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Now it's personal

James Forsyth

Thursday, 22nd May 2008

In my piece for the magazine after Obama effectively wrapped up the nomination on May 6th, I wrote that things would get personal very fast. Today, McCain released a scorching statement from him—not some campaign spokesmen—responding to Obama’s comments about McCain and veterans benefits

Here’s how it starts:

“It is typical, but no less offensive that Senator Obama uses the Senate floor to take cheap shots at an opponent and easy advantage of an issue he has less than zero understanding of. Let me say first in response to Senator Obama, running for President is different than serving as President. The office comes with responsibilities so serious that the occupant can’t always take the politically easy route without hurting the country he is sworn to defend. Unlike Senator Obama, my admiration, respect and deep gratitude for America’s veterans is something more than a convenient campaign pledge. I think I have earned the right to make that claim.”

McCain then goes on to talk about his own family’s service and says that he “will not accept from Senator Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did.” Somehow, I suspect that the respectful campaign that they both talk about waging won't happen.

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Lisa

May 23rd, 2008 4:27am

In high school McCain was called John McNasty becauses he liked to fight. Little McCain is still a live in this older body.. he plans to give Obama hell.

But voters will somehow be able to see the difference between the forest and the 'trees, hopefully!

Tina

May 23rd, 2008 11:35am

Sorry, what's the issue here?

Obama made an attack, McCain responded to it. Why the whinging? I know service in the Armed Forces might not mean much to cosmopolitan windbags but it means a lot to many of us outside the chattering set.

Ganpat Ram

May 23rd, 2008 3:06pm

Well said, McCain !

Talk tough like that and you will sweep the country.

Obama the conman flourishes on people like Hillary who treat his horrendous anti-American record with kid gloves.

Hit hard and ruthlessly, John !!!

TGF UKIP

May 23rd, 2008 7:48pm

WOW, this is brutal, take no prisoners stuff and I trust it gets maximum exposure in the US media. It sure marks the opening of the real campaign and scores a big one for McCain.

I continue to think that the outcome will depend on the voting demographics. Male and older for McCain, female and younger for Obama. (The Clintons are still digging though for that silver bullet from Obama's past and I'll still bet there's something there. Will it be the Clintons or the Republicans who find it?)