McCain blasts Barack Obama for not serving in uniform

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
38
91
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform. McCain is delusional and trying to divert an issue that most Americans would support, considering these soldiers are putting their lives on the line for this country. The least we can do is give them the education needed for the future.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2...all-comments/#comments

McCain Blasts Obama for Never Having Served in Uniform

WASHINGTON ? Republican John McCain, a Vietnam War hero, blasted likely Democratic nominee Barack Obama for never having served in uniform as the two took aim at each other in yet another sign that the presidential race is rapidly moving toward their general election matchup. McCain?s comments Thursday came after the Illinois senator accused the Republican of partisan posturing for opposing a bill that would guarantee full college scholarships for those who serve in the military for three years.

?I will not accept from Senator Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did,? the Arizona senator said in a harshly worded statement issued Thursday.

McCain was a Navy fighter pilot who was shot down and spent nearly six years as a Vietnam prisoner of war, and the Arizona senator is likely to stress his impressive military record and Obama?s lack of one as the race moves forward.

While the contest for the Democratic nomination is not over, Obama leads rival Hillary Rodham Clinton in the delegate count and it is virtually impossible for her to catch up with only three primaries remaining. Obama has 1,965 delegates to Clinton?s 1,780, with 2,026 needed to win the nomination.

Democratic officials said Thursday that Obama?s campaign is quietly scouting for a running mate, with former Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson overseeing the early vetting.

Candidates for consideration include Hillary Clinton, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, anti-war Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel and former Sen. John Edwards.

Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said Obama?s vice presidential selection process ?is clearly premature in that he is not yet the nominee.? He also said the Clinton campaign didn?t have a similar process under way and there had been no discussions with the Obama campaign about her becoming Obama?s No. 2.

Some Democrats are calling on Obama to pick Clinton as his vice president.

On the Republican side, the vice presidential speculation about McCain has been going on for months, fueled in part by the candidate himself. Last month, he told reporters he was in the ?embryonic stages? of the search with a list of about 20 names.

This weekend McCain is hosting at least three Republicans mentioned as potential vice presidential running mates at his Sedona, Arizona, home ? Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. A top aide said it?s a social event with more than two dozen guests not meant for vice presidential vetting, but the socializing is a prime opportunity for would-be running mates.

The latest spat Thursday between McCain and Obama came as the Democratic-led Senate passed the measure on scholarships for veterans.

Obama supports the measure but McCain opposes it, as does the Pentagon, out of concern that providing such a benefit after only three years of service would encourage people to leave the military after only one enlistment as the U.S. fights two wars and is trying to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps.

Obama reiterated his respect for McCain?s service in a speech on the Senate floor, but added that ?I could not disagree with him and the president more on this issue. There are many issues that lend themselves to partisan posturing, but giving our veterans the chance to go to college should not be one of them.?

In his statement, McCain lashed out at Obama for questioning his motives.

?Perhaps if Senator Obama would take the time and trouble to understand this issue, he would learn to debate an honest disagreement respectfully,? McCain said. ?But, as he always does, he prefers impugning the motives of his opponent, and exploiting a thoughtful difference of opinion to advance his own ambitions.?

Also Thursday, McCain tackled a thornier issue, rejecting endorsements from two influential but controversial televangelists, saying there was no place for their incendiary criticisms of other faiths.

McCain rejected the months-old endorsement of Texas preacher John Hagee after an audio recording surfaced in which the preacher said God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land. McCain called the comment ?crazy and unacceptable.?

Hagee also has referred to the Roman Catholic Church as ?the great whore? and called it a ?false cult system.? He has linked Hitler to the Catholic church, suggesting it helped shape his anti-Semitism. And Hagee said Hurricane Katrina was God?s retribution for homosexual sin.

McCain, in an interview with The Associated Press, repudiated the support of Rod Parsley, an Ohio preacher who has sharply criticized Islam and called the religion inherently violent.

Meanwhile, Obama reached out to Jewish voters in Florida, promising an ?unshakable commitment? to Israel if he is elected. Obama stresses that he wouldn?t negotiate with the militant Palestinian group Hamas.

Some Jewish voters are turned off by Obama?s willingness to negotiate with countries like Iran and Syria. Others reject him because of e-mails spreading false rumors about him.

Speaking a town hall meeting at a synagogue in Boca Raton, the Illinois senator also said he hopes his presidency will help improve strained relations between American black and Jewish communities. Obama could become the first black president.

The Democratic primaries will draw to a close June 3. Three contests remain: Puerto Rico, South Dakota and Montana. However, the deciding delegates are likely to come from superdelegates ? party officials who can vote for whomever they want ? because there are not enough pledged delegates from the primaries and caucuses left for a candidate to make it to the 2,026 mark.

Obama plans to mix primary and general election campaign travel in the next week, with stops in Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado.

 

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
2
0
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

 

GarfieldtheCat

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2005
3,708
1
0
Remember..."service guarantees citizenship"

How does he feel about National Guard members that used the Guard to get out of active duty and going to Vietnam?
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
38
91
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

Did John Kerry say that? If not, your point is fucking moot.
 

