General in new Obama ad

ye — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:05:36 GMT

AMEN to that

General in new Obama ad

ye — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:05:53 GMT

AMEN to that

General in new Obama ad

Shadow, Hamden, CT — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:08:24 GMT

An impressive endorsement.

General in new Obama ad

Larry, Toronto — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:12:49 GMT

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

General in new Obama ad

Dave, Tn — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:18:12 GMT

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. :-)

General in new Obama ad

IntheMiddle, TX — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:21:28 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

sick of "washington" — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:21:36 GMT

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

General in new Obama ad

Mary, Seattle — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:23:06 GMT

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!

General in new Obama ad

Chris, Boston — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:28:53 GMT

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...

General in new Obama ad

Jim Haddix, Ann Arbor, Mich — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:32:26 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

jt — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:32:48 GMT

Paid for Obama for President 2008. Thank you.

General in new Obama ad

Lioness, Washington DC — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:35:31 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

J, Durham, NC — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:39:22 GMT

Judgment + Insight + Courage = Commander in Chief

Obama 2008

General in new Obama ad

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:52:23 GMT

All those retired Generals helped Kerry win in '04.

Whooops .... strike that.

General in new Obama ad

Katherine La Rocco — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:54:22 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

AllAroundYou — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:55:23 GMT

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?

General in new Obama ad

George Sorros — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:57:51 GMT

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?

General in new Obama ad

Rufus Gibbons, DC — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:00:16 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

Harry — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:01:06 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

IntheMiddle, TX — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:04:45 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

Mike K, Denver — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:05:55 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

Mike K, Denver — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:08:57 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

tobby — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:09:25 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

Bee — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:10:07 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

VN Vets against Phony Soldiers — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:11:36 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

Marbw — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:13:02 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

Rogers' Rangers — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:17:58 GMT

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?

General in new Obama ad

Banko — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:19:22 GMT

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

General in new Obama ad

Dave, Tn — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:22:34 GMT

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

General in new Obama ad

Stephen Cassidy, CA — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:22:43 GMT

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

General in new Obama ad

Reggie, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:28:05 GMT

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!

General in new Obama ad

AllAroundYou — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:31:14 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

AllAroundYou — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:32:15 GMT

General in new Obama ad

TB — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:36:58 GMT

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!

General in new Obama ad

IntheMiddle, TX — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:39:49 GMT

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...

General in new Obama ad

John, Columbus, Ohio — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:42:15 GMT

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

General in new Obama ad

John B, Des Moines, IA — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:42:27 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

Rick, WS, NC — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:43:37 GMT

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?

General in new Obama ad

John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:46:49 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:57:41 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

Harmony — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:58:30 GMT

Dickie Flatts, - Kerry DID win in 2004 !

General in new Obama ad

IntheMiddle, TX — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:04:57 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

Harmony — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:09:21 GMT

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?

General in new Obama ad

sgreen — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:15:21 GMT

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

General in new Obama ad

Harmony — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:16:51 GMT

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

General in new Obama ad

Ale , Atlanta, GA — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:17:16 GMT

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

General in new Obama ad

Harmony — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:19:06 GMT

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

General in new Obama ad

AllAroundYou — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:20:45 GMT

"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.

General in new Obama ad

IntheMiddle, TX — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:23:36 GMT

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

General in new Obama ad

Paps Johnston — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:25:14 GMT

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.

General in new Obama ad

IntheMIddle, TX — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:27:55 GMT

AllAround: Why is your little twerp a&& talking to me. Hand to your face....

Harmony: Read this....before you comment on the V.A.
http://www.vetscommission.org/reports.asp.

General in new Obama ad

Mitchell Feldman, Vestal, NY — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:31:00 GMT

I for one, appreciate the general's comments about Obama. And it makes me consider that although not a single vote has been cast in the primaries, we hear about the likely Democratic nominee for 2008 from the talking heads. What blowhards the MSM are making themselves out to be. We can only remember what the polls had to say in October of 2003, to see just how foolish these predictions are. I just don't believe that the American public are going to have a candidate shoved down their throats by the media and the Clinton propaganda machine. After all, the media shouldn't be part of the selection process they should only report about it.

