Get General Clark's back
Submitted by MA3 on June 30, 2008 - 12:58pm.
Wesley Clark
I thought I create a blog for the email below incase you haven't received it.
Yesterday, on Face the Nation, General Wesley Clark spoke honestly and bluntly about what it takes to be Commander in Chief. In doing so, while he said Senator John McCain’s service made him a hero to millions, including Clark himself, that experience does not trump the poor judgment that Senator McCain has shown on some of the most important issues in recent years.
What General Clark said was right, but the right-wing has been in an uproar. And even CNN accused Clark of "swift-boating" McCain. We need to fight back.
SIGN OUR PETITION THANKING GENERAL CLARK AND TELLING HIM TO NOT BACK DOWN
Let’s show General Clark that we have his back, and will not stand for any attempts to shut down this important debate.
We all honor Senator McCain's service, as General Clark said. But that does not mean that on matters of security, the military, and veterans issues that Senator McCain is beyond reproach. Nor does it mean that his service trumps the poor judgment he has shown in some of the most important issues of our time, including on the war in Iraq, the efforts to get Osama bin Laden, and veterans legislation like the 21st Century GI Bill.
THANK GENERAL CLARK RIGHT HERE, FOR SPEAKING HONESTLY AND BLUNTLY
It is important for General Clark to not back down, and to keep treating the American people like adults who can handle a real, honest, and blunt debate in these important times.
It some circles, this is called ‘straight talk,’ and it’s exactly what we need right now.
Thank you for your support,
Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran
Chairman, VoteVets.org
PAID FOR BY VOTEVETS.ORG POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE
And I had just asked Kat to get it posted here, and you beat me to it.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Make America All It Can Be!
Hell, MA, who do you think put your blog on the front page?
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Make America All It Can Be!
I am soooo pissed!
We learn. We change. That's progress. If we don't do that, well, we're GWB.
Honorable people standing up for Wes.
Thank you Vote Vets
“No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her self.” - Susan B. Anthony, 1872
Thanks for saying that, and I agree wholeheartedly.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Make America All It Can Be!
Evidently, O doesn't wish to take on the msm - even when their baloney is so obvious. Burton's statement strongly implies that the msm baloney concerning what Wes said is correct. That's not only greatly disrespectful of Wes, and the work he has been doing to help Obama. It's also just plain cowardly.
Thanks indeed to Vote Vets for showing the correct way to deal with this.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark could still secure America as a national security candidate.
O is the worst kind of politician
A rank opportunist who is willing to use slash and burn tactics to reach the prize.
imho
“No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her self.” - Susan B. Anthony, 1872
Obama has made it clear that he is not a good listener nor is he interested in changing politics as usual. We're sick of being dumbed down to. Americans need and crave honest communication from our political leaders...thanks Wes!
Thanks for putting up this blog MA3!! Signed it as soon as I read it earlier. Just wanted to be counted!!
We can all thank the General for his straight talk.
Ber Ski
Wes Clark is making leaders of us all.
... and done here too.
This city needs to be destroyed! Or, at least painted another color. ~Squidward
Why would the Obama campaign want to neutralize a Supreme Allied Commander, who is trying to help them?
I know why the Republicans want to neutralize Wes, and it's obvious Bob Shieffer is in the tank....along with Andria Mitchell, etc.
But to disown a surrogate who is the epitomy of national security??!!!
I give up.
Nomination for a Darwin award to Senator Obama's campaign manager.
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark could still secure America as a national security candidate.
Thanks for posting this. And bless VoteVets for doing this!
I'm dumbfounded as to how many supposedly bright people don't "get" it. I expect the right wing blogosphere to distort the comments and characterize them as trashing McCain etc but expected better from the mainstream media.
Thank you Wes for speaking the truth. My husband and I have been waiting for someone to ask the question "since when does being a POW qualify you for being president?"
Thank you for pointing out that the emperor has no clothes.
“Attacking” McCain’s Military Record
What Wesley Clark really said, and how the press missed it
http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/attacking_mccains_military_rec.php
at various locations trying to set the record straight, but you know the damage has been done. People never listen for the corrections.
...should forward this along to the O campaign?
