The Candidates
The continuing tone deafness of the Democratic Party and their nominees on topics such as this is just utterly shocking to me:
Mr Obama was asked by George Stephanopoulos of ABC’s “This Week” programme whether he’d ever thought about military service and replied: “You know, I actually did. I had to sign up for Selective Service [a means of conscription in case of war] when I graduated from high school.
“And I actually always thought of the military as an ennobling and, you know, honourable option. But keep in mind that I graduated in 1979. The Vietnam War had come to an end. We weren’t engaged in an active military conflict at that point. And so, it’s not an option that I ever decided to pursue.”
The Illinois senator’s newly-disclosed military ambition came after the choice of Sarah Palin as the running mate of his opponent John McCain ensured that for the first time in modern history three of the four candidates on the two presidential tickets would have a son that had served or would serve in a war zone.-(all emphasis mine)
If Obama really thinks that this utterly transparent ploy will make him more palatable as CiC to military families or the American People in general — well, he is in for quite a surprise by the blowback is is about to receive.
Making the commitment to serve your country at the potential cost of your life is perhaps the most important decision that a person can make Sen. Obama. That you find it acceptable to so casually toss out this obvious pander about your supposed consideration of this decision is beyond demeaning.
The fact that he does not understand why claiming such a thing is so wrong makes him absolutely unfit to serve as Commander-in-Chief.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I’m sure you’ve seen this - it’s all over the Net, but here it is for those who haven’t seen it.
Obama on his faith:
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/09/spreading_the_smear_that_obama.html
September 7th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I’m not so sure. If he had come out with this without being prompted then I’d certainly agree.
But he was asked a question and he answered it. If he has made a mistake, it’s not thinking about how it would be perceived, rather than a ploy sell him to military families.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
“absolutely unfit to serve as Commander-in-Chief.”
Kavon,
Obama did stay at a Holiday Inn.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Seeing the context, I am inclined to agree with Rich(UK). Obama answered a direct question about this. What was he supposed to do, lie and say he never considered it? I don’t get the impression Obama was trying to use this as a qualification for President.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
We could have a lot of fun with this. Complete this sentence for Barack: “I thought about joining the military, but …”
* “… but Michelle said she’d cut my balls off if I tried.”
* “… but then the cocaine wore off, and I told my friends, ‘This is some good stuff, dudes, you wouldn’t believe what I was thinking about when I was high.’ We all had a really good laugh.”
* “… but it was raining and I couldn’t find my umbrella.”
* “… but the recruiter convinced me I could serve my country better as a community organizer.”
September 7th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Rich #2,
Perhaps it’s a cultural thing that is particular to the US… Here, the whole “well, I thought about signing up for the Army but decided not to” is thought of as a coward’s refrain when employed in pursuit of political office.
The reason is that everyday thousands of 17 and 18 year-olds walk in to a recruiter’s office and actually make the decision that could lead them to lose their life in service of their country.
There is nothing honorable in “considering” joining the military. What is honorable is a 17 year-old from Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, etc…, walking in to a recruiter’s office in the prime of their youth and vigor and, loving their country so much, actually following through with their consideration.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Edit: Oh for goodness’ sakes!-KWN
September 7th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Obama’s policies are the most anti-military, we’ve seen in 80 years.
http://race42008.com/2008/09/05/who-will-support-our-military/
Barack only sees the military as campaign prop to use to suggest he’s patriotic.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Kavon,
How can this be a legitimate attack considering he was asked directly whether he thought about the military?
Maybe when I see the video it will come across as a boast, but right now this seems innocent and we should spend out time attacking the many real weaknesses that Obama has as opposed to this innocent statement.
