The Hill's Blog Briefing Room » Webb: McCain Should 'Calm Down' on Using Military Service

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July 1, 2008

Webb: McCain Should 'Calm Down' on Using Military Service

@ 12:20 pm by Walter Alarkon

Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) waded into the debate over John McCain's military service Monday to say that the Republican should avoid using military service in politics.

Webb, a Barack Obama supporter, was on MSNBC's "Countdown" to talk about his G.I. Bill to increase education benefits for returning veterans which is now law. Webb criticized both McCain and President Bush for not supporting the bill. Then, unprompted, Webb weighed in on the debate over retired Gen. Wesley Clark's remark that "riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down" isn't "a qualification to be president."

"I think what we really need to work on over the next four, five months, and it goes back to the speech that Sen. Obama gave [Monday] and this little fight that I've been watching and that is, we need to make sure that we take politics out of service," Webb said. "People don't serve their country for political issues."

He continued: "And John McCain's my long-time friend, if that is one area that I would ask him to calm down on, it`s that, don't be standing up and uttering your political views and implying that all the people in the military support them because they don't, any more than when the Democrats have political issues during the Vietnam War. Let's get the politics out of the military, take care of our military people, or have our political arguments in other areas."

UPDATE: Webb's office e-mailed the Briefing Room a response to critics who have argued that Webb is criticizing McCain's military service.

"Senator Webb has never, and would never, demean the service of anyone who has stepped forward to serve our country. To the contrary, he was calling on those on all sides of the debate to refrain from implying that their political views are representative of the military writ large," wrote Webb's press secretary, Kimberly Hunter.

She stressed that Webb, the former Secretary of the Navy, has consistently argued against the injection of politics into military service by anyone.

Here's the full interview from MSNBC, in which Webb also talks about his G.I. Bill and working for increased dwell time for service members between deployments:

Archived under: Campaigns, News, Presidential Campaigns
Tags: Barack Obama, Jim Webb, John McCain, Wesley Clark

902 Comments »

The Hill welcomes comment from anyone and will almost always post it whether it is favorable or critical, as long as it is substantive and advances debate.

Funny that it was A-OK for John Kerry to hype is three (3) purple hearts in 2004. It didn't matter what he was talking about, he always took the opportunity to remind us that he won three (3) purple hearts, and that Bush was only in the National Guard. Now the Democrats want to minimize the military record of the candidates. Curious, that.

Comment by Dave C — July 1, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
Sure,

Don't talk about military experience or qualifcation to run our nations defense. How convenient since Obama has none

Comment by Mike — July 1, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
It seems to me that the only ones hammering on McCain's military record are the Democrats. While McCain has mentioned his service record, I don't think he's made it a central point of his campaign a la John Kerry.

Comment by Bubba-ho-Tep — July 1, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
But it was okay when kerry did the same thing in 2004. Webb is just a typical democrat hypocrite.

Comment by sonofdy — July 1, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
Webb's a hypocrite. He didn't have any problem using his military service to run against George Allen. He needs to shut his lying mouth. He's a lightweight with zero credibility.

Comment by Richard Williams — July 1, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
I think that McCain has earned the freedom to do what he wants on this. Sorry if Obama never served, but this is not his problem.

Comment by Mark — July 1, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
This comes from the guy who wore his son's combat boots constantly during his campaign? Perhaps Webb needs to look at his own campaign and see that he made military service a focal point of his own campaign. Is he now saying he was a fool for this and shouldn't have? Is he apologizing for his own politicizing military service and Iraq during his own campaign?

Comment by Craig — July 1, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
Of course, Webb and Clark see no problem talking about their own military backgrounds for political purposes.

Comment by Sigmond — July 1, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
The hypocrosy is so typical with the democrats.
They think we all don't have memories, or something.
Webb is a tool, just as Clark, and all others have been. Obama sends them out, so that he can get air time saying he doesn't agree. He's playing cards, and I hope he loses!

Comment by Susan I — July 1, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
McCain has not been harping on it at all. He has hardly mentioned it, even when asked. Clark is a sore loser from the last election and Webb is a pervert, author, super, liberal.

Comment by patrick — July 1, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
Jim Webb has ridden his service as a Marine in Vietnam everywhere he has gone in life. For him to now take on McCain is disgusting. Go back and read Webb's earlier books where he trashes the draft dodgers and praises everything military. He is now selling out military service for his own personal gain.

Comment by David F. — July 1, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
Wow, listen to the Drudgites talk tough. Hey BacktoReality, I'd like to see you say that to Jim Webb's face. It would be fun to watch his boot go up your a$$.

Comment by Matt — July 1, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
Webb used his son's military service as a crutch when he ran against George Allen. I found his conduct during the campaign deplorable - he wore his son's combat boots to public appearances. As a father, he should be ashamed of himself. Since he used his son as a soapbox, Sen Webb has no right to voice any opinion on Sen. McCain's own service.

Comment by Korey — July 1, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
So, the Obama camp decides to take the debate to the street-fight level by sucker punching McCain and then saying that the conversation about military service shouldn't be part of the debate. There is an obvious fear in the Dems if they can solicit top military brass to put their reputations on the line for someone as inexperienced as Obama. This will work for the MTV crowd, but it will mobilize the Reps into the polls come voting time. Now I see why Obama will not debate McCain - the differences are stark and too telling. He couldn't afford that type of exposure.

