McCain Qualified More Than Obama
The IntelligencerThe list of people Sen. Barack Obama probably wishes were passive, rather than active, supporters of his bid for the presidency is growing. Already on the list are the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and the Rev. Michael Pfleger. Obama may be ready to add retired Gen. Wesley Clark.
Clark, not a stranger to foot-in-mouth disease, on Sunday took a shot at Sen. John McCain's fitness to be president. Stressing that he views McCain as a hero, Clark said of the Republican candidate for president, "Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification for president."
He explained that he believes McCain "hasn't held executive responsibility" of the type needed to be president.
McCain's history as a war hero - his plane was shot down during the Vietnam War and he behaved courageously and as a leader during years as a prisoner of war - may not be the type of experience necessary to be president. But former presidents have agreed on one thing regarding their own experiences: Nothing could have prepared them fully for the awesome responsibilities of the Oval Office.
But Clark brought up the subject, so let's pause to consider it:
McCain, in addition to his leadership in the military, has served as a U.S. senator since 1986. During more than a generation of service in the Senate he has had to deal with a variety of complex issues regarding both domestic and international affairs. He is the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Obama, the Democrat candidate for president, served in the Illinois legislature. He took office as a U.S. senator in 2005. He is a freshman lawmaker who serves on several committees - but has contributed little because of his inexperience.
By Clark's measuring stick, then, is Obama - who never served in the military and has less than one term under his belt as a senator - qualified to be president? Is the man who didn't graduate from college until three years before McCain became a senator more experienced?
Clearly, the answer to both questions is no. It is an issue that Obama may wish Clark had never brought up.
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RedDish
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07-03-08 9:52 AM
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beanranch :)
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beanranch
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07-03-08 12:11 AM
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Red, no I'm not a Rockefeller fan. He was probably quoting me. I was just kidding a little about the plane crash thing. I'm sure flying a jet is difficult; I assume that's why pilot candidates receive flight training. No, I've never flown a jet, but I bet I could crash one.
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RedDish
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07-02-08 10:18 AM
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beanranch--"carpet bombing, etc, hardly merits hero status"???? Fan of Sen.Rockefeller are you? As for his accident ratio in aircraft, it is high, but, as a fighter pilot associate of mine says, "I can put you in the final pattern, heck, I'll even put your gear down, and you'll still make a crater in the runway." You have no idea how difficult it is to fly a jet, especially the jets in the Vietnam days. Unless you've done it, please don't disparage those who have.
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bekbekket
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07-02-08 9:38 AM
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The problem is... the best people to lead the country don't want to... the media is a feeding frenzy and will bring up anything and everything to make a candidate look bad. If Billy did something in 8th grade that was frowned upon, bet the farm you'll be reading and hearing all about. The BEST people won't put up with that sh#%! Nobody is perfect, put BOTH parties and the media highlight ANY imperfections... and of course, LIE. One must not only have money today to become president... but an unbelievable HUGE EGO as well.
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26041mds
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07-02-08 9:07 AM
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Of all the millions of people in the U.S., these two are the ones we came up with to compete to lead this country? We are truly a semi-free, pathetic group of people. Couldn't we have at least come up with someone with integrity? The Constitution states one must be 35 and a natural born citizen to run for President; why do we now put a price tag on it? Many states won't even let a person on the ballot UNLESS they've paid them thousands of dollars. Which of these two are more qualified? In my opinion, which ever one costs the most. Because he surely has more stamina to hold out for the most money.
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bekbekket
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07-02-08 7:26 AM
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Not true about McCain... "apparently" in this case means Pure BS. You, of all people, are better than that.
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beanranch
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07-02-08 12:52 AM
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Bek, I guess I mean Clinton and everyone else. All's fair in love and war, they say, but carpet bombing, etc. hardly merits hero status. Apparently, McCain crashed planes on 3 or 4 other (non combat) occasions. I doubt they'll let him have the controls on Air Force One.
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bekbekket
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07-01-08 9:17 PM
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Talk about a chip on a shoulder, Nancy. Your post insinuated B.O. was better qualified. I used the phrase "must"... be better qualified. Did I misunderstand you? Is he not better qualified?
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RedDish
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07-01-08 8:52 PM
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Taflan--That's a good point. Sen.McCain returned from Vietnam in 1973, regained flying status in 1974, commanded a squadron in '76, and was Senate Navy Liaison in '77. If his "maverick" attitude was in place, the President at the time was Pres.Carter...probably not conducive to promotion.
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NancySI
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07-01-08 7:07 PM
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Thanks Red Dish.
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UNCOMMONSENSE
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07-01-08 6:59 PM
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According to the Constitution you need only be at least 35 and a "natural born" citizen of 14 years to be President. However, had the Constitution remained as the framers wrote it, McCain would not be allowed to be President.