Imagine if someone asked McCain if he ever considered not enlisting and McCain said, you know I did think about it for a while when I was younger, but by the time I graduated I knew that I wanted to follow in my father and grandfather’s footsteps and serve. Would that diminish McCain’s service? Of course not because McCain would just be answering a question, he wouldn’t be trying to claim that he wished he didn’t serve.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Either way, this combined with the Muslim faith gaffe is going to make for a news cycle or two of negative Obama stories in which he is forced to defend himself. I hope McCain doesn’t touch either one and lets 3rd parties handle both stories.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Because it is an obvious pander **cough, cough….LIE…cough, cough…** when stated at this point in the campaign and is something that should be off limits to any candidate with any sense of decency and respect for the 17 and 18 year-olds who have made that decision.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
“I thought about joining the military, but …”
…I wanted to make the most of my education, study hard, do my homework, make an effort to be smart, and do well….not get stuck in Iraq!
September 7th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Kavon,
I still don’t understand. He didn’t state it. He was asked about it and answered a question. Unless they planted the question with GS or he is lying, I don’t see how this reflects poorly on Obama. I understand it is good politics to use this, and I am not opposed to that, but it seems to me that Obama is getting crap for answering honestly.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
#12,
Can you imagine if Obama actually made Kerry Secretary of State? Yikes!
September 7th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Dskinner,
He should have answered honestly and not pandered about something so serious.
Obama thought about joining the military but didn’t because there was a war going on? GIMME A FREAKIN BREAK!!
September 7th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Edit: Stop this now. I already banned Romney Regrets. You have been warned.-KWN
September 7th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Here’s the video…
Senator Obama On The Military
September 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
6. Kavon,
I understand what you’re saying, and I agree that if he was saying this to gain cred with military families then it would be pretty poor form, but I just think that in this context it looks like he’s been asked a question and given an (seemingly) honest answer.
(I don’t think there’s a particular cultural difference that you mention, but there is certainly a bit of a cultural difference in terms of the numbers of politicians who have served in the forces in Britain (since the last WWII vets left anyway) - I struggle to name more than a handful out of the 650-odd MPs that have served. We weren’t involved in Vietnam and conscription was abolished far earlier (in 1960ish), which partially explains this.
I’d much prefer more vets in our Parliament, or from any profession for that matter, the Commons is crammed with professional-politician party-hacks who have never occupied real world job in their lives)
September 7th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
DSkinner,
I would like to know if the questioner was an Obama supporter or staffer.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Well, I guess at the least he should have known how this would sound so if he felt he needed to answer that way (either pandering or honestly) he at least should have minimized he statement and praised those who actually do make the sacrifice because it is a world of difference.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
In the rasmussen thread this morning, the point was made that the deck is stacked against McCain, and could make it very hard for him to get a lead in the Rasmussen tracking poll.
The use of a 3 month rolling average to determine party ID sounds kinda silly. Why should the party ID in June factor in polling in September?
If you recalculate todays 48-48 tie using the August weightings only (D+5.7), its Mac by 3 points - 48.6 to 45.4…
More in line with Gallup, and trending our way… McCain is on offense, and with Schmidt at the helm, hopefully he stays that way - just as Bush did in 2004.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
DSkinner,
Speaking of cabinet positions, it appears McCain would effectively give Palin double duty as VP/Energy Secretary; and Joe Lieberman is poised to replace either Rice at State or Gates at Defense, in what insiders say would be a “government of national unity on foreign affairs”.
Also, according to the Telegraph, McCain is seriously considering naming senior cabinet posts before the election, to emphasize the breadth and experience of his team and demonstrate that he plans to reach across the political aisle.
McCain, yesterday, made that point clear, when he told CBS’ Bob Schieffer:
“I don’t know how many, but I can tell you, with all due respect to previous administrations, it is not going to be a single, ‘well, we have a Democrat now.’ It’s going to be the best people in America, the smartest people in America.”
September 7th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
#18: “I just think that in this context it looks like he’s been asked a question and given an (seemingly) honest answer.”
I think the reason Kavon (and I and others) are laughing at this is that none of us believe that there’s a chance in hell that it’s an honest answer.
September 7th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
23. You have a point…
September 7th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
DSkinner,
You’re right on the money there. Send Giuliani or Romney or someone with military ties out to attack Obama on the two.
