Posted on Monday, 30th June 2008 by Patrick Dorwin
Wesley Clark is a total and complete moron.
Well, I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president
–Retired Gen. Wesley Clark
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45 Responses to “Qualifications”
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June 30th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
No kidding.
I guess his definition of “qualifications” includes eating room temperature cheese, sipping white wine, talking about accomplishments you never had anything to do with, being a 20 year member of a church headed by a vitriol-spewing pastor, having fundraisers with convicted felons and domestic terrorists, reminding everyone your black when your also half white, and droning on with tired, boring, dichotomy-laden messages about how we need to look to the future and let go of the past.
Yea…that’s the man for me.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
This is an outrage! Anyone in a figther plane that gets shot down is qualified to be president! Period! This outrage is not childish and not prompted by any rightwing issued talking points for the week! The reason people ridiculed John Kerry’s military service was not only because he was highly decorated, but he was never shot down in a fighter plane! If he had been, you better believe no one would have dared mock him! The purple band-aids and ridiculing of military service has a definite line that you can NEVER cross – and that’s mocking Republican veterans!!
June 30th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
The only reason people mocked Kerry’s military service was because he was a liar. Typical lack of character from the left.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Mr. Pelican Pants:
You forgot the arugala.
But seriously – keep talking. The more Obama supporters say stupid things, the better it bodes for McCain (and, mind you, I’m not a fan of McCain and haven’t settled on voting for him…).
The left has a innate desire to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, don’t they?
June 30th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Not to split hairs, but I don’t believe McCain was “riding” in a fighter plane when he was shot down.
June 30th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Interesting. In 2004, the dems were saying that the only military experience that counted in presidential politics was service in Vietnam, and that ANG service didn’t mean anything.
In 2008, Vietnam service is a detriment and is something to be ridiculed.
How in the world can anybody with at least one functioning brain cell take the dems seriously?
June 30th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
What is general Clark qualifications?Didn’t he run for president until he did so bad he dropped out?
IDIOT
June 30th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I suppose if he were honest, Gen. Clarke would say to a young Lt.(jg) who got his PT boat rammed and sunk had no qualifications skippering a garbage scow let alone being President of the US.
Is Wesley Clarke ballsy enough to piss on JFK’s military record, too?
June 30th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I don’t see a problem with what Clark said. Are the people who have a problem with it saying that serving in Vietnam alone qualifies someone to be President? He was a soldier, and he deserves the utmost respect for that. In my opinion every soldier becomes a hero when they sign their name on the line because you’re basically saying you will put the country before your own life. But that by itself does not qualify anyone to be President. Its a TOTALLY different role.
June 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I have to admire McCain’s survival of his time as POW and the way he’s had a fruitful and successful life after such a harrowing experience. I’ve got to admire JFK’s reported conduct and efforts after his PT boat was sunk too. I’m not sure either experience qualified either man to govern this nation, but it did afford them the opportunity to show determination and perserverance in the face of adversity. Those aren’t bad qualities to have in a leader.
Our best bet seems to be what I’ve always advocated – a president from one party, whikle the other party holds a small edge in both houses of congress. That way the president and cngress spend most of their energies squabbling wih each other, anything with true merit still gets done, and our elected leaders don’t have enough energy left over to rape us too badly.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:26 am
What question was Clark asked that he offered that statement? Did he offer any other statements about McCain’s service, such as distinct praise or criticism? Do you normally feel that clipping a single sentence out of context is the best way to understand an opponent’s argument?
And why are we just learning today that being shot down over Vietnam is, in fact, a prerequisite for bring president? Seems that just four years ago you were supporting a guy who learned how to a fly a plane that was on its way out of service just to avoid even the remotest possibility of being shot down.
July 1st, 2008 at 5:44 am
Jay, you make me laugh.
