Stormin’ Norman set to endorse…
posted at 9:05 am on January 23, 2008 by Bryan
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One of Florida’s most famous military men, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, has put his weight behind Sen. John McCain’s bid for the presidency today.
“Stormin’ Norman” Schwarzkopf, a retired four-star general who was commander of the Coalition Forces in the 1991 Gulf War, became well known to most Americans with his daily, televised press conferences describing the course of the war. As the co-author of the plan for Operation Desert Storm, Schwarzkopf’s strategy was so successful that the ground war concluded in just four days.
“Sen. John McCain has served our country with honor in war and in peace,” Schwarzkopf said in a statement. “He has demonstrated the type of leadership our country sorely needs at this time. For that reason, he has my complete support.”
Can you be completely unsurprised by something, yet disappointed when it actually happens? If you can, then I am.
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Does anyone really care what he thinks?
Wade on January 23, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Me too. Of course I’m getting disgusted with the whole race.
boomer on January 23, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Yea, some of us do.
bnelson44 on January 23, 2008 at 9:11 AM
I am supporting the Stormin’ Mormon.
EJDolbow on January 23, 2008 at 9:12 AM
A military man supporting a military man. What Romney needs is an endorsement from the that Mad Money guy and/or Donald Trump.
AbaddonsReign on January 23, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Whatever…He may have been a good general, but he sucks as a Constitutionalist.
Tim Burton on January 23, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Dittoes.
I guess how I rationalize it is that Schwarzkopf is looking at McCain’s position on the GWOT- where he has been consistent and correct. Unfortunately, that’s a small part of the very unpleasant package that is John McCain.
Any candidate that calls me unpatriotic because I don’t support amnesty for illegals is unworthy of my vote.
highhopes on January 23, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Me too, Bryan. No surprise that he’d throw his weight behind the “military candidate”, but still disappointing.
Then again, when has Schwartzkopf been even mentioned in the last few political cycles? His claim to fame is fast approaching twenty years old at this point — and in the digital age that has arisen since then, 20 years is ancient history for name recognition and clout.
What’s next? News stories about who Ross Perot supports? Heck, Perot actually ran for the presidency. His choice would actually be more interesting to me than Schwatsisname’s.
Harpazo on January 23, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Trump is a raging leftist and that Mad Money guy is just one step above infomercial material. My suggestion would be a Clintonian strategy like getting 100 economists and business leaders to sign a letter supporting Romney’s economic plan.
highhopes on January 23, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Part of McCain’s problem is that he governs as a military commander where everyone is expected to follow orders, and not as a representative of We the People.
Buy Danish on January 23, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Just because someone has stars on his shoulders does not mean he can sway my support for a candidate. And he throws it to McCain The Pain, he can do so until his face turns blue and it is not going to change my opinion of the goof. I would rather chew on a roll of aluminum foil than support that lunkhead from Arizona.
pilamaye on January 23, 2008 at 9:26 AM
“You and I know our veterans’ health care is not what it should be,” McCain said in front of some 500 supporters (many vets) at the Pensacola Junior College gymnasium on Tuesday. “What happened at Walter Reed Hospital was a disgrace, when we had members of our military living in conditions that were not acceptable. We’re going to have to do more.”
…
U.S. Sen. John Warner, R-Va., who formerly was secretary of the Navy, appeared on stage with McCain. Nearby, in the reserved seating, were five Northwest Florida residents who also were prisoners of war — retired Air Force Col. George “Bud” Day, retired Navy Cmdr. Robert Flynn, retired Navy Capt. Mike Cronin, retired Rear Adm. Bob Shumaker and retired Navy Capt. Allen Brady.
“It’s his character — that’s what sets him apart,” said Day, a Medal of Honor recipient and Fort Walton Beach attorney who shared a cell at the “Hanoi Hilton” with McCain during the Vietnam War. “He’s the only candidate with combat experience, and he’s absolutely consistent in his philosophy.”
Recently, McCain has come under fire from some conservatives — including well-known radio hosts Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity — who charge that he’s not a true conservative.
Day would have none of it.
“It does upset me,” Day said. “He’s been a consistent Republican. We talked about Republicanism back in 1967, and one of our mutual choices for president when we got out of prison was Ronald Reagan.”
http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080123/NEWS01/801230373/1006
bnelson44 on January 23, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Yeah, I do.
Unpersuasive and disappointing, but powerful nonetheless.