BobH,
Those are tooooo funny!!
September 7th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
To quote Obama, “Does he think we’re stupid?”
Dems always do this. Hillary wanted to join the marines, Barack wanted to join the army. At least I respected Bill for admitting he wanted no part of it, but needed it covered up to “maintain his viability in the system”. For all the talk of Palin’s “scandals”, Clinton proved that if Americans like you enough, none of your scandals matter.
BTW, I think McCain’s ide of naming hi cabinet before the election is absolute gold. It shows he’s innovative, in control, in command, ready to lead, on day one.
And if he can come out with a bi partisan group, even better. A Lieberman in the cabinet, maybe even a Bill Cohen, who wile Clinton’s SecDef is a Republican(and would be a reach out to Clinton backers at the same time), maybe convince a T Boone Pickens, a John Breaux, Zell Miller, if he could get Bloomberg on board in some capacity we could be talking landlside.
It would be a masterstroke
September 7th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I like the idea of starting to post some House and Senate race info. Maybe pick 1 day per week to be House Races day and another to be Senate Races Day. Perhaps even Governorship Day as well.
Just a thought.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I’m pretty sure it’s not legal to name a cabinet before the election. I’ve heard that repeatedly elsewhere, though I have no citation. He could say “I’ll have these folks in my administration”. But, he couldn’t say “I’m going to make Joe Lieberman sec of state”.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Aron,
I would love that. I think he should announce several people who he would put in his cabinet.
Lieberman seems better for State than Defense.
Rudy for AG or Homeland (unless he want to run for Governor)
Fred Smith for Treasury
Don’t announce Lindsay Graham for AG which is where I think McCain would like to put him.
What are you thoughts on announcing people early?
What about Rudy, Whitman or Fiorina running for statewide office?
I would rather have Rudy at Homeland since I don’t think you could design a better person for the job and I think it is more important than AG or NY state.
I would rather have Whitman run for Governor and Fiorina for Senate.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I would love to have #27 implementing in some way.
I think watching Gallup and Rasmussen combined with youtube clips of campaign events will get old really fast. House, Senate and Governor races could really spice things up a bit.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
*implemented
September 7th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Unfit to be CIC based on this statement? He was asked a question and he answered it. His answer is pretty straightforward in saying he considered it, but decided to do something else. If there is anything that smells of pander, its the bit about there being no active conflict. That sorta suggests that if there had been one, he would have signed up. That piece is unnecessary for me, and might be the part you would suspect was a little BS. But if you are being fair, the guy has family that served, so there is some tradition of military service in his family and therefore no reason to necessarily disbelieve him when he says he considered military service.
Furthermore, you have republicans in office who clearly did everything possible to avoid combat service or service at all, in time of war. But no one is suggesting that they are unfit for command. But he is unfit based on this statement? Its hysteria, and reflects the fact that this election is being made more about bio and personality than issues and solutions.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
In whose military?
September 7th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Dskinner,
Rudy had a shot at the Homeland Security job years ago and turned it down (this led to his infamous Kerik recommendation). I really think that unless Rudy runs for Governor, he’s just going to go back to delivering high-paying speeches and running his security firm. It’s alot more lucrative, there’s less pressure, and it’s not as though he has any plausible route to becoming President; that ship as sailed and he might as well move on with his life.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
It is certain that at least four women will have cabinet positions.
Wilson, Fiorina, Whitman and Swift. They have become spokswomen for the campaign and all four are qualified.
Other people to keep an eye on include, Bill Jones and Mike Huckabee.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
You are probably right. I forgot about the whole Kerik thing. It may be long enough ago that it won’t prevent him from being nominated by McCain. Also, I imagine that Rudy wanted to keep his options open to run for President and now that it didn’t work out, he may be open to it again.
I would guess that AG is the role he may want out of the two, I just think he would be perfect for Homeland Security, especially compared to Chertoff.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
it’s illegal to say who your cabinet is?
everyone knew in 2000 that Powell would be in the cabinet.
he doesn’t have to do it officially. he can just name a few people and say that they will serve in his administration.
