably the easiest decision that he has ever made.

[TellitLikeItIs]

OldTiger: Your words should be read by every person who is jumping all over Gen. Clark for his remarks. You are very eloquent and very humble. It is so heartening to see the number of posts by military and retired military! You have the inside credentials--- and for one, I appreciate your willingness to state the facts.

[realiybased2]

The sad thing about this whole deal is all the major cable stations are owned and run by the Corporate Republic, if the anchors don't cover everything favorable for the GOP, they would probably be out of a job just like Dan Rather for a so-called negative report on Bush.

The anchors are just puppets on a string. Like so many have said, it's okay for the Republicans to denigrade the Dems but when the tide turns, they started start whining an crying and claiming "foul" play. Just like one this "so-called" republican strategist, first name Brad, on MSNBC, discussing the subject of flip-flopping of Obama with a Dem strategist, saying that McCain has been in politics for a long time and over the years things change and he change his view point. The Dems strategist said so when Obama changed his position, it's flip-flop and when McCain change his position numerous time, it called changing for effective change.

[CanisLatrans]

Always remember-- the general media is a BUSINESS. Their job is not truth or information but to make money... by dealing with information. To that end, they realize that the more lurid, startling, scandalous or controversial they can make something appear, the more ad space it sells by dint of titilating headlines.

Inflating this into a Obama vs McCain surrogate fight is one way to do that. The general media realized that the extended and bitter primary campaign was to their financial advantage, so they're trying to maintain the momentum by keeping things fiesty. Just bear this in mind when this sort of thing bubbles up.

[LaFilleEnRose]

Oh you are SO right CanisLatrans. The media is now equating the Swift Boaters with General Clark's statements. Swift Boaters we all recall DENIED that Kerry actually earned his medals in a heroic way...that they were given to him undeserved. General Clark, on the other hand, APPLAUDED -- as we all do -- Sen. McCain's heroism in captivity etc. All he is saying, along with Lt Gen Gard is that heroism doesn't necessarily equate with all that is required in presidential leadership. But the media has decided to accept the equation that the swiftboating done to Kerry is the same as an honest critique of McCain's qualifications to be commander in chief. To me, that says it all. The media doesn't care about truth, accuracy, honesty. It cares about ratings. It might as well all just be called Page Six and be done with it.

[AbbieXHoffman]

Dead on

[MsDoc]

An old old maxim of dictatorsh­ips.......­....contro­l the media, control the information, denigrate the lawyers and the teachers, and burn the books. Add to that discrediting those who object and BINGO... you win.

Have we parallels here? Why yes, indeedy we do.

[Marcee]

In witnessing the "dust up" over Clark's comments I wonder how many people actually watched Face the Nation and saw the interview in its entirety. This is so "much ado about nothing" that I find it bordering on the comical. Initially Clark was almost fawning over McCain saying he was a hero to so many in the military, praising his long service on the Senate Armed Services Committee and honoring his extensive world travel. Only when Bob Schieffer pointed out that Obama had not flown a plane and was not shot from a plane did Clark step up to respond that such service is not prerequisite for executive office service. The McCain camp needs to relax and call off his Swift Boat pal, Buddy Day. Their response was clearly over the top and seen as an opportunity to play the victim once again. Clark has every right to question whether McCain's service provides a good match for executive office service as the McCain camp contends it does. Frankly, the downside of this matter is my disappointment in the Obama response. Yes, we want our candidate to take the moral high ground, but we also want our candidate to defend people when appropriate. This should have been the case with the Clark comments. Obama's comments were limp wristed and clearly not a profile in courage.

[bphoon]

I agree entirely..­.Thanks for stepping up...

[truthynesslover]

the fact john mccain used a swiftboater for truth to defend him is"dishonest and dishonorable""!

[rwe]

Seeing as the Swift boat for truth guys still have not been proven wrong by Kerry after four years?

[jack1105]

I beg to differ, they were in fact, proved wrong. T. Bone Pickens owes someone some serious money, but oops, he won't pay.

[CFAmick]

You can't prove opinions wrong. As for anything they claimed with "facts" to back them up, they were refuted by eyewitnesses.

[brantl]

Kerry's records were released, and they were proven wrong. As well as the fact that a columnist for the Chicago Sun-times (he was the guy that Kerry picked out of the water) a Republican, verified Kerry's story to the letter. You are WRONG and they were LIARS, sir. Have the good grace to admit it.

[Xanderthal]

Clark's point is a valid application of the critical difference between tactical and strategic thinking.
If you need someone to lead a charge up a hill, McCain's your man.
When it comes time to decide which hill to take, or even to take a hill, McCain's impetuousness, bullheadedness, appalling academics and lack of self discipline dictate that he not be in the room.
An example: His pig-headed insistence on remaining in Iraq, while not considering the opportunity cost of pinning down nearly all of the Army's available fighting strength. This emboldens our real enemies and gives them a chance to inflict a death of a thousand cuts in a proxy war.
Apparently John McCain failed to learn the most important lesson of his service in Vietnam. It was not a Vietnamese missile that put him in that prison camp. It was Russian.
It is in no way a slight on McCain's patriotism, service and honor to honestly observe that he is not general officer material. Clearly, the Navy reached that very conclusion.
Could we elect a worse president than Bush? Yes we could.

[horus07]

right on wes!