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

[Martha601]

Thanks for your thoroughly explained observations. I agree with you completely Lt. And with someone with your experience and expertise presenting the facts and your opinions gives my vote for Obama all the more credence.

[notb observer]

Martha, the author's correct title is "Lt General" (Lieutenant General = 3 Star General), not simply "Lt" or Lieutenant which is way at the other end of the rank spectrum in the Officer Corps.

An endorsement from a 3 Star carries a lot more weight that one from a very junior Officer, and like you, I'm happy to see another military heavyweight join the team :)

[DoTheMath]

Eloquent Obama endorsement! (and McCain warning)

"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."

I suspect the dynamics described above go a long way toward explaining the ineffectiveness of McCain's campaign. What Mark Nickolas calls "political malpractice" looks very much like an organization's response to a "rude" and "sometimes hostile" leader. Let us hope with all our might that the effect of McCain's temperament on his campaign will spare us the effect it would have on our national security if he were elected.

Thank you so much for your expert opinion, Lt. General Robert G. Gard Jr.

[Teeninchee]

With a grateful heart, thank you, Sir. Thank you for the years of sacrifice to this country . Thank you, too, for taking the time to get to know Senator Obama and sharing your insight with us. May we have the wisdom to choose the leader for these times.

[LetsTryThisAgain]

I've posted this in other areas, This one of the Intmidation tactics that will be used (Police Presence)

DO NOT LET THEM INTIMIDATE YOU!
Voting is powerful!
Voting is responsible!
Voting is a privilege!
Use your privilege, be responsible, and be POWERFUL!

Obama/Biden 08-12

[Yermammy]

I've read your transcripts in Congress, General, and I've respected your point of view for a long time now. With your help, I'm sure we will see justice for the wrongs this current Administration have done in the name of national security. You have thousands of fans over at AfterDowningStreet.org and your name lends weight to the cause. Hope to see you next year, testifying to these High Crime & Misdemeanors.
Until then, take care General

Obama & Joe! YES. WE. CAN..

[jnah]

I'm votting for the guy who acts like a leader

[Lee323]

Thank you, Sir, for your excellent post! You articulate exactly what makes me nervous and skeptical about Sen. McCain as a Commander-in-Chief. I so appreciate your considered opinion and analysis from a military perspective. Invaluable!

[kylennblack]

This is outstanding. Thank you Lt. General!

[speakyourmind]

I am saluting you, Lt. General! Thank you for putting COUNTRY FIRST.

[Gidster]

Excellent Article. My Thanks for your service.

"Often my haste is a mistake, but I live with the consequences without complaint."

He may not offer complaint, but as CinC, his haste could and would cost lives, are those families destroyed by his haste allowed to complain?

[imagram3785]

Thank you, Lt.. General Gard, for maintaining your integrity and for your courage in putting country first. Thank you for your honest appraisal of McCain, and for your support of Barack Obama. Your service to our country is very much appreciated.

[billyboil]

"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. "
Exactly!
Vote Obama - he's not scared of differing opinions, because he has the intelligence to assess and decide.

[OldPerkDaddy]

He forgot to mention how McCain voluteered information to save his skin when he was taken captive. The prisoners called him "Songbird". McCain is a sissified punk and a joke. He intentionally underminded the will of President Carter along with a gang of senators while he was still in uniform. That's clear insubordination. He actually bragged about it too. There's a clear reason why McCain was given only one command and offered no others. He can't lead. He got his command AFTER attending the National War College which is completely backward. You prove that you're worthy of attending such a prestigious school your performance as a commander. How did he do it? McCain used family connections to countermand the judgement of the Navy. McCain's a shill and an obsequious flunky to anyone who will give him what he wants. His temper stems from being a spoiled brat with a Napoleon complex who can't get his way after he screams, "Do you know who my father is?" Sound familiar?

"Who is the real" John McCain?

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

[Jonathan Powers - Huffpost Blogger]

Sir, I hope all is well. As always, you continue to lead by example.

[GaiasChild]

This is well said and thank you. These are the very things that cause me concern about a McCain presidency. His impulsiveness, defensiveness, reactive anger, and lack of mature intellectual curiosity enough to investigate economics, to consider viewpoints that are not filled with ideological bluster, and his rather unhuman or inhuman ability to live with his poor impulsive actions "without complaint." That means to me that he's more enamored of a hero's martyrdom and denial than he is in learning from his mistakes. His self-deprecating sense of humor is one strong charming trait. However, it is not going to make a world leader we can relax around. I am not sure he can relax around himself. Hence, the gaming addiction.