Max Cleland Calls Out Chickenhawk Cheney

[Bob Geiger]

Former Democratic Senator and highly-decorated Vietnam Veteran Max Cleland appeared on CNN with Wolf Blitzer today and clearly has little patience left for listening to White House Chickenhawks talk about how war should be conducted.

Blitzer had Cleland watch a clip of Dick Cheney speaking today before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee 2007 Policy Conference when Cheney said this:

"When members of Congress speak not of victory, but of time limits -- when members speak not of victory but of time limits, deadlines or other arbitrary measures, they're telling the enemy simply to watch the clock and wait us out."

Blitzer then asked Cleland what he would say to Cheney if he could "sit down with the vice president and have a direct, one-on-one meeting with him." Here's Cleland's response:

"Where the hell were you in the Vietnam War? If you had gone to Vietnam like the rest of us, maybe you would have learned something about war. You can't keep troops on the ground forever. You gotta have a mission. You gotta have a purpose.

"You can't keep sending 'em back and back and back with no mission and no purpose. As a matter of fact, the real enemy is Al Qaeda, it's Al Qaeda stupid, it's not in Iraq."

Blitzer asked Cleland what he would say to George W. Bush and he responded as follows:

"You screwed up royally when you said four years ago 'major combat over, mission accomplished, bring 'em on.' That means you should have gone to Vietnam and learned that you don’t challenge guerillas that way -- people who want to blow themselves up just to take you out.

"That's exactly what we've got going on in Iraq, that's what we've got going on in Afghanistan. We're in deep trouble and we're not even chasing the enemy. We're just bogged down in Baghdad with no hope of getting out under this administration."

Like a man talking to boys, isn’t it?

You can see the whole clip at Crooks and Liars.

You can read more from Bob at BobGeiger.com.

[fooj]

1. Wasn't that a thing of beauty?

:applause: Way to tell it like it is, Max!

[Fridays Child]

7. You took the words right out of my mouth.

:woohoo:

[ellenfl]

11. it truly was a thing of beauty. eom

[purduejake]

22. Yea, too bad most Dems aren't like this.

They really ought to be. I think the election was a mandate for this, if there is such a thing.

[Monkeyman]

2. Brother Max take no shit and gives it out

He should be a Senator still

[Greeby]

4. Any chance of persuading him to run for his old seat?

:shrug:

[Monkeyman]

10. He says no but we are working on him

Man I tell you when he gives you one of his hugs. Its one of the greatest things you can feel

[PsN2Wind]

18. Hope you convince him Monkeyman

Gotta appreciate a guy in a wheelchair still having enough legs to kick CrashCarts sorry ass.

[The Wizard]

28. A hug from Max

changes you. The three times I met him were inspirational to say the least. Max is one of my heroes. The next president should make him defense secretary. He gets the big picture and can break it down for anyone to understand. He's asking questions the of the punk-ass neocons that should have been asked in the 04 campaign.
Their inexperience in war and will to send others to serve as cannon fodder for their war profiteering, foreign invasion and occupation should send a strong message. They are criminals of the worst order. No pejorative or invective can really describe them. They are a scourge upon mankind, bent on stealing as much as possible before being run out of the country.
What happened to Max at Rove's hand in 02 was about as immoral as a political campaign could be. The lesson taken from that sordid affair is the Republicans are the enemy and when you have them by the nuts squeeze harder and twist with extreme prejudice.
Make them talk about their military experience. Make them uncomfortable at every turn. Never let up until they are motionless and face down with a heel firmly planted in their collective necks.
Ah, that felt good.

[vanboggie]

31. Very well put, Wizard!

Excellent post!

[The Wizard]

34. I'm not really a wizard

but I play one on DU. Thanks for the compliment. Max just inspires me.

[vanboggie]

45. That's right

It's CHENEY we have to expose behind the curtain.

[purduejake]

23. Or the presidency?

I don't even know his record that well, but this is a breath of fresh air I've been longing for.

[MadMaddie]

5. Amen Monkeyman Amen

Max Cleland is saying what our current Congress members should be saying

Bless Max Cleland!!

[CrazyOrangeCat]

9. yes he should

maybe he will be again.

[Dinger]

3. Tellin' Like It Is, That's My Max!

And knowing Max, he was probably holdong back.

[panader0]

6. Three limbs gone and Max could still whip him.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

8. proud K&R

:patriot:

that's tellin' the chickenshit bastards.

[ourbluenation]

12. abigasskickandrecommend - preach it Sen. Cleland.

:kick:

[C_U_L8R]

13. Cheney makes me all nostalgic

for the days of tarring and feathering.

It's only fitting that Chickenhawks should wear their own uniform

(agent mike.. it's only poetical waxing... errr. you know)

[AshevilleGuy]

14. He is a genuine American hero!

If we can get the WH back, he would be a perfect Sec'y of Defense!!

[JohnnyLib2]

15. We really need this man back in office. ASAP.

[Monkeyman]

16. Telling it like it is

[Elidor]

27. Yes we do!

This man is such a passionate advocate for the health and welfare of American veterans, it is a crime that he is not in charge of all their affairs. America could not possibly do better than Max Cleland.