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
16,872
4,984
136
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

No, it refers to those who've never served STARTING ILLEGAL WARS.
 

yllus

Elite Member & Lifer
Aug 20, 2000
20,577
432
126
Very Starship Troopers. :p

Personally, I think it's high time that the U.S. moved on from Vietnam-era leaders. They haven't exactly provided great results thus far.
 

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
2
0
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

Did John Kerry say that? If not, your point is fucking moot.

Kerry's service was a central theme in his campaign (remember "Reporting for duty?"). He went with the "Don't question my patriotism" because he served line more than once.
 

fskimospy

Elite Member
Mar 10, 2006
88,007
55,444
136
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

I think it's a BS line of attack no matter what, but I'm sure you can see the difference between never having put your butt on the line and agitating to start a war first and ask questions later, and never having put your butt on the line and agitating to start a war only as a last resort.

Anyways, it's a stupid line of argument. Serving in the military is not difficult, and I don't view it as anything to be proud of. I think someone does our country a far larger favor by becoming more educated then they do by serving in the military.
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
38
91
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

Did John Kerry say that? If not, your point is fucking moot.

Kerry's service was a central theme in his campaign (remember "Reporting for duty?"). He went with the "Don't question my patriotism" because he served line more than once.

WTF does that have to do with McCain stating Obama can't tell him about the needs of soldiers? Again, did Kerry accuse Bush of something similar?
 

jonks

Lifer
Feb 7, 2005
13,918
20
81
Originally posted by: eskimospy
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

I think it's a BS line of attack no matter what, but I'm sure you can see the difference between never having put your butt on the line and agitating to start a war first and ask questions later, and never having put your butt on the line and agitating to start a war only as a last resort.

Anyways, it's a stupid line of argument. Serving in the military is not difficult, and I don't view it as anything to be proud of. I think someone does our country a far larger favor by becoming more educated then they do by serving in the military.

I think I'm going to just start asking WWED? :)
 

daveymark

Lifer
Sep 15, 2003
10,573
1
0
Not having read the entire statement put out by mccain, and only based on reading this single article, I disagree with McCain on this issue as well.

but why did BHO accuse McCain of posturing? Simply for opposing a bill? If there's no reasonable explanation for BHO's remarks, they're both guilty of below the belt accusations. simply a sign of things to come is all. The difference being that we know McCain is going to do this, BHO is supposed to be a "different kind of candidate" though. How many layers need to be peeled off the onion before people realize BHO is the same type of politician as anyone else in washington?

Also, is there a link to the entire 900 word statement that McCain sent? I'd prefer to read the entire statement made by mccain, not a snippet that may or may not have been taken out of context.

I'd also like to know more about obama's "posturing" statement as well.
 

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
2
0
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

Did John Kerry say that? If not, your point is fucking moot.

Kerry's service was a central theme in his campaign (remember "Reporting for duty?"). He went with the "Don't question my patriotism" because he served line more than once.

WTF does that have to do with McCain stating Obama can't tell him about the needs of soldiers? Again, did Kerry accuse Bush of something similar?

It's very similar. Both are using their military credentials to insulate them from attack.
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
38
91
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

Did John Kerry say that? If not, your point is fucking moot.

Kerry's service was a central theme in his campaign (remember "Reporting for duty?"). He went with the "Don't question my patriotism" because he served line more than once.

WTF does that have to do with McCain stating Obama can't tell him about the needs of soldiers? Again, did Kerry accuse Bush of something similar?

It's very similar. Both are using their military credentials to insulate them from attack.

However, in both cases, it was the Republicans bringing it to that level.
 

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
2
0
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

Did John Kerry say that? If not, your point is fucking moot.

Kerry's service was a central theme in his campaign (remember "Reporting for duty?"). He went with the "Don't question my patriotism" because he served line more than once.

WTF does that have to do with McCain stating Obama can't tell him about the needs of soldiers? Again, did Kerry accuse Bush of something similar?

It's very similar. Both are using their military credentials to insulate them from attack.

However, in both cases, it was the Republicans bringing it to that level.

Not in this case. It was Obama's attack on the Senate floor of McCain's commitment to the troops that caused McCain to in turn 'blast' Obama. Link
 

fskimospy

Elite Member
Mar 10, 2006
88,007
55,444
136
Originally posted by: sirjonk
Originally posted by: eskimospy

I think it's a BS line of attack no matter what, but I'm sure you can see the difference between never having put your butt on the line and agitating to start a war first and ask questions later, and never having put your butt on the line and agitating to start a war only as a last resort.

Anyways, it's a stupid line of argument. Serving in the military is not difficult, and I don't view it as anything to be proud of. I think someone does our country a far larger favor by becoming more educated then they do by serving in the military.

I think I'm going to just start asking WWED? :)

When I make keychains, you'll get the first one.
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
38
91
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

Did John Kerry say that? If not, your point is fucking moot.

Kerry's service was a central theme in his campaign (remember "Reporting for duty?"). He went with the "Don't question my patriotism" because he served line more than once.

WTF does that have to do with McCain stating Obama can't tell him about the needs of soldiers? Again, did Kerry accuse Bush of something similar?

It's very similar. Both are using their military credentials to insulate them from attack.

