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Retired Admiral Hits Back At McCain's Attack On Obama As "Dangerous"
The Obama campaign rolls out a military man, John Natham, who retired as a four-star admiral after four decades in the Navy, to respond to McCain's adver-sleazement hitting Obama as "dangerous" and "dishonorable to our troops":
"As a recently retired Admiral, I know who has the strongest record of supporting the men and women currently serving in our military. Senator Obama has consistently voted to fund our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and, just as importantly, a proven record of support when they return home. That's why independent veterans organizations give Senator Obama higher marks than Senator McCain. Despite consistent distortions of his record, thousands of veterans like myself support Senator Obama because he has the judgment, character and integrity to be a great president. We will need a great president to lead us in these very challenging times."
With McCain telegraphing a coming assault on Obama's fitness to be president, you've got to think we'll be seeing more retired military brass attesting not just to Obama's judgment and support for vets, but to his readiness to serve as commander in chief.
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Co-lin Pow-ell! Co-lin Pow-ell!
October 6, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not that coward! Very, very bad mojo.
October 6, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Coward? I dunno. Liar, definitely.
October 6, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sometimes I get the feeling that Powell regrets his former decisions and lies. Atonement would call for courage admitting these mistakes, but we haven't heard a peep.
October 6, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not a peep and the son of a bitch was part of the torture talks.
It's not just liberals who know about Powell - Jesus the whole world knows he lied.
The whole world!
October 6, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
It all goes back to his part in the My Lai coverup during the Vietnam War. All he is at this point is a familiar face and name - there's no longer anything behind either.
October 6, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Coward because he knew he was lying to the United Nations but was too cowardly to stand up and tell the truth, tell Smirky-Darth they were wrong, or resign in disgust.
By telling lies to the United Nations in support of an illegal war, Powell violated the military code of honor.
He violated not in support of an HONORABLE action, but in support of DIShonorable, illegal action.
If Colin Powell had resigned and gone before the country in February 2003, telling everyone the truth that HE KNEW THEN about the push to Iraq, he could have prevented this entire clusterfuck.
He's a full accomplice to the 4,200-plus murders on Smirky/Darth's hands.
HE COULD HAVE STOPPED IT. He was too much of a coward.
Too bad it's too late to court-martial and hang the bastard.
October 6, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
You got a real point, there.
October 6, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
As long as I live, I'll never forget Colin's damn slideshow. Roving WMDs my ass.
October 6, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where is Colin?
Wasn't he waiting to evaluate the respective candidates' VP choices?
Like a Supreme Court Justice, does he think politics is beneath his "office"?
The Obama mikvah express has left the station, and, with four weeks until the election, Powell needs to run run run if he hopes to wash off some of the filth from his work for Bush II.
October 6, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Every time McCain attacks, Obama's refutation seems to hit harder than the original attack.
October 6, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Remember where Obama is from.
"They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue."
October 6, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Hawaiin in the hood.
October 6, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
He learned politics in Chicago. Mutha's tough as nails, cool as ice, and won't back down.
October 6, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
But Sarah Palin told me this morning that "The heels are on, and the gloves are comin' off!"
I kid you not.
October 6, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now that, my friend, is funny.
October 6, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why did the McCain campaign telegraph this negative assault in the first place?
Wouldn't it have been more effective had they just sprung it?
By blabbing to the Post, didn't they just give the Obama campaign time to mount a response?
October 6, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Take that Gramps!
October 6, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
John McLame wasn't qualified to be a line officer when he was in the Navy so why would he now be qualified to be Commander in Chief of all the armed force?
Anybody? Bueller, Bueller?
October 6, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has many ex high ranking military leaders, medal of honor recipients, etc supporting him. I've seen a few of them on the road and events with him or his wife here in VA. I'm looking forward to them coming out and setting the record straight on Obama's support and overwhelming high marks he receives for his support of veterans compared to McCain.
Speaking of the old senile piece of crap. 25 minutes and counting to the complete documentary on the McKeating crisis HERE .
