General in new Obama ad

Posted: Friday, October 05, 2007 12:58 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
Former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Merrill A. (Tony) McPeak cites Obama’s “judgment,” “insight” and “courage” and calls him “our best hope to restore our security and standing in today's world” in a new 30-second TV ad up in Iowa.

“Many of you probably know I have a little combat experience,” McPeak said on a conference call with reporters. “I watched a couple Commanders-In-Chiefs up close. I maybe can give a little expert testimony on judgment. …I’ve gotten to know Barack Obama very well in the last 6 to 8 months. He has precisely the kind of judgment we need. …

“Lives are at stake, and that can’t be left to business as usual thinking.”

McPeak said Obama’s Senate staff approached him about setting up a meeting with the senator since McPeak had written op-eds opposing the war. They hit it off.

“He’s going to be a great Commander-in-Chief,” McPeak said. “Among this group of potential candidates, he’s head and shoulders above the rest in this regard.”

A FOX News questioner asked about the lapel pin flap. McPeak quickly dismissed any criticism, calling it “petty symbolism,” “business as usual” and “old politics.”

“Isn’t that the old politics,” McPeak said. “You know gotcha politics. He’s for turning the page. Let’s do something substantial here and solve the problems we haven’t been able to solve in the past decade or so because of this kind of nonsense.”

Here's the full transcript of the ad, "Gulf":

Full transcript:
Obama: I'm Barack Obama, and I approve this message.

McPeak voice over: The combat pilot, and Air Force chief during Desert Storm, lives depended on the judgments I made.

McPeak (on-screen): And judgment is what we need from our next Commander in Chief.

McPeak (VO): Barack Obama opposed this war in Iraq from the start, showing insight and courage that others did not. And he's our best hope to restore our security and standing in today's world.

McPeak (on-screen): The old Washington hands have let us down. We need a new leader to lift America.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

AMEN to that

ye (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:05 PM)

AMEN to that

ye (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:05 PM)

An impressive endorsement.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:08 PM)

Gen. Merrill A. (Tony) is a wise man and who knows what is good for this country

Larry, Toronto (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:12 PM)

Well goody gum drops, but remember who asked about the pin. It was the media!!!! Now if the media was told to ask about the pin well...........

and yes I am listening to that fat drug addict Rush right now. :-)

Dave, Tn (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:18 PM)

McPeak is another disgruntled General that didnt receive the extra star or the prominent position for which he thought he deserved. I wonder how much they paid his stupid azz.

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:21 PM)

at least he's staying consistent by continuing to back a liberal

sick of "washington" (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:21 PM)

How about more quotes from the conference call? This is a major endorcement for Obama. We do need a new leader to lift America.

Go Obama 08!

Mary, Seattle (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:23 PM)

At what point do you think all this focus on judgment simply begins to remind people of Obama's opponents arguments vis-a-vis experience?

Also, in some way, isn't this just a bit of legerdemain? I mean, how do you gauge someone's judgment without looking at their experiences? You can't have judgment in the abstract, can you? It seems to me Obama wants to focus on experience--he just wants to focus on experience of a certain type; namely, his experience in dealing with the war in Iraq...

Chris, Boston (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:28 PM)

I knew it was wrong to think, even for a moment that the ad ended with the comment "We need a new leader for 'left' america. I had to read the text to discover that he had said "to lift America." It might be a bit unfortunate. But of course I was impressed. Obama is my candidate.

Jim Haddix, Ann Arbor, Mich (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:32 PM)

Paid for Obama for President 2008. Thank you.

jt (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:32 PM)

True patriots don't have to boast about it through signs and symbols. Obama loves his country, and he is showing it through his actions.

When you have people like Bush and Cheney promoting torture and wearing lapels you know it is time to throw yours in the trash can. The Nazis has signs of so-called patriotism anywhere. How to put it delicately: they didn't exactly do Germany a great service.

Less symbolism, more action. That is what American politics needs today. Obama's political courage and leadership will lead us there.

Lioness, Washington DC (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:35 PM)

Judgment + Insight + Courage = Commander in Chief

Obama 2008

J, Durham, NC (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:39 PM)

All those retired Generals helped Kerry win in '04.

Whooops .... strike that.

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:52 PM)

Mr Obama IS just what we need. His election will immediately tell the rest of the world that America is back - a leader - unlike our present schoolyard bully with this cabal of enablers.

Katherine La Rocco (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:54 PM)

Hey , IntheMiddle - aren't you the one that's always mewling and puking on yourself about how the left has no respect for the military?

AllAroundYou (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:55 PM)

McPeak: "Petty symbolism".

Yeah, those pesky symbols we have in this country. White House, Statue of Liberty, Capital, World Trade Center, Flag, Pentagon. Not worth it to even spit on any of them right McPeak?