July 1st, 2008 at 5:53 am
Patrick, why? Here’s the exchange in full:
Clark isn’t going on the attack against McCain for being in the Air Force, and he isn’t the one who introduced McCain’s having been shot down into the conversation. Clark very clearly ascribes dignity and honor to McCain’s service, and cite McCain’s time as a POW as both a personal inspiration and a general one to those who served everywhere.
To take Clark’s single sentence out of context is to falsely imply (and some commenters here make this charge explicit) that Clark is attacking McCain for having served or having been shot down. That is simply not the case.
July 1st, 2008 at 6:53 am
Jay, did you read the whole thing? He belittled McCain for leading his squandron and he hasn’t held executive responsibility in addition to his idiot comment. The fact is that when comes to military experience and experience in the senate, McCain beats Obama hands down.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:03 am
I have to say when I heard the whole interview it was worse… worse for Barack.
Hope and change does not mean you have leadership experience . It just sup[ports the case for barack not being the president.
If the democrats, as a party, choose this as a stagedy I will never, ever vote democrats again because they are offensive. Keep it up, you are driving away the middle.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:05 am
Dan, can you point to the particular words or phrases that “belittle” McCain?
July 1st, 2008 at 10:28 am
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jul/01/road-to-the-white-house-generals-attack-on-draws/
Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said, “Sen. Obama honors and respects Sen. McCain’s service, and of course he rejects yesterday’s statement by Gen. Clark.”
Yep, always reject statements that belittle nobody.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:07 am
1. “That large squadron in the Air — in the Navy that he commanded, it wasn’t a wartime squadron”
2. He hasn’t been there and ordered the bombs to fall.
3.Well, I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
1. This is a statement of fact. If McCain is claiming that this is false, then McCain is lying. And it’s not belittling to state a fact. (Belittling would be, “McCain has more command of computers than he did of a squadron.” I don’t endorse that view, it’s just an example.)
2. Another statement of fact. Not belittling.
3. A direct response to a question about that specific event (and its relationship to presidential-style experience) from the host. To call it belittling is a stretch. At worst, it’s pointing out an uncomfortable fact–being a POW is not in and of itself a predictor of presidential ability.
You know what job prepares you to be president? Being president. It is a job unlike any other in the world. McCain’s time as a POW is something he can (and does–a lot!) talk about, but it’s not necessarily a pre-requisite for being president.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:39 pm
McCain’s military record is important to the campaign not because he was shot down in combat after flying many successful sorties in Vietnam, it’s how he conducted himself as an officer after he became a POW and his command presence after his release. It’s called leadership and character.
By the way, if I recall correctly, no one became a pilot to avoid service in Vietnam. Bush’s aircraft(F-102) saw limited service in SE Asia(was gone when Bush finished training) and was a bitch to fly.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:47 pm
SCHIEFFER: I have to say, Barack Obama has not had any of those experiences either, nor has he ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down. I mean –
CLARK: Well, I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.
CLARK: Because in the matters of national security policy-making, it’s a matter of understanding risk. 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.
But he hasn’t held executive responsibility.
He hasn’t been there and ordered the bombs to fall. He hasn’t seen what it’s like when diplomats come in and say, “I don’t know whether we’re going to be able to get this point through or not. Do you want to take the risk? What about your reputation? How do we handle it†–
My followup question: Okay General Clark, getting shot down and taken prisoner for 5+ years are not of themselves qualifications to be President (unless of course you take into consideration the man’s display of character and ability to function under the stress of the harshest of conditions), so maybe you can please explain where Barack Obama has exhibited the prerequisite qualifications to be President. Maybe you can list just a few of his accomplishments beyond his ability to speak from a script.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Jay, when was the last time you have critized a liberal? You kust never do. You support thugs, murders, former KKK members, people who have brothels run out of their house all because they are liberal. So, even though it has been shown to you, you still drink the Kool Aide. So, when was the time you critized a liberal for something they have done?
July 1st, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Glenn closes with “Maybe you can list just a few of his accomplishments beyond his ability to speak from a script.”
Well, that’s one ability Dubya never acquired.
