Democrat Attacks On McCain's Military Service Demonstrate That Obama's "New Politics" Are Just Words
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Today, Democrat Foreign Policy Adviser Rand Beers Took Aim At McCain's Military Service:
Rand Beers, An Informal Obama Adviser, Said McCain's Former POW Status Would Hurt His Ability To Lead. "While Barack Obama was urging supporters not to devalue the military service of rival John McCain, an informal Obama adviser argued Monday that the former POW's isolation during the Vietnam War has hobbled the Arizona senator's capacity as a war-time leader." (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
Beers: "Sadly, Sen. McCain was not available during those times, and I say that with all due respect to him. ... I think that the notion that the members of the Senate who were in the ground forces or who were ashore in Vietnam have a very different view of Vietnam and the cost that you described than John McCain does because he was in isolation essentially for many of those years and did not experience the turmoil here or the challenges that were involved for those of us who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam war." (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
Beers: "So I think ... to some extent his national security experience in that regard is sadly limited and I think it is reflected in some of the ways that he thinks about how U.S. forces might be committed to conflicts around the world." (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
NOTE: The Obama Campaign Did Not Have An Immediate Response When Asked If Beers' Remarks Diminished McCain's Service. "Asked if the comments by Beers diminished McCain's service, [Obama Campaign Press Secretary Bill] Burton had no immediate response." (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
Beers Made His Anti-McCain Remarks At The Liberal Center For American Progress Action Fund. "The Beers remarks, which were made at the liberal Center for American Progress Action Fund in Washington, D.C...." (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
The Center For American Progress Action Fund Has Taken The Lead On Attacking McCain, Hosting A Series Of Anti-McCain Policy Panels Dubbed "McCain University." "CAPAF, which is the political arm of a liberal think tank headed by former Clinton White House chief of staff John Podesta, has been taking the lead for Democrats on dissecting McCain's policy proposals. CAPAF's Monday series of four policy panels on the economy, health care, foreign policy, and energy was dubbed 'McCain University.'" (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
Just Yesterday, Gen. Wesley Clark Attacked McCain's Military Service:
Gen. Clark: "But he hasn't held executive responsibility. That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded? It wasn't a wartime squadron. 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 this publicly?' He hasn't made those points Bob." (CBS' "Face The Nation," 6/29/08)
CBS' Bob Schieffer: "Well, General, could I just interrupt you. 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." Gen. Clark: "Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President." (CBS' "Face The Nation," 6/29/08)
Gen. Clark's Attack On McCain Contradicts Obama's Promise For A New Kind Of Politics:
"Senator Barack Obama Often Offers A Crisp Sales Pitch To Voters, Imploring Them To Be Part Of Something New, Different And Hopeful. 'If You Want A New Kind Of Politics,' He Says, 'It's Time To Turn The Page.'" (Jeff Zeleny, "A New Kind Of Politics Closely Resembles The Old," The New York Times, 6/16/07)
Obama: "We've got to get beyond the small politics ... the slash and burn politics that have become the custom in Washington." ("Obama Denounces 'Slash And Burn' Politics," The Associated Press, 2/19/07)
Obama: "We don't want the small, timid, slash and burn, negative campaigning of the past." (Josh Hafenbrack, "Obama Barack Obama Calls For New Political Spirit During South Florida Campaign Swing," [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Sun Sentinel, 3/26/07)
Obama: "I know that in Washington it is acceptable to say or do anything it takes to get elected, but I really don't think that is the kind of politics that is good for our party, and I don't think it is good for our country, and I think that the American people will reject it in this election." (Ben Smith, "Obama: Clinton Rewrites History," The Politico's "Ben Smith" Blog, www.politico.com, 1/13/08)
FLASHBACK: Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) Attacked McCain's Character And Military Service:
Sen. Rockefeller: "McCain was a fighter pilot, who dropped laser-guided missiles from 35,000 feet. He was long gone when they hit. What happened when they [the missiles] get to the ground? He doesn't know. You have to care about the lives of people. McCain never gets into those issues." (Paul J. Nyden, "Jay Defends Endorsement Of Sen. Obama," The Charleston Gazette, 4/8/08)