George Sorros (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 1:57 PM)

Dave Tn do you have a flag in front of your house to show your patriotism? Have you served your country in the military or is that for the "volunteer" army to do. They are now paying large bonuses just to suck poor folks into the sausage grinder. They need you there if you are between the age of 18 and 45 you can enlist and be a real patriot. If you are eligible and don't enlist then you don't love your country only what your country does for you. In any stop the drivel about a pin when what you object to is the color of is skin.

Rufus Gibbons, DC (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:00 PM)

How good is experience if it never translates into good decisions being made? McCain's experience led to him comparing an Iraqi "death" market to any old market in the US, and Hillary's experience has led to secrecy, corporate interests, and votes and support for the Iraq war and future war with Iran. We need more intellectuals and visionaries...time for a new renaissance in our flawed government.

Harry (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:01 PM)

AllAround: I can speak about them. I served for 24 yrs and know quite a bit about many of them. And yes the left has a disdain for the military.

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:04 PM)

It's amazing the pace at which the military, once a staple of the Republican party in terms of "in-the-bag" votes has all of a sudden turned their backs in droves. There was the report that they're giving more money to the Democrats than the Republicans and now we see the what, 3rd or 4th retired high ranking general endorse Obama.

If this isn't a slap in the face to the entire Republican party, I don't know what else could do it.

Mike K, Denver (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:05 PM)

George;

Hey, it's the Republicans who have s--- all over the flag and everything it stands for sending all those men and women to a country that we never should have entered in the first place just to die for our President and his cronies to make a fortune.

Right now, in these conditions, the flag is a petty symbol. Maybe when we get these jackbooted thugs out of office the flag can be a symbol of honor and dignity again, but not a day before.

Mike K, Denver (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:08 PM)

Where hope reigns, fear and despair has no breathing room. Obama is the answer! If you want a continuation of the war in Iraq and that of Iran, please vote for the Arkansas mafians. Today, Gen. John Keane, one the architect of the "Surge" is the key military adviser to the Clintons. What does that tell you? You be the judge! A campaign can be stopped, but a movement of gallant and passionate citizens can't be stopped. Obama is not running a campaign; he has created a plethora of movement.

tobby (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:09 PM)

This is a solid ad to me. Republican and the Clinton's machine are in trouble.

This is the same general that led the first golf war in Iraq and they got it right. This guys is legit and even George Bush Senior listen when he speaks how much more Obama.

Bee (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:10 PM)

Wow - I'm going to rush out to vote for Obama because of General, what's his name, has endorsed him - NOT. Hell, Kerry had a punch of phony generals/admirals endorse him and all he got was another kick in the ass my real veterans.

VN Vets against Phony Soldiers (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:11 PM)

Thank you General and all our men and women in the armed forces. I saw the video version of the ad made by General McPeak for B Obama.

Marbw (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:13 PM)

Gen. Merrill A. (Tony) is a wise man and who knows what is good for this country
Larry, Toronto

Did we finally take Toronto back?

Rogers' Rangers (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:17 PM)

Thank you General. I'm finally going with Judgement.

Banko (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:19 PM)

Speaking of new ads
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-45tIkUGIjo

Dave, Tn (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:22 PM)

The ad is good but there is a significant issue that everyone is overlooking. While Obama showed good judgment in 2002 on Iraq, later he told the NY Times he didn't know what he would have done if he was in the Senate at the time of the vote. When he got to the Senate he voted for one funding bill after another to continue the war in Iraq.

Today, he continues to show poor judgment on Iraq by not committing to bring all of our troops home by 2013. Obama doesn't get it on Iraq. The U.S. presence is unwittingly perpetuating the war. All of our troops need to come home promptly, not depending upon circumstances when the next President takes office as Obama has asserted in the recent Presidential debates.

If you can't figure out now the war is a disaster and lack the courage to make the commitment to promptly bring the war to end when you take office, you shouldn't be President.

There is a better alternative: Richardson. Listen to his speech at Georgetown University yesterday in which he set forthe responsible path out of Iraq for the U.S. Here is the link on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur_JRPBDXrY

Stephen Cassidy, CA (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:22 PM)

Rhetoric concerning Obama's experience is just that...Rhetoric. The man is Ivy league educated, he has a Harvard Law degree, he has fought for grass roots organizations working his way up into the ranks of Washington where he's now a leader amongst leaders. He's a member on a number of senate committees and has demonstrated leadership particularly in Iraq. When one says that he's not experienced enough, what do they really mean? Perhaps they mean he hasn't been in Washington long enough. Well I say that's a great thing. Because If he had been in Washington, there may be a chance that he would be just as corrupt,self-seeking, and incompetent as the rest of those experience veterans of Washington. Obama is for the people!

Reggie, Atlanta, GA (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:28 PM)

Well, in the real world that's pretty hypocritical, InTheMiddle. You call generals names, and it's OK because you spent 24 years in the military, but it's treason for anyone else to? That's what the right wing is all about. How much time did you spend with the "disgruntled" general?

And any general that ISN'T "disgruntled" after watching Emperor Monkey Turd destroy the military would be the one to suspect.

