Why I Won't Vote for John McCain

Some people have been surprised by General Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama. How could Powell, who served in several Republican administrations, endorse a Democrat over John McCain, a storied war hero?

As a lifelong military man, I too will be casting my vote for Barack Obama on Election Day. I deeply respect John McCain's service to our country. I admire his bravery as a prisoner of war, described by a fellow prisoner as similar to that demonstrated by hundreds of other U.S. prisoners in North Vietnam.

The fields of foreign and national security policy, however, are John McCain's disqualifying weaknesses, in my view. McCain has demonstrated clearly that he is a dedicated ideologue when it comes to foreign policy, unwilling to consider opinions or even credible evidence contrary to his preconceived notions.

His temperament, marked not only by impatience but also by rude and sometimes hostile behavior, would discourage advisors from bringing to his attention views that might not be consistent with his preconceptions. A President with this combination of significant shortcomings would be a dangerous commander-in-chief, posing an unacceptable risk to the security of the nation.

McCain has adopted, promoted, and sustained the position of the so-called neo-conservatives and ultra-nationalists who believe that the United States should capitalize on American military superiority to spread democracy abroad. Overthrowing the Iraqi government was seen as the first step in transforming the politics of the Middle East by converting governments in the region to democracies friendly to the United States and its interests. McCain reportedly has bragged in private conversations that he was the first neo-con.

McCain has been a consistent advocate of employing military force, as well as diplomatic and economic measures, to overthrow the governments of non-democratic states. In his 2000 presidential primary campaign, he promoted a strategy of "rogue state rollback." He has served as a long-term chair of the Republican Institute, an organization dedicated to promoting democracy in closed societies, even though most experts agree that viable democratic reforms cannot be imposed but must be generated locally.

Consistent with his ideological predispositions, McCain has gone so far as to advocate expelling Russia from the G-8, an organization of leading industrial nations established to coordinate international economic policies, in order "to improve their behavior" while adding Brazil and India to the organization but excluding China. This obviously would result in the alienation of Russia and China, resulting in a confrontational foreign policy rather than encouraging their cooperation on vital issues of international security and their integration into the international community.

The importance of McCain's temperament, should he become President, is apparently regarded as too politically incorrect to discuss. By his own admission, however, McCain has "a temper, to state the obvious, which I have tried to control with varying degrees of success because it does not always serve my interest or the public's." Of greater significance, he also has written: "Often my haste is a mistake, but I live with the consequences without complaint."

In matters of national security and foreign policy, however, it is the nation that will have to live with the consequences of McCain's temper and haste should he be elected President of the United States.

No President can be conversant with all the problems and issues he or she will face. More important than a specific set of experiences are high intelligence, good judgment, a steady and even temperament, and a willingness to consider options presented by advisors who have been selected for their expertise.

A few months ago, I met in a small group with Senator Obama in his office to discuss a contentious security issue. People with different, even opposite, views had been invited to attend. Obama listened carefully and asked penetrating questions, confirming my observations concerning his intelligence and temperament.

I believe that Barack Obama possesses the requisite qualifications to serve far more effectively as President of the United States and commander-in-chief of the U.S. military than his opponent, John McCain.

Lt. General Robert G. Gard, Jr. (U.S. Army, ret.) served in both Korea and Vietnam and is a former president of National Defense University. He is a member of the Vets for Obama steering committee.

Comments

[shades3]

All the points in this endorsement are valid and should be considered when choosing the man who will decide the direction that the country will go.
Military service, by itself, even that of a stories war hero, is not enough to qualify John McCain for the office he so desperately seeks.
His quest for personal glory to end his public career, to overshadow that of his father and grandfather who were Admirals, is uncomfortably close to Bush's personal goals of "winning" in Iraq, to overshadow his own father's failure to do so.
McCain is tempermentally unsuited to lead, supporting the invasion of a sovereign nation, tax cuts for the rich, deregulation that led the country into financial disaster.
Obama has shown that he has the temperment and the thoughfulness under pressure that great leaders have.

[schatsie]

Thank you so much for writing this wonderful endorsement of Obama.. Please consider endorsing Franken as well since he has been so good to the troups!

This gives me hope that we can pull together behind Barack so we can turn the Titanic to miss the iceberg....He cannot do it alone (even with Michelle) and will be working so hard for all of us that we need to get behind him....

The man has run the most successful campaign in the last 40 years bar none and it will be so interesting to see how we progress from here/

[likeicare]

Thank you, Gen. G.

