McCain to Obama: Cut Clark loose
posted at 9:23 pm on July 1, 2008 by Allahpundit
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John McCain, taking questions from reporters aboard his Straight Talk Express: The Airplane Edition, said it was time for the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama to cut retired Gen. Wesley Clark loose.
“I think it’s up to Sen. Obama now to not only repudiate him, but to cut him loose,” McCain said to a small group of reporters somewhere between Indianapolis, IN, and Cartagena, Colombia…
Onboard his plane Tuesday, McCain was asked if Obama — who did reject Clark’s comments on Monday –had done enough to repudiate the general. He didn’t take the bait. “That’s up to others to decide,” said McCain. “I’m not going to worry about the comments General Clark made.”
And so the great mock-outrage chess match continues, Obama occasionally taking McCain’s pieces and McCain occasionally taking his. Question: Why is it incumbent upon Obama to throw Clark under the bus when McCain himself declared not long ago that he wouldn’t play referee with 527s attacking Jeremiah Wright? The difference, presumably, is that Obama has some sort of formal relationship with Clark whereas McCain has none with third-party groups (and thus can’t exercise control over them), but what relationship, exactly? Until just this month, Clark was a Clinton supporter. A cursory googling identifies him as a “military advisor” to Obama but I can’t find anything definitive to suggest the title’s anything more than an honorific. Why demand that Obama get rid of him now when you could use his retention of Clark as a much more effective bludgeon later in the campaign if he chose to keep him?
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Yawn.
Could we get to the conventions and debates already?
Your Jewish Master on July 1, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Because it’s a win/win. If Obama keeps him you can keep beating him over the head with the fact is proves he’s nothing but an old fashioned slash and burn politician. If he cuts him loose hill have to do the same thing to anybody who dares mention anything negative about McCain’s service. Thereby ensuring nothing similar happens again.
TheBigOldDog on July 1, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Wait…don’t make excuses. They will milk every McCain issue without end. We ask for republicans to have spines and then you wimp out. Let McCain do his thang.
tomas on July 1, 2008 at 9:30 PM
And if Obama does it, 1.) he looks weak and 2.) jettisons a possible VP candidate and 3.) bridge to the Midwest.
Buckiteer on July 1, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Why ask for him to cut him loose he is doing more harm for Barry than good.
TroubledMonkey on July 1, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Not to mention he’s holding the Democrats to their own standards.
TheBigOldDog on July 1, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Why is it good for the GOP to have Clark around?
First Rule of Holes. Clark just keeps on digging, and thereby is a “distraction” from Obama’s flag-waving, “I am a patriot. Really I am!” campaign.
Clark keeps pulling Obama off-message. And into the hole with him.
Wethal on July 1, 2008 at 9:36 PM
I still want to hear Weasly Clark’s answer as to how Obama is more experienced than McCain on all the points he listed.
Nosferightu on July 1, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Elaborating, Clark said a president must have judgment, not merely courage and character.
And Barry has shown any of the above where? keep opening your mouth Sir remind the country why your bid failed.
TroubledMonkey on July 1, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Is Bob Dole the only Republican with any balls.
Where’s the outrage ? Or is that reserved only for
the moonbats.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0608/Dole_weighs_in_on_Clark.html
Texyank on July 1, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Candidates lose when they start going on the record about who the other side should “cut loose”
Q.E.D. John McCain is a loser.
highhopes on July 1, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Clark is a maladroit mental midget. I would love to see Obama pick this spineless tool for his running mate. McCain should have let this one ride (for a while, at least).
hillbillyjim on July 1, 2008 at 9:46 PM
I heard McCain rode in an military airplane once over some war.
Why does he think this gives him the right to command Obama?
He must be about to lose his temper!
Hide the CLARK bars!
profitsbeard on July 1, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Yeah, like that’ll be interesting. Two or three meetings that amount to long talking point memos with the occasional topical scandal du jour tossed in. Postuering by Brian Williams and whatever other man-candy the networks push as “serious journalists”
The debates will be a joke. As is this whole campaign.