Comment by Dan — July 1, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Why aren't the Obama supporters accentuating the positive on their candidate and bringing his credentials to the forefront, instead of knocking down the opponent… a war hero?

OH! That's right, Obama doesn't have all that much to brag about.
It really looks badly to undecideds and independents to see Obama's people trash McCain.

Comment by Just Me — July 1, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Webb has demonstrated once again what a complete ass he and the rest of his party is. What an embarrassment these hacks are, he has about as much integrity as a pedophile at Disneyland…

Comment by Marc Borror — July 1, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
Hey, I served in the Navy for 20 years…pick me, pick me, pick me for president!

McCain served with Honor but that does NOT qualify him to be our President.

Comment by Randall — July 1, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
Please can somebody translate Webb's quote - is it even English? Sounds like he may have been on the sauce.

Comment by Michael — July 1, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
As a Virginian, I am saddened how Jim Webb continues to embarass our state. He is in over his head as a US Senator and will not win re-election.

Comment by Tyler — July 1, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
I am a fairly liberal democrat and I am sick of these idiots speaking against using military service. I will vote for Obama but I think what McCain did is badass and worthy of mention. If he is willing to go through hell for America, I think that makes him a damn strong candidate for president. I am embarrassed for my party.

Comment by Phil — July 1, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
Clark was relieved of duty… for actions unbecoming. How come no one mentions THAT?

Comment by Art — July 1, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
How soon we forget. The Viet Nam war was a disaster - one we should never have fought. Over 40 thousand young Americans dead and hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese.
And now Iraq. Should've finished the job in Afghanistan before pursuing "democracy in Iraq."

Comment by robert lange — July 1, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
Webb likes to write about naked children and Clark was FIRED from NATO. Does THAT indicate anything?

Comment by Art — July 1, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
nowdays it takes just one or two swift boatings to turn honorable service into enemy of the state so maybe obama is lucky that the swift boaters have nothing to aim at

Comment by jackie — July 1, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
It is obvious why the Obama camp would not want military service to be an issue - he has none.

Comment by Hal — July 1, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
Gen Clark the great strategist for the Bosnia fiasco. Remember, Clark was so bad that Clinton had remove him? Even Clinton couldn't stand the imcompetence of this guy. Bottem line: Who gives a Rat's Ass what Webb and Clark say?

Comment by Ferd Berfall — July 1, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
At least we know where John McCain stands on patriotism. We know what he went through defending our flag. The same flag Obama doesn't seem to want to honor. And let's take it one step further, John McCain has two sons of military age, one at the US Naval Academy, and one who has joined the US Marines. Both could be in Iraq shortly. You don't see McCain touting this, but it says a lot about him, his character, and the manner in which he raised his sons. As Commander in Chief, he might give the order that sends his own sons to their death. I think I would rather have him in there making that decision than Obama.
Regardless of how we got there, we are there. So let's win rather than cut and run as we did at the end of Vietnam.

Comment by BobinHouTX — July 1, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
I'd be glad to say it to his face. These politicians live in an insulated world where they don't have to be accountable to anyone. They have aides that answer their phones, mail, setup appointments, etc. When they go to "events" in their local area, they are always surrounded by hordes of sycophants toting balloons and placards. If you try and ask them about their views in "Town Halls" that might even be marginally provocative you get escorted to the door.

Webb is an opportunist. Now he is pulling to try and get a cabinet position with Obama.

All politicians are hypocrites IMHO.

Comment by Chas — July 1, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
So McCain refused early release as a POW, and the Vietnamese said: 'OK, McCain, you are in charge here. If you don't want an early release we'll just keep you here?

Did he chain himself to the wall so the Vietnamese couldn't get him out? The Vietnamese were either very polite to keep him or this early release business is a bogus story.

Comment by Ray Bickley — July 1, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
whine, whine, whine….i love it. hey rightwing-nuts, start saying, pres-i-dent o-bam-a!

Comment by McSame — July 1, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
This is just plain clumsiness on the part of the Obama campaign. It's a lot like when they tried the "McCain has his own pastor problems" bit when McCain had to decline an endorsement from a pastor who had made some negative comments. The democrats jumped all over that, but of course an endorsement from someone he had met only briefly wasn't equitable with spending 20 years in a church run by a racist, and all the democrats accomplished was keeping the conversation on a topic where McCain came off looking better. Now, they are highlighting McCain's military service, trying to diminish it, but with Obama's lack of military service, and lack of foreign policy credentials even the negative attack on McCain serves only to highlight an area where McCain has a legitimate advantage. A clumsy tactic, and one that does not serve the Obama campaign well.

Comment by Scott Hammond — July 1, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
Democrats crack me up. Webb had no problem bragging about his military experience every chance he had when he ran against Allen. And of course no lib complained about John "3 Purple Hearts" Kerry. Heck libs even bragged about AL "ManBearPig" Gore's extremely limited time in vietnam. Ah yes the usual Liberal hypocrisy.

Comment by Edgar Friendly — July 1, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
Neither Webb nor Clark are fit to shine McCain's shoes….ESPECIALLY Clark. Both of them are a disgrace to the country.

