Alex Massie Alex Massie

McCain’s War Record

So, General Wesley Clark mouths off about John McCain on TV today, thusly:

CLARK: 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. That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded — that 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 calls, Bob. SCHIEFFER: Can I just interrupt you? I have to say, Barack Obama hasn’t had any of these experiences either, nor has he ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down. CLARK: I don’t think getting in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to become president.

Cue muchos outrage on the right and immediate distancing from the Obama campaign. Cue also some wailing and gnashing of teeth from liberal bloggers. To wit, Ezra Klein:

…There’s nothing to reject in Clark’s remarks. He not only failed to say anything untrue, he didn’t even say anything controversial. John McCain would be the first to tell you that getting shot down doesn’t prepare you for the presidency. When folks ask him about his war heroism, he’s even got a stock reply: “It doesn’t take a great deal of effort to get shot down,” he laughs. But it does take a lot of effort to constantly remind the media and the voters that you’re a WAR HERO. Which is why the McCain campaign is gearing up against Clark’s comments. Whether it’s relevant to McCain’s fitness for office or not, his war heroism is central to his chances in this election.

And Scott Lemieux:

Clark did not question the veracity of his war record; he attacked its relevance.

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