Retired Gen. Wesley Clark rejected suggestions he apologize Tuesday for saying John McCain‘s medal-winning military service does not qualify him for the White House. Elaborating, Clark said a president must have judgment, not merely courage and character.
Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, talks with former Gen. Wesley Clark, and other generals and flag officers during a military and foreign affairs round table discussion in Washington Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Clark set off the controversy on Sunday when he said McCain’s wartime experience as a Navy pilot and his command of an air squadron in peacetime was did not provide him with experience needed to become president.
“I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president,” he added at the time.
McCain frequently emphasizes his military service as he campaigns for the White House.
Obama, who did not serve in the military, frequently cites his opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq as evidence of the judgment needed in a commander in chief.
Despite criticism from Republicans, Clark declined to back down in a morning interview with ABC on Tuesday. “The experience that he had as a fighter pilot isn’t the same as having been at the highest levels of the military and having to make …life or death decisions about national, strategic issues,” he said.
The best part is that when asked whether he felt he owed McCain an apology, Clark responded, “I’m very sorry that this has distracted from the message of patriotism that Sen. Obama wants to put out.”
Hi.larious….
Conservative blogger Michelle Malkin lists the following “memorable examples of Wes Clark’s ‘executive’ leadership skills”:
*Crusading to kick rush Limbaugh off of Armed Forces Radio.
*Embracing an anti-war hoaxer.
*Paying homage to the Kos Kidz.
*And from the milblog Command Post five years ago, a round-up of his career as the “model of a political general,” including a lovely photo of Clark trading hats with Bosnian Serb Gen. Ratko Mladic, an indicted war criminal and fugitive from justice.
Obviously not terribly compelling unless you are center-right or committed right.
Exit question: is this really the end of Clarks VP quest?