Comment by DemocratsSuck — July 1, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
Oh please you repugs are such hypocrites. McCain doesn't use his military service you say? Take a look at his last hundred ads. If I have to see the picture of him lying on a stretcher again I'm going to puke. What was it? 4 planes he crashed? Second to last in his class at the Naval Academy? Other than being daddy's son and gettig shot down what has John McCain done? His pimping of his military service is a disgrace to all of US veterans who served the country, not ourselves.

Comment by Laugh at pugs — July 1, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
Jim Webb may have been a fine marine and a good writer, but now he is a politian - and he becomes a better one every day - which means he becomes a better liar.
He had no problem using his service to achieve his means — nor did he have a problem using his sons (the combat boots)- as of yet I haven't seen McCain bring out both of his son's boots, or for that matter his Indian daughter.
Webb had the potential of being a great American leader - instead he is becoming another pol.

Comment by Carl Forshage — July 1, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
I agree that Sen McCain shouldn't use his military service. There were so many more men & women that that did many brave deeds during wars & they don't brag about their deeds. I won't vote for McCain because he wants to turn our country into Mexico. He still wants AMNESTY for the 12 million illegals that are here.

Comment by Joseph Sorrentino — July 1, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
Unsure

Comment by hinton — July 1, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
The Obama camp must be *seriously* concerned about how poorly their messiah compares to McCain. That's at least the eighth surrogate of Obama who has tried to wave this away…

And boy, is it backfiring badly.

Obama support is just children at play.

Comment by Off A Cough — July 1, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
To the people of Virgina…What were thinking, smoking, drinking, or inhaling when you voted in this idiot Webb? You tossed out George Allen for this clown. Webb is an embarrassment and should sit down, shut up, and quit kissing Reid and Pelosi's ASS!!!! Webb grow some gonads ……

Comment by Buster Hymand — July 1, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
I remember John Kerry at the 2004 Democrat convention taking the stage, assuming a salute and proclaiming that he was "REPORTING FOR DUTY". Obama's camp is digging a deep hypocritical hole.

Comment by Marty — July 1, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
Remember that small cult of moronic anti-war vets strutting around with their "If you haven't served you have no right to an opinion on the war" agruement. These guys we 2 cents shy of holding up Tojo and Bismark as the kind o leaders we should havebecause "they served".

They are led by nose by the old Vietnam veterans against the War, who threw their medals on the Capitol steps, derisively calling them, "Mert Badges For Murder".

Now that the anti-war, scratch that anti-American types using the war as a wedge see how much the public realizes listening to them about Vietnam and how they trashed the troops, how much the public feels goodwill and gratitude, the hippies have switched from baby killing war criminals with Merit Badges for Murder to "decorated combat veterans".

QUESTION: What decoration do the IVAW get for stabbing their own generation of military in the back?

Something with Ho Chi Minh's image on it?

Comment by Doc — July 1, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
What a pair! Olbermann and Webb together on the same program. What one idiot does not say the other one will. What a lack of credibility and hypocrisy between them. One has no sense what so ever and the other makes no sense what so ever.

Comment by Juan — July 1, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
One thing that the issue of military service can do for a candidate is to demonstrate that the individual seeking office has an understanding of the military, and a dedication to finish the job. Obama has not even finished his gruelling 6 yr term of pampered, self-indulgent member of the US Senate (the Last Plantation - Taxpayers are the slaves).

Obama has the basis problem that he suffered through an ivy-league college education and some strenuous, character challenging, Chicago politics.

If Obama ran as a Republican in Chicago, then he too could claim the honor, service, and bravery that McCain had many many years ago.

Comment by Steve Cupps — July 1, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
Webb and Clark have military experience which is worthy of mention. McCain served too, but he was undistinquished. First his plane blew up on deck and over 100 sailors died in the fire. Then he got shot down and captured. When the NVA tried to let him go he wouldn't leave the POW camp and go back to active duty… Now he won't even support Webb's GI Bill. I don't see how McCain's military career qualifies him to be president.

Comment by Dirk Wigdoubt — July 1, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
hey ferd…that bosnia fiasco where we didn't lose one freakin soldier!! oh that one!

Comment by McSame — July 1, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
Jim Webb may have been a Marine, but so was Lee Harvey Oswald.

Comment by Melvin — July 1, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
Guess who didn't vote on the GI Bill but claimed credit for it? John McCain. He's a liar and a fraud. Jim Webb stands up for veterans, not John McCain. They are questioning McCain's judgment and how he thinks his military service gives him better judgment. It doesn't! He voted for the Iraq war, a distraction from our War on Terror. Unlike what Republicans did to John Kerry, Democrats aren't questioning his patriotism or his service. They are questioning his judgment.

Comment by JohnUSMC — July 1, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
Hey Laughat pugs, and how many times has Hussein Obama used the "change" mantra on the campaign trail? Hussein Obama isn't change. He's the same politics we have now of neo-Marxist Democrats not working with the other side to get things done for the American people. They are beholden to all their lobbyist friends and don't care one iota about the country. To them, it's party first and country LAST. So get out of here and go whine and complain on some other left-wing neo-Marxist website.

Comment by DemocratsSuck — July 1, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
Uh, hey Jim?

Does the term "Commander in Chief" mean anything to you? Commanding the military is a major responsibility of the President. You remember the Constitution right Jim? Since the President is the Commander in Chief, military experience just might be nice to have. But it's OK Jim because it means that your are totally free to trumpet the phenominal military experience of the candidate you support. Isn't that great news Jim?

