Discover the best of the web!
Learn more about Digg by taking the tour.
When Military Service Didn't Matter to McCain
huffingtonpost.com — When asked whether military service makes somebody better equipped to be commander-in-chief the Arizona Republican said "Absolutely not". A year later, McCain cast his ballot for George W. Bush. A more telling example may have come recently, when McCain found himself campaigning against an Iraq War veteran who was running for office.
jjw269- 768 diggs
- digg it
- tcbishop12, on 07/01/2008, -17/+33"B-B-B-B-but that was then, and this is now."
- superkendall, on 07/02/2008, -18/+9That's what Obama is saying every day now.
- haydesigner, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Examples, please.
- ZenMojo, on 07/02/2008, -8/+6Just so we have some perspective, this is the commercial John McCain was running at least as early as March.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_A53PAxeR8
Anyone arguing that John McCain is not running as a POW for president is an idiot.
- superkendall, on 07/02/2008, -18/+9That's what Obama is saying every day now.
- Arishia, on 07/01/2008, -15/+21LMAO yet again....
- patpl22391, on 07/02/2008, -10/+7Yet again a huffingtonpost article hits the front page? All thousand of them?
- Barackalypse, on 07/02/2008, -10/+6Of course yet again, the lefties are as invested as the Republicans are in ensuring no actual issues get discussed in this election, lest the American people realize their choices aren't actually very different.
- CryRightardCry, on 07/01/2008, -17/+18It's like 3 times a day now we laugh at McCain.
- obamayomama, on 07/02/2008, -4/+0That's how many times you're smoking a blunt too, huh? Coincidence? I think not.
- MakiMaki, on 07/01/2008, -15/+16See also this story here, which has several direct quotes from McCain on military service and its relationship to the Presidency. The irony is that many of them are in coherent agreement with Clark's recent statements:
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/McCain_in_2003_M ... - Unitftbll, on 07/02/2008, -14/+10Clark was completely right to question McCain's service - in his career he served as a POW - he got shot down on the 23rd(?) mission.
Just because you can fly a plane does not make a commander in chief. Turtle campaigning in Canada and Latin American is a way to look at what he will do in the US domestically - he will be a president that acts from abroad! - Nekura20x6, on 07/02/2008, -12/+13I loved Keith Olberman's piece yesterday where he listed about two dozen of McCain's reversals. I firmly believe that good leaders should be able to 'fess up when they make a mistake and change course, but if you are going to campaign on a "People Who Can't Stay The Course Are Bad" platform you better be damn well sure that you never did so yourself.
- brokenspatula, on 07/02/2008, -25/+28BURRIED FOR HUFFINGTONCRAP
- chispito, on 07/02/2008, -10/+13They eat it up with a spoon around here.
- minorthreat, on 07/02/2008, -4/+1Is Huffington post owned by Rupert Murdoch?
- InsideJob11Sep, on 07/02/2008, -18/+7This is tragic, but just wait until you hapless sheeple learn that 9/11 was deliberately allowed to occur!
- AntzNZ, on 07/02/2008, -1/+13You're calling people sheeple? You're the one who got easily suckered in to ***** unbelievable theories by some stupid guys in college.
- e1evene1even, on 07/02/2008, -13/+14The way I see it, Clark was absolutely right in his criticism of McCain, the reason for the manufactured right-wing up-roar and righteous indignation, is because the McCain campaign feels very threatened by Clark, (who's vastly more qualified on military issues than McCain), and really don't want to see him as VP.
- superkendall, on 07/02/2008, -11/+8Since Clark is not running for president, it's a little specious of him to proclaim the only one with enough military experience to run is himself, or someone with none at all.
If you can't have the Clark, you get nothing!- e1evene1even, on 07/02/2008, -8/+6"...it's a little specious of him to proclaim the only one with enough military experience to run is himself, or someone with none at all."
I must have missed that. Where/when did he say that? Do you have a link?
- e1evene1even, on 07/02/2008, -8/+6"...it's a little specious of him to proclaim the only one with enough military experience to run is himself, or someone with none at all."