October 6, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's long past time for Powell to step up and do the right thing. He's got an opportunity--hopefully he thinks more highly of what's at stake for the country than the GOP--which never really embraced him anyway.
October 6, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Where's Chuck Hagel? And bring back Wes Clark, for pity's fucking sake. Nothing he can say will sound remotely too much in response to McLame's shameless lying, and we need his righteous anger.
October 6, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Since he left the military and went to work for Smirky-Darth, Colin Powell has been a sniveling coward who knowingly betrayed his country.
My guess is that Obama, brilliant tactician that he is, knows Powell would HURT his campaign and has refrained from requesting an endorsement, if not actually requested the repug cocksucker keep his worthless mouth shut.
October 6, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Powell helps and still has credibility with many Americans.
The "gravitas" of a Powell endorsement would further reveal the depths to which McCain has sunk in his attempts to obfuscate the issues.
October 6, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anytime a high profile individual jumps to the other party on who should be president is newsworthy. At this stage, Powell would fuel the meme that McCain's campaign is crashing and burning.
October 6, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. I don't know what chits he's saving up, but much like the mortgage backed securities, they're now worthless. He needs to just go ahead and do it. I don't care if it will embarrass the Shrub Admin and I don't care if he believes folks will say he's doing it because he's Black. Who cares??? (As an African-American, I find it HILARIOUS that some folks have this crazy belief that we are so "unified"--when a lot of us often decry our lack of unity. It really is a scream.)
Now is the time to do the right thing. Man up already!
October 6, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope. See upthread - since 'Nam. He helped cover up My Lai until Hersh broke the story.
October 6, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
wrong.
i have zero respect for colin powell but powell would help because it would pull support for obama from people who would otherwise support mccain.
the math is really quite simple.
October 6, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Finally we get into McCain's shitty record on Veteran's Affairs.
October 6, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mclame is totally unfit to be an admiral, retired or active or any damn kind.
He would never have gotten anywhere if his father and grandfather hadn't been big ass deals because McLame is a spoiled, nasty, insubordinate fuck up of epic proportions and a COWARD. He ran the other way when the USS Forrestall went up in flames - HE RAN AWAY AND LET HIS FELLOW NAVAL PERSONNEL BURN ALIVE!
October 6, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not quite getting how you feel. So you are saying that you don't like McCain?
October 6, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Powell needed to step up back at the beginning of the latest Iraq war when he was handed false info to pass on to the nation. He thought about it - and passed it anyway. I no longer care what Powell has to say.
October 6, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
i share your thoughts, but you have to admit, that if Powell came out and said he is not supporting McCain, those moderate Republicans will use him as cover to NOT support McCain. Plus the media will fawn all over that story for 24-48 hrs.
October 6, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't like Powell either but you know there are Goopers who would find that chilling...
October 6, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I really don't understand the appeal of Powell. I can't imagine his endorsement would carry much weight, if any.
October 6, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wes Clarke has been campaigning for Obama in FL
October 6, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Joe Klein completely takes down McCain-Palin attacks.
Nice quote:
Imagine the frothing and snarling that would be heard had Michelle Obama ever belonged to a similar party.
I digress.
His post is worth a look:
Klein on the shreds of John McCain's integrity
October 6, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
So this is the first time Todd Palin has ever been proud of America, I guess.
October 6, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama should hammer McCain hard on his terrible veterans affairs record - especially in Virginia and NC. Maybe he's using surrogates to do that already.
Also the thought of President Palin has to scare the hell out of a lot of Military families, I'd find a way to some how push that visual.
October 6, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
The retired admiral is good start. But the heavy artillery is Wes Clark and Chuck Hagel.
October 6, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Telegraphing! Hah, good one, Greg! :)
October 6, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
I cannot stand Colin Powell. He has no standing to talk about honor or anything else. There's not an honorable bone in his body .
He can stay home shut the fuck up from now on - he lied enough.