Comment by Matt — July 1, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
Referring to Comment by David F. — July 1, 2008 @ 12:46 pm.

I'd say it in a heartbeat…directly in his face….face to face. Both Webb and Clark-bar are total hypocrits. They both used their "Service Record" in their respective campaigns. And, loser Clark even used the "military service" of Kerry in introducing him at the last Democraptic National Convention. But, back to Clark-bar's and Webb's runs for office, one was a loser (thank God - oops I forgot your liberal lemmings don't like the use of the G-word), and one that we Virginian currently suffer from. Go pound sand. (Retired Air Force.)

Comment by Greg — July 1, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
John McCain wasn't a war hero. He was shot down, held as a prisoner and tortured. If anything, he was a war victim. Don't just kneejerk to what General Clark said — what is it about being held as a P.O.W. that gives you the leadership experience necessary to be President?

Four years ago, there was a huge 527 organization dedicated to smearing John Kerry's admirable service in Vietnam. You rightwingers just loved that. But now that McCain's service is being called into question, it's suddenly anathema to talk about a candidate's military record? Talk about hypocrisy!

Comment by MT — July 1, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
You may be right Randall but since Obama's supporters are making a point of this it is hypocritical to the extreme. Do you remember Ashley Wilkes (Clark) speech about John Kerry's service during the Democratic Convention in 2004? Back then service was important to Ashley but since this is a Republican, different story. Democrats are the biggest hypocrites in the world. This is just Obama trying to make the fact he doesn't have any service a non factor. You think this guy went on a Sunday morning show and hadn't rehearsed what it was he was going to say? Your a fool if you don't think this is straight from the Obama campaign.

Comment by Jim — July 1, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
if mccain wanted to politicize military service he would be running around talking about his sons who are currently serving in iraq.

webb, kerry, clark, and obama all need to shut up about mccain's service.

obama needs to start talking about what his real agenda is for the country, so the american people can realize what a marxist the democratic party has nominated.

Comment by just a thinker — July 1, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
Is Webb, the little punk that wanted to "beat-up" the preisdent? He seems to get his name into the news by being a "Sluggo" wannabe!

Comment by Jagger — July 1, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
Hey Randell (Comment 18)

Thank you for your service for 20 years.

With all due respect sir, if military service doesn't qualify one for the president, does the inexperience of a junior senator from Illinois make someone ever more qualified?

Or the questionable background…or the people he has surrounded himself with throughout his career.

I think the Military service is more honorable and better for this country.

Comment by Mike from Chicago — July 1, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
Why are we worried about what Clark and Webb are saying anyways? They aren't taking their cues from Obama and in Clarks case he has way more military experience then McCain ever did.

He commaneded our forces in Kosovo and was a Rhodes Scholar. I think he can say whatever he wants to a junior officer especially since McCain is using his military record as a thinly veiled attempt to call into question Obamas patriotism.

Sounds like McCain must be getting his pecking orders from the same clowns that tricked 30% of the people into thinking Bush could be a servicable president.

To me at least it seems like Clark has a valid point. While Military service is important and show a great deal of Patriotism. It's not a great training job to be President and implying that is incorrect.

Comment by Juan Johnson — July 1, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
Matt, I would happily volunteer to tell Web whatever you like… To hs face. He is not the only person who did Viet Nam

Comment by Bret Stagg — July 1, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
McCain isn't a war hero, he's a war VICTIM. Examine his record. He's a fortunate son who was a victim after ranking close to last in his class at the academy.

Comment by JohnUSMC — July 1, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
There are many qualities necessary to be a good president. Serving in the Military, in and of itself, is not always enough. McCain has the qualifications based on his entire public service, period. The fact that he was a poor student and a lousy pilot doesn't cut it.

Comment by ArlingtonSon — July 1, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
we need to make sure that we take politics out of service," Webb said. "People don't serve their country for political issues."

If that is the case, then why does Sen. Webb have three paragraphs on his website about his military service? I guess everyone but Sen. Webb needs to take politics out of service.

Comment by Mike — July 1, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
It shows the hypocracy of Democrats. 4 Years ago Kerry/Vietnaum/purple hearts were all the thing and Bush had only National Guard. To Democrats this was a vitally important issue (and the news media)
Now McCain vs Obama with no service whatsoever and the Democrats are crying that it should not be mentioned,

WHAT GIVES Do Democrats think all Americans are as dumb and short minded as they are.

Comment by Ed Penna — July 1, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
Just amazing that these left wingers who hate our country and despise the Military are coming forward trying to justify these 2 asshats. Those 2 don't have enough stature to reach and kiss McCain's hindquarters. It's just embarassing, and yes this will bring the Republican party, Independents, and Conservatives together…stronger than ever before, thanks be to God.

Comment by Dave - NJ — July 1, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
If I were trapped in an elevator for, say 2 days; would that qualify me to be an elevator mechanic? I don't think so either.

The point at hand is 'qualification;' not 'patriotism.' McCain is certainly a patriot. McCain is certainly not qualified to be our president based solely on being locked up in a closet for 5-1/2 years and being horribly tortured. I WANT THE VERY BEST PERSON IN THE WHITE HOUSE WE CAN FIND.

Mr. McCain, if you have anything within you that truly qualifies you, TELL ME! Your military career alone, while commendable, doesn't quite cut it for me.

