From The Hotline for Tuesday, July 1, 2008

MCCAIN

What Can You Do With A General When He Stops Being A General?

Tue. Jul 1, 2008


John McCain responded 6/30 to Barack Obama supporter/Gen. Wesley Clark's comments about his military experience (see 6/30 Hotline), saying: "That kind of thing is unnecessary."

Speaking to reporters in Harrisburg, PA, McCain said he was "proud" of his "record of service, and I have plenty of friends and leaders who will attest to that." McCain, on Clark: "If that's the kind of campaign that Senator Obama and his surrogates and his supporters want to wage, I understand that, but it doesn't reduce the price of a gallon of gas by one penny" (release, 6/30).

More McCain: "Gen. Clark is not an isolated incident, but I have no way of knowing how much involvement Sen. Obama has in that issue. ... I know he has mischaracterized some of my statements in the past including our involvement in Iraq, but I'll let the American people decide about that" (Bentley, CBSNews.com, 6/30).

Meanwhile, "at least five" Senate GOPers and retired military officers -- four on a conference call arranged by the McCain camp -- "cried foul" 6/30 over Clark's comment that he didn't think "riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification" to be POTUS:

• Sen. John Warner (R-VA): "I was utterly shocked that he would in such a disrespectful way attack one of his fellow career military officers."

• Ex-Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS): "Beyond comprehension. ... Further erosion of our nation's political discourse" (AP, 6/30). Dole also said that Clark should have "stayed in bed Sunday morning" ("Prime Buzz," KansasCity.com, 6/30).

• Retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Carl Smith: "Complete silliness" (AP, 6/30).

• McCain's ex-squadron cmdr./retired Col. Bud Day: "This backhanded slap against John as not being a worthy warrior because he just got shot down is one of the more surprising insults in my military history" (Madhani, "The Swamp," ChicagoTribune.com, 6/30).

And New Hampshire Union Leader, which endorsed McCain, editorializes, McCain's qualifications "do not come from being shot down. They come from a career in military and foreign affairs in which McCain displayed an uncommon strength of character and developed a sound judgment in those fields." His opponent, "a career lawyer and politician, has shown that his own judgment in those areas is naive and ill-considered. Clark highlights those differences every time he seeks to denigrate McCain's service" (7/1).

Appreciate You, Out-Of-Control Surrogate

Obama, meanwhile, seemed to address the comments during his 6/30 speech on patriotism in Independence, MO.

Obama: "For those who have fought under the flag of this nation -- for the young veterans I meet when I visit Walter Reed; for those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country -- no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary. 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. We must always express our profound gratitude for the service of our men and women in uniform. Period. Full stop" (CBSNews.com, 6/30).

The Obama camp also released a statement on 6/30 saying Obama "rejects" Clark's comment (see 6/30 Hotline). And Obama strategist David Axelrod continued to discuss the comments today.

Axelrod: "There was a way in which General Clark said this on Sunday that I think kicked up this controversy. ... But I also don't think that General Clark, who wore the uniform of the country for 34 years, has disregard for others who did. I think that's unfair to him. But you know, he's clarified his statements. ... The McCain campaign was very active yesterday in kicking it up" ("Morning Joe," MSNBC, 7/1).

Axelrod, on whether he agrees with Clark's clarification of his remarks: "Certainly I do. And ... in fairness, I don't think Senator McCain was offering his service as his sole credential for the White House. I think General Clark didn't mean to demean, in any way, the service of Senator McCain. The way it came out on Sunday was a bit unfortunate. I'm glad he's clarified it" ("American Morning," CNN, 7/1).

For more on Obama's 6/30 speech and his camp's reaction to Clark's comments, see today's OBAMA story.

You Can't Handle The Truth Squad

Responding to Clark's comments, McCain's camp launched the McCain Truth Squad on 6/30, "to counter recent attacks" on his military service and "credentials in national security affairs." The campaign also unveiled a new web site "to set the record straight against Internet smears" of McCain's service.

The McCain Truth Squad leadership includes Warner, Day, ex-NSA Bud McFarlane, Smith, retired Adm. Leighton "Snuffy" Smith Jr., and retired Lt. Col. Orson Swindle (release, 6/30).

