Wesley Clark on CBS’s - FTN
There has been this dust up over Wesley Clark’s comments. So, I figured that I would go to CBS news and find out what he said.
So, what did General Clark say that was bad? General Clark is correct. Being in the Vietnam, doesn’t make anyone more qualified to be president of the US. I continue to say that the qualifications for president are written in our Constitution.
From Article II, section 1 -
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
For this election, those are the qualifications. You don’t have to be in the military. You don’t have to believe in X, Y or Z.
I think that this is the republicans again trying to distract us for the “real” issues.
Doctor Thompson~
That is exactly what it is–a distraction. Senator McCain would rather talk about his P.O.W. experience 30+ years ago than about issues that are facing Americans today. Why? Because he is on the wrong side of most of those issues. By distracting people from issues today, he can continue to (*try* to) create distance between himself and President Bush. The more he talks about important current issues, the more the public will see how closely he is aligned with the current administration.
Just my thoughts.
~CB
agree 100%!
E
I am not sure maybe you can clear this up. Did Obama denounce what Gen Clark said? I am glad he said what he said about McCain. Gulianni tried to be president just because he was the mayor of NY, when 9/11 occurred but I don’t remember anyone coming out and pointing that out. People just figured it out in the primary. I hope the voters can see through this one too. I am signing the letter move0n.org had going around to send it to Gen Clark thanking him for speaking the truth.
Eligibility is not the same as qualifications. One is either eligible or not. OTOH one can be more or less qualified but not more or less eligible.
Qualification arguments have always been a non-starter for me. Still it doesn’t help Obama and detracts from his theme of change.
What’s even wierder is that Wesley Clark believes that this might help him get on the ticket. His only noteworthy experience is being a General. Clark as VP would only spotlight Obama’s inexperience.
In this case they are the same. If there was going to be some sort of national test for President - military service, previous government experience then our forefathers would have put in in the constitution. If we truly want some test then we should put it in the constitution.
Now, every individual should make up his or her own mind what kind of test that they think is important. Honor, economic knowledge, ability to deal with a crisis, military service, etc. These are individual criteria.
thanks for your comments.
Has anyone ever suggested that military service be a constitutional criteria?
Sure many people have. As we play the patriotic game ( I’m more patriotic than you) military service one ups those who haven’t served.
thanks for your comment.