Comment by John — July 1, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
You Rethuglicans won't be happy until you politicize every facet of public service. Clark said nothing denigrating about McCain's service, nor did Webb.

All the more reason to get rid of the Rethuglican controlled government that is destroying our country.

Comment by Chuck — July 1, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
Very convenient this. Bring out two guys who have served and use them make a non-issue of one of the issues on which Obama is weakest. And Obama manages to keep his distance. And the MSM doesn't call him on this nor his transmogrification into a "supporter" of the 2nd Amendment. Hope you all are up on your Orwell, because this is just the beginning. Sounds like George Lakoff should be spending as much time studying the "frames" of his buddies as he does that of his political enemies.

Comment by Bill Andersen — July 1, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
"does the inexperience of a junior senator from Illinois make someone ever more qualified?"

Guess who had no experience, big ears, and people claiming that he didn't have what it takes to be President?

Abraham Lincoln, one of our greats in history.

Most of our great Presidents had NO military experience.

Comment by JohnUSMC — July 1, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
Every day, little by little, I see the tide turning against Obama. People are starting to realize that this man, is in fact, not the second coming. He will change nothing but his own stance on issues.

As for Clark and Webb, I sincerely thank you, both for you service to the country as soldiers, and your ability to unintentionally glorify John McCain.

Comment by t — July 1, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
1. Reason McCain (presume)& Bush (per direct quote of SecDef Gates) is that Webb 1st bill basically offered give-away goodies to all service folks whereas Administration wanted certain level of demonstrated commitment/service &/or re-enlistment to prompt increased benefits of Webb bill. Observed few news media reported this difference. So Webb clearly being partisan now trying to use this to bust McCain & Bush (some good friend of McCain?!) to blatantly mislead …
2. In another time & place lunatic KeithO would be ranting & raving that Webb is a fascist, etc. … but, for now, they are bedmates. Bet: they are enemeies in less than 5 yrs. Fact that Webb went onb KO Countdown verifires that he is more opportunistic than principled.
3. For someone who tries to portray himself as a 'principled' 'apolitical' former Reagan DoD official & now Va Sen., it is going to be fascinating how Webb now reconciles his non-partisan portrayal. Just like Murtha sold himself out for Committte power (trashing Haditha Marines), Webb's extreme dislike for this Bush and present GOP now will increasingly make him look actually unprincipled or crass/opportunistic.
4. I am a 'Reagan Democrat' [voted for Carter] - supposedly what Webb sold himself to Reagan folks (or were Reaganuats easily manipulated? by Webb). Do vote more GOp (as lesser of 2 evils) versus Democrats. Used to be very liberal until woke up to the unreality of the wonderfully framed solutions that oftentimes are divorced from reality & human nature.

Comment by Reaction To Closed Minds — July 1, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
So, Obama sends out his minions to diss John McCain's miltary service and then cleverly break dances away from their comments. How many times has he already pulled this stunt? Obama wants to be COMMANDER IN CHIEF, folks. I don't think he's qualified to be a crossing guard at a public school.

Comment by Who Wants To Be President — July 1, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
Reading these comments make me proud to be an American. Such high-levels of intellectual exchange…..
It is clear there are some mental giants among us who have all the answers (thanks to blogs and the snippets of info they get as they pass around the "tell all" emails about the candidates).

Comment by robert lange — July 1, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
Let us all remember that it was Senator Webb who let his staff member take the wrap for the gun that was transported into Capitol Hill. What a hero? What a coward! As a Virginian, I am ashamed that Senator Webb represents my great state, and that he is using his so-called "war record" to justify his cowardice and ambition.

Comment by Conservative Professor — July 1, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
How can anyone support Obama's empty resume and then criticize McCain's decades of public service?

Keep dreaming, clowns. You are all going to be apologizing to Hillary very, very soon.

Comment by Off A Cough — July 1, 2008 @ 1:08 pm
To McSame,

There weren't any US soldiers the ground. It was a war ball-lessly executed from 15,000 ft. We totally destroyed the civilian infra-structure and did not strike one military target. This because Clinton's gonads were smaller than his wife's. Serbia is still a mess today because of this brillant Clinton/Clark Strategy and we still have NATO troops there to preserve the peace….So how long will these troops remain in the Balkans..5, 10, 15, 20 years…Yeah did a great job there. Lost no soldiers, true…because there were no US soldiers on the ground. Talk about a waste of resources…

Comment by Frank Stein — July 1, 2008 @ 1:09 pm
Jim Webb is a total buffoon. "Let's get the politics out of our miltary"?? Sure, Jim.
Jim Webb ran his Senate campaign on two issues - his son's service in Iraq and Macaca…Oh, and his brief failed tenure as Secretary of the Navy. The fact that Webb and Clark are being bandied about as potential VP's is a disgrace to our political system.

Comment by Mike — July 1, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
These calculated statements by the liberal contingents are allowing Barack "Fast Eddie" Obama to flip-flop and pander his message to all crowds without the media spotlight. While the McCain messages has evolved overtime, "Fast Eddie's" messages and personal beliefs have changed depending on the audience. What happens when Israel and Iran begin to duke it out? Can anyone predict what "Fast Eddie's" first statement will be, or will his first statement depend on who is in front of him at the moment? Change we can believe in when regarding "Fast Eddie's" messages. We've had one Carter, do we really need another?

