Superville Review

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Wesley Clark's recent appearance on "Face the Nation" has caused a firestorm. I first heard his opinion of John McCain's inability to lead foreign policy based on his POW record of service on MSNBC's ever popular "Morning Joe" program. But the firestorm strikes me a one based in hysteria.

General Clark makes an assertion that has to be taken with seriousness. Senator McCain is a war hero. He is a courageous man. He endured horrors that would have broken a good number of people. However, that is not, in and of itself creating a strategy for waging war. It is a specific instance of bravery and endurance. There is a difference. I believe that his bravery and courage and the stubborn defiance of simple survival is part of what makes John McCain the leader America would get if they were to cast a vote for him as President. McCain's statement on a hundred year occupation of Iraq, be it misconstrued or not, bespeaks of a stubborn mindset. He is not willing to bend.

It might not feel good for McCain to be attacked in an era of "patriotism" and the surround circus the meaning of that word has become in the media and various communities across America. But is it true? It is true that Senator Obama has never served in the military. Obama, however, was not the one who made this case against McCain; at least in a public way that would call him directly or definitively into question. General Wesley Clark, who has commanded troops, said it and is qualified to say it. Clark is a Clinton supporter who now supports Obama in a general election campaign and as such his comments have been attributed to Obama's ledger. Many news pundits have screamed on how bad this criticism is for Obama to make and makes no political sense. They cede McCain the foreign policy battle out-of-hand, point out Mr. Obama's lack of military service and say it is foolish to even question that of Mr. McCain's. This is the problem with what the modern age media has become. The difference between Obama and McCain on issues of war time is based, not on military service, but on judgment.

In a Presidential election any issue can and should be questioned; including McCain's ability to lead foreign policy. At 72 years old Senator McCain will not be in a fighter plane and at risk of getting shot down. In that case he would be the prohibitive favorite for leadership in Office. A General questioning the qualifications of another military man who he outranks is totally within the realm of possibility when America's future in Iraq and possibly in Iran is on the table. Clark's comments were not an attack on McCain's character, but a disagreement on how the nature of his service qualifies him to lead and strategize military operations going forward. It seems that discussion is one that requires too much nuance for the media and its pundits to engage in. It is easier to cede that point to McCain based on factors that General, not Private, not Corporal, not Sergeant, but GENERAL Clark does not see eye to eye with.

Labels: Barack Obama, Face the Nation, Morning Joe, MSNBC, Wesley Clark