Hillary has no credentials, none, in foreign affairs and so her argument about her expertise in the field is bogus. Certainly her judgment has been an embarrassment for both her and our country. I laugh when she talks about being ready to lead because there is just no basis for her to claim something so preposterous (as if Guiliani's, 9/11, walking around downtown NYC, 9/11, with a mask on his face, 9/11, gives him the bona fides, 9/11, to be America's defender against terrorism -9/11, - thanks to Jon Stewart and his diagnosis of Guiliani's Tourrette's syndrome). I challenge anyone here to tell me what gives her the right to make such claims.

The bottom line is that the American people will have to pay a lot of attention to what is being said, to how votes have been cast in the past and to how people have behaved in their past offices and jobs, when they choose the next president. I can only refer everyone to the choice of the present occupant of the White House and wonder if people were more concerned with substance and less with likability (who would YOU like to have a beer with?), if they were concerned more with issues and less with symbolism (who's patriotism is manifest more by service than by the maintenance of icons) that we might not be in the catastrophic place in which we find ourselves today.

There's always a tendency to yearn for the good old days without consideration of the fact that the good old days weren't so good and that they certainly do not provide the answers to solve the problems of tomorrow (i.e. NAFTA and the single minded and uncompromising approach to providing universal access to health care, to name a few).

I think Obama is the candidate with the substance and the judgment and the genuine capability to lead this country through the trials of the next eight years. He is the one capable of forming concensus in government. His election will help us to achieve the healing of the international wounds caused by this administration's lack of curiosity and disregard for reality and he, only he, has the charisma to inspire a new generation of Americans to do more for their country than has been the case, since the election of JFK.
Obama '08

General in new Obama ad

AllAroundYou — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:35:15 GMT

InTheMiddle - go back to VA - brain transplant has failed.

Hey - I'm talking to you again - doesn't that just piss you off, that you can't control me?

General in new Obama ad

Brian, Tampa — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:37:43 GMT

"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".

That’s comical. I live here in Tampa and work at McDill and I have to tell you most of the people I work with here support Obama because we are sick of these politicians using us to get elected and then spit on us come inauguration day. We are sacrificing for this country while the rest of you drive your SUV’s and drink your Starbucks. You don’t know what it truly means to support your country that’s why you bash people with opposing viewpoints when the freedom to speak is what we are fighting for. You want to support your country and your troops then stop buying your toys and invest in the war effort. Obama is who we support and if any of you had half a brain you would to.

General in new Obama ad

The Insider — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:38:43 GMT

The fix is in...

General in new Obama ad

Daniel, Desmoines, IOWA — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:49:10 GMT

AMEN!!!!

GO OBAMA' 08

General in new Obama ad

Gray, Dc — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:50:00 GMT

Article worth reading from Peggy Noonan a staunch republican no less

Mr. Obama often seems to be thinking when he speaks, too, and this comes somehow as a relief, in comparison, say, to Hillary Clinton and President Bush, both of whom often seem to be trying to remember the answer they'd agreed upon with staff. What's the phrase we use about education? Hit Search Function. Hit Open. Right-click. "Equity in education is essential, Tim . . ."
You get the impression Mr. Obama trusts himself to think, as if something good might happen if he does. What a concept. Anyway, I've started to lean forward a little when he talks.

Mr. Obama's experience, as we all know, is as limited as Mrs. Clinton's, which is to say limited indeed. She has held elective office for only 6 1/2 years. Before that she was first lady of Arkansas and then first lady of the United States. He has held national office for only 3 1/2 years, and before that was a state legislator for eight years. But he has impressed people, and not with money, résumé or clout but something rarer, natural gifts. That's not nothing. Big talent is rare, and deserves consideration.
And yet the Democrats remain in their Hillary trance.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/

General in new Obama ad

Asad — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:56:36 GMT

Ouch! I feel really bad for the Faux Noise guy...

General in new Obama ad

Sierra, SF — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:56:42 GMT

Chris, Boston: '...Also, in some way, isn't this just a bit of legerdemain? I mean, how do you gauge someone's judgment...'

Chris, you can gauge the judgement of Clinton, Biden and Dodd by knowing that they voted FOR THE IRAQ WAR
What kind of judgement is that, Chris ?
Pretty bad judgement, I'd say !!

You can also gauge Hillary's judgement by knowing that she voted for the Lieberman-Kyl 'Bomb Iran' bill.
That bill was called 'Dick Cheney's fondest dream'

Coming at a time when the Bush/Cheney regime is looking for an excuse to attack Iran, voting for Leiberman-Kyl that shows HORRIBLE JUDGEMENT, dosen't it ?

