Barack Obama slaps down Wesley Clark -- gently

Barack Obama just delivered a speech on patriotism in Independence, Mo., hometown of what was once America's most powerful haberdasher, and offered a mild rebuke to Wesley Clark, who took on John McCain's military record the other day in rather scorching terms.

And just to make it clear, an Obama spokesman sent out this brief statement as Obama was speaking: "As he's said many times before, Senator Obama honors and respects Senator McCain's service, and, of course, he rejects yesterday's statement by General Clark."

Obama's speech focused on his own sense of patriotism, quoting Mark Twain (it's good to quote the locals when you can) and his definition: "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." And, he argued, "no party or political philosophy has a monopoly on patriotism."

But Obama, citing the political divide still lingering from the Vietnam War, said that he will not question the patriotism of others and would "not stand idly by" when his own patriotism is questioned. A little bit later, in a comment that seemed to have Clark in its sights, Obama said:

"Beyond a loyalty to America’s ideals, beyond a willingness to dissent on behalf of those ideals, I also believe that patriotism must, if it is to mean anything, involve the willingness to sacrifice -– to give up something we value on behalf of a larger cause. Now for those who have fought under the flag of this nation -– for the young veterans ... I meet when I visit Walter Reed; for those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country –- no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary. Let me also add that no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters of both sides. We must always profess our profound gratitude for the service of our men and women in uniform, period."

Patriotism is the theme of the week, leading into the Fourth of July holiday.

UPDATE: Our colleague Robin Abcarian, who is traveling with the McCain campaign, reports that he was asked about Clark's comments a little while ago during a news conference after a tour of a Harrisburg, Pa., company that manufactures aircraft turbine parts. Specifically, he was asked about Clark's assertion that getting shot down in a fighter plane is not a qualification for the presidency.

"I think that that kind of thing is unnecessary," said McCain. "I am proud of my record of service, and I have plenty of friends and leaders who will attest to that. But the important thing is if that’s the kind of campaign that Sen. Obama surrogates and supporters want to engage, I understand, but it does not reduce the price of gas by one penny...doesn’t help Americans stay in their homes...it certainly doesn’t do anything to address the challenges that Americans have in keeping their jobs, and their homes and supporting their families."

And: "Gen Clark is not an isolated incident. I don’t know how much Sen. Obama has to do with that issue. I’ll let the American people decide that."

-- Scott Martelle

Photo by Larry W. Smith/EPA 

Comments

[Travis]

Gen. Wesley Clark is a loser, was a loser back then/when and will always be a cry-baby. He's darn lucky he still gets to keep his retirement checks. We all know 'how' he moved up the ranks, but we wouldn't want to stoop to his level and embarrass him further. Why should we... he embarrasses himself most every time he opens his mouth... usually too often.

[Nice Try, wes]

John Kerry's "executive experience" in the armed forces consisted of commanding a six-man speedboat for a few months, i.e., far less overall military experience that McCain's 20-odd years in uniform. McCain commanded a squadron after he came home, and was awarded the same medals as Kerry.

I don't recall Clark speaking up like this on Kerry's overall qualification to be president.

[Carla57]

I can't believe Obama and his campaign bought into the idea that there's something terrible about pointing out that McCain's much touted "experience" consists mostly of being shot down and handled rather badly in a POW camp. WHERE is his foreign policy experience? What experience does he have of running anything larger than his Senate staff? Heck, anyone want to talk about his legendary filthy temper and how he applies it to his staff?

Clark rightly points out that the issue is irrelevant to Obama's candidacy because Obama isn't running on an experience platform. He's running on a platform that he has better judgment, a better temperament, and is better able to navigate through the complexities of our foreign relations than McCain, whose primary position appears to be that we should just keep shooting at things that bother us and should apply military force whenever things become unpleasant. For a guy who's spent as much time on the Armed Services Committee as he has he shows a shocking lack of willingness to consider other options. His embrace of hardliner mentality in dealing with a place as delicate as the Middle East, his utter ignorance of the basic forces and groups which make up the crazy quilt of the Middle East, is enough to reject him. I have to say I am disappointed that Obama felt it even necessary to do this so-called "gentle" slapdown on Clark for uttering what we all know.