- hittnrun, on 07/02/2008, -3/+1Didn't Bill Clinton fire that fag?
- obamayomama, on 07/02/2008, -3/+0Clark supported Kerry, if you remember, so I guess that qualified him.
- superkendall, on 07/02/2008, -11/+8Since Clark is not running for president, it's a little specious of him to proclaim the only one with enough military experience to run is himself, or someone with none at all.
- kessel, on 07/02/2008, -13/+1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyp-TnPZmhU
- mwvwca, on 07/02/2008, -13/+11Olberman's bit yesterday was excellent. Does McCain take himself as a serious candidate? Do We?
- obamayomama, on 07/02/2008, -1/+0Olberman has never been excellent.
- hollywoodphony, on 07/02/2008, -10/+3Well, that should put an end to all of this. /sarcasm
- MortalynFlux, on 07/02/2008, -13/+12Revenge is sweet. They should have thought out the consequences of Swiftboating Kerry. Didn't they realize it would bit them in the ass?
- chispito, on 07/02/2008, -6/+12The Swiftboat vets were disputing the quality of Kerry's service, not the relevance of it.
- MortalynFlux, on 07/02/2008, -9/+6General Clark is focusing on the relevance; however, for the blogosphere, military service is now fair game. The main difference here is that Kerry served honorably and the Swiftboating has turned out to be well-documented fabrications. McCain, on the other hand, has admitted to signing confessions for war crimes. This is also well-documented.
- superkendall, on 07/02/2008, -7/+12Actually the Swiftboating accusations were shown to be quite true. I notice you provide no links for your "documentation".
- MortalynFlux, on 07/02/2008, -9/+3The burden of proof falls on the accuser. Besides, I'm not working for a publication. I would have to charge for it. Google it.
And apparently, you've been listening to McCain a little too much given that you put documentation in scare quotes, the same way he put a section of that sacred "document" we know as the U.S. Constitution in scare quotes by calling it the "quote, First Amendment." - bruce86, on 07/02/2008, -7/+7McCain, Faith of My Fathers, p. 198.
Ready admits that he confessed and feels guilty about it.
Try not being a lazy ass for once.
- JointVenture, on 07/02/2008, -7/+11I want to see you repeat that in the fall when the Obama videos hit the scene.
- chispito, on 07/02/2008, -6/+12The Swiftboat vets were disputing the quality of Kerry's service, not the relevance of it.
- TedLW30101, on 07/02/2008, -8/+17Well at least Obama is campaigning on the 'having more political experience' platform...
wait. what? - superkendall, on 07/02/2008, -9/+13Oddly, military service did not matter to Wesley Clark either - when he was endorsing Kerry...
- watklax, on 07/02/2008, -14/+3This latest report is almost beside the point. Nobody likes this absurd and disgusting man - Republicans hate and mistrust him and know he can't win for them, and to everyone else he's a public laughing-stock. Really, I have never seen such a p*ss-poor excuse for a politician.
- bruce86, on 07/02/2008, -0/+10This just in, if you post your opinion on digg, it becomes true!
- SaladCactusKing, on 07/02/2008, -1/+19Jesus christ, how do these all hit the front page at the same time?
- umbrellainabin, on 07/02/2008, -10/+8because the guy is a *****
- mmmmmbiscuits, on 07/02/2008, -6/+8Because 1000 Obama-loving ***** digg every piece of crap from HuffPo.
- hittnrun, on 07/02/2008, -1/+2Well, its because of the media's love affair with McCain, of course!
/sarcasm off
- ZodiacKiller, on 07/02/2008, -5/+18Any chance we can get articles from a source that doesn't have a blatant agenda? Just once... that's all I'm asking.
- ZenMojo, on 07/02/2008, -9/+4All media has an agenda. Money, political alignment, militarism. Your news is bought and paid for by powerful corporate interests. You should worry more about whether or not you are getting actual facts than from whom those facts come from.
- patpl22391, on 07/02/2008, -9/+2That's offensive that they said that she would "cut-and-run", considering they cut her legs off and she is now unable to run (terrible I know).
