McCain camp ties Obama to Clark

Posted: Monday, June 30, 2008 4:11 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy

ALLENTOWN, PA -- While Obama used his speech this morning to distance himself from Wes Clark's comments criticizing McCain's military record, the McCain campaign spent much of the morning trying to tie Clark and Obama closer together.

After a conference call in which several of his supporters implied that Clark's comments were a part of the Obama campaign's strategy, McCain answered questions about the comments at a press conference, implying that Obama and his surrogates were participating in dirty politics.

VIDEO: Robert Gibbs, Obama communications director, addresses the recent comments made by General Wesley Clark, adding that no one should question the patriotism of either candidate, but rather the judgement each possesses.

"I'm proud of my record of service and I have plenty of friends and leaders who will attest to that," McCain said when asked about Clark's criticism. "But the important thing is if that's the kind of campaign that Sen. Obama and his surrogates and his supporters want to engage, I understand that. But it doesn't reduce the price of a gallon gas by one penny. It doesn't achieve our energy independence any -- make it come any closer. It doesn't help an American stay in their home who are in risk of losing it today, and it certainly doesn't do anything to address the challenges that Americans have in keeping their jobs, their homes and supporting their families."

McCain did not push for Obama to condemn the remarks, despite being asked about them several times. Instead, he said: "Gen. Clark is not an isolated incident, but I have no way of knowing how much involvement Sen. Obama has in that issue." And he said that he would "let the American people decide" if Obama was going back on his promise to practice a new kind of politics by letting Clark's comments stand.

In his speech today, Obama emphasized McCain's military service and patriotism. "We must always express our profound gratitude for the service of our men and women in uniform. Period. Full stop," he said. "Indeed, one of the good things to emerge from the current conflict in Iraq has been the widespread recognition that whether you support this war or oppose it, the sacrifice of our troops is always worthy of honor."

EMAIL THIS

Comments

McCain...always one step behind the rest of us. Not someone you want in the whitehouse.

So I guess now everyone that questions the old coot is 'part of the obama campaign'. Heck, I wasn't a Obama supporter, but I may as well be since McCain says I am.

DV, CA (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:20 PM)

This could resonate with "working class" voters as below the belt. Ya- the "bitter", "bible-clinging" "gun-toting" kind of voters, obama is already struggling with. He sure better bring out the AAs in Nov!

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:21 PM)

Obama has been totally gracious towards McCain and repeatedly praised his military service. I don't think the McCain people have been as honorable. They put a false story in the NY Times about McCain's military record when they said McCain gave up a military promotion to go into politics. It's flat out not true. John McCain was NOT on his way to a military promotion. His academic and military record didn't merit promotion.

Keith, PA (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:23 PM)

"And he said that he would "let the American people decide" if Obama was going back on his promise to practice a new kind of politics by letting Clark's comments stand"

First of all, Obama DID NOT let the comments stand and second, I am one of the Americans who decided from the very beginning that Obama cannot be held responsible for everything everyone says, and he is not playing politics as usual. Also, I don't think what Gen. Clark said was untrue. Just because you were a great American and a POW does not necessarily make you eligible to become POTW!!!!

New Independent (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:24 PM)

What? You don't like unfair comments about your war record? Apologize to John Kerry first and then talk down Mr. Clark. He didn't even bash you war record, just using it to further your political ambitions.

Steve, New York (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:24 PM)

I don't know about anyone else....but I'm sick of hearing about McCain honorable service. If he had so much honor why did he cheat on his crippled wife from an accident when he returned with the now Mrs. mcCain. That really shows a lot of honor.

Joe (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:24 PM)

Hey, McCain, you remember that joke you made about "not beating your wife anymore?" Does that mean we can "tie" you to being a wife-beater? You already cuss at her in public and insult her with name-calling.
Anyone who casts a vote for McCain has no moral decency in my opinion.

Senator Obama for decency (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:24 PM)

How can you tell McCain's camp is using false outrage in order to score a political point? Pretty much everytime he brings up Obama's name...when is McSame going to actually talk about the issues and defend his numerous flip flops and policy proposals.

CJ (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:24 PM)

I am also a Veteran of Vietnam. I should also be President!

The McCain campaign doth protest too much.

I agree, nothing in McCain's military background indicates he has any leadership skills. General Clark just pointed that our. McCain has tried to spin in other directions.

They need to stop acting like babies - get some ba..s and grow up.

