McCain Lacks the Judgment to Be President

In late June, a great military hero, who deserves just as much respect as is given to John McCain, made a very good point -- McCain as a prisoner of war is a hero, but it does not automatically qualify him to be chief executive. Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a former Democratic presidential candidate now supporting Barack Obama, said strongly that John McCain's military service does not automatically qualify him to be commander in chief.
Underscoring this fact during a national television appearance on June 30 got him in trouble with the right wing swift boaters, but General Clark was right when he said that performing heroic military service is not a substitute for gaining command experience. And he said that since McCain has no more executive experience than Obama, one must focus on judgment and policies.

"In the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk," he said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "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. I certainly honor his service as a prisoner of war. He was a hero to me and to hundreds of thousands and millions of others in the armed forces, as a prisoner of war."

"He has been a voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee and he has traveled all over the world, but he hasn't held executive responsibility," Clark said. "That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded _ that wasn't a wartime squadron."

Moderator Bob Schieffer, who raised the issue by citing similar remarks Clark has made previously, noted that Obama hadn't had those experiences nor had he ridden in a fighter plane and been shot down. "Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president," Clark replied. The words contain a truth that must not be missed by the ones clouded by Republican cries of "not fair." These people crying are the same ones that make up stuff against Obama and purposefully change Palin's record to fit their script.

In a March conference call with reporters, Clark said of McCain: "Everybody admires John McCain's service as a fighter pilot, his courage as a prisoner of war. There's no issue there. He's a great man and an honorable man. But having served as a fighter pilot _ and I know my experience as a company commander in Vietnam _ that doesn't prepare you to be commander in chief in terms of dealing with the national strategic issues that are involved. It may give you a feeling for what the troops are going through in the process, but it doesn't give you the expert on national security issues in 2008. This year, we're facing the most important election in a generation."

Now General Clark, one of the wisest military men on the national stage, is backing Barak Obama because of Obama's prudent sense of judgment. Announcing his support earlier this summer, General Clark said, "As Americans, we must ask ourselves which candidate will bring about the change our country so desperately needs. In my opinion, Barack Obama is the only candidate with the judgment to move our country forward."

"The disastrous consequences of George W. Bush's poor judgment over these last 7 1/2 years are all too apparent. Now, John McCain is offering 4 more years of Bush -- while Barack Obama offers the change in direction our country so desperately needs."

Clark continued, "Barack had the judgement to oppose the war in Iraq before it began, and he is ready to bring our troops home and end the occupation of Iraq in a responsible way. John McCain has said that American troops should be willing to stay in Iraq for 100 years. troops should be willing to stay in Iraq for 100 years. Barack will engage in the diplomacy that is necessary to bring stability to the Middle East. Just like George Bush, John McCain repeatedly resorts to saber-rattling and threats about invading Iran while revealing a startling ignorance of the basic issues that define the politics of the region. It is all about judgment and the answer is clear --we need new leadership in the White House -- not George Bush's third term."

Adding fuel to General Clark's argument is McCain's recent choice of foriegn policy lightwieght to be Vice-President of the United States. McCain clearly lacks the judgment to be president.