Jaibones on January 23, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Schwarzkopf’s just worried that he’s going to be the guy who has to call that soldier serving in Iraq to tell him his mother’s being deported.
World B. Free on January 23, 2008 at 9:33 AM
Another Poll Says McCain Leads Jersey
Rudy had a 26 point lead in NJ in Dec.
bnelson44 on January 23, 2008 at 9:33 AM
LMAO
beatcanvas on January 23, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Ex-Military endorsing an ex-military “war hero” politician. It’s not so surprising, it’s just more identity politics.
I agree.
In spite of his ‘war hero” status, McCains record on immigration is ant-American.
Frank DiGiorgio on January 23, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Not me. And anybody who supports McCain has zero credibility IMHO.
Zetterson on January 23, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Yeah, and Hitler and Goering were combat vets too.
thekingtut on January 23, 2008 at 9:42 AM
FINALLY! An endorsement from somebody whose opinion matters! (Not that I’m gonna vote for McCain).
Tony737 on January 23, 2008 at 9:42 AM
I’m a retired Air Force officer and I endorse Mitt Romney for President of the United States. My endorsement probably has as much influence on voters as General Schwarzkopf. These endorsements are worthless.
liberty on January 23, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Well, that locks up the vote in Norman’s household. That’s about it. Oh, well, and the MSM will try to make this sound like a big deal. In fact, for Norman to get ANY coverage on this, he HAS to endorse the MSM darling, McCain.
No matter. This will be forgotten by tomorrow.
Sugar Land on January 23, 2008 at 9:45 AM
I wonder if Gen. Tommy Franks will weigh in.
KelliD on January 23, 2008 at 9:46 AM
The Salt Lake Olympic Committe was mired in scandle and deeply in debt. Who did they look for to clean it up and save them financially? Mitt Romney! Did he deliver? Only one word can describe it: Wow! The most successful Olympics ever both as an Olympic event and financially. It made money, something that had never been done before.
When Bain Financial, a business consulting firm, ran into financial trouble, who did they call? Mitt Romney, the business consultants consultant. Did he deliver? Big time. Turned things around and put it on a firm financial foundation.
When the Peoples Republic of Mass. was deeply in debt, businesses were leaving the state and the ruling party could only see one solution: Higher Taxes; who did they call? Mitt Romney. Did he deliver? In stellar fashion. Reversed the economic situation, cut taxes and business started to return. He combined or eliminated government departments that duplicated services. He even got the ruling communist party (spelled Democrat) to go along.
When Mitt suggested they solve the problems with medical insurance he called in the Heritage Foundation, examined the current delivery systems and funding, reallocated revenue from existing sources and implemented a system that makes it possible for everyone to purchase private insurance they can afford. Not Hillary Care. Not socialized medicine.
Mitt solves problems or turns them into opportunities.
What problem would anyone call John McCain to solve?
If there was an illegal alien in my back yard, Amnesty John would guide him into my house, and help him make the bed.
If I were Hillary I would be quaking in my boots at facing Mitt. How can she beat him with the universal health insurance club? He was successful where she failed. Could she beat him with an economic stick? She has never run a corner drug store (and neither has John McCain).
Mitt, save us from John McCain!
The Rock on January 23, 2008 at 9:49 AM
I agree with Schwarzkopf that McCain has served our country honorably in war.
Dusty on January 23, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Here is McCain’s press release on the endorsement:
General Norman Schwarzkopf Endorses John McCain For President
ARLINGTON, VA — Today, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, U.S. Army (Ret.) issued the following statement endorsing John McCain for President of the United States:
“Senator John McCain has served our country with honor in war and in peace. He has demonstrated the type of courageous leadership our country sorely needs at this time. For that reason, he has my complete support.”
John McCain thanked General Schwarzkopf for his support, stating, “General Norman Schwarzkopf’s distinguished lifetime of service and uncommon devotion to our nation has earned him the respect and admiration of the American people. I am honored by his support.”
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/Read.aspx?guid=2c677fa5-dd17-49f8-bf30-e972eee012cd
bnelson44 on January 23, 2008 at 9:52 AM
McCain Endorsed by Over 100 Admirals and Generals
bnelson44 on January 23, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Generals are better at warfare, if they’ll fight, than politics.
Especially like the generals who allowed Saddam’s attack helicopters to terrorize the Iraqi uprising, which they encouraged, and then sat and watched the predictable slaughter, and did nothing.
Until U.S. and world opinion forced them to finally react to the Baathist terror and establish “no-fly zones”.