Before too long (Nov 4) they will be put out of their and our misery.

A Fromer Republican (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:24 PM)

Sorry - correction - that was POTUS!

New Independent (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:25 PM)

Bravo to Wesley Clark for speaking the truth!!! I'm disappointed that Barack thought he needed to "distance" himself from this man and "reject" his remarks ... I'm really disappointed.

ObamaMama - Glenwood, IL (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:25 PM)

Golly, isn't it comforting to know the Republicans are spending so much time on this rather than straining themselves trying to solve the problems either created, exacerbated or ignored over the last seven years by the Bush administration.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:25 PM)

Should be McCain ties Clark to MSNBC aren't you guys paying him

OOPs (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:26 PM)

It was ok to lie about Kerry's war record...but its not to ok to even examine or bring into the debat the veracity of McCain's military record, or even to question how it purportedly makes him qualfied to be CIC? The hypocracy of the repukes knows no bounds!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:26 PM)

McCain camp, scrambling to work on something that happened yesterday. Obama camp, moving on to patriotism and 4th of July. Once again proving how forward thinking he is. And how very quaint and irrelevant the elephants have become.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:28 PM)

Missed the part where McCain distanced himself from his surrogates, Swift Boat Veterans for McCain.

Shame on Obama for throwing an American hero, Wes Clark, under the bus. Should have defended him for telling the truth and for bringing up an issue that should be discussed in a Presidential campaign.

Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:28 PM)

And why is it bad that they have "ties"? Obama weathered being "tied" to Rev Wright and whomever else. Gen Clarke was a Hillary supporter until the primaries ended and he started to back Obama.

I'd rather have ties to a retired 4 star general any day compared to the scum that McCain has close connections with.

Maybe McCain is angry that a 4 star general didn't dissent from the Democratic party and unite with him like some of the Hillary supporters did at first?

Kim W virgina beach, va (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:28 PM)

May God have mercy on us all, there are still 127 days left until the election, I don't know how much more of the Republican trash talking I can handle.

This time do something smart and vote for your wallet, vote for the economy, vote for the environment, vote for jobs, vote for America!

Vote for the smartest candidate in the race, a real leader (and no that's not McCain, who graduated 894 out of 899 from the Naval Academy at Annapolis because he admittedly preferred playing to studying -- your tax dollars at work)

Vote Democratic 2008 -- don't let the corporations and their Republican stooges win again.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:29 PM)

mccain proclaims "But the important thing is if that's the kind of campaign that Sen. Obama and his surrogates and his supporters want to engage, I understand that. But it doesn't reduce the price of a gallon gas by one penny. It doesn't achieve our energy independence any -- make it come any closer. It doesn't help an American stay in their home who are in risk of losing it today, and it certainly doesn't do anything to address the challenges that Americans have in keeping their jobs, their homes and supporting their families."

senator mccain failed to mention that he has no plans or intentions of addressing any of theses issues less fortunate americans face, at least obama does. mccain intends to carry on the republican tradition of take from the poor and give to the rich

MK,MO (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:31 PM)

Why does McCain make it so hard for us to see him as a grown up statesman?
Wasn't Wes Clark literally against Obama less than a month ago? How on earth can anyone reasonably expect that this comes from within the Obama camp?

Scott H (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:31 PM)

somebody wants some French-Cries!!

ya know (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:32 PM)

Rand Beers another Obama supporter just attacked McCain saying he is limited because of his POW years.

Dan, baltimore, maryland (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:33 PM)

What the eff is Senator Obama suppose to say exactly? HE SUPPORTS OUR MILITARY for goodness sakes. EVERYBODY DOES.

Except the Republican Party.

They are made up of sick, shallow, disengenuous, evil people. Cheney, Rove, GWB, Rumsfeld - this is the party John McCain belongs to.

MCCAIN IS NOT A MAVERICK. He is one of them.

BTW, didn't McCain NOT support Jim Webb's GI Bill?

He's full of it.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:33 PM)

Yeah, whatever, McThusekah. Your paid spokespeople over at Faux News perpetuate every manner of smear and distortion (terrorist handshake?!), and your advisor launches Fear Campaign 2008. Gen. Clark (a Hillary supporter, by the way) speaks the truth about your career and its impact on the Presidency, and the world comes unglued. Aren't you due for a nap?