Comment by greg delinky — July 1, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
Odd. Webb has never been shy about referring to his own military service

Comment by Joan — July 1, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
Hah. Ironically, when the Dems get caught in a sex scandal it's uusually heterosexual. It's the freaky-deaky hardcore reactionaries in the GOP who are cross-dressing, closeted homosexuals.

Serving in the military is an HONOR and a calling in the United States, however it does not uniquely qualify anyone for political service, and certainly not the presidency.

Let McCain run on the merits of his skills as a chief administrator and quit jabbing at Obama, when everyone knows those jabbing "code words" are that you irrationally fear a black male president.

Let's have a civil dialogue and fix what's wrong and not worry about whether party chief's are happy campers.

Comment by Big Head Todd — July 1, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
Military service has relevance, Roosevelt (even if he was only an Assistant Secretary), Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Bush II used it, the military is a big part of government and the American experience. And, has been pointed out, Dukakis tried and Kerry certainly did used flout their military service.

Personally I think the Dem's should have tried to ignore an area where their current candidate is at such a stark disadvantage.

Instead, they are trying to cancel McCann's service advantage by saying military service short of a Medal of Honor doesn't count. I don't really think that's going to fly, and it reinforce's the perception that the Dem's have only questionable support for the military and patriotism.

Comment by pashley — July 1, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
I'm a very conservative American. I think voting along party lines is stupid. I like to vote for the guy i think will do the best job. McCain is a WAR HERO. To say something that discredits that makes you anti-American. While McCain's Service does not qualify him to be President, Webb's ability to drink a fifth a does make him a Drunk idiot. Just as Clark's Service does not qualify him to discredit McCain's Service. Now, to Compare apples to apples. McCain has been a Senator for a long time. Obama has been for like two years.
Obama should fully appologize for the ignorance of his supporters. If he does not come out and say something to the effect of: "Webb, and Clark, are both retarded drunkards, and the entire world should not listen to anything they says because the years of killing brain cells have taken it's toll." I would believe he supports the comments. The comments were, I believe, a test statement. The way this works is this: 1. the campaign wants to tryout a tactic, but want to be able to get away from it. 2. they send a henchmen, AKA Webb, to make a statement edging toward the tactic. 3. they wait for the reaction. In this case it was way negative. 4. make an action plan. In this case damage control.
It's Political Campaigning 101. Grade School politics. If we want change how about we ask the canidates to start using honor, and honesty as campaign tactics, instead of kindergarten "teacher, he pinched me" crap.

Comment by Rendell — July 1, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
I believe Wesley Clark is a "4 star" general who was manufactured by Bill Clinton (from a full Colonel) with the intention of grooming him as a VP selection for Hillary to give her some military credentials she was and still is lacking. He was then sent out by Bill Clinton to take down Howard Dean to be sure Howard's POTUS aspriations would fail and thus not get in Hillary's path to the White House. Now that that scheme has been aborted by the Democrat primary voters I believe there is now a plan to reinvent this POS general to give Hussein military credentials. Problem is that unlike most retired generals this POS is not to be believed. Listen to his rant of 4 years ago where he tried to sell Kerry to the sheep as a potential POTUS. He said that "Kerry had heard the sounds of mortar rounds and seen tracers fired his way and that experience was his qualificationo to be the POTUS". Now this POS "General" has raised the bar and says that McCains experience doesn't raise to this level. Tell us "General" how this can be? Then you try to tell us now that Hussein is not running on any military experience at all but IS RUNNING on his character, communiation skills and good judgement. Wow a resume that is! What a special guy he is! First we know absulutely nothing about his character, and we sense his good judgement is in question after sitting in a church for 20 years as "his" country was trashed and I'll give you he can deliver a slick speach if rehearsed and a teleprompter is used. "General" why don't you just go away and act like a retired general is supposed to act.

Comment by Jerry from Tampa — July 1, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
It's about time the Dems bloody the cowardly chickenhawk riddled republican leadership.
mccain is no hero…..he just got caught, and that's no accomplishment.
Me and my fellow Marines were on the ground everyday…WE are the heros that the repugs are so quick to annoint.

Comment by geobushono — July 1, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
Does *anyone* who supports Obama *really* - no *really* think that political ideology aside, you would keep Obama's short resume on your desk when the lengthly accomplishments of McCain are next to it?

I can't stop laughing at this. You can say Obama is your choice for whatever reason… but to say he is experienced/qualified and McCain is not is do disingenuous that it's hard to not slap your mother's upside the head with a claw hammer for raising such stupid kids.

Comment by Off A Cough — July 1, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
This is hilarious. Advice from a man who never fails to mention his previous military service at the drop of a hat. As does Mr. Clark.

If Webb gets the nod for VP, just another good reason not to vote democrat.

Post #62 invalidates it's contention with the first paragraph. "They aren't taking their cue from Obama…" Give me a break. They are both mouthpieces for the gentleman from Chicago. And if you believe they aren't then you are very, very naive. Thus the rest of your post is pretty much a waste.

Comment by Richard — July 1, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
Says the guy who used HIS military service to get elected….

Comment by John Viercinski — July 1, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
SO, I GUESS JFK GETTING HIS PT BOAT CUT IN HALF, DIDN'T QUALIFY HIM FOR PRESIDENT EITHER.