For example, Mitt Romney in a top level economic position. And have Mitt campaign in CO, NV and MI. Lieberman in a top nat’l security position and have him campaign in FL.
Heck, he could even say that he recognizes Hillary’s passion on health care and would want her to be a part of any reform in his administartion.
It just gives the appearance of being a leader and being in command.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I saw the CNN 90-minute features last night on O and Mac. In the O piece, he or someone who knows him said that he felt he had missed out on the activism of the civil rights movement a decade ahead of his time. If that’s true, it seems that he would only have considered military service in terms of how to get to Canada (or Kenya?) the fastest when drafted. But he didn’t have to in 1979 since there was no war on…
Doug is right, Bam’s views on the American armed forces indicate a certain preference for the arguments of the Blame America First crowd, and that the best way to end strife in the world is to castrate the United States.
As a side question, aren’t Bam and the Dem leadership in Congress already in favor of eliminating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”? Bam’s candidacy is a near total repudiation of Clintonian/DLC centrism.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Swift was very impressive on TV. As was Gov Lingle of HI. It was amazing how many GOP women stepped up and defended Gov Palin and were strong advocates. I browsed some Hillary sites and PUMA sites and youd be amazed how many posts there were about how GOP women stand up for their own and comparing it to the dems with Pelosi, McCaskill, Sebelius, Napolitano, Klobuchar, Donna Brazille, NOW, and all these other female dems tossing Clinton overboard. They were very impressed with the loyalty.
Huckabee is master communicator. If McCain has him campaign in MO, even a few working class states, he’ll be very effective.
Imagine this scenario of McCain serving one term, and VP Palin naming that all american hero Gen Petraeus as her running mate in 2012.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
First of all, ‘I had to sign up for Selective Service when I graduated from high school’?
Um, starting with people born in 1960….’Under current law, all male U.S. citizens are required to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Under current law, all male U.S. citizens are required to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Certain male aliens residing in the U.S., including permanent residents (holders of green cards), seasonal agricultural workers, refugees, parolees, asylees, and even illegal immigrants, are also required to register if they are between 18 and 26 years of age. “Willful” failure or refusal to present oneself for registration is against the law.
In 1980, young men who knew they were required to register and did not do so could face up to five years in jail or a fine up to $50,000 if convicted. The potential fine was later increased to $250,000.’ ETC. ETC.
So that’s pretty impressive of Barack that he had the courage to register. Considering that not registering is a felony. Um, every American man I know is registered. The only people who didn’t have to are those born between 1957-1959.
Look, the whole statement was just dumb. What a dumb-ass.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
#33 - exactly, whose military? Especially considering the guy appears to have Indonesian citizenship and possibly even Kenyan citizenship? Look there’s nothing wrong with that, but still…..
September 7th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I am a student at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) FT Leavenworth, KS and am responding to this article as part of an outreach program for military officers and other agency personnel at the college to open a dialogue with the American people. I will provide my view on Senator Obama’s response to the question in the above article.
Senator Obama answered a question that was presented to him in a way which he was “damned” no matter what answer he had given. How would the critics above have responded had he said “I never considered joining the military because…” I’m certain the response from many non-supporters would have been “Barrack Obama lacks the patriotism and courage to be the CINC as he admitted to never wanting to serve…”
When he answered the question that he “considered” but did not follow through due to the conditions the military was in at the time, he is immediately criticized for not having served and that he would not make a good CINC. Let’s not forgot there will be continued cries of how “unpatriotic” he is over the next several days.
What I’m seeing from my foxhole is that American politics has become a race to the television, computers, radios, and any other media source to get a negative spin on the opponent…..many times at any cost. I am not an Obama supporter, and I feel that a man like McCain would probably be more suitable/comfortable in a position as the CINC. I do, however, feel that posing questions to candidates that will make the headlines because they are “unanswerable” should become a thing of the past in this 2008 campaign.