VolMagic on July 1, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Because, though tragically malleable, McCain is not a very effective politician. If he manages to win this election…somehow…it won’t be because of anything he did, it will be because Obama seppeku’ed himself with flip-flops…I hope this is the case, but I’m not holding my breath.
AUINSC on July 1, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Was wondering, when did FNC cut Clark loose? Not that I watch too much, but he had been getting face time as an ‘analyst’ of some sort not long ago.
JammieWearingFool on July 1, 2008 at 9:52 PM
I wonder if Clark was told by Bill Clinton to say those things on Sunday to throw off BO his patrotic message. Bill does not want BO to be president. He and Hillary will backstap BO in clever ways. This might be one of their clever ways of backstapping BO.
BroncosRock on July 1, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Clark joined Fox News in June of ‘05. I believe he left shortly after when he began campaigning for 2006 midterm election candidates.
HebrewToYou on July 1, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Bullshit. You hammer this lying pansy today. You hammer this pontificating scumbag tomorrow. You give speeches in a full dress Navy commander’s uniform. You find pictures of Obambi with a big Stanley Clarke 1973 afro, and you photoshop cocaine powder onto his little french Harvard mustache, and a joint in his computer-exaggerated big lips, and you place it at Woodstock.
You feed stories to the Enquirer about him getting a white girl pregnant and making her get an abortion. They want to do “ruthless/Machiavellian”, fine. Go for it.
Jaibones on July 1, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Earth to McCain: Cut Juan Hernandez loose.
MB4 on July 1, 2008 at 10:00 PM
There is no room under the bus for Clark.
swami on July 1, 2008 at 10:00 PM
It’s personal now. Clark doubled down by repeating his claims and McCain is now seeing him and raising it.
Anybody know if these two crossed swords before? My hunch is that there’s more here than just this little foray.
Too bad that McCain has to do it. There should be some Republican who takes Clark on and allow McCain to go about his business.
SteveMG on July 1, 2008 at 10:03 PM
For all the talk from libs about how McCain’s age being a liability, I only sense it working in his favor so far. McCain is the scolding father, Obama the whiney kid (”but da-a-a-ad!”).
Marcus on July 1, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Who were you addressing with this screed? And what exactly are you talking about? And who is this ‘You’ you keep referring to? Just curious.
AUINSC on July 1, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Thread over!
SouthernGent on July 1, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Love the indignation and making demands of Obama. Just a little “if it’s good for the goose, it’s good for the gander”.
Hog Wild on July 1, 2008 at 10:09 PM
I’m a loser
I’m a loser
And I’m not what I appear to be
Of all the issues I have won or have lost
There is one issue I should never have come across
It was a issue about millions, my friends
I should have known it would be lettuce picking that got me in the end
I’m a loser
And I lost an el Presidency that was dear to me
I’m a loser
And I’m not what I appear to be
Although I talk and I act like I’ve been surging all around
Beneath this mask I am wearing a frown
My tears are falling like rain from the sky
Is it for my el Presidency and myself that I cry
I’m a loser
And I lost an el Presidency that was so dear to me
I’m a loser
And I’m not what I appear to be
What have I done to deserve such a fate
I realized my amnesty game was up but it was by then too late
And so it’s true, conniving comes before a fall
I’m telling you so that you won’t lose all
I’m a loser
And I lost an el Presidency that was dear to me
I’m a loser
And I’m not what I appear to be
MB4 on July 1, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Hear hear. In fact, I would even propose we bribe McCain to cut him loose.
JMC, I got $25 for your campaign the day you do it. We can consider more later if you continue to play your cards right.
TexasDan on July 1, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Fat chance of that happening. How many times do we have to hear McCain use the phrase “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” before it sinks in that Juan Hernandez and McCain are one and the same?