However, in both cases, it was the Republicans bringing it to that level.

Not in this case. It was Obama's attack on the Senate floor of McCain's commitment to the troops that caused McCain to in turn 'blast' Obama. Link

Obama is on the Veteran's Affairs committee (IIRC) so his attack was legitimate. McCain's rebuttal was sad and pathetic. Like grandpa dismissing his grandson's opinion because of age gap.
 

RightIsWrong

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2005
5,649
0
0
Wow...I guess McCain can never speak about medical care, the poor, farming, environmental issues, etc.

After all, he never actually "served" in any of those fields or professions.

 

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
2
0
Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
Wow...I guess McCain can never speak about medical care, the poor, farming, environmental issues, etc.

After all, he never actually "served" in any of those fields or professions.

Wow, that sounds just like the argument Republicans and Conservatives used during the 2004 election...
 

RightIsWrong

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2005
5,649
0
0
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
Wow...I guess McCain can never speak about medical care, the poor, farming, environmental issues, etc.

After all, he never actually "served" in any of those fields or professions.

Wow, that sounds just like the argument Republicans and Conservatives used during the 2004 election...

It's exactly the argument. It is stupid on both parts.

Obama not serving in the military does not discount him from being able to see what would be good for the military any more than McCain not being a farmer means that he is unable to recognize what would be good public policy for them.

It's a third grade argument being made by a man who wants to be the leader of the only super power left in the free world.
 

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
2
0
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

Did John Kerry say that? If not, your point is fucking moot.

Kerry's service was a central theme in his campaign (remember "Reporting for duty?"). He went with the "Don't question my patriotism" because he served line more than once.

WTF does that have to do with McCain stating Obama can't tell him about the needs of soldiers? Again, did Kerry accuse Bush of something similar?

It's very similar. Both are using their military credentials to insulate them from attack.

However, in both cases, it was the Republicans bringing it to that level.

Not in this case. It was Obama's attack on the Senate floor of McCain's commitment to the troops that caused McCain to in turn 'blast' Obama. Link

Obama is on the Veteran's Affairs committee (IIRC) so his attack was legitimate. McCain's rebuttal was sad and pathetic. Like grandpa dismissing his grandson's opinion because of age gap.

Heh. He's been on that committee for only three years and he's spent at least half that time campaigning for the presidency.

I take this for what it is.
1) Obama serving on the Veteran's Affairs committee was used to deflect any perception of a lack of military service/support.
2) Barak and other Dems are using the disagreement over the current GI bill to attack the Republicans (and McCain) to, again, deflect any perception of a lack of military support/service.

It's all politics. From both sides.
 

lupi

Lifer
Apr 8, 2001
32,539
260
126
So Hussein blast McCain for serving and he returns fire about the other not serving, and in your out of context glimpse you think this was bad on McCain.


Mmkay.
 

maziwanka

Lifer
Jul 4, 2000
10,415
1
0
Originally posted by: lupi
So Hussein blast McCain for serving and he returns fire about the other not serving, and in your out of context glimpse you think this was bad on McCain.


Mmkay.

you are the largest douchebag i've seen on this forum. by far.
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
38
91
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: Dari
I guess only those that serve can speak for those in uniform.

Is that not the line Dems fed us for the 2004 election with Kerry? Or any other time a Republican who never served speaks out on military matters? I believe the term is 'ChickenHawk'.

Did John Kerry say that? If not, your point is fucking moot.

Kerry's service was a central theme in his campaign (remember "Reporting for duty?"). He went with the "Don't question my patriotism" because he served line more than once.

WTF does that have to do with McCain stating Obama can't tell him about the needs of soldiers? Again, did Kerry accuse Bush of something similar?

It's very similar. Both are using their military credentials to insulate them from attack.

However, in both cases, it was the Republicans bringing it to that level.

Not in this case. It was Obama's attack on the Senate floor of McCain's commitment to the troops that caused McCain to in turn 'blast' Obama. Link

Obama is on the Veteran's Affairs committee (IIRC) so his attack was legitimate. McCain's rebuttal was sad and pathetic. Like grandpa dismissing his grandson's opinion because of age gap.

Heh. He's been on that committee for only three years and he's spent at least half that time campaigning for the presidency.

I take this for what it is.
1) Obama serving on the Veteran's Affairs committee was used to deflect any perception of a lack of military service/support.
2) Barak and other Dems are using the disagreement over the current GI bill to attack the Republicans (and McCain) to, again, deflect any perception of a lack of military support/service.

It's all politics. From both sides.

You're a loyal servant. Well done.
 

RightIsWrong

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2005
5,649
0
0
Originally posted by: lupi
So Hussein blast McCain for serving and he returns fire about the other not serving, and in your out of context glimpse you think this was bad on McCain.


Mmkay.

He didn't blast McCain for not serving....

He blasted Lindsey for voting against something that would benefit those that ARE serving.

Do you really not see the distinction there?

Edit: Changed to reflect the usage of middle name as the poser...er...poster wants. Lindsey, what a pansy name. Someone with that name has to talk tough. I'm sure he would have been beaten up a bunch as a kid if he went by it.