:x
“No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her self.” - Susan B. Anthony, 1872
However, we learned during the Primary that
the press has no shame. They will say
anything at all, if it fits their personal
convictions or sense of viciousness. They
do not care who points out their errors or
how many times they err; they are on a mission
and the truth or their title as "press" does
not deter them from pursuing their goal. They
seem to have now returned to their original
love, John McCain, and any comment not
favorable to him will be distorted and its
author thoroughly discredited and denounced.
And if Obama won't stand by Wes, he's left
all on his own.
Democrat Barack Obama rejected a retired general's suggestion that Republican John McCain's military experience didn't necessarily qualify him to be president, as GOP surrogates lined up to label the remarks indecent and disrespectful.
.....Obama told an audience in Independence, Mo., that McCain had "endured physical torment in service to our country" and "no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides."
Senator Obama, GET SOME STARCH!
Saying that being a POW doesn't qualify to be the C-in-C isn't "devaluing" it. It's simply making a distinction. It isn't the same kind of experience at all.
I'm surprised they took this tactic. It can be exploited to make the Dems look weak(er) on national security.
did it earlier but thank you!
"Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants."
Gen. Omar Bradley
Vote Vets comes through. Not too hard to tell who your friends are. To Ms in LA's 'outrageous' comment, I'll add jawdropping. Not surprising, but jawdropping none-the-less.
but wanted to login to show my support for General Clark.
I think Obama not standing up for Wes is going to hurt him in the end. Obama is cutting his own chances. Wes wasn't trashing McCain...he was just stating the facts that being a POW doesn't qualify you to be president but making good jugements like Obama does. Then, seeing Obama stick up for McCain really makes things worse...he is really cutting his chances and in the end McCain is going to throw Experience in National Security and Foreign Policy in his face and he is gonna be wondering where Wes is.
Sen. Obama especially in the middle of his campaign, but I thought I was judging him too hard... I am not surprised that he didn't defend Gen. Clark and in subliminal way will cater to republicans time to time.
Who knows, maybe another set up for a republican to win and this time it's for Sen. McCain-which I hope I am wrong, and sorry I can't help but to think this way.
If Sen. Obama is not going to defend someone who is trying to unite the democrats for the sake of our country with good intentions then what it will be like when he is elected? Gen. Clark was trying to defend Sen. Obama in honest and clean way, and Sen. Obama didn't even go against the media that distorts important issues. What is it about, honest and good change or just trying to win and letting go situations like these?
Update at 8 p.m. ET: Clark has now issued a statement defending his remarks and explaining their context. Here's what he said:
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.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2008/06/clark-mccain-ob.html
...how it's done.
Nicely done, General
“No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her self.” - Susan B. Anthony, 1872
The press probably would've "Bidened" him. But he would have made such an INCREDIBLY AWESOME president!
And disgusted by the Obama campaign's treatment of you in the process.
What you said Sunday morning was not complicated, nor was it unclear.
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
But lots and lots of people are going to hear Wes's restatement. I'm glad he's going to get a big audience for that. You can stand me up at the gates of hell, But I wont back down...
We learn. We change. That's progress. If we don't do that, well, we're GWB.
General Clark -- You are absolutely right on what you said, and I support you 100%. Once again you have told the truth the American people need to hear, even if it is not popular. Thank you!
Thats why we love him so!!! He says what he means, and means what he says!!! Thank You Wes!!! I salute you!
He knew exactly what to say and how everyone would react; including the Obama campaign. There is a plan happening here - can't wait to see how it plays out.
"It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and one to hear." - Henry David Thoreau
I don't think Wes "planned" for Schieffer to set him up with the soundbite that has been spun out of context by the media.
That his Kos diary is second to General Gard's defense of Wes.
We learn. We change. That's progress. If we don't do that, well, we're GWB.
tonimiami
I wish I could say I was surprised, but disappointed -- and angry-- would be more accurate. No point in repeating the disgust already expressed here. You're the best, Gen. Clark. Keep speaking the truth!
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
and taking names.
He's pounded his point home over and over...the more it get said the better...and calling it the swiftboating what it is.
there's always the repeat show.
"Our public servants work for us - we on't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
So - 10pm your time? Check your cable...and breathe, lol, not hyperventilate.
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
Although I did think it was funny that he said, "Oh, I've talked to the Obama campaign," and just left it at that. And I liked the way he said it would be worth it if it focussed the discussion on real qualifications.
