Public Opinion: Were Wesley Clark's Criticisms of John McCain Out of Line?

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I agree with Clark--being involved in military combat does not qualify anyone to become a presidential candidate. There are probably many people who also served equally well that we would never want to be president! However, McCain is not a presumptive nominee because of his military experience, but because he is a highly decorated political activist...2 terms as a U.S. House Representative, 4 terms in U.S. Senate.I feel sorry for Obama.

KW of WA 2:13AM August 29, 2008

John McCain is an honorable man and will be an outstanding president. He truly loves this country and will always try to do the right thing and what is best for us all! I hope he soon gets more aggresive in his effort to be elected.
I feel that before November, the true Obama will have surfaced and people will then see that man for what he is. I do not trust anything he says and is is terrifying to think that he could be president!
YES, CLARK WAS OUT OF LINE. HE NEEDS TO KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT AND NOT TALK ABOUT THE SUBJECT BECAUSE HE DOES NOT EVEN BEGING TO QUALIFY!

Jim Smith of MO 10:07PM July 10, 2008

Yes they were...He would never have lasted if He had been a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.. With what everything John Mccain went thru during all those years..It has made him much of a better man than Mr. Clark will ever be...John Mccain would be a great president if elected...

Richard Searing of NY 6:00PM July 10, 2008

Who said it did qualify Mccain to be president but at least John McCain has more to draw on than a very shallow man in a shiney suit who is still dreaming of actually being commander in chief of the most powerful nation in the world. Pity that the American people are that hypnotised.

Charles Melton of AR 5:54PM July 04, 2008

It's interesting to note that most Clark lovers never mentioned they served even one day in ANY BRANCH of military service! If they did, I'm sure they would have mentioned it. Most of the pro-Clark lovers couldn't tell the difference between a sergeant and a general if they looked at one face to face!
Reviewing all comments, most support for McCain seems to come from current or former military participants...(veterans).
We all have the opportunity to express our differing views because we live in a truly free country, thanks to all veterans who served since the 1700's. Not the pacifists... They wouldn't dare fight anyone, even to save their own families from opression and dictatorship. They might get hurt!
Kind of ironic, isn't it!!!

David York of MI 2:03PM July 04, 2008

I find it amusing that Democrats continue to misfire on the entire subject of military service (Bush, who served in the National Guard, is a draft dodger, but Clinton, who received a draft notice and did not serve anywhere, is not?). Leaving aside the hypocrisy of his flip-flop on whether service is a valuable qualification for the presidency, all Clark managed to do this time is point out how unqualified - by standards he himself was outlining at the time - his own candidate is, and, by making a ridiculously insensitive remark, managed to belittle the military service of a proven patriot, which will, by definition, make Obama look both inexperienced and crass at the same time, It also ensures that people will continue talking about that discrepancy for some time to come. The McCain campaign should call and thank General Clark for the free publicity.

Roger Simpson of NC 10:39AM July 04, 2008

Clark's comment was truly disgusting, disingenuous and ignorant. McCain disdains talk of his war record and considers it a private matter. Clark just as stupidly could have said that marrying a beer heiress does not qualify one for the presidency. More disturbing was the defense of Clark's comment by reptile head Carville and the Greek tank commander Dukakis. These Democrats have no more conscience than Saddam Hussein's deposed sons.

Frank Bean of NV 1:44AM July 04, 2008

General Clark was right on saying what he did about John McCain. I had said the same thing long before General Clark said it . It only proves that the McCain camp can dish it out but can't take the truth.

Herman Noles of VA 7:57PM July 03, 2008

General Clark was right on saying what he did about John McCain. I had said the same thing long before General Clark said it . It only proves that the McCain camp can dish it out but can't take the truth.

Herman Noles of VA 7:57PM July 03, 2008

I applaud Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark's comments. Forget the naysayers. They are only crying because you are telling the truth. Hey, oftentimes the truth hurts, hence the cries. And as for Sen. McCain, he simply now knows his smokescreen has been forever shattered and the glare of the public sees it for what it is, hence the cries. Your words were artful, welcomed, and very much appreciated General Clark.

Liz of CA 3:09AM July 03, 2008