Ret. Gen. Clark: McCain lacks command experience > General Discussion

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:41:09 PM EDT

Yahoo News 1 hour, 9 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a former Democratic presidential candidate now supporting Barack Obama, said Sunday John McCain's military service does not automatically qualify him to be commander in chief.

Underscoring during a national television appearance a position he has been expressing for several weeks, Clark said performing heroic military service is not a substitute for gaining command experience.

"In the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk," he said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "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 the 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," Clark said. "That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded — that wasn't a wartime squadron."

Moderator Bob Schieffer, who raised the issue by citing similar remarks Clark has made previously, noted that Obama hadn't had those experiences nor had he ridden in a fighter plane and been shot down. "Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president," Clark replied.

In a March conference call with reporters while he was still backing Hillary Rodham Clinton, Clark said: "Everybody admires John McCain's service as a fighter pilot, his courage as a prisoner of war. There's no issue there. He's a great man and an honorable man. But having served as a fighter pilot — and I know my experience as a company commander in Vietnam — that doesn't prepare you to be commander in chief in terms of dealing with the national strategic issues that are involved. It may give you a feeling for what the troops are going through in the process, but it doesn't give you the experience first hand of the national strategic issues."

He reiterated that position last week in an article on The Huffington Post Web site.

"If Barack Obama's campaign wants to question John McCain's military service, that's their right," McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said after Clark's appearance Sunday. "But let's please drop the pretense that Barack Obama stands for a new type of politics. The reality is he's proving to be a typical politician who is willing to say anything to get elected, including allowing his campaign surrogates to demean and attack John McCain's military service record."

And of course BHO has had such a lengthy military service. Why, he wore a USMC t-shirt during a basketball game once.

Gimme a f*ckin' break.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:42:23 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:

Yahoo News 1 hour, 9 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a former Democratic presidential candidate now supporting Barack Obama, said Sunday John McCain's military service does not automatically qualify him to be commander in chief.

Underscoring during a national television appearance a position he has been expressing for several weeks, Clark said performing heroic military service is not a substitute for gaining command experience.

"In the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk," he said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "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 the 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," Clark said. "That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded — that wasn't a wartime squadron."

Moderator Bob Schieffer, who raised the issue by citing similar remarks Clark has made previously, noted that Obama hadn't had those experiences nor had he ridden in a fighter plane and been shot down. "Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president," Clark replied.

In a March conference call with reporters while he was still backing Hillary Rodham Clinton, Clark said: "Everybody admires John McCain's service as a fighter pilot, his courage as a prisoner of war. There's no issue there. He's a great man and an honorable man. But having served as a fighter pilot — and I know my experience as a company commander in Vietnam — that doesn't prepare you to be commander in chief in terms of dealing with the national strategic issues that are involved. It may give you a feeling for what the troops are going through in the process, but it doesn't give you the experience first hand of the national strategic issues."

He reiterated that position last week in an article on The Huffington Post Web site.

"If Barack Obama's campaign wants to question John McCain's military service, that's their right," McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said after Clark's appearance Sunday. "But let's please drop the pretense that Barack Obama stands for a new type of politics. The reality is he's proving to be a typical politician who is willing to say anything to get elected, including allowing his campaign surrogates to demean and attack John McCain's military service record."

And of course BHO has had such a lengthy military service. Why, he wore a USMC t-shirt during a basketball game once.

Gimme a f*ckin' break.

The real irony in this is the fact that BHO has pretty much ZERO experience, especially compared to the likes of McCain.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:42:31 PM EDT

[#2]

What a twatwaffle.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:43:04 PM EDT

[#3]

I guess Clark doesn't give a shit about this country or it's military.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:43:23 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Yahoo News 1 hour, 9 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a former Democratic presidential candidate now supporting Barack Obama, said Sunday John McCain's military service does not automatically qualify him to be commander in chief.

Underscoring during a national television appearance a position he has been expressing for several weeks, Clark said performing heroic military service is not a substitute for gaining command experience.

"In the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk," he said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "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 the 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," Clark said. "That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded — that wasn't a wartime squadron."