General in new Obama ad

Foothandman, Portland, Oregon — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:05:59 GMT

"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."

That's the dumbest thing you've said yet. The reason generals are going public is because keeping their opinions private didn't work. It didn't stop the Bush administration from exaggerating the WMD evidence. It didn't stop them from going in to Iraq with too few troops. It didn't make them plan for an insurgency. It didn't stop torture.

Cabinet members and many Republicans have been peeling away from this administration quite steadily for the last 7 years and they all say essentially the same thing. This administration DOES NOT LISTEN to dissenting viewpoints. The only way to hold them accountable for their actions is to leak things to the media, resign or retire and then come out against them.

Saying "we have internal oath's that only we understand" is insulting and intellectually dishonest. Which oath did you take that trumps free speech, or your patriotic duty to speak out when your country is headed in the wrong direction?

Such a lame, condescending argument further exemplifies your lack of critical thought. You, like the President are unable to see beyond your biases to carefully consider differing viewpoints. You, like the President are unwilling to accept the consequences for a failed policy. History will not look kindly on the philistine President and those who continue to support him.

General in new Obama ad

Sierra, SF — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:06:01 GMT

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC: '...Barry Hussien Obama isn't Commander-in-Chief material...'

Why do you feel the need to distort Barack Obama's name, Dickie ?
Why do you feel the need to include his middle nam ?

'...He has never lead on anything...'

Wasn't he a community organizer, Dickie ?
Didn't he sucessfully campaign for public office, on the local and State level ?

'...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....'

My, Dickie you seem to have a problem with Obama.
How do you know about his family life ?
Do you think his family relationships are relevant ?
Do you prefer a 'leader' who's married to a serial adulterer ?

Dickie Flatts, did you like Ross Perot's ears ?

Dickie, you seem to be opposing Obama and supporting Hillary for shome very trivial reasons.......

General in new Obama ad

J. Strong — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:06:40 GMT

In the middle - I served for 20 years myself. But realize that the administration opposed the Democratic-led pay increase in the FY08 request. DoD requested 3% while the Appropriations committee wanted it to be 3.5%, Bush opposed this increase, saying 3% was sufficient, all this while 1 in 5 military families rely on food stamps. Again, I served in the infantry for 20 years and remember every pay raise. Bush 41 was great, Clinton not so great but Bush Jr has been awful for the military families. You cannot prove otherwise.

General in new Obama ad

Amy B Portland, ME — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:16:31 GMT

250 plus comments yesterday on Obama's explanation for why he doesn't wear a little American Flag pin. 59 comments and counting today when he picked up one general's endorsement. Somebody alert Chuck Todd that Hillary does not have the nomination sewn up. For me, its either Obama or Edwards.

General in new Obama ad

P.Wiya, sydney,australia — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:17:59 GMT

America, many many people outside of your country are following your politics because it affects us. If America were to gain respect again even from your enemies, the only candidate you have is OBAMA. The world will celebrate when Obama becomes the President of America. The man is special, God given for this moment in history for you and rest of the world.

General in new Obama ad

sonya, atlanta, ga — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:24:54 GMT

Obama is the right man for the right time! Get use to saying President Obama.

General in new Obama ad

D.J. Murphy — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:31:01 GMT

Obama on foreign policy is a bad combination of Neville Chamberlain, Madeline Albright, and every French leader of the past 100 years who doesn't have the intelligence or courage to defend themselves. He suffers from the same delusion that you can "negotiate" with the genocidal, whose current best representative is Islam.

General in new Obama ad

IntheMiddle, TX — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:33:25 GMT

J. Strong: The pay raise of 3% is the same as the Employment Cost Index. The exact measurement that raises have been gaged against every year. If Washington wasnt so damn partisan then maybe Bush could work with the Democrats. Can you blame him, everyday these guys call him everything known to man, so why should he agree to anything they offer, evn if it is a good plan. I guarantee they wont give him the same. I served in SF for 17 of my 24 yrs and as an asst Division CSM for 4 yrs. I was on an infantry post and didnt see 1 in 5 on food stamps. We had too many that way. Some were because before they came in as a private, had 3-4 kids. You just cant be married as a private with 3-4 kids and make it off of privates pay. Then you have privates who go out and buy BMW's on $1500 pay per month. Matter of fact I'll call right now to my old PSNCO and have him send me the statistics and Ill post them. 1-5 is a distortion that you shouldnt be putting out to the general public. If you were a soldier you would understand that the general public will take anything you say and twist it politically to serve their goal of destroying the presidency.

