Wesley Clark says he acted alone in taking on John McCain

Wesley Clark told ABC's "Good Morning America" a little while ago that Barack Obama and his campaign had nothing to do with the comments he made the other day that John McCain's service record did not equip him to lead the nation.

Clark took a lot of heat for the comments -- and a veiled rebuke from Obama Monday -- and today added a little context: "I served 38 years in uniform. I'm proud of my service and I was asked to give my opinion about professional qualifications based on my experience." Clark said that as both a wounded combat vet and a high military officer "I have some appreciation for both levels of command and the qualities it takes at the top. I simply say it's a matter of judgment — experience, yes, it's important. It shows character and courage, but on the other hand there are other ways to show character and courage."

Clark didn't back down but said he respected McCain and his service, and was "very sorry this has distracted from the message of patriotism that Sen. Obama wants to put out."

You can see the video of Clark here.

UPDATE: The McCain surrogates are having none of it, describing Obama's relationship with comments by Clark and others as a "wink and a nod game." But shouldn't that presumption cut both ways? To paraphrase an old axiom, live by the surrogate ...

UPDATE (3:53 p.m. PDT): Obama addressed the issue with reporters in Ohio today and said his comments in Missouri Monday were not intended as a rebuke to Clark, despite the timing: "Sen. McCain deserves the utmost honor and respect for his service to our country. I’ve said that repeatedly, I’ve said it all the time. I notice that in at least one publication it was reported that my comments yesterday on Sen. McCain were in response to Gen. Clark. I think my staff will confirm that was in a draft of a speech I’d written two months ago."

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Tom J]

Well put, Wesley Clark!

I watched Face the Nation Sunday morning, watched the video again after the brouhaha started to make sure I hadn't missed something, and was never confused in the least about what had gone on.

If McCain made his accusations without watching the entire conversation, he's gullible. If he made them afterwards, he's sleazy. Either way it proves he doesn't have the judgement or temperament for the job of POTUS.

[Dr. Banks]

Wesley Clark is an official spokesman for the Obama campaign. His attack on Sen. McCain was clearly calculated and evidence of the same lowlife tactics Obama employed against Hillary. While Sen. McCain was evidencing leadership of Viet Cong prisoners by enduring torture and refusing to be released until his comrades could be released, thereby refusing public relations help to the Viet Cong and their US sympathizers, Obama was attending his Madrass and getting ready for teen years of pot smoking and a little cocaine snorting (according to his own autobiography). Our country needs a President and Commander in Chief who supports and appreciates our military, not a Bong-pilot. Sen Clinton was right before her money fueld flip-flop. She and Sen. McCain are qualified to be President. Obama is not.

[Vivian Berryhill]

Wesley Clark Gives McCain Keys to White House

If the Arizona Senator, and presumptive Republican nominee does not appoint General Wesley Clark to any cabinet post he chooses in a McCain Administration… it won't be because McCain doesn't owe him, as he has given McCain the keys to the White House. General Clark, a surrogate for Senator Barack Obama's campaign, opened a 'huge' Pandora's box with these statements about John McCain, shared recently on Face the Nation:

“I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.”

Now them's fighting words to the millions of bitter, flag-waving, gun-loving, bible-clinging U.S. citizens!

And that 18-word statement uttered by Clark... either purposely or not, now places the conversation about "qualifications" smack-dab in the middle of the Oval Office room. The problem is... a conversation about "qualifications" is not one team Obama wants, or needs to have center stage at this juncture in the election process.

Talk about a gift to McCain! Surely Clark, a highly decorated military man, must have understood–– as those fateful words fell from his lips–– that America's fascination with... and love for "heroes", be they fictional or real-life characters, would prompt national rally-'round-the-flagpole support of war hero John "Wayne" McCain... in every small-town across these United States for the remaining 125 days of this election. Heck, if I were McCain, I'd go on vacation to Mexico for a week too.
www.vberryhill-soulvoice.blogspot.com

[Chris]

To the McCain campaign, quit whining and start talking about the issues.
What you don't have any issues, well then why don't you just shut up.

[Tom Benton]

Well, the general (general people) have a very different look at the role of president, and I think we need to remind him that our nation first president was a great military man. Degrading someone that have or have gone before him and has a same status as him is samething as degrading himself. Ofcourse, Obama is nowhere or ever near Senator McCain.

[Tom Benton]

Oh BTW, Mr. Obama can't write his own speech and had used someone else speech...

One more thing general Clark, you must forgot one simple thing that every leader, especially military leader, should know and that is to know yourself, your men, and your enemy.

Mr. Obama does not know who he is, especially, the Selma March speech. I will let the reader research that topic.

Mr. Obama certainly does not know his mentor and preacher.

Mr. Obama most definitely does not know his enemy, we should communicate with Iran?

How about that general ?