Not a great record, Norm.
McCain ain’t too swift, either.
And I’ve got a $50 head of lettuce that tells me so.
profitsbeard on January 23, 2008 at 9:54 AM
This is just another in a long line of military endorsements of candidates with lousy ideals. Colin Powell is the more recent example that comes to mind.
csdeven on January 23, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Schwarzkopf, while a brilliant man is overrated.
Lt. Col USMC = General US Army
TheSitRep on January 23, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Why? His accomplishments were 17 years ago. Thank you Norman for your service, not relax and enjoy your retirement. He is as irrelevant today as Jimmy Carter.
Wade on January 23, 2008 at 9:54 AM
yes.
trailortrash on January 23, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Wade on January 23, 2008 at 9:55 AM
National security trumps all other legs of the conservative stool. McCain can beat Hillary. I am not confident that Mitt can. Lots of evangelical Republicans may stay home rather than vote for Mitt in the general election.
Beating Hillary is more important than everything else in my opinion. If McCain wins we need to accept it and help him… the perfect should not be the enemy of the good.
A neocon’s opinion anyway…
stillaneocon on January 23, 2008 at 9:56 AM
I know exactly what you mean. I feel your disappointment.
Frozen Tex on January 23, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Norman, SHUT UP AND SOLDIER!
The only endorsement that will matter will be one from Petraeus. And that ain’t happening.
csdeven on January 23, 2008 at 9:57 AM
I see a lot of grumbling here, but when McCain wins the nomination, I suspect most conservative Republicans will fall behind him. I’ve heard Hugh Hewitt say he’ll support McCain in a general election, and if the alternative is Hillary, most Republicans will hold their noses and follow suit.
The perfect is the enemy of the good, and while McCain is hardly a “perfect” conservative, he can actually win the general election. And that’s why he’s going to get the nomination.
Damian P. on January 23, 2008 at 9:57 AM
I couldn’t find the video, but anybody remember Chris Farley doing Schwarzkopf on SNL…”I want Holyfield! I want Holy Field! Caesar’s Palace…You’ve seen what these guns can do in the Middle East…Now see what they can do in the ring!” Ah, funny stuff.
CP on January 23, 2008 at 9:58 AM
I’ve been wanting to hear from Stormin’ Norman for years. Now I wish he would have stayed silent.
whitetop on January 23, 2008 at 9:58 AM
I don’t think you would understand.
bnelson44 on January 23, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Active duty officers shouldn’t endorse anyone.
bnelson44 on January 23, 2008 at 10:00 AM
YOu want to explain that?
Wade on January 23, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I think the Tom Coburn endorsement, for me was more surprising and had more impact.
Complete7 on January 23, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Did I say any different?
csdeven on January 23, 2008 at 10:04 AM
And besides that, ask yourself who is more likely to listen to us. A left-leaning Republican like McCain or a far left wing Marxist like Nurse Ratched. Especially when we win back the House and Senate.
CurtZHP on January 23, 2008 at 10:12 AM
The endorsement helps burnish the perception that McCain is more trusted than Romney to handle matters of war. Probably worth a few votes in Florida.
Mitt should focus on financial uncertainty. Recession looms and Mitt has more credibility than McCain on financial matters. Maverick will, no doubt, edge out Mitt among voters if the issue is national defense.
dedalus on January 23, 2008 at 10:14 AM
All these military folks endorsing McCain is gonna put a lot of pressure on President Romney to appoint him Secretary of Defense. I’m okay with that.
Dusty on January 23, 2008 at 10:17 AM
“Can you be completely unsurprised by something, yet disappointed when it actually happens? If you can, then I am.”
Yes.
Fred Thompson and his campaign.
I was excited when Fred entered the race because he carried a Conservative view and message that all the other candidates lacked. I also knew deep down that he had no chance of winning the nomination. Fred’s withdrawal was expected but yet still disappointing. Regardless of how Fred’s campaign was managed or mismanaged, true conservative ideals will not be allowed to prosper. There is not enough support of the conservative movement in America any longer.
No matter how many conservative voices we hear or read about on blogs, the truth of the matter is that a majority of the public are sheep. Knowledge is power and he that controls what people know can greatly influence how people act or vote. Those of us that pay attention to reality see that demonstrated everyday.
Things will get worse before they get better and that is just the bitter truth.
