Just as the right-wing outrage machine begins its second round assault on General Wesley Clark, John McCain and his surrogates attack him with the same tactics that they have spent the last 24 hours denouncing. Talking Points Memo reports that on the McCain camp's latest conference call, fellow POW Orson Swindle dismissed General Clark's service as subpar.
"General Clark probably wouldn't get that much praise from this group. I can't speak for them, but we all know that General Clark, as high-ranking as he is, his record in his last command I think was somewhat less than stellar."
TPM goes on to question this line of criticism:
So does this count as demeaning Clark's service? This McCain surrogate actually lodged a direct criticism of Clark's service itself, whereas Clark's comments about McCain were, well, not this at all.
So does McCain himself agree with this? Will this be covered as an "attack" on Clark's service, as Clark's non-attack on McCain's service was?
There are so many things wrong here. First and foremost, the entire political spectrum has been bashing Clark not only for being truthful--perhaps even mavericky, if you will--but also because he was provoked into the answer during the interview. While everyone goes on and on about whether this was a right or wrong move on Clark's behalf, this story is sure to get lost in the fray.
It is unfortunate, especially when one considers the way in which this is playing out. So Gen. Clark cannot question anyone's service, and the McCain campaign is beginning to hammer this meme home because Clark was a poor General.
Look, I understand that Obama is terrified beyond any means to criticize McCain's record. I disagree, but I don't have to take the heat that he would from the liberal media if he would have defended Clark. But this should change the issue. From now on, this type of criticism means that all bets are off, and it is not only Obama's responsibility to point out the disrespect the McCain campaign has given to all of our veterans, but it is also the ENTIRE PARTY'S TURN.
This needs to stop now...For the last 7 years the GOP has deligitimized any Democratic voice with respect to military service, and the party rolls over continuously. This time, the actions were provoked, then taken out of context, and now the reputation of a recent Supreme Allied Commander of NATO is being subjected to the smear machine. Clark's service has been impeccable. It's time for the GOP to understand that ALL service is honorable.
Here's the audio clip if you are interested...