Townhall's Matt Lewis: "This is the second incident in less than a week where we have seen an Obama surrogate -- not just questioning Sen. McCain's ideas -- but directly attacking his character, integrity, and war experience. Is this a pattern we should get used to?" (Matt Lewis, "Another Obama Surrogate Attacks McCain's Honor," Townhall's "Blog," www.townhall.com, 4/8/08)
FLASHBACK: Obama Failed To Condemn Remarks From Obama Supporter Ed Schultz:
Obama Surrogate Talk Radio Host Ed Schultz Warmed Up Crowd By Calling McCain "A Warmonger." "But Mr. Schultz, a supporter of Senator Barack Obama, may have gone too far late Friday when he called Senator John McCain 'a warmonger.' Mr. Schultz made the remarks while revving up a group of Obama supporters at a $100-a-head fund raiser at the North Dakota Democratic Party's convention in Grand Forks." (Larry Rohter, "McCain Called A 'Warmonger' At Obama Event," The New York Times' "The Caucus" Blog, www.nytimes.com, 4/5/08)
MSBNC's First Read: "The Obama Campaign Didn't Condemn Schultz's Remark..." "As mentioned earlier, the Obama campaign didn't condemn Schultz's remark, but issued this statement: 'John McCain is not a warmonger and should not be described as such. He's a supporter of a war that Senator Obama believes should have never been authorized and never been waged.'" (Mark Murray, "McCain On The 'Warmonger' Remark," MSNBC's "First Read" Blog, firstread.msnbc.msn.com, 4/5/08)
FLASHBACK: Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) Criticized McCain's Service In The Military:
Sen. Harkin Said McCain's Views Come "From Always Having Been In The Military, And I Think That Can Be Pretty Dangerous." "Republican presidential candidate John McCain's family background as the son and grandson of admirals has given him a worldview shaped by the military, 'and he has a hard time thinking beyond that,' Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Ia., said Friday. 'I think he's trapped in that,' Harkin said in a conference call with Iowa reporters. 'Everything is looked at from his life experiences, from always having been in the military, and I think that can be pretty dangerous.'" (Jane Norman, "Harkin: McCain Too 'Military,'" The Des Moines Register, 5/17/08)
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Today, Democrat Foreign Policy Adviser Rand Beers Took Aim At McCain's Military Service:
Rand Beers, An Informal Obama Adviser, Said McCain's Former POW Status Would Hurt His Ability To Lead. "While Barack Obama was urging supporters not to devalue the military service of rival John McCain, an informal Obama adviser argued Monday that the former POW's isolation during the Vietnam War has hobbled the Arizona senator's capacity as a war-time leader." (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
Beers: "Sadly, Sen. McCain was not available during those times, and I say that with all due respect to him. ... I think that the notion that the members of the Senate who were in the ground forces or who were ashore in Vietnam have a very different view of Vietnam and the cost that you described than John McCain does because he was in isolation essentially for many of those years and did not experience the turmoil here or the challenges that were involved for those of us who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam war." (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
Beers: "So I think ... to some extent his national security experience in that regard is sadly limited and I think it is reflected in some of the ways that he thinks about how U.S. forces might be committed to conflicts around the world." (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
NOTE: The Obama Campaign Did Not Have An Immediate Response When Asked If Beers' Remarks Diminished McCain's Service. "Asked if the comments by Beers diminished McCain's service, [Obama Campaign Press Secretary Bill] Burton had no immediate response." (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
Beers Made His Anti-McCain Remarks At The Liberal Center For American Progress Action Fund. "The Beers remarks, which were made at the liberal Center for American Progress Action Fund in Washington, D.C...." (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
The Center For American Progress Action Fund Has Taken The Lead On Attacking McCain, Hosting A Series Of Anti-McCain Policy Panels Dubbed "McCain University." "CAPAF, which is the political arm of a liberal think tank headed by former Clinton White House chief of staff John Podesta, has been taking the lead for Democrats on dissecting McCain's policy proposals. CAPAF's Monday series of four policy panels on the economy, health care, foreign policy, and energy was dubbed 'McCain University.'" (Teddy Davis and Molly Hunter, "Dem Guru: McCain Limited By POW Years," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 6/30/08)
