McGovern Says McCain's War Experience Not a Qualification for WH: Says Clark was misunderstood

[DeepModem Mom]

Boston Globe: McGovern Says McCain's War Experience Not a Qualification for White House
July 8, 2008
By Susan Milligan, Globe staff

WASHINGTON -- He was a pilot in World War II, bombing targets in Europe to stop Hitler. But former Senator and 1972 Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern says that didn't qualify him to run the country -- and the same goes for GOP presumptive nominee John McCain.

"I don't have any regrets about that,'' the antiwar Democratic stalwart said in a brief interview yesterday on Capitol Hill. "While bombing is a terrible thing, we smashed Hitler's oil refineries all over Europe.'" "But I don't recall ever saying that experience as a bomber pilot equipped me to be very strong on how to run a war, how to command the armed forces,'' said McGovern, who will turn 86 on July 18.

Retired General Wesley Clark, a onetime candidate for president himself, raised ire when he said recently that McCain's experience in Vietnam -- while laudable -- did not qualify him to be commander-in-chief. While noting that he honored McCain's service -- including his years as a prisoner-of-war -- Clark said late last month that McCain has not held "executive responsibility,'' and added, "I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.''

The remarks on CBS's "Face the Nation'' were immediately derided by McCain's supporters. But McGovern said Clark had it right. "I think General Clark was misunderstood,'' McGovern said Tuesday evening as he visited the House chamber where he once served. "He wasn't belittling (McCain) at all.''

UPDATE:
The Republican National Committee today chided the Obama campaign over McGovern's remarks: "It's extremely disturbing and disappointing that Barack Obama's surrogates continue to attack Senator McCain's heroic military service. John McCain has always put partisanship aside to serve the best interest of the country, something Barack Obama has demonstrated an unwillingness and inability to do," RNC spokeswoman Blair Latoff said in a statement....

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/07/george_mcgovern.html

[book_worm]

1. Let's face it both Clark and McGovern are right.

[ellenfl]

2. yup . . . the repugs are spinning like crazy. eom

[Diamonique]

6. Of course they're right. And Clark wasn't misunderstood at all.

The Rethugs understood exactly what he was saying. They purposely twisted his words -- knowing that the media would jump all over it.

[bunnies]

3. And the MSM will bash Obama for it.

Again.

[Forkboy]

4. Clark was deliberately misunderstood.

Some Repubs are terrified of this angle of attack on McCain and are working feverishly to counter it. The spin is easy to see, and predictable. Whether it works or not we'll have to wait and see. But I'm glad Clark, and now McGovern, are out there saying this stuff.

[izquierdista]

5. This is great

Keep bringing this up like a greasy chiliburger! First Clark, now McGovern, who will be next to state the obvious, that sitting in a POW camp is different from sitting in the Oval Office? Maybe Al Gore can weigh in, after all, he slogged through the jungles of VietNam, but never claimed that as relevant experience for governing. Maybe some more WWII and Korean war vets can keep the issue in the spotlight -- while the Repubs run like cockroaches.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. It is valuable that we have abundant war heroes on our side.

I don't know that we have a prisoner of war -- but, on the other hand, the other side is overly abundant with chickenhawks.

[ErinBerin84]

8. lol. Usual doofus response from the RNC.

[Cassandra]

11. Laughable comment...

"John McCain has always put partisanship aside to serve the best interest of the country"

[DFLforever]

9. This is a great comment from McGovern

A former presidential candidate who was a pilot, and a much better one than McCain (as I recall he flew 25 mission without getting shot down), doesn't think his own military experience was qualification for the presidency!


Looks like Obama will continue to push this argument hard against McCain.

[Graybeard]

10. A true war hero, McG never mentioned it in his campaign.

McC on the other hand....

[Gman]

12. Clark was NOT misunderstood

Clark was distorted and his remarks were twisted by partisan swiftboat types who are trying to keep McCain from being swiftboated.

[DFLforever]

13. Yes, but McGovern's a politician so he doesn't say it that way.