Moderator Bob Schieffer, who raised the issue by citing similar remarks Clark has made previously, noted that Obama hadn't had those experiences nor had he ridden in a fighter plane and been shot down. "Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president," Clark replied.

In a March conference call with reporters while he was still backing Hillary Rodham Clinton, Clark said: "Everybody admires John McCain's service as a fighter pilot, his courage as a prisoner of war. There's no issue there. He's a great man and an honorable man. But having served as a fighter pilot — and I know my experience as a company commander in Vietnam — that doesn't prepare you to be commander in chief in terms of dealing with the national strategic issues that are involved. It may give you a feeling for what the troops are going through in the process, but it doesn't give you the experience first hand of the national strategic issues."

He reiterated that position last week in an article on The Huffington Post Web site.

"If Barack Obama's campaign wants to question John McCain's military service, that's their right," McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said after Clark's appearance Sunday. "But let's please drop the pretense that Barack Obama stands for a new type of politics. The reality is he's proving to be a typical politician who is willing to say anything to get elected, including allowing his campaign surrogates to demean and attack John McCain's military service record."

And of course BHO has had such a lengthy military service. Why, he wore a USMC t-shirt during a basketball game once.

Gimme a f*ckin' break.

The real irony in this is the fact that BHO has pretty much ZERO experience, especially compared to the likes of McCain.

But that's ok, though.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:43:40 PM EDT

[#5]

Good grief, that entire statement is so full of contradictions.

I guess the appeasement that Obama has been selling is real command experience, huh?

Everything that Clark claims about McCain can go a hundredfold for his boy. When has he ever been in an executive position of any kind?

And to show what an idiot Clark is, McCain was not a fighter pilot.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:44:34 PM EDT

[#6]

Gen Clark, and Gen McPeak have ZERO room to speak about 'command experience'...

McCain, at least, was not FIRED...

(Ever notice how Obama's military 'advisors' are the biggest LOSERS from their respective branch?)

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:44:40 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Yahoo News 1 hour, 9 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a former Democratic presidential candidate now supporting Barack Obama, said Sunday John McCain's military service does not automatically qualify him to be commander in chief.

Underscoring during a national television appearance a position he has been expressing for several weeks, Clark said performing heroic military service is not a substitute for gaining command experience.

"In the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk," he said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "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 the 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," Clark said. "That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded — that wasn't a wartime squadron."

Moderator Bob Schieffer, who raised the issue by citing similar remarks Clark has made previously, noted that Obama hadn't had those experiences nor had he ridden in a fighter plane and been shot down. "Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president," Clark replied.

In a March conference call with reporters while he was still backing Hillary Rodham Clinton, Clark said: "Everybody admires John McCain's service as a fighter pilot, his courage as a prisoner of war. There's no issue there. He's a great man and an honorable man. But having served as a fighter pilot — and I know my experience as a company commander in Vietnam — that doesn't prepare you to be commander in chief in terms of dealing with the national strategic issues that are involved. It may give you a feeling for what the troops are going through in the process, but it doesn't give you the experience first hand of the national strategic issues."

He reiterated that position last week in an article on The Huffington Post Web site.

"If Barack Obama's campaign wants to question John McCain's military service, that's their right," McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said after Clark's appearance Sunday. "But let's please drop the pretense that Barack Obama stands for a new type of politics. The reality is he's proving to be a typical politician who is willing to say anything to get elected, including allowing his campaign surrogates to demean and attack John McCain's military service record."

And of course BHO has had such a lengthy military service. Why, he wore a USMC t-shirt during a basketball game once.

Gimme a f*ckin' break.

The real irony in this is the fact that BHO has pretty much ZERO experience, especially compared to the likes of McCain.

But that's ok, though.

Yeah because in the happy land of liberalism.. its all about "feelings" rather than logic..

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:45:24 PM EDT

[#8]

Like Obama has any leadership experience whatsoever...

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:45:34 PM EDT

[#9]

How did such an ass ever rise to the rank of General?

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:46:28 PM EDT

[#10]

He's trying to land the Secretary of Defense job in an Obama administration.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:46:57 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
How did such an ass ever rise to the rank of General?