Comment by ROY — July 1, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
How quickly all you right wing bigots forget. Try and remember (if you can) back to the 2000 republican primaries. Bush belittles McCain on his military record then & also on the legitimacy of his adopted child. Don’t forget you are the ones who voted for Bush over McCain then. Bush who could not even fulfill his NG duty
Kevin leddy
New york

Comment by Kevin leddy — July 1, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
Webb is an asshat. He always has been. He's an embarrassment to the great state of Virginia.

Comment by Randy — July 1, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
I would be more than happy to tell Mr. Webb that he is a hypocrit to his face or to anyone else.
However, I'm not in the news. Let's see Mr. Webb, Mr. Clark, or Mr. Obama criticize Sen. McCain's service to his face. Don't think that will happen anytime soon.

Comment by SCChuck — July 1, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
Listen, McCain is a great war hero. If it weren't for his service we may never have defeated the confederacy.

Comment by President Flightsuit — July 1, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
Jim Webb should go back to writing his fictional books and take the so called general (clarke) with him.

Comment by Lee — July 1, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
Barack Obama has nothing. He has no record, so he criticizes others records. Do we want a state senator from Illinois with the most liberal voting record in congress and 2 years of Senatorial experience (most of it running for president) as our president. Are people just brain dead or what? This guy is a joke. If he were not a great speaker would he even be out of the state senate? Doubtful. Sheep (people) of america, get your head out of the sheep in front of you and do your homework.

Comment by Jerry — July 1, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
Question? I love the libs bringing up the very honorable Swift Boat Veterans. Has anyone proved that they were lying about Kerry? NO! the MSM has tried their best, but no one has ever come forth with any proof that what they did was anything but honorable. Kerry sold out the military, called them murderers, threw away his phony purple hearts, and is a disgrace and hypocrite to those of us who served with honor in Viet Nam. Thank God for the very honorable Swift Boat Vets, who not only served with honor, but had a major role in defeating that phony coward!

Comment by Dave - NJ — July 1, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
How dare that Weasel General Clark, admonish McCain. Clark was such an impotent leader during the Clinton administration, many soldiars on his watch see him as a coward. Especially during the Bosnia conflict. How can the weasel even have the nerve to try and compare McCain to Obamas, experience. There is no comparison, Obama, has not yet reach the greatness of McCain, a real live hero, who many are so envious of. The weaseal is a real scapegoat, probably trying to get into the Obomination administration, foret it he will through you under…..General Weasel

Comment by CMHinsley — July 1, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Hmmm, let me think about this. Here is the choice, a commander in chief of our entire military who has not one speck of military experience who votes to cut their funding or a patriot who served (for many years) his country, was tortured for his country, and then sends his own sons to fight for their country. Duh, no brainer here. Democrats are fools.

Comment by dooo — July 1, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
It's not funny to mock his age. Get over it. Obama is just going to spend his whole term trying to help people. McCain realizes that this country can only stay great through war. Iran, we're looking at you.

Comment by McCain-Cheney08 — July 1, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
McCain doesn't seem to be pushing his service as much as his opponents are freaking out about it. I don't get Sen. Webb's statement. Would he have been elected without his service? Has he forgotten the fundamental concept behind military people running for office? Americans want to be confident that their leader truly cares about the good of the nation, and having put your country's defense before concern for your own life is definitely a good indication in that direction. Does that alone qualify him? Of course not. Is it irrelevant? You'd be an idiot to think so.

Comment by Rick — July 1, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
LOL Political backfire in progress. This one proxy attack from Obama is not only contrasting his virginal resume with true qualifications, it's also exposing him as the crooked Chicago politician that he is.

Grow up, children. Trolling the Internet is *not* going to get your messiah elected. You had might as well warm up your bongs.

Comment by Off A Cough — July 1, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Hero or Zero?

Comment by John M — July 1, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
geobushono
Need more of our military who were on the ground to speak up and put truth to the propaganda machines. Thank you for your service.

Comment by robert lange — July 1, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
Oh now you right wing war lovers are against the swifting boat of a candidate's military service? To bad, you're three years too late standing up to that nonsense. Karma is sweet and if McGrampa (who won't release his military records) wants to run on his POW experience, I don't see why we can't challenge it especially since he's claiming that it qualifies him for president.

Comment by BrooklynGirl — July 1, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
Go ahead…vote for Obama. You idiot's that support him will lose your entry level, low education, minimum wage jobs when he initiates the largest tax increase in US history.. Thus forcing small business to cut back by reducing employees. Duhhhhhh….

Comment by Frank Stein — July 1, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
Well, if John McCain should "calm down" on references to serving his country, then Barack Obama should disclaim ever serving his country at all. After all, what has he done other than serve almost 2 years as a Senator (more than half of it campaigning for President) and a little bit more as a minor State Senator.

Frankly, John McCain doesn't play his service hand enough. He doesn't say that, of his 4 sons, 3 have served in the military - 1 just completed service as a Marine in Iraq and another is at the Naval Academy getting ready to serve. He doesn't play enough that he actually commanded a fleet of planes for years after his release from captivity.

What has Clark or Webb really done in comparision to John McCain and isn't the ONLY reason that anyone is listening to them at ALL because they too served in the military. Otherwise, Jim Webb would be another self-aggrandizing bigot - i.e., he has said "no women in the military" and that the confederacy was a valid enterprise. Clark ordered many attacks in Bosnia - but from behind enemy lines - he just let the ground forces and fighter pilots (like McCain) put themselves in danger.