Just Yesterday, Gen. Wesley Clark Attacked McCain's Military Service:
Gen. Clark: "But he hasn't held executive responsibility. That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded? It wasn't a wartime squadron. 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 this publicly?' He hasn't made those points Bob." (CBS' "Face The Nation," 6/29/08)
CBS' Bob Schieffer: "Well, General, could I just interrupt you. 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." Gen. Clark: "Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President." (CBS' "Face The Nation," 6/29/08)
Gen. Clark's Attack On McCain Contradicts Obama's Promise For A New Kind Of Politics:
"Senator Barack Obama Often Offers A Crisp Sales Pitch To Voters, Imploring Them To Be Part Of Something New, Different And Hopeful. 'If You Want A New Kind Of Politics,' He Says, 'It's Time To Turn The Page.'" (Jeff Zeleny, "A New Kind Of Politics Closely Resembles The Old," The New York Times, 6/16/07)
Obama: "We've got to get beyond the small politics ... the slash and burn politics that have become the custom in Washington." ("Obama Denounces 'Slash And Burn' Politics," The Associated Press, 2/19/07)
Obama: "We don't want the small, timid, slash and burn, negative campaigning of the past." (Josh Hafenbrack, "Obama Barack Obama Calls For New Political Spirit During South Florida Campaign Swing," [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Sun Sentinel, 3/26/07)
Obama: "I know that in Washington it is acceptable to say or do anything it takes to get elected, but I really don't think that is the kind of politics that is good for our party, and I don't think it is good for our country, and I think that the American people will reject it in this election." (Ben Smith, "Obama: Clinton Rewrites History," The Politico's "Ben Smith" Blog, www.politico.com, 1/13/08)
FLASHBACK: Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) Attacked McCain's Character And Military Service:
Sen. Rockefeller: "McCain was a fighter pilot, who dropped laser-guided missiles from 35,000 feet. He was long gone when they hit. What happened when they [the missiles] get to the ground? He doesn't know. You have to care about the lives of people. McCain never gets into those issues." (Paul J. Nyden, "Jay Defends Endorsement Of Sen. Obama," The Charleston Gazette, 4/8/08)
Townhall's Matt Lewis: "This is the second incident in less than a week where we have seen an Obama surrogate -- not just questioning Sen. McCain's ideas -- but directly attacking his character, integrity, and war experience. Is this a pattern we should get used to?" (Matt Lewis, "Another Obama Surrogate Attacks McCain's Honor," Townhall's "Blog," www.townhall.com, 4/8/08)
FLASHBACK: Obama Failed To Condemn Remarks From Obama Supporter Ed Schultz:
Obama Surrogate Talk Radio Host Ed Schultz Warmed Up Crowd By Calling McCain "A Warmonger." "But Mr. Schultz, a supporter of Senator Barack Obama, may have gone too far late Friday when he called Senator John McCain 'a warmonger.' Mr. Schultz made the remarks while revving up a group of Obama supporters at a $100-a-head fund raiser at the North Dakota Democratic Party's convention in Grand Forks." (Larry Rohter, "McCain Called A 'Warmonger' At Obama Event," The New York Times' "The Caucus" Blog, www.nytimes.com, 4/5/08)
MSBNC's First Read: "The Obama Campaign Didn't Condemn Schultz's Remark..." "As mentioned earlier, the Obama campaign didn't condemn Schultz's remark, but issued this statement: 'John McCain is not a warmonger and should not be described as such. He's a supporter of a war that Senator Obama believes should have never been authorized and never been waged.'" (Mark Murray, "McCain On The 'Warmonger' Remark," MSNBC's "First Read" Blog, firstread.msnbc.msn.com, 4/5/08)
FLASHBACK: Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) Criticized McCain's Service In The Military:
Sen. Harkin Said McCain's Views Come "From Always Having Been In The Military, And I Think That Can Be Pretty Dangerous." "Republican presidential candidate John McCain's family background as the son and grandson of admirals has given him a worldview shaped by the military, 'and he has a hard time thinking beyond that,' Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Ia., said Friday. 'I think he's trapped in that,' Harkin said in a conference call with Iowa reporters. 'Everything is looked at from his life experiences, from always having been in the military, and I think that can be pretty dangerous.'" (Jane Norman, "Harkin: McCain Too 'Military,'" The Des Moines Register, 5/17/08)
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