I’ve proudly served multiple deployments in the military over the past 12 years. Let’s remember that the military actually works for the people (yes, including civilians) of this great nation. Military service would be phenomenal for the CINC, but not absolutely necessary. Again, I’m not an Obama supporter, but let’s get past the childish non-sense of purely “spin” media
September 7th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
DSkinner,
In floating a potential cabinet, McCain must walk a fine line, and be careful to avoid any air of ‘picking out the drapes’ presumptuousness (see Obama presidential seal/wanting to speak at Brandenburg Gate). It would be more effective to vaguely mention the many names — men/women, Republican/Democrat, politicians/businesspeople, that would help shape his bipartisan, inclusive, non-ideological administration.
As for Rudy, I would rank his future government job in this order of likelihood…
1. U.S. Attorney General
2. Governor of New York
3. Defense Secretary
4. Homeland Security Secretary
5. White House Chief of Staff
6. Supreme Court Justice
7. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
8. White House Press Secretary
9. White House Counsel
September 7th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Kris,
I would rather see Fiorina and Whitman run for statewide office in CA.
Think about the lineup of Senator and Governors we could put up in 2010.
CA - Arnold or Fiorina for Senate
CT - Shays could possibly beat Dodd
CO - John Elway could beat Salazar
HI - Lingle could beat Inouye
NV - Reid is beatbable
ND - Hoeven could beat Dorgan
Governorships
AZ - Kyl, Flake or Shadegg would all be great I would prefer Flake to build our Presidential bench.
OH - Kasich would be great
NY - Rudy
CA - Whitman
KS - Brownback
MI - Hoekstra or Miller
NM - Wilson
OK - Watts or Cole
PA - Toomey or Santorum
TN - Blackburn or Wamp
September 7th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Kris,
I would rather see Fiorina and Whitman run for statewide office in CA.
Think about the lineup of Senator and Governors we could put up in 2010.
Dem controlled Senate seats we could win:
CA - Arnold or Fiorina for Senate
CT - Shays could possibly beat Dodd
CO - John Elway could beat Salazar
HI - Lingle could beat Inouye
NV - Reid is beatbable
ND - Hoeven could beat Dorgan
Dem controlled Governorships we could win:
AZ - Kyl, Flake or Shadegg would all be great I would prefer Flake to build our Presidential bench.
OH - Kasich would be great
NY - Rudy
CA - Whitman (I know Arnold is a Republican, but she would be a huge improvement)
KS - Brownback
MI - Hoekstra or Miller
NM - Wilson
OK - Watts or Cole
PA - Toomey or Santorum
TN - Blackburn or Wamp
WY - Anyone
September 7th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Sorry for the double post.
We also need to make sure we win control of state Legislatures because of the redistricting.
We will have some tough Senate seats and Governorships to defend as well.
Senate Seats to defend:
AZ - Shadegg or Flake could take McCain’s seat with the other either taking Kyl’s seat if he runs for Gov. or running for Governor themselves.
IA - If Grassley retires we may be in trouble against Vilsack
KT - Bunning is in trouble regardless and we should replace him if possible
NC - Burr could be in trouble
PA - This seat could be in trouble whether Specter runs or not
Governorships to defend:
HI - Lingle
RI - Carcieri
I also forgot to mention IL as a potential Governorship pickup if Blagojevich runs again, but our bench is weak there so I don’t know who could challenge him.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Obama says he is open to playing Palin in basketball:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/09/obama-to-step-2.html
If the McCain campaign is smart they will jump all over this. The media attention and publicity would be beyond compare. The ratings would be through the roof.
And the downsides are nil. If Obama wins, who cares? He’s 6′3″, he’s black, of course he’s gonna win in basketball.
But if Palin wins, Obama is finished in any public capacity. He becomes the laughingstock of the entire nation. Even a few good plays or shots by Palin would be devestating to him.
Can you imagine the visual of Palin hitting some 3 pointer and Barack following up with a brick. It would be worth more than 100 debate wins put together.
