The McCain/Clark Brouhaha

Retired General Wesley Clark is making big news today for comments he made on yesterdays "Face the Nation".  During the interview, Clark repeated a theme he's employed a couple times recently; John McCain's military service, however meritorious, doesn't necessarily qualify him to be president.

Some are livid at Clark's comments, claiming Clark minimized McCain's service when pointing out McCain's command was not of "a wartime squadron" and asserting piloting a fighter plane and getting shot down were not qualifications for the presidency. 

Not exactly artfully worded, but Clark never questions McCain's service and the reaction by some to Clark's comments is way too faux hysterical.  Jeez, compare Clark's comments to Swift Boaters calling John Kerry a coward and liar.  They're not even close.  And alot of the folks that are so outraged today by Clark's remarks about McCain didn't even bat an eye when John Kerry's character was being dragged through the gutter without any proof whatsoever.  It seems, for some folks, respect for the troops only applies to those troops whose views are aligned with their own political agenda.  They're more than willing to throw the rest under the bus for political gain.

But it seems to me Clark's point is that war heroes don't necessarily make great presidents.  Ulysses Grant and Dwight Eisenhower are examples of great wartime generals who demonstrated tremendous character and bravery in wartime but are now considered as good, but not great U.S. presidents.  

Serving during wartime and having to endure time as a POW speaks volumes about John McCain's character and bravery.  Choosing to opt out of a lucrative Wall Street law position and working, instead, as a community organizer in South Chicago speaks to Barack Obama's character and priorities. 

Neither guarantees McCain or Obama will be worth a damn as president.