During a 6/30 conference call to announce the group's formation, the members suggested that the Obama camp "was orchestrating comments of this type concerning McCain's record." McFarland: "If the opposing candidate doesn't really have experience or knowledge of depth in international affairs, then one approach can be, I suppose, to deny that Sen. McCain does." Swindle: "The Obama campaign seemed to be soliciting these kinds of attacks from surrogates."

Invoked on the call were comments by senior Obama adviser/Gen. Merrill McPeak, who said that McCain was a "skinny kid" after being released from a POW camp, but has "done very well at the dinner table in Washington."

Day, "who was a member of the Swift Boat Veterans For Truth," said that he is "well aware of what the commencement of these kind of personal attacks can lead to." Day: "John was slandered and reviled in the 2000 campaign in a way that denigrated his service enormously, and in my view was probably one of the reasons why he was not the President of the United States in 2000" (CBSNews.com, 6/30).

This Bud's For You

There was a fair amount of uproar over Day's alliance with the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which McCain condemned in '04.

Day "was held prisoner with McCain in Vietnam" (Meckler, "Washington Wire," WSJ.com, 6/30), and is also the Air Force's most highly decorated officer, earning a Congressional Medal of Honor (release, 6/30). But he also "appeared in" a Swift Boat attack ad, in which he said of Sen. John Kerry (D-MA): "How can you expect our sons and daughters to follow you when you condemned their fathers and grandfathers?"

Day, however, "dismissed any equivalence" between Clark's comments and the Swift Boat efforts. Day: "The Swift Boat 'attacks' were simply revelation of the truth. The similarity does not exist here. ... One was about laying out the truth. This one is about attempting to cast a new shadow on John McCain" ("Political Ticker," CNN.com, 6/30).

Among the reaction to Day's involvement in the McCain Truth Squad:

• Washington Times' Wall: "I think it's a win. ... You go after the best when you want to get the job done. ... He picks one of the most successful ad campaigns in history and gets the folks that are in charge of that. ... I mean, who else is he going to use to lead this effort?" ("Verdict," MSNBC, 6/30).

• GOP strategist Brad Blakeman: "Bud Day is a hero. ... He didn't smear anybody. He told the truth. And sometimes the truth hurts. And negative campaigning is important in a race when you're talking about facts that are truthful" ("Election Center," CNN, 6/30).

• MSNBC's Carlson: "Bud Day is a legitimately close friend of his. He was with McCain in '99 when I first starting covering McCain, they're friends, for real" ("Verdict," 6/30).

• CNN's Toobin: "One of the people who defended John Kerry in the swift boat attacks was John McCain. McCain played a very honorable role, and he played no part in those attacks. ... That's why I think it was surprising to see one of the swift boat people there."

• More Toobin: "It's an odd choice. But I think it is clear that we have spent the last couple weeks talking about gas prices, talking about the economy, issues that actually matter to people's lives. Those things aren't going so well. So, I think the McCain camp saw an opportunity to change the conversation into something completely different where they think they might get an advantage" ("Election Center," 6/30).

Meanwhile, according to a USA Today analysis, nine of the top 20 contributors to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth group, and their family members, have given $69,100 to McCain's WH bid. "That's nearly four times the amount McCain received from those donors in the 14 years before launching" his current bid, campaign finance records show.

McCain spokesperson Tucker Bounds said that McCain accepted the money because the donors are "interested in supporting [his] agenda of reform, prosperity and peace" (Schouten, USA Today, 7/1).

Go Wes, Young Man

Clark, meanwhile, defended himself on "GMA" this a.m., and on "Verdict" last night. He remained defiant.

Clark: "Thanks for giving me a chance to make sure Americans understand that as a retired serviceman, someone who came home from Vietnam on a stretcher, someone who spent 38 years in uniform, someone who's worked his way up through the ranks of the United States Armed Forces, I would never discredit anyone who chose to wear the uniform. I fully respect John McCain and his service and I said so repeatedly. My point is that there's a difference in preparing yourself for the highest office in the land depending on which levels you've served at in the armed forces."