According to DaveA, the same way he got FIRED at the rank of General.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:47:29 PM EDT

[#12]

From

When Schieffer then asked what executive responsibility Obama had held - the Democrat's résumé includes work as a community organizer in Chicago and eight years in the Illinois legislature - Clark said that Obama was running on the strength of his character and good judgment.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:47:34 PM EDT

[#13]

Wesley has become even more of an embarassment.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:48:51 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

And of course BHO has had such a lengthy military service. Why, he wore a USMC t-shirt during a basketball game once.

Gimme a f*ckin' break.

wait a minute, he did? well i guess i've been wrong about him all along.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:48:56 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
What a twatwaffle.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:49:30 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
What a twatwaffle.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:50:21 PM EDT

[#17]

What the hell, I may as well link to a libbie site.

Wesley Clark: The Guy Who Almost Started World War III

In Waging Modern War, General Clark wrote about his fury upon learning that Russian peacekeepers had entered the airport at Pristina, Kosovo, before British or American forces. In the article "The guy who almost started World War III," (Aug. 3, 1999), The Guardian (U.K.) wrote, "No sooner are we told by Britain's top generals that the Russians played a crucial role in ending the West's war against Yugoslavia than we learn that if NATO's supreme commander, the American General Wesley Clark, had had his way, British paratroopers would have stormed Pristina airport, threatening to unleash the most frightening crisis with Moscow since the end of the Cold War."

"I'm not going to start the third world war for you," General Sir Mike Jackson, commander of the international KFOR peacekeeping force, is reported to have told Gen. Clark when he refused to accept an order to send assault troops to prevent Russian troops from taking over the airfield of Kosovo's provincial capital. The Times of London reported on 23 May 2001 in an article titled, "Kosovo clash of allied generals," that "General Sir Michael Jackson [was] told that he would have to resign if he refused to obey an order by the American commander of Nato's forces during the Kosovo war to stop the Russians from seizing control of Pristina airport in June 1999."

If General Clark had had his way, we might have gone to war with Russia, or at least resurrected vestiges of the Cold War and we certainly would have had hundreds if not thousands of casualties in an ill-conceived ground war.

Wesley Clark is a nutball.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:50:33 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

From

When Schieffer then asked what executive responsibility Obama had held - the Democrat's résumé includes work as a community organizer in Chicago and eight years in the Illinois legislature - Clark said that Obama was running on the strength of his character and good judgment.

If that's what he is running on, he should not even be the nominee.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:53:31 PM EDT

[#19]

"In the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk," he said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "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.

When has Obama ever shown he can accurately gauge his opponents. Hell, he can't even accurately gauge the character of his own pastor and 'spiritual advisor' who he followed for over 20 years!

When has Obama ever been held accountable for anything other than himself? He can't even buy a house without having a convicted swindler front the money for him!

When has Obama ever shown any kind of understanding of national security risks. He openly said he would bomb Pakistan, meet with Achmedinijad and "immediately" begin pulling troops out of Iraq regardless of conditions there. You think that shows any kind of understanding of national security risks?!!

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:57:27 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

When has Obama ever shown he can accurately gauge his opponents. Hell, he can't even accurately gauge the character of his own pastor and 'spiritual advisor' who he followed for over 20 years!

When has Obama ever been held accountable for anything other than himself? He can't even buy a house without having a convicted swindler front the money for him!

When has Obama ever shown any kind of understanding of national security risks. He openly said he would bomb Pakistan, meet with Achmedinijad and "immediately" begin pulling troops out of Iraq regardless of conditions there. You think that shows any kind of understanding of national security risks?!!

Racist.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:58:51 PM EDT

[#21]

So fucking Osama Obama has more experience? Clark is a fucking moron.

Posted: 6/29/2008 7:59:38 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
How did such an ass ever rise to the rank of General?

Brown nosing, playing politics, and kissing ass...

Basically, if you take every negative stereotype about military officers, and roll them into giant ball of SHIT you get Wes Clark...

He was to the Army what McPeak was to the AF - except the Army was smart enough NOT to make him Chief of Staff...