Clark and Webb are political hacks for Obama (they both want major positions in the administration) - so why should anything they say be taken other than with a grain of salt and why shouldn't we be able to say that this nonsense comes DIRECTLY from the Obama campaign?

Comment by Harry — July 1, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
McCain needs to tell Clark and Webb to go pound sand. The military experience he brings to the table is his career and he is fully within his rights to bring it up and tout it. In addition, he is fully within his rights to point out the lack of experience of Obama in this, and many other, areas.

Comment by Jim — July 1, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
McCain needs to do nothing… Obama's proxy attacks are backfiring quite nicely.

It's only begun, folks. Obama is just beginning to be EXPOSED for what he is.

Buh bye, little boy.

Comment by Off A Cough — July 1, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Webb is hypochrite and what Media never mentions is Wes CLark was relieved of duty as Nato Commander by the CLinton admin Because he was about the start ww3 with the Russians.

In fact he ordered British General Jackson to send troops to Pristina to confront Russians, who had taken over an airport, and General Jackson told him "I am not starting ww3 for you" Jackson then told Blair Clark was out of control CLinton admin then sent staffers to Europe to monitor CLark who was relieved of duty a short time later.

Comment by Jorge — July 1, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
"Just to cover up the fact that I was: snorting cocaine during my formative years and developing a persona that, other than the tragic slaughter of the innocent unborn, was totally devoid of principle and allowed me to adroitly flex with the prevailing political winds, in contrast to John McCain who sculpted his character while being tortured as a POW in Hanoi; cavorting with treasonous elements who had blown up U.S. Government buildings; attempting to undermine our military members while they were engaged in combat; and, contributing to fanatics who were condemning America under the guise of religion; I PERSONALLY will not question the patriotism of my opponent; but, you can anticipate a steady stream of my surrogates, such as professional front-man Wesley Clark who was relieved of his military command for reasons of integrity, that I will dispatch to slime my opponent's patriotism on my behalf. I'm sure that you will support me in this most noble of endeavors." Commentary that would be given by Barrack Obama to his left-wing supporters in San Francisco if he was assured that small town folks clinging to their religion were prohibited from recording his comments. Greg Neubeck

Comment by Greg Neubeck — July 1, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Calling Wesley Clark a weasel is no better than those move-on fools calling out Gen. Betrayus, and I really hope that no real repubican would honestly support the swiftboaters. How dare we, proud conservatives, allow military men of either party to be disgraced like this. It is a sad day to be a Reagan repub.

Comment by McCheney08 — July 1, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
Is it a coincidence that the very same former miltary men who are critcizing John McCain were asked to retire because they could not get along with men of the same or higher rank than them. They were considered not compatible for command positions.

Comment by Jack Boyle(USAF Ret.} — July 1, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
Hypocrisy?

The root about Webb's statements is not about qualifications as a soldier or airman.

The root is SEPARATE PARTISAN POLITICS FROM THE MILITARY.

The military shouldn't be a soap box to sell snakeoil to the American People!

Comment by Wisconsin — July 1, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Where is the change ?
All I see is dirty Chicago politics.

Comment by tankfixer — July 1, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Love it! The Obamanites KNOW there is so little experience on his resume, they have to start limiting what McCain can use on HIS resume! Geez Dems! LISTEN YO YOURSELVES!

Comment by atl_allen — July 1, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Speaking of Dems who use Military service as a weapon, when is Murtha going to apologize to US Marines for his lies over Haditha?

Comment by Jorge — July 1, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
you morons in this country, you see it takes these kinds of efferts to get elected into office ,people in this country believe in sucker punching, attacking defenseless countries ect

Comment by tortus — July 1, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
Clark is a bonifide idiot.

Comment by Buster Hymand — July 1, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
Yeah, since Obama doesn't have any military service it would be unfair for McCain to use it…

The Dems don't want a fair fight, they want John McCain to wear chains the whole time.

Well, I don't think John will agree to being chained again.

Comment by BrocktonDave — July 1, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
REPEAT - The military should not be a soap box to sell snakeoil to the American people.

Comment by Wisconsin — July 1, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
The Dems will never have the military vote. PERIOD.

Comment by CW2 — July 1, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
Hey Brooklyngirl, it is "too" not "to. And McCain is not running on his "POW" experience, he is running on all his experience, military included. Something Obama is in short supply.
Baaaaaaaa

Comment by Jerry — July 1, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
Isn't Webb the same guy that threatened a United States President with violence?

Comment by Lee — July 1, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
Hey Webb, does that mean we should now take all mention of Obama's thrilling and incredibly impressive "community organizing" service out of politics too? After all, to a lib that is so much more of a sacrifice than war theater military service. Better yet Webb, why don't you enact a bill to disband the military and turn all military people into "community organizers". That would give you a huge leg up in the next Dem primary.

Comment by Al — July 1, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
[…] Webb: McCain Should 'Calm Down' on Using Military Service […]

Pingback by McCain’s Military Service as a political issue « The American Muslim — July 1, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
McCain actually sold out the other troops in POW camp. He was coddled and treated like a prince. In fact, he happily left behind his fellow servicemen. He is a manchurian candidate. Don't expect us to stop borrowing from China to

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July 1, 2008

Webb: McCain Should 'Calm Down' on Using Military Service

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