- Barackalypse, on 07/02/2008, -6/+20Buried for partisan hackery, how about we discuss Obama and McCain's positions on the FISA bill or something else relevant?
- JoeVet, on 07/02/2008, -9/+3I think an inability to remain consistent in pledges is very relevant. If one of the candidates can't remember what he said from one minute to the other that will greatly affect how they govern. If you want to talk about other issues that is fine too. Its just that the American people have made it quite clear recently that they do not want another Bush term and McCain himself has said he is hitching his wagon to Bush's @ss (paraphrasing here).
- jdenzer, on 07/02/2008, -7/+2Or the GI Bill, that McCain and Bush take credit for.
- minorthreat, on 07/02/2008, -2/+2FISA bill isn't relevant. The telcoms broke the law, but under direct order from the white house. Its a bunch of fluff to grab your attention while the person in charge of the operation walks away.
- Barackalypse, on 07/03/2008, -0/+1Telcom immunity matters a lot. One phone company refused to comply, if we can sue the ones that caved for enough money maybe next time they're asked to do something illegal they'll all refuse.
- JointVenture, on 07/02/2008, -2/+10Why dont we take a look at Barry's books for some great quotes.
Id list them but it will be more fun to wait for fall when they hit the scene.- ZenMojo, on 07/02/2008, -8/+2Yeah, we've read those books. That's why no one cares.
- jerrycurley, on 07/02/2008, -9/+14He was NOT asked if military serivce made someone "better equipped".
And once agai, teh ***** at huffingtonpost kil their credibility by making ***** up.- jdenzer, on 07/02/2008, -8/+1I guess this was made up too. Or wait it was McCain's evil twin who said this:
During an interview with National Journal, John McCain was asked if “military service inherently makes somebody better equipped to be commander-in-chief.” McCain said, “Absolutely not…I absolutely don’t believe that it’s necessary.” [National Journal, 2/15/2003]
- I believe that military service is the most honorable endeavor an American may undertake. But I’ve never believed that lack of military service disqualifies one from occupying positions of political leadership or as Commander and Chief. In America, the people are sovereign, and they decide who is and is not qualified to lead us. [American Legion Speech, 9/7/1999]
- Earlier this year at Washington’s Gridiron Club, where humor is the required fare, McCain lay bare what underlies his candidacy. Wearing a jacket outlandishly festooned with dozens of fake military medals, McCain said, “The question I ask myself every morning while shaving in front of the mirror is: OK, John, you’re an incredible war hero, an inspiration to all Americans. But what qualifies you to be president of the United States?” [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 11/7/1999]- obamayomama, on 07/02/2008, -0/+0You forgot to mention that you're shaving your balls.
- jdenzer, on 07/02/2008, -8/+1I guess this was made up too. Or wait it was McCain's evil twin who said this:
- Jason2008, on 07/02/2008, -10/+4McCain is not very interesting
- shauncorleone, on 07/02/2008, -6/+14Funny about how libtards are making such a bigger deal about McCain's military service than he is as it relates to his ability to be president. His speeches generally revolve around his record in the Senate and crossing party lines to work with both sides on the bigger issues, something his opponent has NEVER done. The next time one of you Obamabots starts to type "Right-wing attack machine" and their lack of focus on real issues, think about Wesley Clark and the HuffingtonComPost.
- ZenMojo, on 07/02/2008, -9/+4"Funny about how libtards are making such a bigger deal about McCain's military service than he is as it relates to his ability to be president."
...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_A53PAxeR8
GTFO. - jdenzer, on 07/02/2008, -8/+2Are you kidding me. This is what the McCain camp wants. So they can divert the nations focus on the real issues and was a big fuss about nothing. They know that the left can win when attacking McCain's military record.
So the more the make it an issue , the more it takes away the focus on the economy and McCain's lack of understanding on how to fix things.- GiggleStick, on 07/02/2008, -0/+3So they payed Clarke to say what he said? I've rarely heard McCain mention his military service unless someone else brings it up.