Man-sized Safe, Corpus Christi, TX (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:34 PM)

Mr. McCain your an idoit!! this morning obama rejected the comments from clark, but as the idiot you are you attack obama as if this is his master plan to defect you!!! COME ON MAN YOU GOT TO COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT PLAN THAN THAT, also if you want people to trust you to be our president because of your military record than what are you afraid of!!!
release your records!!! let everybody know what you did during the war, let people know who many planes you lost, let people know how many men died on the forestal carrier when a missle shot off you plane as you were on the main deck(110 men died)!! let everybody know how many missions you flew before you were shot down 2 weeks after the forestal accident. and finally let everybody know you gave the north viet cong the name of your ship as well as where it was at sea, as well as signing a document saying your were a war criminal to the north because you admitted to bombing a school!!! please we all want to know!!!

jeff D evanston IL. (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:34 PM)

If McCain is so proud, I have one question.
Why doesn't he release ALL the records of his service years. He could black out those lines referring to issues of national security, if any. Then again, those of us that do our own research already know the answer to my question.

Steve Lynchburg,VA (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:35 PM)

"I'm proud of my record of service and I have plenty of friends and leaders who will attest to that," McCain said............

****************************************

Senator McCain,

That is not what you wrote in your book. There you admitted guilt. Which is it?

donna (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:35 PM)

Oh McShame you mean like "Obama is John Kerry with a tan", or "Obama can't be trusted", etcetera, etcetera. He with glass houses...............

jen mi (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:35 PM)

Whatever John McCain - you are the one using your military services as a calius to the Presidency.

So, it should be fair game - you can't have it both ways mister.

I hope the DNC and U.S. Democrats continue to harp on your Military service and it you are proud of it, good for you - doesn't mean everyone should be.

Because as long as you us it, it will be used.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:36 PM)

It seems as though McCain and his camp are grasping for anything to bring Obama down.......It ain't happening. Gen. Clark has a right to his opinion whether it differs from Obama's or not. The truth is what it is.......the truth.

ID,GA (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:37 PM)

McFossil is a loser. He has no policies, no plans to make America better, no enthusiasm for his campaign, no original ideas, voted with Bush 95% of the time but wants you to believe he wouldn't be a third Bush term. Nothing, nada, zip. A real loser. Go ahead and vote for him and be just as big of a loser as he is. The way he's running his campaign is pathetic. What is he offering? More of the same. Loser.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:37 PM)

First of all he didn't question McCain patriotism, and i am shock a all the fool that said he did, he praised his service, but said that don't qualify him to be commander in chief, i served in Vietnam 1969, do that make me ready to be commander in chief?
NO and the same reply to Mccain he is no more or less than any other Vet. we all served our county, some died some lived some were pow's bt it don't make us any beter than any other American who did not serve in the military, so get over it judgement count and McCain dont have that Judgement. i never want to go to war again.

joe Oklahoma, city OK (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:40 PM)

"Gen. Clark is not an isolated incident, but I have no way of knowing how much involvement Sen. Obama has in that issue."

****************************************

Catch the 'tell'? McCain admits he is accusing Senator Obama, without facts to back him up. He is playing the victim card, and not very skillfully.

donna (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:41 PM)

Will the real John McCain please tell us where he really stands on ANY position? Heres a good read

http://www.newsweek.com/id/143955/page/1

ya know (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:41 PM)

McCain's claim that his POW experience qualifies him for President is analogous to HRC claim that her White House experience qualifies her. When is the media going to examine this claim by McCain?

Robert in Virginia (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:42 PM)

Well, John, if you're so proud of your military service record, why not release the enter thing?

Chicken? Yeah, I think you are!

Cluck-Cluck-Cluck goes The McChicken!

Young Haitian Cabin Boy (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:50 PM)

That's twice in as many weeks that Obama has come out to squash negative talking points against McCain.

First Move.on got the hook, now General Clark, and anybody else with a mind to go there, have been put on notice.

When is the last time John McCain, stepped up to defend Barack, and Michelle Obama?

During the NC primary he said he didn't approve of the threatened 527, that never materialized, (but was played endlessly by the pundits), however, he did not reject it's content.

Obama is winning the 'decency' wars.

donna (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:51 PM)

Seriously, what is up with the MSM? This is ridiculous! For heaven's sake! GENERAL Clark... did you get that? GENERAL Clark's assessment was right on, and it DID NOT put into question McSame's patriotism. WOW! And here I was thinking that MSNBC was "fair and balanced" what a JOKE!