October 6, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. He'd have to admit to being wrong before anyone would stand to hear him. And je hasn't admitted anything yet. Let this sleeping dog lie.
October 6, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
DOW PLUNGES
People do not give a damn about that. People want to hear about how the candidates will try to fix the economy.
October 6, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
THAT is the truth! Does anyone seriously believe Grandpa Simpson and his band of merry scum-sucking lobbyists will do anything to help the bottom 98% of us?
October 6, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Many republicans still respect Powell.
October 6, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll see your smear and raise you the truth!
October 6, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd like to see an ad with a whole series of former generals endorsing Obama. You know:
"I'm Retired Admiral Nathan and I endorse Barack Obama for president."
"I'm Retired General Wes Clark and I endorse Barack Obama for president."
"I'm SFC Wallace and I endorse Barack Obama for president."
Like that.
October 6, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oooooh, that's pretty good. I like the way you think!
October 6, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hilarious!
(The SFC part, of course. That'll happen when pigs fly).
October 6, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
EXCELLENT IDEA.
so very simple. would make a great one minute ad.
could also do one on the economy: 'i'm warren buffet and i support barack obama.' 'i'm -insert economics professor- and i support barack obama.' 'i'm rob't rubin...' 'i'm paul o'neill...'
October 6, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ooh, like the asymmetry of the comeback. The guy who didn't have what it takes to make admiral made small by the guy that did. :o)
October 6, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would reach political nirvana if after the debate Colin Powell were to endorse Obama. One of the most respected republicans with a distinguished, and sucessful, military career. That would have McCain scratching his bald, blotchy head trying to figure out a response to that one. The timing would be perfect.
October 6, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Colin Powell has zero - 0 - credibility.
FUCK COLIN POWELL.
I don't want to ever hear his fucking name again. He was a useful idiot for Bush.
October 6, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
He has zero credibility with everyone who followed the lead-up to the war, Tena.
And had everyone else followed the lead-up to the war with the same attention that the decided minority did, we wouldn't be at war and Powell would have no credibility.
He has credibility. He shouldn't, but he does.
October 6, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
His silence on McCain is worth more than an endorsement of Obama would be.
October 6, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Goddamn it - Colin Powell was a useful idiot for two Bushes.
He's a Repug and a LIAR.
Just leave him alone - he needs to go away - he knows he destroyed himself - when will everyone else get it?
October 6, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is the same shit Democrats and liberals used to say about John McCain - the same exact shit y'all say about Powell.
I'll say it again: fuck Colin Powell.
October 6, 2008 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Barack had a whole platoon of retired flag officers standing up for him at Mile High. I don't think he needs to add the disgraced Colin Powell to their ranks.
What's your view on Colin Powell, Tena? We are all curious.
October 6, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
She likes Powell, i think.
October 6, 2008 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Leave Tena alone. She's chewing nails and spitting rust so I don't have to.
October 6, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok - I really hate to get all bitchy and piss people off - I do.
But look, we need to get over Colin Powell. Here's what the world thinks of Colin Powell - when the new government took in Spain, Colin Powell made a formal visit as Sec of State.
He was left cooling his heels in the anteroom for 2 and 1/2 hours
America needs to get over Colin Powell - he's poison just like all the rest of the neo-cons.
October 6, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree that Obama-Biden campaign should saturate swing states with ads featuring Wes Clark and other retired military brass saying why Obama gets their vote over McCain.
It would be good to get an endorsement from Powell despite his past sins. According to former Mayor Willie Brown in his San Francisco Chronicle column Sunday, Powell has held off endorsing Obama after Bush phoned and asked him not to do it. Why Powell would be indebted to Bush at this point is a mystery.
October 6, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
listen, obama shouldn't be courting powell's endorsement (and i don't think there's any indication that they are or would) but whether or not i (or those like me who are to the left of the center of the democratic party) like colin powell has no bearing on the electoral arithmetic. virtually everyone to the right of the center of the democratic party still has respect for colin powell. his endorsement would be absolutely devastating to mccain's chances.
October 6, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink