July 1, 2008

Rangel: McCain's Service 'Admirable' But Not Connected to Being a Good Elected Official

@ 10:18 am by Walter Alarkon

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday defended retired Gen. Wesley Clark's remark questioning the pertinence of John McCain's military service to his ability to govern.

Rangel, on Fox News, said that McCain's service in Vietnam was "admirable"

"And we should spend the rest of our lives thanking people for doing that," Rangel said. "It doesn't have any connection at all in being a good senator, as being a good president."

Rangel was asked whether he was upset at Clark's remark Sunday that "riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down," as McCain had done, is not "a qualification to be president."

Rangel went onto say that his own four years of military service didn't make him a better congressman.

"I could have done so many things in life that probably could have been more productive in terms of being able to resolve legislative and other type of things," he said. "I think my training in law school better prepared me to be a lawmaker than getting shot in Korea, as I did in 1950. But I think that people who serve should be treated differently. I think people put their lives in harm's way."

Archived under: Campaigns, News, Presidential Campaigns
Tags: Barack Obama, Charles Rangel, John McCain, Wesley Clark

10 Comments »

1. i 100% agree with rangel

   Black republicans play race card
   Bush gives mccain credit for GI bill
   Worst web ad everrr
   http://sensico.wordpress.com/

   Comment by linda — July 1, 2008 @ 10:41 am

2. If I were to be trapped in an elevator for, say, 2 days; would that qualify me as an elevator mechanic? I don't think so either.

   The point at hand is 'qualification,' not 'patriotism.' I want a president that will unite this country (we really, really need that!) and work for the common good. I WANT THE BEST MAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE WE CAN FIND.

   Comment by John — July 1, 2008 @ 12:55 pm

3. John, the problem is You don't have that option. Your choices are an inexperienced young Senator chosen by the Democrates and an experienced old Senator chosen by the Republicans. Please provide the specific qualifications ie accomplishments of Senator Obama. Not his sound bites. That is my problem with Obama, he couldn't even bother to finish one elected term in office as a Senator before he decided he wanted another job. Doesn't exactly show that he wanted to represent his constituents as much as he wanted to have a stepping stone to his next job. You expect that from a recent collage graduate not someone that volunteered for a six year term in office.

   Comment by Denise — July 1, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

4. John: The guy that's trapped in the elevator will examine all his options including how to make it move. Next time around he will be careful of elevators and machines in general. On the other hand, the fellow who never got in an elevator in his life will panic the first time he is an elevator, especially when it breaks down. So, there, you got your answer. Meaningless analogies get you meaningless replies.

   Comment by Curious — July 1, 2008 @ 1:53 pm

5. i 100% agree with rangel

   Black republicans play race card
   Bush gives mccain credit for GI bill

   Linda Linda Linda!!!

   Black Republicans play the race card???

   You mean like what Dems did to Justice Clarence Thomas, or what they tried to do Lt Gov candidate Michael Steele, or what Jeremiah Wright has said. I havent even mentioned Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson.

   McCain was not against the GIs. He believed that the money paid to the vetws should be tied to how long they have served. You know, they earned it!!!

   Ding Fries Ready

   Comment by 4est 4est Gump — July 1, 2008 @ 1:54 pm

6. >Comment by Curious — July 1, 2008 @ 1:53 pm

   >John: The guy that's trapped in the elevator >will examine all his options including how to >make it move. Next time around he will be >careful of elevators and machines in general. >On the other hand, the fellow who never got in >an elevator in his life will panic the first >time he is an elevator, especially when it >breaks down. So, there, you got your answer. >Meaningless analogies get you meaningless >replies.

   So, "Curious", we're cool with Obama as Prez so long as he doesn't get trapped in an elevator or detained at the Hanoi Hilton. Works for me! OBAMA '08.

   Comment by Stormin Norman in AZ — July 1, 2008 @ 2:09 pm

7. Charlies correct being in the military does not make you a good public servant. He has to look in the mirror every morning and no one realizes that more than he.

   Comment by john ryder — July 1, 2008 @ 4:08 pm

8. Private Jessica Lynch according to McCain is qualified to be President because she was captured in Iraq. Do not denigrate her service to this great country.

   Comment by Other Guy — July 1, 2008 @ 4:30 pm

9. We seem to be hung on McCains service but what about B.Hussein Obamas service? Oh, I forgot. Dumbocrats don't have to serve. They only have to sound nice. Sorry.

   Comment by BigArch — July 1, 2008 @ 4:33 pm

10. McCain is running on his military record.
    That makes it fair game. McCains military record is NOT sacred.
    Clark did not question McCain's service, he only asked how that qualified him to be president.
    How EXACTLY does getting shot down qualify McCain to be president. It does not qualify him.
    If McCain is going to run on his military record, he can not call foul everytime someone asks how that qualifies him. McCain needs to quit being such a crybaby.

    Comment by uuforyou — July 1, 2008 @ 5:24 pm

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