MyDD :: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors...

Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors...

by Josh Orton, Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:05:54 PM EST

John McCain surrogate Joe Lieberman didn't just play the fear card yesterday on Face the Nation, he played the full fear Pinochle set:

In describing the reasons he believes the Republicans' presumptive nominee for president would be better prepared than the Democrats' to lead the nation next January, Sen. Joe Lieberman said that history shows the United States would likely face a terrorist attack in 2009.

"Our enemies will test the new president early," Lieberman, I-Conn., told Face The Nation host Bob Schieffer. "Remember that the truck bombing of the World Trade Center happened in the first year of the Clinton administration. 9/11 happened in the first year of the Bush administration."

Craven. Yet, oddly, pundits and journalists don't seem to have a problem with what Joe said. Everyone seems to be too busy hand-wringing over Wes Clark's comments about McCain:

Rick Sanchez's lead-in to his next segment just now on CNN:

"Wesley Clark tried to Swiftboat John McCain today."

I'm liveblogging. He goes on to say:

"It will reverberate for weeks. Wes Clark tried to diss McCain's military record, that his service doesn't qualify him to be president."

Rick Sanchez is mad.

But what did Clark actually say?

"I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president."

But as the punditocracy goes after Clark today, I doubt we'll hear the rest of Clark's comments for context:

"I certainly honor his service as a prisoner of war. He was a hero to me and to hundreds of thousands and millions of others in the armed forces, as a prisoner of war...he has been a voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee and he has traveled all over the world, but he hasn't held executive responsibility," Clark said. "That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded -- that wasn't a wartime squadron."

Clark didn't say McCain wasn't a hero and he didn't say his service wasn't patriotic. He simply pointed out that the experience McCain went through, as traumatic as it was, doesn't necessarily make him more qualified to be president.

So I predict we'll hear way more about Clark's comments than Lieberman's scare tactics. If you're watching, reading, or listening to news, what are you hearing? Anyone covering Joe's scare?

To the traditional media, playing the politics of fear like Lieberman did isn't taboo - it proves Joe's a Very Serious Person.

Update [2008-6-30 12:42:43 by Josh Orton]: Looks like someone might be off the VP list:

"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 spokesman Bill Burton.

Tags: Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Wesley Clark, Election 08 (all tags)

Permalink :: 21 Comments :: Post a Comment

Obama is going to throw Clark (2.00 / 1)

under the bus in his speech today according to MSNBC; apparently, he's going to repudiate Clark's remarks. If this happens, there goes Clark for VP.

by Blazers Edge on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:10:11 PM EST

I can't believe he'd do that - - - (2.00 / 1)

Disrespecting Clarke will tick off the folks in the party he most needs / is having most present difficulty with.
And, if so, they'll need a bigger bus - - it's getting crowded under there!

John McCain says he would stay in Iraq for 100 years? That's crazy talk!

by kosnomore on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:35:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I can't believe he'd do that - - - (none / 0)

General Clark put him in a bind; I cannot believe he made the statement because he allows McCain to play the victim for a week. It was almost as if Clark was sending a Obama a test, via the Clintons, to see if he would stand up for him. I'm getting a little West Wingish but the comment seemed completely out of Clark's character. He doesn't seem to be the "attack dog" type.

by Blazers Edge on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:37:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not everything is a conspiracy - - (none / 0)

and it's silly to see this as one.
You know, some generals get pissed at guys who screw up their missions, and then get caught, and then hog the glory from the guys who do their job, return safely. fight another day, and actually, you know, occassionally, like, WIN THE FRAKIN' BATTLE!

John McCain says he would stay in Iraq for 100 years? That's crazy talk!

by kosnomore on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:46:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I can't believe he'd do that - - - (none / 0)

The only bind is a self imposed one. What Obama's people need to do is teach the media a lesson. Obama 's sposkesmen need to learn how to talk in a 3 minute segment and explain what Clark said and how it was not swiftboating even if it is something Obmaa would not say.

How tough would it be for an Obama guy to ask a CNN guy "well, you don't think McCain himself would say that getting shot down a plane would qualify one for President? So what is the problem here? Obama did not say this. How is this swiftboating? No records were distorted. Take it up with Clark personally, if you wish. It is a mere opinion by another military person".

by Pravin on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 01:43:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (2.00 / 2)

The more they talk about it the better. This leads to debate which
could only help Obama. Going on offense on his strongest point this early in the campaign gives the campaing ample time to regroup if things get out of hand.

Mooseburgers? Careful Sarah. Moose bite back!

by spacemanspiff on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:24:12 PM EST

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (1.66 / 3)

Holy typos Batman! Trying to eat and type.

Mooseburgers? Careful Sarah. Moose bite back!

by spacemanspiff on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:25:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Aren't heroes the ones who WIN battles? (none / 0)

I'll NEVER put down a soldier who was captured and tortured, but it's not like he WON, is it?
Give Mccain the sympathy and respect and honor he deserves, but don't we hope that the other folks in the military do a slightly better job?

John McCain says he would stay in Iraq for 100 years? That's crazy talk!

by kosnomore on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:32:28 PM EST

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (none / 0)

Inartful comments at best. Mortal wound to Clark's political career at worst. Obama needs better surrogates.