John McCain is a mockery and an insult to all veterans -- he has cheapened the service that these vets have shown to their country by equating his rather dubious "gallantry" as the gold-standard against which all others' service must be, or should be measured. The arrogance is astounding!

McCain is a child of privilege and wealth who managed to skate-by on his family's legacy and his innate gambler's luck. He has, so far, managed to manipulate the historical narrative of his life and military career, until it bears little resemblance to reality. And like all things artificial, it cannot stand forever.

It's like the saying goes, "Bad things happen when good men (and women) remain silent." Thank you for not being silent.

[Svendem]

General, you echo my sentiments exactly. McCain's opinion of himself, as well as that of the public, has been that he is an 'expert' on foreign and security policy, and media has parroted an perpetuated this idea without scrutiny. It's a sad state of affairs we're in, where it seems most of the public are unable to tell the difference between being 'strong' on foreign policy, and being a hard-liner.

Yet, the warning flags are there. McCain still believes the Vietnam War was 'winnable', although much like his position on Iraq, he is silent on how he would achieve victory, or the definition of 'winning'.
McCain openly advocates neocon fantasies that are even more far-fetched than Iraq. E.g. a 'League of Democracies' to replace the UN. (You don't need to be an expert to know the rest of the western world doesn't share neo-con dislike of the UN, much less think the UN's main problem is too little US influence)

To be honest, I'm not sure McCain really _is_ interested in foreign policy. At least not insofar as to work realistically and constructively. Foreign policy, to them, appears mostly to be a vehicle to further their standing domestically. It's about looking and acting tough to impress the folks at home. Whether or not that attitude actually serves to further the interests of the US, and world at large, is a secondary concern to them.

[Shrinath]

Lt. Gen. Gard Jr., first let me extend my respect for serving with dignity and honor. It is extremely heartening to see service personnel endorse Sen.Obama. Alienating China and Russia would be the worst mistake. What amazes me is that, how McCain became a pilot, that too a naval one. He is behind the power curve. :D

Nonetheless, with measured talk and a keen intellect, Sen. Obama would be steady hand in the international arena. Once again thanks for your service and the vote of confidence for Sen.Obama.

As always, a vote for OBAMA-BIDEN is a vote for PROSPERITY AND PEACE.

Cheerio!

[piggybackmom]

This article needs to be posted in newspapers across the country.
Thank you for writing this.

[lola85]

Thank you for your service to our country and thank you for such a direct, well articulated endorsement of Senator Barack Obama.

Obama/Biden '08
Keep HOPE alive

[jsanti7]

I agree with the General ......wow first for many things being the ..where the rubber hits the road former professional soldier.I was. I would also add that the Disabled American Veterans has given low marks to Mr Mc Cain as well. Though the Senator from Arizona is to be admired for his service as a military man ,does not have my vote. ...just to mention it seems to me fighter pilots (God bless them ) make for strange politicians .
May be what makes good pilots doesnt always translate to good political leaders ...and I have to plug this in what is with the bash on Junior officers ...cuz right now some of those guys and gals have more battle field time than most senior folks in the military and lets not go bashing the NCO and most importantly the basic private their opinions are as important to me as any star be it one or four

[nycwerewolf]

Thank you so much for your service to our great country.

And thank you for the wonderful endorsement you have given to our next President of the United States...

....BARACK OBAMA!

Obama/Biden '08

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

[Plank]

Haven't we had a stuborn, dogmatic and obssessed president these past 8 years? We have had enough of the cowboy approach to world problems. It just doesn't work.

[William1950]

Thank you Sir... sincerely. I hope you can convince many more of your peers to come out in these last few days to speak out on this issue.
I honor all veterans and current military servicemen and women for the sacrifice undertaken to keep our country free.
vote Obama

[Soulfish22]

Sorry folks I'm a week into being a poster here so excuse my ignorance because I'm a bit confused. Are these articles or posts? I guess by the way everyone is addressing the LT. General the latter must be true.

If so let me say to the LT. General, thank you.

What a place where you can actually exchange ideas and hear opinions straight from people who have such a vantage point to this historic period.

[betabeta]

Thank you for your service to our country and for continuing to put country first.

[yankee452]

Thank You General sir.

I am happy to hear yet another veteran and retired military Officer speak truthfully about the pitfalls of the McCain candidacy.

USMC '97 - '02

[jethrock]

Thank you for this!!!!