General in new Obama ad

IntheMiddle, TX — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:43:03 GMT

J. Strong: Here is something you forgot. Were you in at this time? I just retired 4 months ago.

20-Year-High Military Pay Raise Averages 6.9 Percent
By Sgt. 1st Class Kathleen T. Rhem, USA
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2002 – Service members will see an average increase of 6.9 percent in their January pay.
"It's the largest pay increase in 20 years," Navy Capt. Chris Kopang, DoD director of compensation, said in a recent American Forces Information Service interview. In general, officers will see their pay increase 5 percent, he said, and enlisted service members get a 6 percent boost in their pay beginning Jan. 1.
Non-commissioned officers are also receiving larger raises, Kopang said, with the highest increases -- up to 10 percent -- going to the highest enlisted grades. Enlisted members in grades E-5 and E-6 will see an average 7.5 percent increase, E-7s an average increase of 8.5 percent, and up to 10 percent for E-9s.

That was more in one wallop than we received in all of the 90's combined....

General in new Obama ad

John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:50:15 GMT

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

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

So does this extend to only Generals or the entire military? I ask because there is a pretty decent chance that you are going be put in a situation where the POTUS in 2009 is a Democrat. Does this mean that you, as a retired Command Seargant Major, will refrain from going against a potential President Clinton, Obama, Edwards, etc?

I'm sorry, I really don't see you sitting by for four years not saying anything bad about a sitting Democratic POTUS and, frankly, I don't think you should. Your rights, beliefs, and the ability to express them are one of the things that the military is bound by oath to protect. To think that those same members of the military should not use their 1st ammendment rights and get involved in any area of American life they choose after they are done with their services is a very strange idea indeed to me.

Now I have an entirely different take on how the military is treated than you. You have stated that one of the reasons you like Republicans are better for the armed services is because of pay raises and advancement of weaponry technology. I have stated previously that I think the Republicans are bad for the armed services because they deployed combat troops to war zones with inadequate amounts of body armor, not enough IED resistant Humvees, and with a tour rotation of 15 months away with 12 months stateside (in violation of the Pentagon's own rotation policies).

Both sides are defensible. And I see no reason why these retired soldiers -of any rank- should be looked on as less than honorable for voicing either opinion. I also think that if the GOP could get past the instinct to smear anyone who disagrees with them (especially soldiers), they might not be in such a terrible position politically.

General in new Obama ad

BOLA LAJIDE EDISON NJ — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:52:11 GMT

Obama is all hypes. He can not think on his feet. I am tired of these havard/harzard ivy league leaders they are all short of substance but full of theories and abstract thinking.leaders are made not born or inherited.
What is obama's past leadership accomplishments in quantifiable terms? none!!!!!

General in new Obama ad

Lorida, Huntsville, AL — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:04:52 GMT

As a veteran and parent of children currently serving in harms to protect and defend the "values" this great country, United States of America stands for, it is very SAD to see on the news some of our elected officials in Congress taking photo ops with leaders from countries who are doing NOTHING or refusing to help "stop" the flow of illegal weapons into Iraq (namely Syria, Iran), Russian and China because of their hatred against us. Yet, Speaker Pelosi refused to take a few minutes to sit down and take a photo op with General Petreaus who is in-charged for the morale and welfare of my children as well as other "American soldiers" doing their BEST as our President is, under very difficult circumstances. Yes, the Republican party stands for: less government,individual freedom, strong economy and a STRONG MILITARY. Thank you for supporting our troops and protecting this country! For that, I will never vote demobrat. They (demobrat) need to wake up and see who the REAL enemy is. Our enemies are listening to your so called plans for withdrawal on CNN and are drawing up plans of their own to be effective on your target date.

God Bless America and our troops!

