Barack Obama has wisely distanced himself from surrogate Wes Clark’s disparagement of John McCain’s military experience.
“For those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country — no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary,” Obama said. “And let me also add that no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides.”
The comment drew loud applause.
Andrew Sullivan, an unabashed admirer of Obama despite his own Oakeshottian conservative bent, is less temperate vis-a-vis Clark.
Wesley Clark is now and always has been a Clinton-type, but this is pretty revolting. This kind of personal attack was repulsive coming against Kerry from the far right. And it’s repulsive the other way round. Both Kerry and McCain served their country honorably; and their records should be revered, period. You can make an argument against McCain’s foreign policy experience and judgment on its merits. Do it and leave this crap out of it.
Quite. I’d be happy to see questioning of candidate patriotism and loyalty similarly consigned to the fringes of legitimate discourse.