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RedDish
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07-01-08 6:38 PM
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NancySI--I believe Sen.McCain never made Admiral because there were allegations and rumors (don't know if they're true) about many affairs and hard drinking (that part is true--he has admitted his alcohol problem). I know many military personnel who forgive him his past discretions, rightly or not, because of his torture. I guess it can change a person. He seems to have gotten his personal life in order now. I found a list of POW's who returned from Vietnam alive. Most are Lt.Col, Vice Admirals, Col.'s etc. I do not see any Admirals, or Generals for that matter. The military is (mostly) careful who they promote, and in this case, it seems they were correct.
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NancySI
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07-01-08 6:18 PM
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Does anyone know why McSame never made Admiral in the Navy? If the Navy wouldn't promote him to Admiral after his sacrifice as a POW, am I the only one curious why they didn't?
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NancySI
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07-01-08 6:06 PM
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bek, what is it with you people constantly misinterpreting anything you read that you might disagree with and putting words in other peoples mouth. Did I day Obama "MUST" be qualified because of his distinguished college career? Dont think so. If you read it again, slowly, I simply said he had a distinguished college career. Compare that to Bush and McSames bottom of the class achievements. Funny how you ignored what I said about McSame fighting against the new GI bill, then when it was passed, which he didn't bother to show up for the vote I believe, he now goes around taking credit for it, and bush even gave him credit for it? Its a world of opposites for them. Do they think no one will notice?
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RedDish
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07-01-08 5:02 PM
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wv26003---where, exactly, did you get that chip on your shoulder? It's a big one.
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RedDish
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07-01-08 5:01 PM
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And again, Mr. Sims, you are correct in one respect. Military service is not a prerequisite to being CIC. Neither is being a "community organizer". But in these times, I know where I place my trust...
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RedDish
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07-01-08 4:59 PM
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DavidSims-- "We’re attracting more people to terrorism than ever before. We really need to think about drawing down" That's a quote from Mrs. Duckworth. "Although Duckworth disagreed with Bush's decision to invade Iraq, she said that she felt obligated to uphold her commitment. She said, "We should have been fighting the enemies that attacked us at home on 9/11," Thats another one from her. Thank you for your service, by the way, Mrs. Duckworth, but, in my opinion, it kinda sounds like she needed to lose that election, and that Sen.McCain supported the correct candidate...
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DavidSims
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07-01-08 3:29 PM
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Here is how McCain thinks about those who sacrificed: "But a more telling example may have come more recently, when McCain found himself campaigning against one of the few Iraq War veterans who was running for office. In 2006, the Senator appeared at a late-stage but crucial fundraiser for Illinois Rep. Pete Roskam, who was being challenged by Democrat Tammy Duckworth, a veteran who had lost both her legs in Iraq. The nail-biter campaign for the open seat, which was won by Roskam with 51 percent of the vote, was marked by heated rhetoric over service and war. Roskam, who won the endorsement of the organization Veterans of Foreign Wars, accused Duckworth of wanting to cut-and-run from Iraq. McCain held his fundraiser shortly thereafter."
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DavidSims
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07-01-08 3:26 PM
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"More pointedly, McCain himself has downplayed the role that military backgrounds play in election seasons. In February 2003, the Arizona Republican said "Absolutely not," when asked whether "military service inherently makes somebody better equipped to be commander-in-chief." "Harry Truman was in the artillery in World War I, which was magnificent," he continued. "Ronald Reagan did most of his active duty in the studio lots in California. It might be a nice thing, but I absolutely don't believe that it's necessary."
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bekbekket
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07-01-08 12:21 PM
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beanranch- Are you taliking about Bill Clinton?
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wv26003
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07-01-08 11:54 AM
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Since when does this editor and publisher care about military experience when it comes to endorsing a Presidential candidate? After all, if it did, then this newspaper would have endorsed John Kerry (a Naval officer, Senator, former DA) over George W. Bush (6 year governor of Texas, failed owner of Texas Rangers and Hearken). Just admit it, Nutting Family, you support John McCain for one reason and one reason only --- he's a REPUBLICAN. You have no other reasons for endorsing him.
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bekbekket
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07-01-08 11:29 AM
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McCain is pro-military. There IS a difference beween that and pro war... ANY amount of research would show that.. For those who refuse to recognize such... please keep your heads in the sand where they belong. Or, be like Nancy--- Since B.O. had a distinguished college career, then he MUST be qualified to be president. Oooooo-k
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beanranch
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07-01-08 11:18 AM
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Yes, there's nothing quite as heroic as bombing civilians.
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wv26003
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07-01-08 10:25 AM
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Look at all the white West Virginians who are terrified at the prospect of living under a black President. Sorry backward hillbillies --- Obama will win, and you will be left behind.
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PCGS70
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07-01-08 10:02 AM
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Obama AND HIS WIFE are racist. They hate white people. GET OFF MY PHONE
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