We learn. We change. That's progress. If we don't do that, well, we're GWB.
but there was an intersting movie going through my mind.
;-)
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
he's distancing himself from the Obama campaign and doing this because he won't let the falsehood stand that he dissed somebody's military service.
got ripped hard by the "analysts" - Tucker Carlson, some woman from The Wash "moonie?!" Times & a Huffpo regular- the dame was pretty hard to take.
Wes looked like he was enjoying the heck out of himself- expansive, engaging & totally in the moment - in fine form. The analysts, Tucker in particular, kept trying to asset that WKC was dissing lower level service members (privates/grunts v command) & hilariously provided his own counterarguments like Golumn arguing with his own reflection in the mirror
Abrams also very very very funny- kept repeating the fighter pilot shot down line over & over & asking for clarification from Wes, who looked like he was having the time of his life
Might i suggest a 3rd party ticket with Wes Clark and Hillary? Obama will throw her under the bus as well at his earliest opportunity.
Clark won't back down
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0608/Clark_wont_back_down.html#comments
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
by Lt. General Robert G. Gard Jr. (USA, Ret.)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lt-general-robert-g-gard-jr-/defending-wes-clark_b_110089.html
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
when scanning the dial. He was speaking up for Wes.
Of course he could hardly get a word in edgewise with
all the yammering by the host. Blech.
Hosting a program 101:
Do NOT talk over your guest the entire time he is speaking.
He knows what it looks like when men of valor scramble to get his back.... and he knows what it looks like when they don't.
From A TIME TO LEAD
For Duty, Honor and Country~Wesley K. Clark
No. It wasn't going to end like this, and I suppressed the thought. Focus. Fight. Take charge.
"Get that gun going!" I shouted again, as I looked back under my left arm and saw the first troops come across the little footbridge. They were here. And they came running. Those peace -symbol-lovin', foul-mouthed, cussin', war-hatin', draftee American soldiers came, right into the firefight. They rushed right into the smack of the bullets, and the whine of the ricochets. They were called forward, and they came! God, I loved them!
[...]
"Machine gun, shift fire to the left! You men on the right, on your feet, move forward and get them!"
And they did. They really did. They stood up, men from South Texas and the Bronx and Kansas and California, in a firefight in a jungle in Southeast Asia. Men who had been plucked out of their lives, threatened with jail if they refused, some who held masters degrees, others who hadn't finished the tenth grade, they were firing from the hip and shoulder, a dozen men, moving into the jungle to sweep what turned out to be a small enemy base camp. This was my company. These were my men. And I was still flat on my face struggling to keep the medic off of me so I could direct the fighting.
[...]
Soon enough a medevac bird appeared on station. They let down a "jungle penetrator", no more than a strap on the end of a cable. My RTO and the medic roped me into it and the helicopter hauled me up.
As I rose, I looked down and saw the little piece of jungle we'd been fighting over. Didn't look like much. And I saw the men of my company for the last time as we lifted into the air.
A strange mixture of feelings flooded through me as they waved and our craft rose. I tried to wave back at them, and I felt awful about leaving them behind; they were my friends and family. They were American soldiers. They did what needed to be done, in spite of danger, in spite of fear, and, for many, in spite of not wanting to be in the army at all. They had saved my life and overcome part of the enemy force. You had to have faith in us, in who we were, and what we could do. Faith against the odds, faith against the wiseass, too-cool attitudes that seemed to dominate in the enlisted ranks but quickly disappeared in combat. Faith. I loved those men, and I missed them already.
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
So nice to see you!
When I received the email from VoteVest and read the title "Get General Clark's back", I thought about what you posted above... And this is the part he read when he signed his book in NYC, I still have the video I have recorded ;-).
Thank you for posting this.
He read that same passage here at UCLA too. You can tell by it's placement in the book and his choice to read it at his speaking events, how much that meant to him, that kind of loyalty and courage shown by "his men". People who have served have an added sense of this special kind of comraderie, I think.
Gen. Clark is THEIR primary target.
Because he is strongest.
Because he talks truth.
From Wes: I honor all who serve. I won't back down on my questions of a candidate's suitability to be president.
From Us: Don't F*** With Our General!
here endeth the lesson.
;-)
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
Thank you for posting it.