- jdenzer, on 07/02/2008, -2/+2No I did say that. But rather than go on the defensive about his military record. Why didn't McCain stick to his own beliefs that he don't think that military service is a qualification for President and that it doesn't make him a better Commander in Chief. He should have said something like:Yes Military Service does not make you more qualified, it is my policies and accomplishments in the Senate that make me a better candidate. Instead he flip flopped once again. As he has done so many times. And honestly I don't see how the far right can even trust him. He has changed his position so easily during this election. If I were for McCain and I knew he was against bush tax cuts and is now for them. It would make me very worried that he was just for them to get votes.
- GiggleStick, on 07/02/2008, -1/+3He was just responding that he felt like they were denigrating his record by speaking of it in such a condescending tone. Here is what McCain said in response to Clarke's comments:
"I'm proud of my record of service, and I have plenty of friends and leaders who will attest to that," McCain said. "But the important thing is if that's the kind of campaign that Senator Obama and his surrogates and his supporters want to engage I understand that, but it doesn't reduce the price of a gallon gas by one penny. It doesn't achieve our energy independence any – make it come any closer. It doesn't help an American stay in their home who are in risk of losing it today, and it certainly doesn't do anything to address the challenges that Americans have in keeping their jobs, their homes and supporting their families."
Where does he say that he thinks his service makes him more qualified to be president? I don't see that he did change his beliefs. Here's another statement by him.
"I kind of reacted the way I did because I have a reluctance to talk about my experiences, and I apologize for maybe being a little reluctant because I really believed that I served in the company of heroes: People like Bud Day and Robbie Riesner and Jim Stockdale and those people were much braver and better men than I will ever hope to be, but they inspired me to do things that I otherwise wouldn't have been capable of, But I think that the overriding theme of this campaign, or message of this campaign, is that I will put my country first. I even had the opportunity to go home early because my father was a high-ranking admiral: I put my country first. I stayed because I believe my code of conduct called for it, and I believe my loyalty to people like Edward Alvarez, a Mexican American who had been there for years before I was, was more important than me putting myself in to go home several years before the end of my [time]. That's probably the better answer and I--again, I am always reluctant to talk about these things."
It would seem that at the very least, his experience as a POW will temper his desire to go to war because he is aware of the extreme cost when dealing with an enemy as evil as the North Vietnamese, and that should be a qualification in the eyes of the liberals at least.
Compare this to Kerry who started every sentence with "When I was in Vietnam".
- ZenMojo, on 07/02/2008, -9/+4"Funny about how libtards are making such a bigger deal about McCain's military service than he is as it relates to his ability to be president."
- JasonCox, on 07/02/2008, -5/+13Kevin, can you add a section specifically for these people who keep posting either pro-Ron Paul or anti-John McCain articles? I'd like to filter them out without blocking the whole politics section.
- jdenzer, on 07/02/2008, -6/+4Yet somehow you still find yourself participating in the discussions. If it bothers you so much don't click on the article and don't add your comments. You don't need Kevin to hold your hand do you?
- Opiate, on 07/02/2008, -2/+1Right only commy pinko articles? McCain i could understand, Ron Paul if you hate liberty and everything that is good about America.. like please there's never anything posted on him, it would only annoy you if you hate the truth.
- hoopy22, on 07/02/2008, -0/+1I'll gladly pay anyone eleventy bazillion dollars if they can successfully conjugate the above paragraph.
- amightywind, on 07/02/2008, -6/+11In this election where we are at war with muslim terror, military service should be a strict prerequisite. Sorry Obama. We need a President, not a talk show host.
- Opiate, on 07/02/2008, -2/+2Don't worry, Obama will is starting to play the empire tune now that he has won the primaries, he's already flip flopped on a few key issues. But in the mean time do us all a favor and sign up for the war on terr0r.
- sjm20k, on 07/02/2008, -1/+2I'm sorry, which war did Bush and Cheney fight in? Talk about your double standard.
