Cringe Factor. Recently retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark and retired Air Force Gen. Merrill McPeak took some political shots that were beneath the dignity of even Larry Flint. Clearly someone (Clark) might be vying for the currently vacant Democratic VEEP slot.
Clark was asked to explain recent comments he made about the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Arizona Sen. John McCain in an appearance on Sunday’s “Face the Nation.” Moderator Bob Schieffer opened the door for Clark’s unabashed and ungracious attack.
A professed Obama supporter (Pick me! Pick me!), Clark laid it out. Though he respects McCain’s service — as a POW (we have our doubts) — he stated, “He [McCain] hasn’t been there and ordered the bombs to fall. He hasn’t seen what it’s like when diplomats come in and say ‘I don’t know whether we are going to be able to get this point through or not.’ ” (Read: “Hey, but I’m Wesley Clark, and I’ve been there. Me. Mr. Former-NATO-Commander and then some. I am da’ man. I will do just about anything to be vice president, including pointless character assassinations. I already have sold my soul on national TV, and I have nice hair. Look at me!”)
But he didn’t stop there. “Well, I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president,” he added.
He’s probably right. But it seems his comments served to highlight what could be considered a depth of character possessed by his intended target. Don’t know. Probably unintentional.