"I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."--John McCain

by lorax on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:36:09 PM EST

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (2.00 / 1)

Nah, I think Clark did exactly what he was supposed to do. The question is now in the back of peoples head, what exactly did McCain DO to desserve all the cred he gets for his military service? Does being a POW qualify your opinion on foreign affairs to be better than everyone elses?

I know a lot of my less politically savvy friends heard the story and that was my first thought. We have to keep this stuff in context, most people don't watch MSNBC and all the other political talking heads as much as bloggers do. McCain is beginning to take some hits to his credibility.

This is a 5 month fight and only the opening salvos are being thrown. this is one of those fights that needs to happen (questioning McCains record), but we all knew that throwing the first punch would be messy. I'm glad Obama was smart enough to get Clarke to do the dirty deed. I think in the end it's going to help him, but in the short term it does provide meet to the punditry.

by tlhwraith on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:41:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (none / 0)

Careful here.

War on Terra and C-in-C confidence are the last two areas where McCain remains in contention.

If the conversation turns to these issues, McCain gains.

This is not ground that I would choose to fight on right now.

I do understand the Rovian strategy of attacking an opponent's major strengths first. You can argue Rove beat both Gore and Kerry with a weaker candidate by following this tactic.

I am of the opinion this tactic may have its uses, but is of only limited success in the long run.

I would prefer we grant McCain this ground for now, lock up the other issues tight, and then come back to fight this in the Fall with overwhelming force.

At this point, McCain holds this ground, and is trying to sucker Obama into fighting him for it now, while McCain is strong, instead of later, when McCain will feel the lack of resources and will be trying to fight on five or six different fronts.

Clark is doing Obama no favors, and may indeed be detrimental at this point.

by dembluestates on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:44:10 PM EST

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (none / 0)

I don't know. I think you test out certain things and plant the seeds of doubt in the early going, to see if they stick. At the end of the campaign you want to be hitting your high points, not breaking new ground.

by rfahey22 on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:49:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (none / 0)

Yep.

McCain has a few different tricks to pull the debate back to Iraq and terrorism.

1. Make a controversial accusation related to the topic.

Make a gaffe related to the topic.
Feign outrage at a statement made by the Obama campaign.

Watch McCain do a mix up of these tactics a couple times a month to keep bringing the debate back to the topics he wants the election to be about.

by dMarx on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 01:18:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I expect to hear . . . (2.00 / 1)

From the usual suspects:
Blame it on the Clintons -- "Bill put Wes up to it"

"If you don't care about everybody, you don't care about anybody." --Ethan Mordden

by prodigal on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:47:41 PM EST

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (1.66 / 3)

"he played the full fear Pinochle set"

heh!

"Clark didn't say McCain wasn't a hero and he didn't say his service wasn't patriotic. He simply pointed out that the experience McCain went through, as traumatic as it was, doesn't necessarily make him more qualified to be president."

More qualified than who? Obama? Or Clark? In the eyes of many Americans, the simple fact that McCain did any military service makes him more qualified than Obama. That's a hard fact.

Add in McCains government experience, and Obama's 'community organizing' just doesn't stack up. Obama needs to stay away from the issue of experience in general, and military experience in particular.

I've been a quite outspoken critic of Obama this election cycle, but have never even given a thought of voting for McCain. But this comment by Clark...sheesh, it totally forced me to see McCain in a sympathetic light. It was not a good move, IMO.

If you want Unity, nominate a Democrat

by rankles on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:57:53 PM EST

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (none / 0)

mojo'd for TR abuse

I'm for a timeline on Iraq, public funding of elections, women's reproductive rights, gun restrictions and universal suffrage. So why should I vote for Obama?

by William Cooper on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 03:14:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not the first time Clark has said this. (none / 0)

I can't find the original reference, but Clark has raised the "executive experience" card before, as indicated by this article...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080630/ap_o n_el_pr/clark_mccain

I thought it was a dumb argument then and is dumber now, as all the McCain camp has to do is say you are disrespecting his service. Then you have to do back flips saying you are not disrespecting McCains service, but questioning his qualifications, which sounds like backpeddling, and nobody will beleive you anyway.

by jimotto on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:59:04 PM EST

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (none / 0)

Eesh! Is Lieberman getting a kickback from the duct tape manufacturers? What a scumbag.

That One is the Right One for 2008.

by GFORD on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 01:04:44 PM EST

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (none / 0)

Even in full context Wesley Clark's comments were foolish. Ann Coulter made the same arguments against McCain in the primary. Just to give you an idea.

by dMarx on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 01:14:57 PM EST

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (2.00 / 1)

As for Liberman's comments, I dont even see how you can compare. Liberman was 1)giving his opinion about the nature of the presidency and not 2)making tasteless comments about Obama. Seems it was not "fear mongering", but just an observation that the president of the 21st century will have to face terrorist threats. Clinton did and Bush did. You make a mountain out of a mole hill.

As for the rest of it:
Obama just lost a VP candidate in Clark. What Clark said was unforgivable.

I find all this "swift-boating" completely unnecessary. It was wrong when it happened to Kerry and it was wrong when it happened to McCain. What young men do in war, short of criminal behaviour, they do because they think they have to. More courage than I have.

by Fredowski on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 05:27:37 PM EST

Re: Lock Your Windows, Close Your Doors... (none / 0)

Clark wouldn't make a good VP anyway.

If you want Unity, nominate a Democrat

by rankles on Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 07:44:18 AM EST

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