He got fired from his NATO post shortly after trying to pick a fight with the Russians over Kosovo...

All of this was hashed out when he tried to run for President in 04...

Posted: 6/29/2008 8:00:42 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
Wesley has become even more of an embarassment.

Which is to be expected...

Posted: 6/29/2008 8:00:59 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:

Quoted:

When has Obama ever shown he can accurately gauge his opponents. Hell, he can't even accurately gauge the character of his own pastor and 'spiritual advisor' who he followed for over 20 years!

When has Obama ever been held accountable for anything other than himself? He can't even buy a house without having a convicted swindler front the money for him!

When has Obama ever shown any kind of understanding of national security risks. He openly said he would bomb Pakistan, meet with Achmedinijad and "immediately" begin pulling troops out of Iraq regardless of conditions there. You think that shows any kind of understanding of national security risks?!!

Racist.

for what, expressing his opinion.

consider the source, clark is a ataboy general... what a tool

Posted: 6/29/2008 8:01:50 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
He's trying to land the Secretary of Defense job in an Obama administration.

Him and McPeak both....

Kind of funny, Obama doesn't know who his 'General Buddies' are, or what their former peers & subordinates in the service think of them...

McPeak is particularly infamous in the Air Force...

Posted: 6/29/2008 8:03:07 PM EDT

[#26]

hahahahaha, what a DOUCHE!

McCAin (who's admittedly and asshole) lacks command experience? The same McCain who was in the military? Who spent years in the hanoi hilton and stayed so that he wouldn't get preferential treatment?

over Obomination Hussein?

what a shithead.

Posted: 6/29/2008 8:03:11 PM EDT

[#27]

if military experience doest qualify you just a little bit then why did JFK become president if only to become assasinated.

Posted: 6/29/2008 8:05:33 PM EDT

[#28]

Obama's lack of experience and Clark's failure as a general doesnt mean shit to Osama supporters. Ive spent hours debating my MIL, a democrat and Osama supporter, and anything I said didn't mean shit to her. She thinks "change" is the right answer and wants to give someone else a chance to fix things. Regardless of Osama's plans or his character it doesnt matter to her. About his pastor and church she said it wasnt Osama who said those things, and him going to church there for 20 years doesnt mean anything.

Like others have said Osama could eat a baby on live TV and it wouldnt matter one bit.

Osama is running against Bush....

Posted: 6/29/2008 8:05:35 PM EDT

[#29]

ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=726222

Posted: 6/29/2008 8:09:12 PM EDT

[#30]

Screw him.

I've seen this idiot too many times as it is. He's just another well-paid attention whore that you can't listen to.

HH

Posted: 6/29/2008 8:18:36 PM EDT

[#31]

hate to pick navy over army, but...
Fuck clark, he is a douchebag

Posted: 6/29/2008 8:18:57 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:

Quoted:
How did such an ass ever rise to the rank of General?

Brown nosing, playing politics, and kissing ass...

Basically, if you take every negative stereotype about military officers, and roll them into giant ball of SHIT you get Wes Clark...

He was to the Army what McPeak was to the AF - except the Army was smart enough NOT to make him Chief of Staff...

He got fired from his NATO post shortly after trying to pick a fight with the Russians over Kosovo...

All of this was hashed out when he tried to run for President in 04...

Really? Wow. The media made it sound like he was responsible for the victory in Kosovo and having done such a great job.

Another reason why everything in the news shouldn't be trusted.

Posted: 6/29/2008 8:21:19 PM EDT

[#33]

"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," Clark said. "That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded — that wasn't a wartime squadron."

...as opposed to Obama's squadron? What has OBAMA commanded in his career?

Posted: 6/29/2008 9:03:27 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
if military experience doest qualify you just a little bit then why did JFK become president if only to become assasinated.

Sense

Please make some.

Posted: 6/30/2008 3:26:04 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
Gen Clark, and Gen McPeak have ZERO room to speak about 'command experience'...

McCain, at least, was not FIRED...

(Ever notice how Obama's military 'advisors' are the biggest LOSERS from their respective branch?)

Once Colin Powell endorses BHO, they'll have the Three Stooges rounded out.