Clark, asked if having some military experience is better than having no experience at all: "I think it depends on how you use that experience and what your judgment is. ... I'm supporting Barack Obama, as I've said, because I think he's shown superior judgment. And I don't want to get into a critique here on John McCain's judgment, but what I do want to say is I think it's a matter of judgment. ... I hope the American people will discriminate between someone's early experiences and the kind of judgment they've taken away from those experiences" (ABC, 7/1).

Clark was also asked about the VP spot. See today's DEM VEEPSTAKES story for more.

Clark: "I don't want to do anything to take away from this very important week when Barack Obama, the man I support to be president, is talking about patriotism and service. ... Now, I wasn't representing the Obama campaign in anything I said yesterday about John McCain. Those are comments I said for some weeks now, they've been repeated many times. ... National security is going to be a very important element of this campaign and people are going to be asking who can best protect America. But I want to assure you, I would never, never diss someone's service. When people chose to serve in uniform, I honor it."

Clark, asked if he's sorry for saying he doesn't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be POTUS: "It's a great line. I didn't make it up. It was given to me by the interviewer. ... I wish people hadn't misinterpreted that and lost sight of the important point. ... Serving the armed forces is a great thing. ... On the other hand, it depends on what your position was in the armed forces and what you did there as to how relevant that service is to the strategic decision-making that is the essence of protecting the United States as president. And that was the point I was making."

Clark, on Obama saying he rejects his statements: "I reject the idea that you take something like this and swift boat it all out of proportion, which is exactly what happened. ... You might know that one of the people who organized the conference call for McCain with the reporters is one of the people who was very active in the swift boating campaign against John Kerry. So, what you got here is a political gambit. It's the tactic by the McCain campaign."

MSNBC's Abrams: "Is there anything about John McCain's service that you think is relevant in his effort to become president of the United States?"

Clark: "Absolutely. I think anybody who serves in uniform, who serves their country, especially in wartime who has gone through the kind of privations and hardships of John McCain, should be honored for his character and courage. ... I think people look for character and courage in their presidents, but I don't think you have to have been at war to show character and courage."

Abrams: "Have you called the Obama campaign since this became quite a story to either apologize or clarify your statement?"

Clark: "Well, I certainly talked to the Obama campaign."

Clark, asked again if he is sorry for his comments: "I'm not backing away from anything I said" (MSNBC, 6/30).

Because You're Mine, I Walk The Party Line

Meanwhile, Dems generally defended Clark's comments:

• Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY): "I want to say anything that I could possibly say to show my appreciation for the service given to this great country by the Senator. But there's no way to stretch this love and affection for those people who have served to say, that being a prisoner for seven years better prepares you for anything, except your ability to hold out under a lot of stress and strain. But that is not necessarily a qualification to be president of the United States" ("Fox & Friends," FNC, 7/1).

• Radio talk show host Ed Schultz: "The bottom line is that Wesley Clark, first of all, shouldn't have to clarify what he said. I'm disappointed in the Obama camp distancing themselves from it. This is about experience. This is about judgment. And if John McCain is a war hero, maybe we better ask the question, why isn't he voting like one?" ("Election Center," CNN, 6/30).

• Dem strategist James Carville: "Hooray for General Clark. ... What he said was totally appropriate. He said it in response to a question. I think the media has been unbelievably irresponsible in this. Any time it's recorded as to what General Clark said, it should be noted that Bob Schieffer was asking about this. ... General Clark shouldn't back down. I don't know why Senator Obama wanted General Clark to apologize, but I certainly don't think any apology is called for. I'm delighted he issued that statement" ("American Morning," CNN, 7/1).

And pundits generally agreed that they helped McCain:

• Washington Examiner's Sammon: "It was a gift to McCain, because it allowed the focus to shift to McCain's military record ... and implicitly the lack of military service by Barack Obama. We're back in 2004, folks. We're talking about searching for the truth. John Kerry is back in the mix. This is not good for Obama. ... The [VP] list got shorter by one name today" ("Special Report," FNC, 6/30).

• Bill Bennett: "Merely serving in the military is not an automatic qualification to be president. But the effect of his remark was a derogation of ... McCain's military service. And I got to tell you, being a fighter pilot in the Navy, five-and-a-half years in a prison camp, being commander of the largest fleet in the Navy stacks up pretty well as a qualification, compared to, say, being a community organizer and a law professor. I think it's at least a draw" ("AC 360," CNN, 6/30).