HebrewToYou on July 1, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Leave Juan Hernandez alone! He is a human being!
Besides I will have Juan McCain when he becomes el Presidente of America del Norte deport all you Gringos who oppose my hand picked aide and guidance councilor for him.
VinyFoxy on July 1, 2008 at 10:14 PM
We would be into the debates if Obama werent such a tool.
Squid Shark on July 1, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Give me a break. You asked a comparison with 527’s? They are not legally allowed to control 527’s. You should know that. Clark goes under the (i’m hearing this far too much) bus, or he remains a rightful target. It doesn’t matter to McCain. Anyone should know, the dummy that sticks his foot in his mouth remains the dummy regardless of what the dummy’s handlers do about him.
ilitigant on July 1, 2008 at 10:19 PM
How does this benefit Michelle Obama’s kids?
lorien1973 on July 1, 2008 at 10:53 PM
McCain should be referring to this picture any time he talks about former General Clark.
A$$ kissing doesn’t even begin to describe this man’s modus operandi. IMHO he is one of the worst examples of leadership the US Army ever produced.
Wanderlust on July 1, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Actually a shrewd move by McCain for a change.
and
said it best.
If Obama keeps Clark around, then he has to take responsibility for the ugly smears of McCain’s service all the same as Clark. On the other hand, if Obama throws yet another guy under the bus, he ends up looking like a weak little bitch - McCain’s bitch.
You don’t have to be a McCain fan to see that this is a good move by him.
thirteen28 on July 1, 2008 at 11:06 PM
You are wrong. This is not milking it. This is dealing with a very difficult, mega-problem in the making. Today Jim Webb (of all people, Jim Webb?) came out and flamed McCain for being over-wrought about McCain’s service.
According to my count, that makes Geraghty’s count up to 10 Obama surrogates who are nailing McCain on McCain’s greatest strength.
This is the Swift Boat Vets on steroids, if you happen to believe the Democrat take on the Swift Boat Vets, which I do not. However, this is what McCain is going to have to expect from these writhing snakes.
No man, it’s not milking it. It’s a big problem and it’s about to spin out of control and McCain has to get on top of it. Demanding that Obama throw Clark under the bus is the least McCain can do.
pabarge on July 1, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Not you. The capital Y you. The McCain campaign, of course. I was decrying the suggestion that listening to Obama lie about his own record and positions, and those of McCain, is worthy of a yawn. I disagree.
And with great hyperbole, I suggested that we return fire aggressively.
Jaibones on July 1, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Gotcha…yeah, but McCain won’t do it…he’s super-glued both of his thumbs to his forehead now, so It’s just the long goodbye at this point.
AUINSC on July 1, 2008 at 11:25 PM
The obvious rebuke to this line of attack is if McCain’s experience is not enough to become POTUS where does that leave the “community activist” and why did both Webb and Clarke use their military experience as qualification when they were campaigning for their respective positions?
elduende on July 1, 2008 at 11:33 PM
To remind the reporters that Clark and McCain obviously spent time in two different Officer’s Clubs.
Limerick on July 1, 2008 at 11:39 PM
I agree with the first commenter. This is getting awfully boring and tiresome. Can we seriously not get any further than this? I guess there truly isn’t anything new under the sun.
Send_Me on July 1, 2008 at 11:42 PM
I find it so hard to believe that other voters don’t see what I see, despite how very hard it is to embrace McCain.
This seems to say it nicely.
On a more serious note, I would be hammering Obama with these points, every day:
- flip-flopper to end all flip-flopping, changing his positions so fast the press doesn’t know which Obama to cheer for,
- liberal pansy vs. 5th generation war hero Navy fighter pilot who spent 5 years in Vietnam POW camp,
- liberal who is afraid to declare his liberal views, so he lies about his positions on everything,
- radical pro-abortion extremist, who voted against the Born Alive Infant Act,
- corrupt Chicago Democrat who is supported by the gangster Chicago machine, and endorsed the retard Todd Stroger who helped make Chicago and Cook County the highest taxed county in the country.