I doubt Obama is really man enough to do this and he’s just throwing it out there. If I’m Schmidt, I announce that Palin has accepted, I pick some HS gym in Ohio or PA and see if Obama shows up.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
So let me see, today Obama (1) spoke about his Muslim faith, then took it back, (2) talked about how he volunteered for the military in his fantasies, but in real life, not. then (3) he thought it would be funny to say he could beat Sarah Palin at basketball?
Did somebody drop an idiot bomb on this guy? Why doesn’t he take a trip to the 57th state and get some rest?
September 7th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I thought about joining the military. Talked with a recruiter. Took the ASVAB test. Decided to start school and then go on a mission instead. My parents have 3 sons and 4 daughters. My younger sister did join the Navy, but none of us boys signed up.
I think most young men “think about military service”. Some do it, some don’t do it. To me, serving in the military is an honorable choice; but so is serving elsewhere.
Kavon, to me, this is a non-issue. We have our nation’s President be a civilian for very good reasons. Yes, we’ve had several Generals be President, but only after giving up their commands.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
As a follow-up to #49… Almost every young man in my church growing up made the choice to either A) join the military or B) go on a church mission. There were very, very few who didn’t do either one. There were also very, very, very, very few who did both.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Any idea why Goldberg retracted this piece over at the Corner? His debunking site appears to be talking about something else. Maybe somebody should e-mail him (I can’t from my computer).
September 7th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
#43,
McCain nominating Rudy for supreme court justice would make Harriet Meyers nomination look like a Republican lovefest.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
#51, No Jonah was just retracting his contention that Obama couldn’t possibly have signed up for the selective service in 1979. Which is technically true because it must have been 1980 (that’s when it was officially reinstated, for people born in 1960+) , but Obama was required to register and i’m sure he did. I did too, didn’t you? Unless you are less than 18. BFD.
September 7th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Obama’s European problem
The senator may have traveled widely, but the critically important subcommittee on Europe has languished under his leadership.
Dec. 29, 2007
September 7th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I’m hoping that every single aspiring politician is leaving their jobs in the business, legal or community/charity world and joining the army right now.
It seems that you must be in the army, otherwise you’re not fit to serve as a CiC.
Not that it helped Gore or Kerry much.
September 7th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
#42: Yes, CPL, I’m sure the Command and General Staff College has an “outreach” program for officers to post on blogs defending Barack Obama. I believe it’s under the command of General Markos Moulitsas, isn’t it?
September 7th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
#56: BobH, you may have missed the two statements I made in my response (#42) that I do not support Senator Obama. On the other hand, I serve my country so that you and other Americans have the right to openly express your opinions about the government, the CGSC, or me (even if they are factually incorrect). Please enjoy your freedom!
September 7th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
#57: Yes, we’re used to “I’m a lifelong Republican …” as the prelude to to comments by Kossacks.
September 7th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
#58: BobH, Viva “McCarthyism”! It seems to be coming back… but it’s taken the form of someone being accused of being a liberal/democrat (instead of communist) because he/she is pushing for a civil campaign and new outlook on politics. Many people today are tired of the parties trying to get “one up” on the other through media gossip/spin. Not my issue if you want to question my service to the country, as I know where I’ve deployed and what I’ve done for this country. Maybe you could enlighten us on your military service?
September 7th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Perhaps you could offer some evidence of your service, other than your own statements, for example your name and rank. Since you are posting on a blog on behalf of the Army (I’m assuming that is your branch of service), as part of your official duties, I’m a bit surprised you are doing so anonymously.
Then we can contact Fort Leavenworth and determine if there is any such “outreach” program.
“Maybe you could enlighten us on your military service?”