General in new Obama ad

rick,ky — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:09:45 GMT

In the middle, i wonder why since you're the Know-it-all, done-it-all of the military, why is it you don't have Admiral Fallen's job? We've all known soldiers like you( My mom was married to 2 for over 25 years each)( My dad-ww11 & her 2nd husband-korean war). Both were dear to me, but also let me speak my mind in a Respectible way. To many soldiers now a days have No Respect for differing opinions.They think since they've seen things that Most of us have'nt, Our opinions mean nothing.Get a grip on life& Respect other's opinions, even when you don't , it'll make You a better person.

General in new Obama ad

HRC Scares Me — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:18:15 GMT

Chris, Boston.
How do you gauge someone's judgment without looking at their experiences? You can't have judgment in the abstract, can you? Isn`t that a question that is also needing an answer from HRC?

Yeah Obama - 08'

General in new Obama ad

Kevin Maguire - Boston, MA — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:23:50 GMT

Obama - with such a successful, rounded career in downstate IL legislature. The mayor of Chicago is more qualified than Obama.

This primary will be interesting. And let's not forget the big story that no one yet is talking about...

HSU are you?

Yes, the DNC and Hillary are intimately tied into the largest fundraising fraud scheme in the history of the country. Tens of millions of dollars.

Think about the Abramhoff flap. Golf trips ooohhhh...

Hillary already admitted that she will need to return $850,000 of dirty money (which she hasn't done yet).

This will keep quiet and under the radar until after the Dem primary. Then watch out. Even Obama will be tarnished.

That's what they get for being with Clinton and Soros.

General in new Obama ad

Harmony — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:42:25 GMT

In the middle - Haven't you noticed how many benefits have been cut? I'm sure a lot of them wished they had the body armor that the Blackwater guys have. Why are GIs being sent home days before they qualify for the GI bill they signed up for? How about all the extra injured guys there latley? How about the extended tours? How about the ones that don't ever get to come home? How about all those oil profits? Republicans have been good to the military- yea, right.

I suppose you think those Generals speaking out don't know nuthin'about war or patriotism. They know that our military fights for what is right FOR THE PEOPLE because we ARE the country.
They know more than you think and certainly more than you do.
Loyalty to your country doesn't mean blindly following the leader. That is a game kids play. If Hitler was president and he commanded you to kill Jews - should you? Would that show an American value?
We defend the oppressed - we don't invade them!
The "country" is the PEOPLE that live here. NOT one party, or two, but as many affiliatins as we want to have. Patriotism is NOT about being a Christian - It is about the right to beleive as we wish Muslim Jew or Cherokee.
Being an American is not about being gay or straight -it's more about being genuine not a hippocrite.
Patriotism is not about where your family is from, or what color your skin is.
Isn't it about living in a country where you can speak your mind freely? Worship freely? Have a fair election?
Americans help each other, we don't bicker, we're not petty. We are not racists, we have compassion for those less fortunate.
Patriotism is not about flag waving. Hitler had more flags than anyone.
Just because someone chooses not to wear a pin does not mean he is less of a Patriot than the guy that has a thousand flags to hide behind.
Barack is not rejecting America or the brave soldiers. He's not a terrorist. He's a fine well educated man who is afraid that America has lost its way and is willing to put everything he has on the line to help us back. How many of us can say the same? Oh yea, he could have lied and said he forgets to wear it - many in the administration have bad memories, but he chose to speak his mind - just like an (um, let me see...) oh yea, an American!

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO US AMERICANS ? Have we forgotten who we are? Many here sound like terrorists, small minded racists, with uninformed apathy- I'm telling you - it's scarey.

General in new Obama ad

Bee — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:43:02 GMT

Bola Olajide from NJ, Obviously you are naive and don't have understanding of the issue. Here is a website that shows what Obama has accomplished in the last 21 years of public service. This link alone shows you what he got done in Illinois

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/07/29/us/politics/20070730_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html

Obama/Edward'08

General in new Obama ad

greg okc — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:48:17 GMT

Inthe middle, sir thank you for your service. I know that when it comes down to it I would rather have a CSM with me in a fox hole than any General! In case anyone out there doesnt know these are the soldiers that really run the military! Men and women that live honor, not only learn about it in books. The whole world understands that the military always votes Republican. That is why absentee ballots are always a hot issue. As far as Sen Obama goes usually the big argument for his forein policy is that he spent so much time living out of the country, so he understands how other countries feel about us. To some people this is a big selling point. To me it is not, it might be however be a reason for him not to wear a pin. All people deserve to be heard regaurdless of their military experience. Most retired officers that get envolved with politics on this level are wanting to continue their service. Take General W Clark. He started his political career with the Republicans, after it became clear there was no future there he switched to the Democrats. Sen Obama needs former military leaders to endorse him, it is the only thing he can do to gain him any credability at all. To say there are no retired military officers that disagree with the Iraq policy would be crazy. There are however more that will side with the Republicans view of peace through strength.