All truth, no spin. All easy to document, and sound bite.
Jaibones on July 1, 2008 at 11:47 PM
Agree with you completely…but this is not the same country it was, even in 2003. Facts and policies and consequences don’t matter at all now. Obama will be the next President because a) Obama is an ‘emotional’ candidate who has, sadly, captured the fickle popular imagination…with overwhelming media support and b) McCain (though a true hero, in every sense of the word, during Vietnam) is a very poor politician who, instead of going after Obama on his abundant weak points, has decided to run away from his own base and fight Obama on Obama’s own turf…disaster in the making…and I hope I’m wrong…but day after day, the facts seem to prove I’m right.
AUINSC on July 2, 2008 at 12:00 AM
AUINSC on July 2, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Jaibones on July 1, 2008 at 11:47 PM
Guys I’m not going to quit or lose heart. Obama MUST NOT become POTUS. So i’m going to keep fighting.
elduende on July 2, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Yikes, the guy must be leading by 60 points.
Marcus on July 2, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Yikes, the guy must be leading by 60 points.
Marcus on July 2, 2008 at 12:07 AM
AUINSC on July 2, 2008 at 12:14 AM
I think Canada still has “conservatives” in charge, elduende, if you need a place to run to after Obama begins his 8 year reign.
alphie on July 2, 2008 at 12:26 AM
“alphie, inevitability is not what you think it is” ~ ~ Hillary
Entelechy on July 2, 2008 at 12:44 AM
AUINSC, I had friends who were worried about the “emotional candidate” after the Democratic convention and “Licorice”. Remember “Licorice”? Here’s a recap from the NYT:
Oh, all is lost! Ooh hoo hoo.
Get a grip. You, too, alphie.
Marcus on July 2, 2008 at 12:45 AM
I’m just worried about all the “conservatives” who think the world will end if Obama wins, Marcus.
Maybe Obama will launch some kind of government rehab program for them when he takes office?
alphie on July 2, 2008 at 1:55 AM
Backdoor John would sooner turn his back on all those bigoted scumbags that want border enforcement than lose a valued member of his staff..especially since he’s probably the only one who can translate the marching orders from La Raza.
Seriously, I’ve been thinking about a good campaign theme song for McCain. Given that McCain doesn’t seem to care that much about winning, ie he panders relentlessly on the amnesty issue to minority groups, and offers nothing but ‘the other guy sucks worse than me’ to conservatives; I’ve been trying to capture that sense of lazy indifference..all I could come up with is:
REM It’s the end of the world as we know it
and McCain feels fine.
Here’s a hint Backdoor John; you’re not going to cruise to teh Presidency scolding Obama for the stupid things his dirtbag surrogates say about you. Give people a reason to vote for you; illegal aliens can’t vote (yet) so all this pandering to them seems a bit overdone and out of place. Maybe talk about gas prices…Harry Reid is grabbing his ankles on that issue, just for you. For once in your useless Senate tenure, try giving the people what they want, not what you think they deserve.
austinnelly on July 2, 2008 at 2:08 AM
Hey joy of joys alphie’s still around here!
Your candidate is going to lose. There are two things that he can’t run away from no matter how hard they try 1) his skin color and 2) his name and we’ve already seen what half of your own party thinks about those. the other half voted for him based on his skin color and guilt about his skin color. nice
elduende on July 2, 2008 at 3:08 AM
Whoa-oa-oa! I feel fine, I knew that I would, now
I feel fine, I knew that I would, now
So fine, so fine, conservatives, I screwed you
Whoa! I feel nice, like tequila and spice
I feel nice, like tequila and spice
So nice, so nice, conservatives, I screwed you
Whoa! I feel fine, I knew that I would, now
I feel fine, I knew that I would
So fine, so fine, conservatives, I screwed you
So fine, so fine, conservatives, I screwed you
So fine, so fine, conservatives, I screwed you
HEY SUCKAS!!