[scurrilous]

Republicans love lousy pilots!

See Bush1.

[Jim]

Wes Clark did not question John McCains's military service, nor did he question his honor, patriotism, bravery, dedication, nor even his ability to lead the country. His comments relate only to McCain's qualifications in Foreign policy based specifically and solely on that military experience. Would I be qualified to be the CEO of GM because I once survived a car crash? I might well be qualified, but that wouldn't be the reason.

[David]

Russell Lee, read a little too much of the "Left Behind" series? Get real, a radical Islamist would never attend a Christian (infidel) church. Obama goes all the time.

[VMR]

Yes, ANYTHING to win! US is critically ill - economically, socially, politically, mentally, and physically. Another 4 years of Republicanism, even its milder variety, will destroy this country.
It's always been this way - a decade's worth of capitalist orgy until few are rich beyond belief while the rest wind up sucking on a rusted door handle. Then Democrats come in and restore economic balance with some safety net thrown in. Soon thereafter, the former victims of capitalism begin to feel confident and
more secure. They buy real estate, send kids to college, and begin to develop Republican-type class consciousness. Then they vote Republican and the whole process starts all over again.

So, basically, majority of Americans are stupid schmucks who are ready for a Fuhrer. [George Carlin, for one,
has been telling us this all along.

So, it is CRITICAL that Obama is elected. By any means.

[Sallie Mae]

Right on Carla57.

I actually know someone who used to be a McCain staffer, on the receiving end of that temper. She CAN'T STAND John McCain, says she wouldn't vote for him. By the way, she's a Reagan-style Republican, currently working for a certain "Fair and Balanced" news network in DC.

Go figure.

[walker]

love how McCain was attacked by Rove and Bush in order to be brushed to the side for the greatest president of all time. Cheney even implied that McCain was a deserter. Yet as soon as a democratic surrogate suggests that McCain doesn't have real experience everyone goes crazy. That's the liberal media for you, right?

[Birgit Calhoun]

Wesley Clark's assessment of McCain is clearly to the point. Not only has Clark had combat experience. He has also been in a leadership position as the commander of NATO. So he knows how to assess McCain. The fact that Obama rejected Clark's statement only refelcts reality in a political world, however unfortunate that world has become. McCain's ability to survive has been proven several times. The one question that poses itself, though: Is it best for our president to be a risk taker? Being a fighter pilot is risky. Also being a hero and taking risks is not unusual for a soldier. Do we really need another president who wants to do unto others as he did unto himself?

[Heather]

Looking for a Fuhrer? It seems if any one has wierd followers it is Obama.

There are now stories out of people who have changed their middle names to Husien, to show support for Obama.

I mean lets get a grip people! Changing your name for an election? That is bordering on mental illness!

[Braf]

Do people like Russell Lee actually believe the garbage they post? How delusional can a person get?

[derrick]

i'm sorry but Clark is absolutely right. He shouldn't have worded it the way he did (specifically when he devalued McCain's war experience as "getting shot down in a plane") but the message is completely true...being a Vietnam War vet definitely does NOT mean you'll be a good president...I think if Clark had worded it like that it would be a lot harder for McCain to spin it the way he is now (and he's spinning it so hard right now it's making me dizzy)

[Dee DeGrace]

McCain does not claim his Vietnam experience is enough to qualify him as Commander in Chief, or as some form of foreign policy expert. Somehow you all have wasted away the (work) day discussing that this is McCain's his position and assessing the validity of it...Clark made the assertion, not McCain.

McCain has much more to go on than this.

[George]

This "controversy" is manufactured. General Clark did not impugn Senator McCain, nor did he intend to do so. To use a sports analogy: Just because a player is skilled in play, fights valiantly and sacrifices his or her body on the field does not mean that that individual would make a good coach. And so it is with Senator McCain.