General in new Obama ad

Lisa, Fort Worth TX — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:50:01 GMT

In the middle, just because you aren't a die-hard conservative doens't mean you disdain the military, any more than Bush's latest veto means he "hates kids". I was a military spouse for over 20 years. I remember in the early 90's when the U.S. started closing military bases and many service members were forced out by "reduction by attrition". Bush 41 was POTUS and I disagreed with this decision because I felt our military should be as large and strong as we could afford to fund. Does that make me a warmonger? No, any more than those who support equal rotation time at home are anti-military.

General in new Obama ad

realidiotsarerepublicansupporters — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:50:07 GMT

Inthemiddle....must suck knowing you are mentally between an idiot and a monkey. In your case I think your closer to the monkey.
Who was it that cut the defense budget and stopped many of the programs for more advanced equipment? Damn, I think that was the monkeys daddy and was approved by none other then Darth himself. You idiots that support this dictatorship in the making are pityful....in the minority also.

General in new Obama ad

Lee Holmes — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:59:01 GMT

John Doe: Your take is revisionist. It was not a Republican who called our Marines ''coldblooded murderers''with no apology forthcoming.[the last Haditha soldier is due to have charges dropped against him by later today if not Monday].Nor was the ''HALP US JON CERRY''sign directed at a Republican. Nor was it a Republican who earned the wrath of military guards at Guantanamo for being likened to ''Nazis'' and ''gulag Soviets''. It was not a Republican who observed that ''Returning Soldiers More Likely To Become Serial And Mass Killers''[that would be DAILY KOS]. It was not a Republican who stated ''we have lost this war'',even prior to the Surge. It is not Republicans who are making movies portraying soldiers as mindless killers and rapists.[the vast predominance of these Tinseltown directors are backing either Obama or Hillary in the GE]. It was not a Republican who tossed a serving soldier out of a Democratic rally for disagreeing with the positions of their supporters. It was not a Republican city council that ejected the United States Navy and US Marines from having any presence in their city[''Fleet Week'',a tradition since WWII].It was not Republicans who tried to can ROTCs from colleges while demanding that they still get to grub for federal monies[It WAS,however,Republicans who came to the aid of the ROTC,by passing the SOLOMON Amendment,recently upheld by the USSC]. Finally,it is our soldiers who are supporting Rush Limbaugh[ who I personally believe to be a bombthrower], over Harry Reid [ who I personally believe to be an idiot] and his Democrat confederates by an overwhelming margin as evidenced from their positions on milblogs which can be viewed here:

www.military.com

General in new Obama ad

L.A Chicago — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:59:36 GMT

Inthemiddle, your comments don't matter you are from the same state and you have the same disposition as the liars and crooks in Washington, tell me are you rich? If not you need to shut up, really, you sound like an uneducated idiot and we have enough of them already. The capitolist are robbing our country without regard for the human race only themselves. No matter what you or others like you say, it is Obama, all the way. Hi Hitler to you...

General in new Obama ad

John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:59:40 GMT

"I am tired of these havard/harzard ivy league leaders they are all short of substance but full of theories and abstract thinking.leaders are made not born or inherited.

BOLA LAJIDE EDISON NJ (Sent Friday, October 05, 2007 4:52 PM)"

Ummmm... seriously, dude. George W. Bush is a graduate of Yale AND Harvard. He inherited his wealth and would not be President today if his father had not had the political connection from being President.

Leaders are very often inherited. The real difference is that Obama got into Columbia and Harvard on his merits and not as a legacy. He was a community organizer in Chicago and drafted several succesful bipartisan bills through the state legislature.

If you disagree with Obama's policies, fine. But when you post drivel like you just did you only make yourself look ignorant.

General in new Obama ad

TRULYInTheMiddle, TX — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:55:56 GMT

Hey InTheMiddle,

That name is such a misnomer, it only needs to be mentioned to be laughed at. Obviously, you are not in the middle.