- amightywind, on 07/02/2008, -2/+2Dick Cheney was the Defense Secretary during the wildly successful, but prematurely terminated Gulf War I. George W. Bush is a grizzled war time Commander-In-Chief who recognized the menace of Saddam and had him twisting in the wind in a few short years. Obama made a popular appearance on Oprah. Lets gace it. He need someone made of sterner stuff.
- xEn1gma, on 07/02/2008, -2/+2Hahah, grizzled Commander in Chief?
Grizzled for the fact that the wars his presidency created have resulted in horrible results.
Of course, your neocon bitch ass has said before that "we are almost victorious in Iraq".
Victorious? Shut the hell up.
Also, the menace of Saddam? How about the menace of Kim Jong?Why didn't we invade his country? Same "menacing" premise I'd say. Ever think about that you dolt? - sjm20k, on 07/02/2008, -2/+1but now you're just doing a 180 on your own requirement - cheney said himself he had "other priorities" than fighting in vietnam in the 60's (his own words, look it up) and bush has an even more hilarious military record than that. the fact that you would apologize for them after making such impulsive statements really shows that you have no interest in military service, only that the "team" you're playing for "wins". shameful.
aside from that bush is anything but grizzled - he's just along for the ride. i don't see a single iota of intellegence, foresight, or bravery in that man's eyes. cheney has intellegence, but he is the farthest thing from brave i could imagine.
obama seems like a very serious person to me from the speeches he's delivered - being so eager to kill and invade doesn't make you brave when you're sitting behind a desk the whole time. i feel like as a requisite for starting a war these days - the president should have to be on the front line, leading the battle, like they did in the past. if you truly believe what you're doing is right, you should have to fight along with everyone else who you're sending in to battle.
- banderwocky, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1In 2003, McCain said, “I absolutely don’t believe that it’s necessary” to have military service in order to be president. He also said military service alone is not a sufficient qualification to be president. Stick a fork in this old turkey, he's done!
- executorzz, on 07/02/2008, -1/+4McCain hasn't been espousing military service as the main thrust of his campaign.
In fact his 19 year old son is in the marine corp figting in Iraq right now. How many people even know that? The fact that he has not been using his son in campaign stump speeches should give some personal insight to the man. - nypix, on 07/02/2008, -1/+1"A more telling example may have come recently, when McCain found himself campaigning against an Iraq War veteran who was running for office."
Yea since being a veteran totally defines an individual, and is the first and last thing a person should be in order to run for any office. - obamayomama, on 07/02/2008, -1/+0Absolutely... being a "community activist" is a far more important quality for being President than paltry military service. What the hell is a community activist anyway? Does anyone you know actually have one of these people in their neighborhood?
- wonderworm, on 07/02/2008, -1/+1How about this service. For starters, he graduated almost last in his class of 89 people (84th), which means he's stupid and almost failed and is one of the dumbest kids in school. Idiots make great presidents right, I mean just look at what Bush did to our country? He was a crappy barely C student who almost failed out of college and bankrupted a few oil companies before Daddy finally gave him a baseball team and picked him to be Governor.
Oh and did I mention that the only reason he became a pilot was because his daddy was admiral who broke traditions of honor and appointed his son a flyer over all the other cadets even though his son couldn't fly worth beans and was an idiot. It's no wonder he personally destroyed 5 multimillion dollar planes in his short flying career by flying into telephone lines and all sorts of other dumb mistakes.
McCain and his low IQ mind was also rumored to be subjected to experimental KGB mind control techniques while he was captured and who knows why he vehemently blocked other POW families to search for their loved ones in Vietnam while he was in the senate and voted just this year to block benefits for veterans, all while he has received 59,000 yearly in disability compensation yearly from the taxpayers for 29 years! Even though he's worth over 300 million and get's paid a quarter mil to be a senator he still collects this MASSIVE disability check while blocking other truly disabled vets from getting a measly $900 bucks a month or being able to go to college after risking their lives defending our country. What an genuine A$$hole!!!!!!!!! - TheSwashbuckler, on 07/03/2008, -0/+1Don't ya know? 9/11 changed everything...
;-)
Digg is coming to a city (and computer) near you! Check out all the details on our 
© Digg Inc. 2008 —
Content posted by