I served in Cuba with the Rough Riders and won the Medal of Honor at San Juan Hill.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
#60: BobH or should I say “Teddy R.” I don’t speak on behalf of the U.S. Army or CAC, I am providing my opinion on the issue of the media asking questions that can be used negatively against candidates no matter what the answer provided is. This happens to Democrats, Republicans, Independents, etc. I’m unclear why people would accept this type of media as healthy for our country and its’ people. Again, I defend it by supporting and defending the Constitution, but don’t agree with the media “spin”. Please visit the following website to get some info on the program: http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/
I am a MAJ that has served for 12 years in the U.S. Army. My deployments include Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
#61: “I don’t speak on behalf of the U.S. Army or CAC …”
#42: “I … am responding to this article as part of an outreach program for military officers …”
The link provides no information on this alleged “outreach program”.
“I am a MAJ that has served for 12 years in the U.S. Army. My deployments include Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.”
I asked for “some evidence of your service, other than your own statements” — you provided another unverifiable statement.
In any case, I’m tired of you, little boy. Go back to Kos and tell him to try another approach.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:14 am
#62: BobH, I narrowed down your search from the last link I sent, please try this:
http://www.ftleavenworthlamp.com/articles/2008/07/17/news/news2.txt
Additionally, not sure what you would like for verifiable statements of my service….maybe photos or dates. I’m not going to send anyone I don’t know photos of my deployments for obvious reasons. I will tell you that I deployed with 1st CAV DIV to Bosnia for 7 mos in 1999, 82nd ABN DIV in Afghanistan for 6 months in 2002, and 82nd ABN DIV in Iraq for 6 months in 2003-2004.
It’s unfortunate that you offer hatred and nastiness toward people that don’t agree with you. You must be older because you treat veterans in the same hateful manner that they were treated during the Vietnam Era (which my father served voluntarily).
I’ll say it again for the last time, it is not a Republican/Democratic issue about the media spin on questions to the candidates. I feel both candidates are treated unfairly with these types of questions. I would like to have an intellectual discussion with people on blogs, but this is what partisanship does to our country that I and my brothers and sisters protect.
Regardless of which candidate you are voting for, neither one would appreciate you calling a U.S. Army Officer “little boy”. You can sleep well tonight as this “little boy” fought for your freedoms in the past and will be back on the front lines after I complete my CGSC next Summer.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:21 am
While I respect John McCain’s military service, in McCain’s day ALL men HAD to go into the military. Many guys went ahead and enlisted, because they knew they were going to get drafted anyway. Enlisting was a way to have some say about what branch of the service they could get into.
But would McCain have enlisted if there was no draft? No one knows that.
McCain’s being in the military was a legal requirement of his generation, and to suggest he would have enlisted without a draft is only a guess.
Considering how wild and selfish McCain was in his youth (his own words), I doubt he would have enlisted without a draft.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:31 am
This seems to have really struck a nerve with the Kos Kids — we’re getting quite a troll infestation on this thread.
“I doubt he would have enlisted without a draft.”
Funniest line since, er, well, since Obama said, “I thought about enlisting, but …”
September 8th, 2008 at 1:27 am
BobH, grow up please. Your recent comments are pretty pathetic.
September 8th, 2008 at 1:28 am
^ Oh, dear. I disagreed with BobH.
Now he’s going to expose me as an Obama high level staffer who spends his time going around messing up conservative blogs.
Or maybe I’m a Russian secret agent who is trying to get Obama elected.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:45 am
Is that Michael Dukakis in the tank? No, it’s Barry Obama pretending to be a soldier!
I guess even our socialist friend Barry didn’t want to serve under the commander and peanut farmer, Jimmy Carter!!!!
The wheels are coming off of Barry’s short bus! The only thing better would be if he defended his muslim “faith” and backed off his “above my paygrade” abortion stance.”
Oh wait. It happened in the same interview? Priceless!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:38 am
JayPe,
McCain comes from a military family, entered the military in 1954 and thus could have left the military in 1956, if he’d been there just for the draft. Anyway, you can always avoid the draft as some of us on the republican side have done. So I don’t mind your defending Obama on his, but to say that McCain just obeyed the draft is quite frankly unbelievable to me.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:16 am
The “Selective Service” scenario that Obama says he had to sign up for in 1979 - was not active in 1979. Just another flat out LIE in his bag of campaign props. NObama.