Barack Obama Folds on General Clark

We know this much about Barack–when the going gets tough he runs like Forrest Gump from the perceived trouble. The list of friends and supporters (not to mention policies) dumped by the Golden Child of Illinois is growing by the week. Wright, Pfleger, Meeks, Ayers, Grandma, FISA, NAFTA. . .ok, you get the drift. Now add to that list Wesley Clark.

I find this funny on so many levels. Let’s start with Wesley Clark pandering his ass off by trying to tout the “leadership” experience of Barack Obama by calling into question John McCain’s actual experience as a commander. Clark had this exchange on Sunday with CBS correspondent, Bob Schieffer:

The retired general Wesley Clark said McCain had not “held executive responsibility” and had not commanded troops in wartime.

McCain’s experience in Vietnam, where he was a prisoner of war for five years, has seemed at times almost to grant him invulnerability to criticism of his security background. But on Sunday he was assailed by a fellow military man, a highly decorated one who was once the NATO supreme commander.

McCain frequently points out that he led “the largest squadron in the U.S. Navy,” but Clark said on CBS television that that was not enough to support a claim to the presidency.

“He hasn’t been there and ordered the bombs to fall” as a wartime commander, the general said on CBS. Clark is mentioned as a possible Obama running mate, although he originally supported Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

When the interviewer, Bob Schieffer, noted to Clark that McCain had been shot down over Hanoi, Clark replied, “I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.

Clark is right about one thing–McCain does not have much “command” experience.

In fact, I have several friends who are Vietnam era veterans who have made the same comment. They respect McCain’s courage while held prisoner and his refusal to accept favorable treatment from the North Vietnamese. But they share Clark’s view that getting shot out of the sky says nothing about one’s leadership abilities or qualities. It is simply bad, fucking luck.

The military guys who are combat vets have a pretty interesting sense of humor that does not always translate well to the civilian world. Clark’s remark probably strikes most civilians as thoughtless. (My boss at State Department, who retired from the Marine Corps after serving 30 years and commanding the 5th Marines, called the purple heart earned in Vietnam, “The NVA Sharpshooter’s Medal.” Since he spent two tours in Vietnam I think he is entitled to make jokes about whatever he wants.)

Here’s the other funny part from the Schieffer/Clark exchange–watching Clark, with a straight face, trying to burnish the leadership experience of Barack:

When Schieffer then asked what executive responsibility Obama had held – the Democrat’s résumé includes work as a community organizer in Chicago and eight years in the Illinois legislature – Clark said that Obama was running on the strength of his character and good judgment.

Judging from Barack’s behavior in the aftermath of Barack’s comments, Clark may be having second thoughts. The North Vietnamese tortured John McCain for years but he resisted until he was physically broken and scarred for life. What did it take to make Barack crack? Some pointed criticism from Republicans. Barack was not hung by his arms and beaten by bamboo. Nonetheless, in a quintessential display of cowardice as a leader, he sold out Wesley Clark. Note to Clark–nice try General, but it is time to realize that Barack does not stand and take the fire. He cuts and runs. He is a coward.

Barack could have said something clever (e.g., just because my opponent could not command a North Vietnamese missile not to shoot him down does not mean he is not qualified to be President) and noted that Clark, as a decorated veteran, is fully qualified to offer his opinions on these matters. Nope. That would have required courage. Instead, Barack joined Republicans criticizing Wes Clark. The Obama campaign issued the following statement:

As he’s said many times before, Senator Obama honors and respects Senator McCain’s service, and of course he rejects yesterday’s statement by General Clark,” said Obama campaign spokeman Bill Burton.

This is world class irony boys and girls. The General trying to make the case that the junior Senator from Illinois is more of a leader than the grumpy Naval aviator from Arizona gets sandbagged by the kid he is trying to convince America is ready to be Commander-in-Chief.

Here’s what a good friend of mine who is a an active duty officer sent me today. The picture and caption tell the story:

Barack had a chance to stand up to the Republicans today. Instead, he wimped out. And he wants to be President? Isn’t that special.