July 1st, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Glenn closes with “Maybe you can list just a few of his accomplishments beyond his ability to speak from a script.”
That’s one ability Dubya never acquired.
July 1st, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Dan, I criticize liberals and Democrats when they do something wrong. (interesting that resort to an unrelated charge when confronted with your own failing on this topic.)
I am not convinced that Clark did anything wrong here. And, fine, if it will make you happy: I think Obama was too quick to condemn Clark, possibly because he was confronted by the out-of-context clipping that Patrick present here instead of with an accurate picture of what Clark aactually said.
July 1st, 2008 at 5:43 pm
folkbum, “out-of- context clipping that Patrick present here instead of an accurate picture of what Clark actually said.” Do you really believe that? I am sure that Obama knew word for word what Clark said. I listened to the conversation on Sunday morning and saw the shock on Bob Schieffer’s face as Clark spoke. Maybe you are not “convinced that Clark did anything wrong here,” however, Patrick had it right when he titled this post as “
July 1st, 2008 at 6:06 pm
BHB (#23) let’s stick to the topic and the question that has yet to be answered.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Glenn, why do you call out anti-Bush comments for being off topic, but not anti-Dem ones (i.e., Dan at 22)?
July 1st, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Yeah, okay folkbum. Forget what I said in #27 BHB. Now somebody just answer my followup, and please leftys, I already know you hate Bush so for the sake of discussion can we just agree that Bush is not running against Obama? I’ll make it easy and even leave off the last sarcastic sentence.
My followup question: Okay General Clark (or anybody else), getting shot down and taken prisoner for 5+ years are not of themselves qualifications to be President (unless of course you take into consideration the man’s display of character and ability to function under the stress of the harshest of conditions), so maybe you can please explain where Barack Obama has exhibited the prerequisite qualifications to be President.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:58 pm
As I thought more about this comment, “Maybe you can list just a few of his accomplishments beyond his ability to speak from a script.”, it reminded me of something Wesley Clark said in response to this whole thing. I heard him state that one of Obama’s qualifications was his ability to speak, but we have heard evidence to the contrary when Obama was off script. So I’ll stand by my last sentence also.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:42 pm
So rather than call out Dan for a personal attack on me, you’ll give Bubba a pass. Nice, Glenn.
As to your question, I stand by what I wrote above: There is nothing like being president, and to suggest that candidates must have X number of boxes checked off on some list is a bit puerile. Instead, I judge what each man has said and done in this campaign, and I judge what each man says he will do in office.
To me, in 2007 and 2008, McCain has abandoned in word and deed most of the principles that made him seem an attractive, moderate alternative to Bush in 2000–everything from his foreign policy goals to his allowing lobbyists to run his campaign (and, until recently, lobby from on board the Express) to his currently breaking the campaign finance law that bears his name. If he’s willing to turn his back on so much of who he was just eight years ago, then certainly what he believed and did 40 years ago holds no special meaning to me.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Jesus folkbum, did we get married and nobody told me? What does it take to make you happy? I don’t know what you guys on the left are worried about. No matter who wins this election you get a liberal thinking President.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 am
I think folkbum is getting his information about President Bush here:
http://blamebush.typepad.com/
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:27 am
Folkbum’s been here enough that I think I know his agenda and reasons for coming here. His own comment (#28) is quite revealing of the man himself: “Glenn, why do you call out anti-Bush comments for being off topic, but not anti-Dem ones (i.e., Dan at 22)?” Dan’s (#22) comment makes no mention of Dems. It is focused on folkbum and his liberal point of view.
Oh well, rather than go back through each comment and name each person who was off topic, as folkbum did in (#11): “Seems that just four years ago you were supporting a guy who learned how to a fly a plane that was on its way out of service just to avoid even the remotest possibility of being shot down.” before Dan “attacked” him, I simply chose to acknowledge folkbum in my (#29) comment in a gesture of good faith.
All I can say is some people would complain if you stabbed them with a brand new knife. (And before you go off the deep end folkbum, that was meant as humor and not a threat.)