[colinmom71]

33. Sorry, but that's not going to happen...

My husband met him yesterday and they spoke for a moment or two. Husband asked Mr. Cleland if he'd ever run for office again, and his answer was essentially "hell no". After the shameful way he was treated during the 2002 campaigns, I can't blame him a bit for feeling that way.

I dont know if he's also excluding an appointment within the Cabinet of a future Democratic administration though... He could likely do a world of good as head of VA or even Sec. of Defense...

[JohnnyLib2]

36. Too bad in a way about not running, BUT

he carries a lot of weight and authority and can make useful points as is.
Remarkable man!

[Forkboy]

17. Fuckin' A!

:applause:

[TacticalPeek]

19. Oorah!

Like it is.

:kick:

[ProSense]

20. Thanks for posting. Max Cleland is a great. n/t

[Lena inRI]

21. BIG THANKFUL HUG TO YA, SENATOR-SHOULD-BE CLELAND

:kick: :hug: :kick: :hug: :kick:



The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually to up to four Stetson University alumni who, through outstanding achievement in their lives and professions, have brought distinction and special recognition to Stetson University. Joseph Maxwell Cleland, BA '64, Hon '77

[TwilightGardener]

24. Mad Max--go baby! When you lose three limbs in Vietnam, you are

automatically given a free ticket to ripping "5 Deferments" a new asshole. He did not waste his opportunity!

[WillyT]

25. Way Ta Go Max !!! - K & R !!!

:applause::woohoo::applause:

[politicasista]

26. K&R

:kick:

[Triana]

29. Max Cleland is an American Hero...

...God Bless Him!

[Hekate]

30. I wish I'd seen that. I can't stand Wolfie, but I would gladly tune in for Sen. Cleland...

The Repub party as it is constituted today has zero respect for the troops and the vets, as they have demonstrated over and over again.

Max Cleland lost his senatorial seat in a Rovian dirty election. If he won't run again, I'd love to see him back at Veterans Affairs in the new Democratic administration in 2008.

Reading the references in this thread to "a Max Cleland hug" gave me goose-bumps.

Best of health to this warrior.

Hekate

[MissMarple]

52. Maybe Olbermann will have it. Otherwise we will be gifted with a link sooner or later.

Hopefully sooner rather than later. :)

[Eurobabe]

32. Good for Cleland, calling these pricks out.

K & R.

[SpiralHawk]

35. republicon chickenhawks - get called on their cowardly BS

Thank you Max. Another US veteran who served honorably and who was trashed by the chickenhawk republicons who so hate anyone who served America with honor. Bush, Cheney, and the other republicon chickenhawks can just shut up and sit down.

[raccoon]

37. Max Cleland has cojones! About time somebody started telling

it like is about those Chickenhawks!

(Remember when people used to "tell it like it is?" Maybe there'll be a resurgence of that. Let's hope.)

[blm]

38. Max was doing this during 2004 campaign, too, as Kerry's spokesman, but corpmedia

wouldn't give him 5% of the airtime and coverage they gave freely to the swiftliars and Bush's spokespeople.

[CottonBear]

41. Didn't he go to the gate to Chimpy's ranch and deliver a letter? n/t

[blm]

43. Yes - against the swifts - media treated him like he was crazy and 'desperate'

for attention.

[CottonBear]

44. Mr. Cleland was my senator and my GA SoS before that.

Saxby "Sack of Shit" Chamblis (senator R-GA) should burn in hell for running that political advertisement comparing Cleland to Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. :grr:

[paparush]

39. ... it's Al Qaeda stupid

Now THAT sounds like a campaign platform (or at least one big mo-fo plank in the platform)


IT'S
AL QAEDA
STUPID!!

[IWantAChange]

40. Repukes have Cheney - we have Max - 'nuff said.

[Mad_Dem_X]

42. Bravo, Sir!

Kick ass!

[Jack Rabbit]

46. I love straight, no nonsense talk

Cleland was direct and to the point.

[PurpleChez]

47. Max Cleland -- one of the only things that make me proud to live in Georgia.

I wouldn't piss in Saxby Chambliss's face if his head was on fire.

No...wait...I guess I would. How could you pass up the opportunity?

[Robson]

48. I agree with everything he said..but

I agree 100% with everything he said, except I wish Max would slow down and come across a little less intense, because it detracts from his message. There's a happy medium where a message starts to lose its effectiveness if it is given with too much speed and intensity. As the OP said Max has lost patience with those such as Cheney and the GOP.

Have any others thought the same thing or is this just an observation that only clicks with me?

[Stinky The Clown]

49. Every time I see or hear Max, I think of Saxby Chambliss

And I see the direct comparison between a man and hero and a criminal and snake.

[blm]

54. Chambliss didn't beat Cleland - BushInc rigged voting machines to get Chambliss

in office.

[Dr Fate]

50. I wish that he was a VP contender. n/t

n/t

[MissMarple]

51. How many ways to say TALKING POINTS.

Here's a clap of the hands for Max. :applause: :bounce: :applause:

[MethuenProgressive]

53. Max would kick Cheney's ass in a fight.

And I'd pay to see it.

[Uncle Joe]

55. Kicked,

too late to recommend.

Thanks for the thread Bob Geiger