- Johny McFeelsFine
MB4 on July 2, 2008 at 4:02 AM
Maybe McCain wants Clark gone because Clark is a military man and he expects more of him than he would some pundit or politician. I was reading about the incident in 1987 when McCain reached out and grabbed a Sandinista during some talks in Latin America. McCain has mellowed somewhat since then, but that does not mean he can’t still want to thump some son of a bitch who said something stupid.
Terrye on July 2, 2008 at 6:53 AM
MB4:
No, you screwed yourselves by refusing to get behind an alternative when you had the chance. You also screwed yourselves by joining up with the Democrats to make Bush’s life as difficult as possible for the last four years. People have gotten used to hearing the far right bitch, it is all they do. So what? If you give them what they want it is only a matter of time before they turn on you anyway, so why bother? That is what precipitated Ronald Reagan’s comments about how it should be a commandment that a Republican not speak ill of another Republican. It is also was the reason he said that radical conservatives were the most difficult people to deal with, because they would rather starve than take half a loaf. Bitch Bitch Bitch. That is all some people can do.
Terrye on July 2, 2008 at 6:57 AM
Wesley Clark is going to look oh so good under that bus B.O. is going to wind up throwing him under!
pilamaye on July 2, 2008 at 7:04 AM
Wesley Clark has made the rounds of just about every talk show on television over the last 24 hours, repeating his attack on John McCain as lacking the executive experience needed to be President. It’s pretty funny, actually, if you listen to Clark, because whenever he describes the precise military experience needed to equip a candidate for the Presidency, it turns out to be exactly what Clark himself did. Right up until the time he got fired.
I think some of the criticism of Clark has been overblown; he always repeats that he respects and admires McCain, but doesn’t think he has the judgment or executive experience needed to be President. This afternoon on CNN, John Roberts pointed out the most glaring contradiction in Clark’s theory of military experience: his enthusiastic endorsement of John Kerry, whose strategic command experience was nowhere near McCain’s. Here was the exchange:
ROBERTS: But when it comes to that same type of qualification, you were very robustly behind John Kerry’s military experience…
CLARK: Absolutely.
ROBERTS: … in your speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, where you talked about his experience of being there under mortar fire.
CLARK: Right.
ROBERTS: And let’s listen to the way that you summed that up.
CLARK: Right.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLARK: John Kerry’s combination of physical courage and moral values is my definition of what we need as Americans in our commander in chief.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: So, you said it’s what we need in a commander in chief. And I’m wondering how different was John McCain’s experience from John Kerry’s?
CLARK: Well, a lot, because John McCain basically served honorably and well in uniform. He did everything the country could have asked.
What John Kerry did is John Kerry got out of the uniform. He took a judgment, a judgment I didn’t agree with at the time, but he had the moral courage to stand up for himself and oppose the conflict in Vietnam.
ROBERTS: But where was the executive experience that you talked about?
CLARK: The executive experience wasn’t the issue there, because John Kerry wasn’t claiming that he had some special executive experience on national security against George Bush.
So Kerry’s military experience was better than McCain’s because after serving for four months in Vietnam, he returned to the U.S. and falsely accused his fellow servicemen of being war criminals. I think it’s time for Wesley Clark to be ushered quietly off the stage. (powerline)
Sums this situation up quite nicely!!!
Keemo on July 2, 2008 at 7:40 AM
I only wonder why no one has brought up the fact that the person criticizing McCain’s record is the same NATO Commander who was fired from that position for being such an inept moron. He didn’t exactly want to retire, he was forced. Of course, they probably also figured out that he’s gay anyway.
stacman on July 2, 2008 at 3:21 PM
stacman on July 2, 2008 at 3:48 PM