• Washington Times' Wall, on Clark: "The difference between he and Charlie Black, Charlie Black has, at least, the common sense to apologize for what he said were a poor choice of words. General Clark could have at least, at the very least, admitted that it was a poor choice of words" ("Verdict," MSNBC, 6/30).

Dude. Not Helping.

Meanwhile, "informal Obama adviser" Rand Beers argued 6/30 that McCain's "isolation" during Vietnam has "limited" his capacity as a war-time leader.

Speaking at the Center for American Progress Action Fund in DC, Beers said: "I think that the notion that the members of the Senate who were in the ground forces or who were ashore in Vietnam have a very different view of Vietnam ... than John McCain does because he was in isolation essentially for many of those years and did not experience the turmoil here or the challenges that were involved for those of us who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam war."

More: "So I think, to some extent, his national security experience in that regard is sadly limited and I think it is reflected in some of the ways that he thinks about how U.S. forces might be committed to conflicts around the world."

Beers' remarks "drew a swift rebuke" from McCain spokesperson Brian Rogers. Rogers: "Mr. Beers' remarks are part of a pattern of Obama supporters attacking John McCain's military service, and a reminder of why it's what Sen. Obama, his supporters and his campaign actually do that matters most" (Davis/Hunter, "Political Radar," ABCNews.com, 6/30).

International Man Of Mystery

"Seeking to burnish his credentials as a friend of trade and a foe of drug traffickers," McCain "is embarking on a three-day trip to Colombia and Mexico" today.

He will meet with Colombian Pres. Alvaro Uribe, as well as with U.S. business and oil company execs. in Cartagena today and tomorrow. From there, he will fly to Mexico and meet with Pres. Felipe Calderon.

McCain "went out of his way to praise both leaders" on 6/30. He said he wanted to assure Uribe that "I believe in free trade between our two countries, that I believe our two nations can work together and fight back this scourge of drugs." He also said Calderon is "one of the best Mexican presidents of modern times" (Otis/Althaus, Houston Chronicle, 7/1).

McCain said that "he knows he has work to do to convince voters in states losing jobs to Mexico" -- such as PA, where he campaigned 6/30 -- that free trade agreements will benefit them and their families over time. McCain: "I have to convince them the consequences of protectionism and isolationism could be damaging to their future. ... I understand it's very tough. But for me to give up my advocacy of free trade would be a betrayal of trust. And the most precious commodity I have with the American people is that they trust me" (Fouhy, AP, 6/30).

He also said that he hoped to achieve several goals with his trip, including thanking the leaders of Colombia and Mexico for their work on the drug trade. But he added: "I would also urge them, in the case of Mexico, to reform their economy, to ensure that it's a more open and competitive economy." He said he would also urge them to curb the flow of illegal immigrants to the U.S. McCain: "It would be so much easier if we had the ability to trust our neighbors to the south as much as we trust our neighbors to the north, in terms of border security."

McCain: "Also, I'd like to tell them I'd pay a lot of attention to them as president. ... I think it's important our friends and neighbors understand our commitment to them. What happens in Columbia and Mexico is very important to the future of America" (Eilperin, "The Trail," WashingtonPost.com, 6/30).

Meanwhile, McCain "insisted the trip to Latin America was not intended to be political and said he would not criticize Obama directly while abroad" (AP, 6/30).

Ahead of McCain's visit:

• The camp launched a new web ad, "Colombia Free Trade," focusing on his "support for opening markets to American goods and the Colombian Free Trade Agreement that will create jobs" in the U.S. (release, 7/1).

• New York Times' Rohter notes, McCain senior adviser Charlie Black's ex-lobbying firm has earned more than $1.8M since '98 representing the Occidental Petroleum Corp. -- "the leading foreign producer of gas and oil in Colombia." The firm "has also represented Colombian textile and apparel manufacturers" and an ex-foreign minister and presidential candidate "who is also a prominent businesswoman" (7/1).