[So much for a Democratic Form of Government]

So, it is CRITICAL that Obama is elected. By any means.

BY ANY MEANS???

Sounds like you have a bit of a "Fuhrer Complex" yourself.

It's the "BY ANY MEANS" crowd that has caused our system so many problems.

[Darrin]

General Clark spoke TRUTH - deal with it and I do not see were he said anything to discredit McCain military service; he did give him props but made a factual point.

Mr. Obama handle this well again read what he is saying "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." And, he argued, "no party or political philosophy has a monopoly on patriotism." Meaning not serving in the military does not mean you do not honor your country.

Go Gen Clark!!!!

[VMR]

RE: Al Ramirez' stupid statement.
What are YOUR American credentials? Washing dishes
at Zapata's Ristorante Mexicano? Are you even legal?

Hurts, doesn't it?

Then don't you dare questioning anybody else's ethnicity, origins, or patriotism! Last thing this country needs is ugly,
racist talk from someone with a Hispanic name.

[DenisR]

I like Obama but, what Clark said about McCain was correct. It is about time somebody spoke up!! Thanks Wes.

[louie riley]

what's the big deal about Wesley Clark's remark - it's true - I've been saying this all along about McCain -

[let go]

It seems there still may be considerable interest in sensationalism and division which, at best is mildly entertaining and at worst disheartening but, in reality, nothing has happened except a lot of speculation regarding who said what, why they said it; the ego mind then makes feeble attempts to draw linkages and bizarre explanations designed to indict an entire person, staff, whole party, or even Americans in general.

Have you ever sat in a foul odor? Most of this diatribe seems indicative of a foul odor. The good news is that even foul odors can be dissipated by some wind.

So, here's some wind: relax, recognize that you are making meaning out of absolutely nothing, then freaking yourself out of over it, effusing that to the world, and then, well, why not just stop?

I am not pro-anyone, I'm pro-everyone, meaning there is lingo that unifies, and there is lingo that divides; the latter is responsible for the repetition of history and the former creates possibilities. Take your pick.

If you choose to stare at the world you see expecting tyranny, terrorism, conspiracy, and apathy, guess what you'll see? Perhaps take off your 'good-bad' pair of glasses, relinquish your self-assigned entitlement to judge, get a glass of wine, chill out, maybe even laugh a bit....

And, oh by the way, get ready for a lot more sensationally arranged mis-contextualized quotes coming down the pike; the question is how will you handle it - like a feather in the wind or a tree firmly planted on the ground. Your choice....

[Mike]

And Clark is in a position to make such a comment of McCain? If McCain is not qualified becasue of his service to the country, then Obama due to his lack of service is most certainly not qualified. Clark is a talking head for Obama and then Obama says bad, bad, bad when he sent him out there in the first place. Interesting that Obama talks change, change, and more change but offers no details. All talk which plays great on a college campus but is worth zero in the real world.

[VMR]

And what's does this meaningless crap "serving my country" mean?

Except for and since WW II, how many wars did the US engage in or started that were totally stupid and unnecessary and totally preventable?

ALL OF THEM!

So, when you go uquestioningly to fight and die to make the world more profitable for the likes of United Fruit, Enron, Exxon/Mobil, or GE, are you really serving your country? Especially since all of the "grateful" above-named think nothing of shipping YOUR job to Korea, Vietnam, India, Mexico, or China, thank you very much for your service?

[D Kessler]

the 'who's more patriotic" game is ridiculous and irrelevant. when i look at McCain's experience as a POW, i want to see what kind of decisions he makes based on that experience. what I see is someone who after being held in a prison camp and tortured still does not see fit to offer habeas corpus to those that we have imprisoned and tortured under very questionable circumstances. who could he not have learned the value of that very basic human right while under those conditions? i merely see a person who is using he drama to win political points and whatever real experience he might have gained by it has been sold off to the republican party.

[Edward Fitzgerald]

Lets put back, ROOTS on T.V.