The Obama campaign even said they were 'glad' that Gen. Clark 'clarified' a comment they supposedly repudiated.

The huffing and puffing is a measure of how (rightly) threatened the McCain camp feels by this. They know that if his only claim to fame is successfully deflated as a qualification for president, he's toast.

This whole fake outrage could also be subtitled:

By the way, did you know McCain was a POW? Just in case, LET'S TALK ABOUT IT MORE!

Let's keep this going. McCain isn't helping himself by comparing his military cred with that of Gen. Wes Clark.

the obama campaign as already "rejected" the original statement. By doing do, they've pretty much inoculated themselves from this type of criticism. Besides, Clark is a "grown ass man"! Obama can't make him "do" anything.

Another suggested response: "I strongly reject Gen. Clark's statements. The fact that Mr. McCain graduated at the bottom of his Naval Academy class and then went on to crash five American aircraft has no bearing upon his qualifications for the presidency (as far as I know). We owe only respect to our nation's former pilots, like Mr. McCain and President Bush."

Thanks for calling them out on their bullshit, Greg.

This is the McCain strategy, try to take out Obama's advantage, which is his "new politics." They inject phrases into any discussion that middle america will take with them, regardless of whether or not they apply to the current argument. phrases like

"Will Barack Obama's actions ever match his words?"

"Empty talk of new politics"

"wink and nod game"

This is the republican's game and it has been for decades - take the advantage of the opponent and inject critical language hitting that advantage at every chance.

I suspect the McCain campaign is pushing this as hard as possible to inoculate themselves against future cases when McCain again says he is "unable to stop" actions by right-wing smear groups. I predict comparisons to Clark when that happens, followed by the media buying it hook, line, and sinker, and totally ignoring that it's a false comparison because McCain fails to denounce or disagree with the attacks.

Here is the thing: Clarke is correct; getting shot down and being a POW does not qualify you for the job of the President of the United States.

It's like saying, "I'm qualified to be President because I drove the Oscar Meyer Weiner mobile into Lake Michigan."

How totally F'n irrelevant! Okay, we get it McCain, you were a crappy pilot with a penchant for crashing planes. You never should have made pilot, and if not for your daddy and your grandpa you never would have. But because of your family ties you recieved "rich man's affirmative action" just like your policy twin; George W Bush. And like Dubya you are now trading on your past failures and saying they qualify you for the role as President.

If this kind of wink-and-nod game is how Barack Obama wants to run his campaign, then fine. But spare us the empty talk of 'new politics' and raising the dialogue in this country.

Can I just say that I am loving this spectacle. Yesterday I was confused about what was going on vis-a-vis Clark and Obama, but not today. Today it is becoming crystal clear that Obama and Clark are cooperating on a good cop/bad cop routine. Clark says something that eviscerates McCain's very political core and Obama tut-tuts it in a way that lets him look high minded and above the fray. But Clark does not just drive the knife in, he twists it again.

Of course the McCain camp is throwing a fit about this. Of course they are blaming Obama and calling him a hypocrite. He is a hypocrite in this situation, but an effective hypocrite. This is exactly what I want in a democratic candidate - someone who can bat his eyes like an angel even as he stabs you in the gut. You know what they call a candidate who can carry off this sort of two-step with one of his "independent" supporters: Mr President.

Well played Gen Clark and well played Sen Obama.

That's all they've got...a noun, a verb, and POW.

One question, since McCain's military experience and time in the Senate doesn't give him the necessary "executive exrerience" to be President...what exactly qualifies Obama...? Just asking...anyone...?

Anyone who spent 5 years as a POW in Vietnam should be barred from public office. High chance of PTSD or other psychiatric disorders. Also, they should be banned from owning any firearms.

A classic Rovian tactic has always been not to just attack your opponents weaknesses but to attack his/her strengths. I guess if they don't defend their strengths well or quickly the strengths become weaknesses. I have no idea if the strategy would be successful for a democrat, but my first thought when McCain became the presumptive nominee was what would happen if democrats could find a way to start hammering him on national security and his military record, rather than hammering him on the obvious.

Yes, I know Clark did not "attack" him but that's how the media is going to run with it. Clark did the right thing and did not back down. I think McCain's sense of "How dare you!" could so consume him that continuing to bait/goad/prod with such criticism via surrogates could mine some unanticipated gold.

I could never do it, but I could never be in politics either. Then again, I could be full of it.

I hope that the O'bama campaign's learned its lesson about dealing with these people.

Gen W. Clark

Former Supreme Allied Commander (NATO)
Succefully ran the command in the Balkan operation, removing Slobodan Milosevic.
Operations had a beginning & end.

Sen.J. McCain

Former POW, shot down in 'Nam.
Spent 5years eating rice mixed with water.
Supported for an infinite war in Iraq.

If being captured and tortured during a time of war qualifies you to be the President of the United States, shouldn't we have more Guantanamo Bay prisoners running for office?

Everyone together now...Awwwww, did someone hurt poor wittle John McSame's feewings? We're sowwy...

Jeez, get over it.