• Wall Street Journal's McGurn writes, JFK once said that "our Latin American neighbors are 'drifting away' because we do not support our democratic friends. That 'our failure to help the people of Latin America to achieve their economic aspirations' is a moral and strategic tragedy." On the day that McCain leaves for Colombia and Mexico, JFK's words "present him with an opportunity: The chance to remind American voters that his opponent has more in common with the party of Ted Kennedy than the party of John Kennedy" (7/1).

The Bucks Stops Here

McCain "stressed energy independence" on 6/30 "before an overflow audience" of about 1K at a Bucks Co., PA, construction services company.

At Worth & Co., "the first questioner in McCain's town hall meeting criticized his Lexington Project, calling instead for a national agency to spearhead energy independence efforts." McCain said he disagreed, favoring less bureaucracy but an investment in research and the free market. McCain: "Our free enterprise system, with the encouragement of government, will find and pick those technologies and those things will make us energy-independent" (Kraus, Allentown Morning Call, 7/1).

Meanwhile, McCain "continues to be greeted by supporters who want him to take an even tougher line" on immigration. A woman asked: "Why as an American do I have to push a button to speak English? ... I'll tell you, I really get ticked. You go into Lowe's and it says 'Entrada.'" The crowd "roared with applause."

McCain "gave his standard reply that comprehensive immigration reform, which he pushed for, can't happen until the borders are secure." But he also said that the U.S. should be a welcoming place. "There's a great thing about America and that is that we welcome all cultures from all over the world." But he quickly added: "But English must be learned by everybody." Applause followed (Wall Street Journal, 7/1).

During the town hall, McCain also cknowledged that it would be difficult for him to carry PA. McCain: "I realize it's an uphill battle -- I'm the underdog in this race" (Fitzgerald, Philadelphia Inquirer, 7/1).

On another note, during their tour of Turbine Airfoil Designs in PA on 6/30, Cindy McCain's "tangerine-colored, waffle-weave sweater and jacket set was coordinated to match her husband's tie" ("The Trail," WashingtonPost.com, 6/30).

Our House Is A Very, Very, Very Fine House

"Joking that he was speaking outside a 'modest tract home'" in Bryn Mawr, PA, McCain "marveled at the giant" home of real estate developer Mitchell Morgan last night, where he held a fundraiser. The house "boasted six garages, an elaborate pool with fountains, and extensive, manicured grounds."

McCain joked: "This is one of the differences between me and Senator Obama. ... Senator Obama wants every American to have a home. I want every American to have a home like that."

The 550 contributors paid at least $1K each to attend the event, raising a total of $1.5M for McCain's WH bid. Morgan offered the guests "hors d'oeuvres such as shrimp shumai as well as a variety of soup shooters and cheeses, along with an open bar." Having hosted a fundraiser for Pres. Bush at his home three years ago, Morgan said he expected to be hosting another POTUS in the near future. Morgan: "We hope one day to repeat history. ... Pennsylvania is a state we can win."

Two of McCain's Senate colleagues, Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT), "showed up to demonstrate their support," as did PA AG Tom Corbett and McCain PA chair Bob Asher (Eilperin, "The Trail," WashingtonPost.com, 6/30).

So He's Got That Going For Him, Which Is Nice

"Of the 548 leaders" of Bush's vaunted fundraising machine, about 43% have contributed to McCain. "Even fewer of them solicited and bundled donations from others for McCain, as they did for Bush four years ago."

Meanwhile, about 25% of the elite Bush money team gave to another GOPer or, "in several cases," to a Dem, "but not to McCain. Nearly a third remained on the sidelines, not contributing to any" WH candidate (Mooney, Boston Globe, 7/1).

The DNC, Always Ready To Help

The DNC has released a new web video on 6/30 "aimed at helping voters keep track of McCain's Social Security rhetoric" (release, 7/1).

Poor Little Fool

Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid said 6/30 that McCain is saying the same things about Yucca Mountain that Bush once did, and NVans should not be fooled.

Reid: "That's what George Bush said, remember, and he'd been president for a couple of weeks when he decided science wasn't so important and jammed it down our throat. ... John McCain has voted with the proponents of Yucca Mountain every time, without any question. If he's president, Yucca Mountain would be a reality" (Ball, Las Vegas Review-Journal, 7/1).