I would also add that I do not consider BHB a lib. Expressing discontent with George Bush or any other Republican does not make one a lib – at least not in my book.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:13 am
I’m pretty sure Folkburn’s goal is just to tire his opponents out. He pretty much trolls, and will *never* agree with anything you say if he perceives you as “conservative”.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:54 am
If it helps, I’m a liberal, and I like almost all of you who post here. Of course, it’s easier for me since I’m not a typical liberal.
Now, how about a nice group hug? I’m sure I can find a good government program to sponsor it.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:05 am
So George Bush is so brilliant that he knows which planes being used in Vietnam are being phased out, so that by the time he learns to fly the plane he will not be flying that plane in Vietnam.
Lou Dobbs says he is so brilliant that he has control over tomatoes going bad.
Others say he is so brilliant and powerful that he controls global warming, hurricanes, blizzards, the Texas Rangers, the law of supply and demand, and he possesses powers we don’t yet know.
You moonbats could be so entertaining if you weren’t so dangerous.
By the way, folkbum, if my understanding of history is correct, there was a concern other than just Vietnam in the late 1960s. Didn’t we have a threat of the potential for attack from the Soviet Union? Wasn’t the National Guard there to protect us from this threat?
One last thought, folkbum.
Since you seem to enjoy a semi-covert attack on one person’s military service, please share with all of us what your history of military service is.
If there is no response, I will assume that you have never served in the military. Although I would never expect compulsory military service, the manner in which someone would attack some military service which does not deserve to be attacked says a lot about that person’s character, especially if that person (didn’t have the strength, courage, discipline, ability to work as a member of a team, ability to work under stressful situations, ability to be able to work under unpleasant or extreme weather conditions, etc.) never served in the military.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Since you seem to enjoy a semi-covert attack on one person’s military service …
Whose service am I attacking?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Oh, and stalker, you left off “congenital heart condition” from your list. That describes some of us who never served. But thank you for the personal attack; it’s nice to get a new fan.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Jay, like most Democrat activists, you have a problem telling the truth.
Oh, FYI, McCain flew a Navy Bomber in VN, not an Air Force Fighter. Get your lies straight.
As for your lies, Jay, are you going to insist that PAW didn’t get the Army to take down part of its exhibit at Summerfest?
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Oh, pcd, how I have missed your non-sequitous rants lately. Okay, you caught me, I misspoke and put McCain in an AF plane instead of a Navy one. Therefore, everything I have ever said ever ever is utterly wrong. Good job for exposing me as a fraud. I don’t know what I would have done without you.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Glad to see that group hug took place.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
There was a group hug and I missed it?
Damn. No one needs a hug more than me.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I’ve read the transcript from the interview…
http://securingamerica.com/node/2993
Clark is a puppet saying what Obama needs to be said so that Obama does have to do the dirty work himself. As Schieffer pointed out, Obama doesn’t have any of the qualifications Clark is harping on McCain about. Clark obviously knows this, so his goal is to minimize the character and experience question. It’s just politics, and by that I mean just talking out of his ass.
McCain himself isn’t saying that you have to be a vet, or a former POW, to be qualified for President. That is what I’ve seen Jay and other libs label as a “straw man,” built up by the Obama camp.
What McCain does say is that is part of his experience and the fact that he survived it and went on to become a US Senator is evidence of quality in his character. Clark was obviously pissing on that.
Clark danced around Schieffer’s challenge because after Clark said, “But he hasn’t held executive responsibility,” he had no choice but to do the Clinton two-step. It was a foot-in-mouth moment given Obama’s complete lack of said experience.
Only someone who supports a candidate as inexperienced as Obama would limit the scope of their candidate selection process to “…I judge what each man has said and done in this campaign, and I judge what each man says he will do in office”…not that Jay doesn’t just vote straight D-ticket.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Bruce,
Isn’t the Madison metropolitan area one gigantic group hug, anyway? So you should be doing okay….
And yes, I do find myself quite amusing.