Posted: 6/30/2008 11:45:26 AM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:
What a twatwaffle.

That's much nicer than what I was going to call him.

Posted: 6/30/2008 11:47:54 AM EDT

[#37]

Yeah McCain sucks, I guess he should have taken some correspondence courses when he was in NVA prison, instead of wasting time getting beat up and shit.

Posted: 6/30/2008 11:48:25 AM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:

I guess Clark doesn't give a shit about this country or it's military.

Fucking traitorist dick eating bastard is what Clark is..I dont give a shit what he has
done in the military!..Record or not he is a fucking communist!

Posted: 6/30/2008 11:55:06 AM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:
How did such an ass ever rise to the rank of General?

lots of underdesk work

Posted: 6/30/2008 12:16:58 PM EDT

[#40]

So if McCain lacks command experience after having been a Squadron Commander and a Senator for many many years, what does that say about a first term, never in charge of anything, junior Senator B. Hussein Obama?

Posted: 6/30/2008 1:05:16 PM EDT

[#41]

The lengths that Wes Clark will go to in order to display his utter lack of intellectual or moral integrity are absolutely incredible.

I cannot put into proper words the level of disdain that I hold for that soul-less peacock.

Posted: 6/30/2008 1:09:59 PM EDT

[#42]

Supposedly, Clark finished at the top of his class at West Point and had a very prissy reputation as a junior and field grade officer.

Posted: 6/30/2008 1:13:29 PM EDT

[#43]

i suspect when o(b/s)ama gets down on his knees, clark gets down on his elbows.....

also i heard o(b/s)ama likes to be timmy and gets clark to dress up like lassie....

send clark to waziristan where he can do some good...

Posted: 6/30/2008 1:14:04 PM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:
Like Obama has any leadership experience whatsoever...

Leading our country into the ground is still leadership.

Posted: 6/30/2008 1:16:14 PM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
Supposedly, Clark finished at the top of his class at West Point and had a very prissy reputation as a junior and field grade officer.

I have never met a graduate with a good word to say about the man.

Posted: 6/30/2008 1:16:19 PM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=726222

Posted: 6/30/2008 1:30:23 PM EDT

[#47]

From wikipedia:

McCain recuperated just enough to pass his flight physical and have his flight status reinstated. In August 1974, he was assigned to the Replacement Air Group VA-174 "Hellrazors". This was an A-7 Corsair II training squadron located at Naval Air Station Cecil Field outside Jacksonville, Florida and the largest aviation squadron in the Navy. He became its executive officer in 1975, and on July 1, 1976, he was made VA-174's commanding officer. This last assignment was controversial, as he did not have the required experience of having commanded a smaller squadron first (something that he now had too high a rank to do). While some senior officers resented McCain's presence as favoritism due to his father, junior officers rallied to him and helped him qualify for A-7 carrier landings. McCain removed personnel he thought ineffective and sought to improve morale and productivity by establishing an informal rapport with enlisted men. Dealing with limited post-Vietnam defense budgets and parts shortages, McCain's leadership abilities were credited with turning around a mediocre unit and improving its aircraft readiness; for the first time, all fifty of its aircraft were able to fly. Although some operational metrics declined during the period, the pilot safety metrics improved to the point of having zero accidents. The squadron was awarded its first Meritorious Unit Commendation in twenty-three years, while McCain received a Meritorious Service Medal. McCain later stated that being commanding officer of VA-174 was the most rewarding assignment of his naval career.

Wes Clark is a traitor and a wannabe. I'm not McCain's biggest political fan, but the man is a war hero and did more in his 30's that most everyone else will ever accomplish in their entire lives.

Posted: 6/30/2008 1:30:33 PM EDT

[#48]

Wesley Clark, the George McClellan of our time.

Posted: 6/30/2008 1:37:43 PM EDT

[#49]

Considering how well Clark did at getting the nomination last go around, HIS command experience does not qualify him for the presidency, either.

Posted: 6/30/2008 2:17:20 PM EDT

[#50]

What clark fails to realize is that he has zero credibility among people with military experience.

What kind of commander alienates entire service branches? Answer that one mr. clark.

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