Meanwhile, there was continued talk about McCain's energy policies today.

Los Angeles Times' Levey notes, McCain's "record of tackling energy policy on Capitol Hill shows little of the clear direction he says would come from" a McCain WH. Instead, he "has swerved from one position to another over the years, taking often contradictory stances on the federal government's role in energy policy." At times, "he has backed measures to ease restrictions on oil drilling off the coast" and in ANWR. "Other times he has voted to keep them." He "has rejected federal tax breaks for renewable energy producers, but backs billions of dollars in subsidies for the nuclear industry."

McCain policy advisor Douglas Holtz-Eakin said McCain's positions reflected a pragmatic approach to governing. Holtz-Eakin: "Sen. McCain is interested in getting results" (7/1).

Bloomberg's Woellert reports, McCain "has condemned policies that pick market winners and losers." But as a WH candidate, he "is backing specific industries in proposals for relief from high energy prices and foreign oil dependence." Cato Institute senior fellow Jerry Taylor: "He can rant all he wants about ethanol subsidies, but he's in favor of clean-coal subsidies. ... It's just a different set of handouts for a different set of industries" (7/1).

He Should Just Stop Meeting With Pastors All Together

Washington Post's Cohen writes, after 9/11, Rev. Franklin Graham, whom McCain met with on 6/29, called Islam a "very evil and wicked religion." As preachers "are wont to do, he amplified his remarks to include 'mainstream' Islam, alleging that the Koran preaches violence. He is known throughout the Muslim world for these remarks and therefore is hardly a figure" a WH candidate "should visit" (7/1).

Maybe He Knows How Awful It Is To Ride Amtrak

Boston Globe's Jackson writes, McCain "has spent considerable capital in denying the passenger rail system the capital to modernize."

In the section of his website "called 'reforming our transportation sector,' there is no mention of rail." And when the Washington Post reported on how Bush's fiscal '06 budget did not include a subsidy for Amtrak, and would "kill" both $20M for the next generation of high-speed rail and $250M for railroad rehabilitation, it quoted McCain as saying: "I'm glad the president is coming over with a very austere budget."

"Public transportation is becoming a real issue for the campaign trail. If so, McCain has all but handed Obama a golden spike to beat him over the head with" (7/1).

First, You Take The Graham. You Stick The Chocolate On The Graham.

The IRS "is trying to serve a summons" on Swiss bank UBS AG, "seeking information on U.S. taxpayers who may have used the bank to gin up records to avoid billions in taxes on offshore investments." Ex-Sen./McCain economic advisor Phil Gramm is vice chair of UBS' U.S. division.

"There's no indication that Gramm has any involvement in the tax-avoidance scheme, but his presence in the pilothouse of a global finance company under fire from U.S. regulators is precisely the sort of special interest coziness that McCain insists he represents a break from." But the RNC "was quick to point out" 6/30 that Obama "has his own ties to UBS in the person of" UBS Americas CEO Robert Wolf, who is a major fundraiser for him (Zajac, "The Swamp," ChicagoTribune.com, 6/30).

When You Wish Upon A Delegate

A spokesperson for ex-NY Gov. George Pataki (R) said 6/30 that Pataki "was bounced as a state delegate" supporting McCain at the GOP convo.

The McCain and Pataki camps "had reached an understanding that Pataki would be on" McCain's "wish list of delegates," Pataki spokesperson David Catalfamo said. But Catalfamo said Pataki never expected NY GOP chair Joseph Mondello to allow him to attend the convo. Pataki and Mondello "had a falling out," and Mondello "was unceremoniously stripped of his seat" on the RNC in '04 (AP, 7/1).

Heathcliff's Notes

The name of Heathcliff -- the "doomed romantic hero" in "Wuthering Heights" -- eluded McCain "more than 40 years ago, robbing him of a second straight win as a contestant" on "Jeopardy."

On 6/30, McCain "recalled his two-day appearance" on the program in '65. "He won the game the first day, and lost the next day in the final round." McCain recalled the question he missed exactly: "Cathy loved him, but married Edgar Linton instead." McCain said he knew the name of the book, but that his answer -- "What is Wuthering Heights?" -- led to his elimination (Fouhy, AP, 6/30).

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