SwampRat on January 23, 2008 at 10:17 AM
If you think loosing this election is the key to winning the next one, maybe we should check with Rudy on the tactic of loosing elections as a path to victory.
dedalus on January 23, 2008 at 10:18 AM
They can also check with the people who voted for Perot in 92. Not only did we get 4 years of Clinton, we got an extra 4 of The Clenis AND a possible 4 years of the socialist Hillary.
csdeven on January 23, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I heard an interview with him where he was down on invading Iraq. Great soldier, wrong politics.
Hening on January 23, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Now that’s a tagline!
JustTruth101 on January 23, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Hangin’s too good for ‘im.
BURNIN’S TOO GOOD FOR HIM!
He should be torn into little bits and pieces and buried alive!! Raaawwrr!!
urbancenturion on January 23, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Democrat versus Democrat for the November race. And another chance to vote for the lesser of two evils. It don’t get no better than this!!!
And that’s the problem folks.
Griz on January 23, 2008 at 10:45 AM
With everyone seeming to pull for McCain, I can see myself going to the polls in Nov and voting for everything but President.
How did the Rebublican party get so screwed up?
dblds on January 23, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Hey, Brian.
Where’d you get that picture? Schwarzkopf was Army, not Air Force — why’s he wearing blue?
(Looks like a “touched up” version of this: http://tinyurl.com/3cto96 Did you do this because McCain leans blue and I’m just missing the joke?)
chrisro on January 23, 2008 at 10:49 AM
He has been out of service long enough to now have the same credibility of “Don’t muck with Chuck Norris”, Howard Stern, Joe Rogan and John “I served in VietNam” Kerry.
I think it is time for people to quit worrying about who some has-been endorses and use their brain to determine who THEY themselves should support.
Sure, I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the service of Stormin’ Norman S., but that doesn’t mean he has more intelligence or insight as to who should be President.
cat-scratch on January 23, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I’m not suggesting we lose this one to win another one. I’m suggesting we win this one all around. Not just the White House, but Congress as well. With the current Dem controlled Congress’s approval ratings in the toilet, that should be easy. (I know….”Famous last words.”)
CurtZHP on January 23, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Me, too, Bryan. Unfortunately, this says a helluva lot more about Stormin’ Norman than I ever wanted to know. I’d rather not know that his judgment is so poor, and that he’d succumb to identity politics rather than what’s good for the nation.
My initial response when I saw this was: “Ick.”
Redhead Infidel on January 23, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I’m not sure if a lot of people know this, but many in the military never liked Schwarzkopf. This was mainly felt in the SpecOps community, but other places as well. For most of his carreer he had an open disdain for SpecOps. I know when I got to LRSC it was talked about (and I wasn’t there until well after Desert Storm was over). This may give him credibility with some people, but not with me.
davenp35 on January 23, 2008 at 11:13 AM
you may need to check the color balance on your monitor; that’s an Army green class-A uniform, there.
Frozen Tex on January 23, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I’ve read the same thing about him, more than once. and again, I didn’t hear it until well after the war, and it was a bit of a let-down.
Frozen Tex on January 23, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Yep I do.
Dash on January 23, 2008 at 11:39 AM
The congress will be important whoever wins the White House. Right now, the Dems are likely to wind up with 55+ Senate seats. If they were to get to 60, they’d be veto-proof.
dedalus on January 23, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Excellent news. Go Mac.
It has to be said that Stormin Norman has a better sense of who is best going to support the military, national security, and American interests overseas than the vast majority of internet bloggers.
McCain is the only GOP candidate who can beat Clinton, and more crucially Obama, in the general. With the Democratic stranglehold on Congress it is vital that we have a GOP President.
Pax americana on January 23, 2008 at 12:21 PM
dedalus on January 23, 2008 at 11:47 AM
What’s the likelihood of the senate needing a veto proof majority with either Hillery or McCain?
My guess would be nil.
jerrytbg on January 23, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Look at the picture I linked to. That green shows up just fine on my end.
And my color balance is a-ok. The pic Brian has up front is blue for me.
It’s no big deal. I just want to be in on the gag if there is one. :)
chrisro on January 23, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Better to be that guy than the guy who has to call a soldier in Iraq and tell him that his mother has been killed by a drunk-driving illegal alien, or one who couldn’t read the road signs because he didn’t speak English; or that his little sister has been raped by an illegal alien criminal who’d been deported four previous times for other crimes; or that his father committed suicide after he lost his business because a company that used illegal alien labor kept underbidding him.
I guess McCain would be happy to make those calls.
AZCoyote on January 23, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Schwarzkopf is a democrat military man by his own admission.