ENOUGH ALREADY! (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:52 PM)

Karl Rove + attacks on Kerry's Military service = Genius

however

Wes Clark + McCain military experience not the same as executive level experience = gaffe

Can the media remove its head from its butt on this one. I look forward to the day when you stop bending over backward for the Republicans. You can start calling Wes Clark a genius now, thank you.

Allen, chicago (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:55 PM)

The level of naivete among the Obamatons is astounding. You all brag about the well run machine of a campaign he has, that everything is controlled and planned (ask those Muslim women about that!). Therefore, do you really think Obama et al had no idea what Clark, who has been at Obama's side quite often lately, going to say? Keep drink that koolaid because the reality check when you sober up of the fake, fraud, deceitful, dirty politician Obama is will be pretty frightening for you.

truth with McCain (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:55 PM)

I have been watching MSNBC's ticker tape this afternoon and am concerned that this usually fine network is seeking to keep the Obama/Clark/McCain flap alive as long as possible by failing to note that Obama has rejected Clark's statement re McCain's service not being experience enough to make him Commander-in-Chief. I believe that Obama's statement of rejection should immediately follow Clark's statement.

Charlotte R. Dickson (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:56 PM)

McCain hires one of the original swiftboaters and has the nerve to attack Obama for General Clark's perfectly fair assessment. If the media was doing its job it would have been raising this issue itself. I swear the MSM must have pulled a muscle making that giant leap to conclude that being a POW 40 years ago qualifies you to be CIC!

Thanks General Clark!!! (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:56 PM)

Obamatikes, you're misbehaving. Your Messiah said you're not supposed to question anybody's military service and look at you. Now, be nice little tikes, drink your koolaid, say hope and change every few minutes and grin.

NObama (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:59 PM)

General Clark did not question Senator McCain's patriotism. I spent 26 years in my country's uniform, participated in Vietnam and Desert Storm, and none of it qualifies me for elected office.

I can ride a bike, but I'm not insisting on a place in the Tour D'France.

Michael A. Carter, Gates, OR (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 4:59 PM)

Shouldn't there be some effort to examine the substance of Clark's point? This web post (linked below) is a nice read that makes some good points about the matter. Folks may want to check it out:

http://www.culturethreads.com/thread1.html

Geoff (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 5:00 PM)

Is the Team McCain insane? Are they actually implying that Gen. Wesley Clark is Obama's Puppet? Obama's Puppet...really?

It's a good thing he's an Officer AND a Gentleman (unlike McCain who uses the "C-word" for his wife. Otherwise, I'm sure Gen. Clark could break Team McCain in half...and still go on a 10 mile jog.

Al 616, MIchigan (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 5:03 PM)

This Wes Clark flap has gotten a heck of a lot of coverage today, Mark. It wasn't said by Sen. Obama; it was said by someone who advises his campaign. That being the case, why in the heck aren't there four posts about the flap by a surrogate for Sen. McCain, who claimed that Sen. Obama is "John Kerry with a tan?" Neither Sen. Obama nor Gen. Clark insulted Sen. McCain's military record; both, in fact, went out of their ways to praise it. Why hasn't there been the same kind of outrage for an overtly racist statement? Where is the media accountability for Sen. McCain?

Brendan D, Niles, IL (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 5:06 PM)

I'm proud - and greatful - to senator McCain for his military record. But I don't think his prison time qualifies him to be president. He has other qualifications but his prison time alone does not qualify him. Wesley Clark is correct.

Louis, Atlanta, GA (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 5:13 PM)

A friend of mine was a POW at Stalag 17 during WWII. He's now in his 80's, but he's sharp as a tack. He knows the difference between Sunni and Shia. He does not have anger management issues. As far as I know he never cheated on his wife of 50 plus years. He's retired, but keeps busy with community and church activities.

He says he was not a hero, just an average guy serving his country.

Doggone, I couldn't convince him to run for President.

Mel, Illinois (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 5:15 PM)

What's wrong with Clark stating the truth? Once again, the truth is an evil thorn in the sides of the Republicans. typical Repulican response is to shoot the messenger and anyone associated with them when the truth comes out and they don't want to hear it. They have never been ones to let the truth get in the way of their ideology. So pathetic.

Mark James, San Diego, CA (Sent Monday, June 30, 2008 5:15 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=1176377