AllAroundYou (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:31 PM)

AllAroundYou (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:32 PM)

I will rather vote for good JUDGMENT over some funny intellectual incoherent Washington experience. You know the people that stays in the penthouse in Georgetown claiming that they know what is going on in every creeks and slumps in the world. I am really laughing at them. I am voting for GOOD JUDGMENT and that is: OBAMA!

TB (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:36 PM)

Bee: He led what? He was wasnt a leader of Desert Storm. He was a pilot flying missions. You guys kill me with your "I know about military" attitude. BTW I dont know where you are getting your numbers from Mike in Denver but I can tell you its not coming from the military. You sound like a campaign worker. The military still and always have overwhelmingly voted Republican. Prove me wrong...You cant...

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:39 PM)

Obama "knows what is good for this country" according to Tony from Toronto. If only he had a clue about America.

John, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:42 PM)

Notice how fast all the people who scream "you don't back the soldiers" start smearing them as soon as one of them disagrees with the GOP party line. What they really mean is "you don't back the authoritarian leader". Yeah, no kidding I don't.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:42 PM)

INthemiddle - So how could someone spend 24 years in the military and then turn around and support a party of non serving chickenhawks like the republicans? You musyt know that in the 60's the NG was a cowards way to punch his ticket, you must know cheney and none of the other chickenhawks served a day, not one single day, you must know that biggest war cheerleaders are keyboard warriors wo won't serve right?

Rick, WS, NC (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:43 PM)

Funny how the part that apparently has so much disdain for the military is getting almost all (all? I don't think I've seen even one former military commander endorse a Republican...) of the military endorsements.

But I'm sure folks like IntheMiddle think that this is just another "phony soldier" who is being manipulated by left wing propaganda.

The GOP: Supporting the troops so long as they agree with the Repulbic Party.

John Doe, The Peanut Gallery (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:46 PM)

Barry Hussien Obama isn't Commander-in-Chief material. He has never lead on anything. His wife wears the pants in his own family. He is a scrawny 50 year old kid who is wet behind his dinner plate sized ears.

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:57 PM)

Dickie Flatts, - Kerry DID win in 2004 !

Harmony (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 2:58 PM)

Rick: I would never support a Democrat simply because of the way they treat the military. All of our raises came from republican, all of our modern day weapons came from republicans, the biggest pay raise ever came fronm Bush. Concurrent receipt (Disability pay without being off set by Retired pay) came from Bush. Republicans have tried to pass that for 40 yrs., Dems blocked it. Its a winner for military to stay Republican. When you speak of Generals, most have political aspirations, its just right now the flavor of the week is to be against Bush and you make a lot of money. BTW in the 60's before my time in the military, everyone tried to get out of going to Vietnam. It was the flavor at that time.
JohnDoe: In my opinion, I have no respect for any General retired or not publically going against a sitting POTUS. That s(*& is fowl. The military is a community within itself and we have internal oath's that only we understand. If a soldier came out and dug up all of their dirt, they would want to court-martial him.
BTW: I was a CSM (Command Sergeants Major) so I have worked side by side with some of them.

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 3:04 PM)

Too often people hide behind symbols and rhetoric. Like Bush making compassionate photo ops. Like the gay republican in the stall hides behind his anti gay votes; like gay, drug abusing, christian leaders hide behind the Bible. Who would Jesus kill Mr. Bush? Is that behind that cross where you are hiding?

Harmony (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 3:09 PM)

u know the amercian people are scare that obama is gaining speed in this election. remember the media had dean way up in the polls 2003.remember and what happen. and for that flag pin flap.any body can put on a flag with no good judgement. case in point larry craig mug shot has the pin and he was in the restroom for what...tap tap tap

sgreen (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 3:15 PM)

Hey - Obama's ears ARE big - All the better to listen with!

Harmony (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 3:16 PM)

I challenge anyone to listen to Obama for five minutes with a open heart and mind and then listen to any other candidate of their choice. Obama would be heads and shoulders the the best candiadate of the field.And anyone doubting his patriotism should just listen to his 2004 speech at the Democratic Convention and Ignore that American Flag pin that was made in China. Obama08

Ale , Atlanta, GA (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 3:17 PM)

In the middle - When is the last time you were at the VA?

Harmony (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 3:19 PM)

"Rick: I would never support a Democrat simply because of the way they treat the military. "

At least you don't waste any energy thinking, with a blind-hate philosophy like that.

"I have no respect for any General retired or not publically going against a sitting POTUS. "

That's because you only think you know what patriotism is. And like that criminal in the WH, you're more than happy to shove it up other peoples' @sses, because YOU'RE RIGHT, and THEY'RE WRONG. Period. Discussion over. Dissent is treason.

AllAroundYou (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 3:20 PM)

Harmony: Just left there this morning. And your point is?

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 3:23 PM)

Obama is a dyed in the wool leftie liberal that has a stiffy about invading Pakistan. He should go do something where he can do no harm, like teach.

Paps Johnston (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 3:25 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=398932