Since the democrat pickings from a military perspective are so poor, it is not suprising he goes for the most liberal republican in the race.
paulsur on January 23, 2008 at 1:30 PM
McCain earns my respect for his military service and heroism. However, such respect for military achievements does not obligate me to give him my vote.
crushliberalism on January 23, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Good thing Norm got the endorsement out early enough to avoid any violation of McCain-Feingold laws.
iurockhead on January 23, 2008 at 2:21 PM
McCain is qualified for Sec. of Defense, but not POTUS. He’s too hot-headed and he’s no conservative. He was wrong on McCain-Feingold, a leader in the “gang of 14″ which undercut conservative interests in the judicial nomination process, and most of all the guy is pro-amnesty. I will not vote for him….even in the general….period. If that means Hillary gets in, so be it. He is not safe as POTUS…he’s a fighter-jock. He’s unsafe at any speed and I say that as a retired naval officer.
vcunn22 on January 23, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Yes. Will it change my vote? No, but I do care what he thinks. I have undying respect for General Schwarzkopf, and I thank him for his service. He deserves at least a minute of my time to hear him out.
amerpundit on January 23, 2008 at 2:34 PM
They always feel a pressing need to include the word “honor” when talking about McCain’s service. It’s a curious thing.
With someone like Duncan Hunter, they never feel the need to stress the word “honor” when mentioning his service because there was no question about it.
Buddahpundit on January 23, 2008 at 2:48 PM
That mantra used to be about Rudy. How is that working out?
A GOP President? Well that rules out McCain.
MB4 on January 23, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Here is Schwarzkopf right before the war started. This is a must read, here an excerpt:
Desert Caution
Once ‘Stormin’ Norman,’ Gen. Schwarzkopf Is Skeptical About U.S. Action in Iraq
By Thomas E. Ricks
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 28, 2003; Page C01
TAMPA–Norman Schwarzkopf wants to give peace a chance.
The general who commanded U.S. forces in the 1991 Gulf War says he hasn’t seen enough evidence to convince him that his old comrades Dick Cheney, Colin Powell and Paul Wolfowitz are correct in moving toward a new war now. He thinks U.N. inspections are still the proper course to follow. He’s worried about the cockiness of the U.S. war plan, and even more by the potential human and financial costs of occupying Iraq.
You have got to read the whole thing:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A52450-2003Jan27¬Found=true
Buddahpundit on January 23, 2008 at 3:02 PM
I’m with you Bryan…not surprised but bummed nevertheless.
Domino on January 23, 2008 at 3:21 PM
All of you who are bummed are bummed for no good reason at all. John McCain now has the endorsement of General Schwartzkop because John McCain knows his stuff on military matters — he showed it with respect to the Iraq War — and is by far the best candidate to be the next Commander in Chief, and General Schwartzkop knows it.
John McCain also has the endorsements of former Secretaries of State George Schultz, Henry Kissinger, Lawrence Eagleburger and Alexander Haig, former Navy Secretaries John Lehman and William Ball, former national security officials Bud MacFarlane, James Woolsey, Tom Kean, Tom Ridge and Robert Inman, former Cabinet Secretaries (outside State) James Schlesinger, Jack Kemp, Robert Mosbacher and Peter Peterson, Senators Sam Brownback, Richard Burr, Tom Coburn, John Thune, John Warner, John Kyl, Pete Domenici, Trent Lott, Lindsey Graham, Joe Lieberman and Gordon Smith, former Senators Phil Gramm, Alphone D’Amato, Dan Coats, Warren Rudman, Mike DeWine, Peter Fitzgerald and Slade Gordon, as well as congressmen, state attorneys general and business leaders. That is a conservative group of people who have carried public responsibilities.
I have posted several times lengthy rebuttals to such issues as the “Gang of 14″ to show that your reliance is nonsense. But you people are so caught up in your rationales that you cannot see the forest for the trees. You are asking for a Hillary Clinton Presidency. The polls show only John McCain as the Republican who can win in November.
Phil Byler on January 23, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Schwartzkop, with McCain-like disloyalty, refused to endorse his boss Bush senior against Bill Clinton. His endorsement should be used as a negative indicator.
Buddahpundit on January 23, 2008 at 5:04 PM
“Stormin’, meet Senatorial Rage Boy. SRB, meet Stormin’ Norman.”
It was love at first
fightsight.drunyan8315 on January 23, 2008 at 5:23 PM
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