Deep Thought

Why is General Wesley Clark on my teevee shilling for the ethanol industry?

The Swiftboating of Wesley Clark: The video

By GottaLaff

This pretty much sums up the gigantic ball of ridiculous that all began with this post.

John Sidney McCain's "Truth Squad" = Swiftboat Vet member

By GottaLaff

This is as laughable as it is infuriating:

One of the members of John McCain’s new Truth Squad — which his campaign says was launched to respond to unfair attacks on his record of military service –- was a member of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, and appeared in an attack ad for the group in 2004.

So many things wrong with J Sid's campaign, so little time.

McCain has said that he opposed the group’s efforts.

He also has refrained from using his P.O.W. status in his campaign. Grain-o'-salt.

On a campaign conference call Monday, a Politico reporter asked Day if there was any similarity between former Gen. Wesley Clark’s controversial Sunday comments about McCain’s military service and his own remarks about John Kerry during the last presidential campaign.

Day dismissed any equivalence. "The Swift Boat 'attacks' were simply revelation of the truth. The similarity does not exist here," he said. "…One was about laying out the truth. This one is about attempting to cast a new shadow on John McCain."

No shadows were cast on John Kerry. He was just afraid of the truth, that's all. And the Swift Boat crowd just aims to get the facts out-- whatever they want them to be, anyway. It's their Constitutional right... so they say.

MSNBC: "McCain refrained from using POW status as credential"

By GottaLaff

Is this some kind of parallel universe? I just heard this, prior to Obama's speech, on MSNBC (I believe it was Kelly O'Donnell), regarding McCain and the kerfuffle over Clark's remarks:

"He [McCain] has refrained from using his P.O.W. status as a credential."

Ummm...

If I could sit up long enough (shoulder's still fighting me), I'd start digging up YouTubes to the contrary. Paddy?

Oh, and one more tiny inconsequential little detail. Let's clarify something. Swiftboating John Kerry included disputing the facts, his military record, and smearing him with lies. Let's not confuse that with Wes Clark's opinion that being a P.O.W. is not necessarily a qualification for the presidency. Let's not confuse viewers by equating lies and smearing with a statement that did not-- I repeat, did not -- alter the truth.

We can argue about McCain's qualifications, and we should. However, nobody lied about his past. Nobody disputed his P.O.W. status. But arguing about whether that status makes him a better candidate, or a worse one (PTSD, anger management), or discussing whether McCain's stint in the military gives him stratospheric credentials, is perfectly legitimate.

Note to the media: Understanding and reporting the distinction is crucial to fairness and accuracy.

Gen. Wes Clark on Face the Nation June 29, 2008

By Paddy



Joe Lieberman and General Clark were both on Face The Nation today, and the differences couldn't have been more stark. Holy Joe came across as a fearmongering zealot, and General Clark, well you'll see.

(Note 1- Look for the disbelief on Schieffer's face that Clark doesn't believe being shot down and a POW is excellent Presidential experience. Note 2- If you really want to torture yourself, watch Joe in the clip below. Warning- I scared all the animals out of the room with my screaming.)

MSNBC Confirms John Edwards Will Endorse Obama AT 630p EST

By Paddy



****UPDATE***
Title changed to reflect what Chris Matthews just announced. Link as soon as I get it. 517p est. Also rumours that Carl Levin will endorse as well here.

Per Marc Ambrinder at the Atlantic-

It's him. He's the endorsement. He didn't give the Clinton campaign a heads up, and most of his senior campaign staff were caught unawares.

Edwards is on his way to Michigan to endorse at a rally in (I believe) Grand Rapids, my old hometown.


These are the kind of surprises I like!!

SuperD Watch: Oklahoma's State Senate President Pro Tempore

He's a superdelegate, and he's endorsed Barack Obama.

and

A big endorsement
The Obama campaign just moved its evening event up to 6:30 for what reporters are being told is a big endorsement.

The rumours I'm seeing are John Edwards, Wes Clark, Jim Webb and Hillary herself (conceding). If you hear any others, leave them in the comments. Here's waiting for 6:30!!