Let's see . . . I served, too, joined the Navy for both patriotic and tradition reasons. I have nothing but the greatest respect and support the military 100%. Oh, by the way, I'm what you'd call a 'liberal'. Oops, did I hear your jaw drop?

A few of your 'all of the support comes from Republicans' "facts": The biggest pay raise I got when serving was from Jimmy Carter, not Reagan; the Army that defeated Saddam was built by Clinton, it was this idiot in the WH that screwed up the deployment and amament; this idiot in the WH wanted to cut retiement pay, medical benefits, housing allowances, etc. for the military; this idiot in the WH did all he could to not go to Viet Nam, unlike my brother who joined so that he could get the job he wanted rather than be drafted and have to be in the infantry . . . and served two tours . . . and is now (and always was) what you'd call a liberal.

Sounds like you are just spouting off the right wings talking points rather than thinking for yourself or finding out the truth. They keep repeating the same lies and get their followers to do the same until it becomes 'truth' for them.

That doesn't fly for people who actually think for themselves.

Go Obama, or Edwards, or Richardson, or . . . ANYBODY but Guiliani(sp?)!

General in new Obama ad

Don, Sammamish, WA — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 23:23:47 GMT

Very nice ad. Thanks, General McPeak.

Whatever else you might say, there's one thing about Barack Obama that sets him apart from the field:

"I will always tell the American people the truth."
-- Barack Obama, DePaul University, Oct. 2, 2007

General in new Obama ad

Ify, Mpls, MN — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:12:06 GMT

Good ad and well said for someone who ought to know. Chuck why did you not mention this ad when you were on Hard Hall. You talked about only the Clinton Ad. Again another media bias. In four months, you will see how wrong and unfair the MSM has been to Mr. Obama.

General in new Obama ad

Lester Cormarde, Indiana — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 02:39:36 GMT

The real difference is that Obama got into Columbia and Harvard on his merits and not as a legacy. He was a community organizer in Chicago and drafted several succesful bipartisan bills through the state legislature.

Thats all real nice, but this true for about 100000 people also. Obama is the product of several things. 1) He is well connected with the Richie Daley political machine in Chicago 2) He is a media darling. That's it. After that, he is just another left wing liberal from a very liberal state. He has no new ideas, no original thoughts, and no leadership skills. He hasn't even run a lemonade stand. He is a total fabrication of the media.

General in new Obama ad

Jimmie Dayton OH — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 03:13:53 GMT

I see there's a retired Command Sergeant Major on this blog making idiotic statements. Well CSM I would never respect a General,or a CSM retired or active that didn't take care of his troops by speaking the truth to and about any president past or present. I'm a retired Marine and our leaders are held to a higher standard not lesser than their subordinates. I'd suggest you seperate your military opinions from your political ones if you want any respect from me. As for as concurrent reciept I suggest you go back and read again. I believe you'll see that it has been republican who have condoned this travesty. The present concurrent receipt as we know it still only kicks in at 50% disability. It was a concession the Dems had to give to get the fricken bill past by the 72 republicans that signed on. The Democratic version would have started at 1% disability. So what we have here is just another republican neocon following that same republican mantra of lies and fake patriotism. You've disrespected this General and you've disrespected your branch of service. Doggy!

Semper Fi!

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issues/alert/?alertid=10390866&content_dir=ua_congressorg

http://capwiz.com/amsmilitary/issues/bills/?bill=8165491

General in new Obama ad

William, Little Rock, Ar. — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 05:49:14 GMT

"preventing a potential geocide in Iraq isn't a good enough reason to keep U.S. forces there."
Barack Obama
July 20, 2007

General in new Obama ad

Joe America, Independence, IA — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 11:18:45 GMT

How does Hilary Clinton serving tea and cookies at the White House account for experience? Why not run Laura Bush, she sets a mean dinning hall table floral setting!

Its these type of qualifications that had Queen Hilary cave in to the pressure to support Bush's quagmire in Iraq! She has no validity until she apologizes for her lack of foresight and judgement!

General in new Obama ad

RuthieM — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:05:24 GMT

Great endorsement, go Obama!!!

General in new Obama ad

Steven, Kuztown,m PA — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 07:13:57 GMT

He should be supporting Ron Paul, who is an Air Force veteran, and supports an immediate withdraw from Iraq.

Seems like the General hasn't done his homework. I'm more than disappointed.