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McCain: Obama's Family
When Mr. McCain will not say he does not doubt Mr. Obama's patriotism, he references his belief in Mr. Obama's family's service to the country. Why is Mr. McCain invoking Mr. Obama's family when the question is about the man?
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Comments (9)
After watching and reading MSM & blog coverage this morning, this post of yours was the last straw.
I nearly burst into tears...
"Why is Mr. McCain invoking Mr. Obama's family when the question is about the man?"
When is the MSM EVER going to start doing it's job?
June 30, 2008 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know the feeling. But so long as we do our part as citizens, intimately and actively engaging those around us in dialogue, we win. We become the MSM.
June 30, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Why is Mr. McCain invoking Mr. Obama's family when the question is about the man?"
I'd guess McCain is invoking Obama's great uncle (?) who served in WWII. By showing respect for this relative, McCain sort of compliments his own military service, too. It's also a subtle way to point out that that Obama has not served in the U.S. military.
Come to think of it, the fact that Obama has not done military service might just be a point McCain will hammer on in the coming months.
June 30, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's grandfather, one of the people who raised him, served in Patton's Army. His grandmother's brother, I believe it was -maybe her uncle, was present when a concentration camp (actually work camp) was liberated and suffered what we now call PTSD for a time afterwards. So it is appropriate for McCain to recognize and respect that service, especially since Obama has referred to them both. That it underscores the fact that Obama didn't serve himself is, I'm sure, not lost on McCain.
June 30, 2008 11:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it appropriate to recognize the family's service in lieu of recognizing Mr. Obama's patriotism?
July 1, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is not going to admit Obama's patriotism, nor is he going to give an inch regarding his ability to lead.
The high road is a wonderful thing, but it doesn't always lead to the desired destination. I was disappointed today when Obama distanced himself from Gen. Clark. I know he's tacking to the center and I know the average voter has the intelligence of a garden slug, but Clark's comments were accurate and, I believe, defensible.
June 30, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I heard the reaction before I heard the statement. When I heard the statement, all I could think was, "and... what else... was that it????"
I agree Aubie. The most central case that Obama is and has been making to Americans is that JUDGMENT needs to be the new standard. Maybe not hearing Clark's comments in that context would be confusing (at absolute worst). But that's what I heard Clark say: Experience on the battlefield does not entail diplomatic excellence nor does it make a superb statesman.
I mean, this knee jerk nonsense is so damn old. But from what I could discern from Obama's speech today, he's trying to neutralize the jerking (but sort of throwing Clark under the bus -- even though I'm sure Clark doesn't mind... he's a war hero, ego doesn't register to those guys -- with the exception of John McCain!)
June 30, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
For the sake of context on the Clark thing, which has been lacking:
GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Because in the matters of national security policy making, it's a matter of understanding risk. It's a matter of gauging your opponents, and it's a matter of being held accountable. John McCain's never done any of that in his official positions. 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 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. That large squadron in Air- in the Navy that he commanded, it wasn't a wartime squadron. He hasn't been there and ordered the bombs to fall. He hasn't seen what it's like when diplomats come in and say, 'I don't know whether we're going to be able to get this point through or not. Do you want to take the risk? What about your reputation? How do we handle it-'
Bob Schieffer: Well-
GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: ' -it publicly.' He hasn't made those calls, Bob.
Bob Schieffer: Well, well, General, maybe-
GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: So-
Bob Schieffer: Could I just interrupt you. If-
GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Sure.
Bob Schieffer: I have to say, Barack Obama has not had any of those experiences either, nor has he ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down. I mean-
GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President.
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Seems perfectly reasonable to me.
June 30, 2008 11:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, but to understand the comment in context is asking more of the MSM than they are capable of, like the president, they don't do nuance.
July 1, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
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