I'd be interested in views on the lack of military experience of our candidates

bigtree

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Wed Jan-23-08 07:40 PM
Original message

I'd be interested in views on the lack of military experience of our candidates

. . . reflecting on the overt militarism of the McCain candidacy.

I can generate my own argument defending our candidates based on my respect for other service outside of the military, but I'd be interested in hearing defenses or strategies which would counter the effect of an overtly militarized republican candidacy.

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thunder rising

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Wed Jan-23-08 07:47 PM
Response to Original message

1. How about, "Any moron can release the dogs of war, it takes a better person to keep them at heel"

Edited on Wed Jan-23-08 07:48 PM by thunder rising

Or in the present situation, "Any moron can release the dogs of war, it takes a better person to heel them"

BTW: Who among the Republicans is a Regular vet? specifically not National Guard
None of those morons know the basic customs and courtesies of basic training grad? Much less the intricacies of fire and maneuver. They have watched too many John Wayne movies and not enough Private Ryan.

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zalinda

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Wed Jan-23-08 07:48 PM
Response to Original message

2. Elizabeth grew up in a naval family n/t

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bigtree

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Wed Jan-23-08 07:50 PM
Response to Reply #2

4. that's a good point behind our support for veterans and military families

I've heard her use it in that context.

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jasmine621

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Wed Jan-23-08 07:49 PM
Response to Original message

3. As compared to AWOL Bush who won twice? nt Ok once.

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bigtree

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Wed Jan-23-08 07:57 PM
Response to Reply #3

5. That approach would seem to work against us if we were critical of McCain's service

but, focusing on his unending support for Bush's militarism would cast his militarism in the same unpopular light.

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bigtree

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Wed Jan-23-08 10:44 PM
Response to Original message

6. this is one fast moving page

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calteacherguy

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Wed Jan-23-08 10:48 PM
Response to Original message

7. Vice President Clark. eom

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bigtree

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Thu Jan-24-08 08:04 AM
Response to Reply #7

8. southern, military, awesome personality

good ingredients . . .

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jpgray

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Thu Jan-24-08 08:05 AM
Response to Original message

9. At least since McClellan, military service has never saved a bad candidate

How much did it help McCain in 2000?

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bigtree

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Thu Jan-24-08 08:13 AM
Response to Reply #9

10. I was looking at this week's coverage of McCain with vets in S.C.

and thinking about how much of a contrast that scene was with the ones our candidates have been presenting.

I think Bush was able to skirt the questions about his own service in that race and muff his association with the military. Even with all of the controversy over the Iraq invasion and occupation, I still think there will be an expectation from the public of some association or affinity of our nominee(s) with the military. It can certainly be overcome, but I don't think it will be an issue which we can brush off without some effort to bring balance, or at least, parity in the race with McCain's visible support.

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jpgray

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Thu Jan-24-08 08:17 AM
Response to Reply #10

11. If it becomes the center of the debate, we have a problem. But there's no reason it has to

If the economy and the war are the focus, McCain is in trouble.

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bigtree

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Thu Jan-24-08 08:19 AM
Response to Reply #11

12. You know that depends on what our nominee does (and where they stand)

Taxes, national security . . . republican red meat.

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DrFunkenstein

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Thu Jan-24-08 08:20 AM
Response to Original message

13. Obama-Webb To Turn The Page on The Republican Fiasco

Honestly, I don't think that the Vietnam prison taught McCain much about fighting global terrorism cells. He's stuck in a very old way of thinking about warfare that is very good for defense contractors, but doesn't really understand how to get at the roots of a problem that won't be going away with bombs.

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bigtree

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Thu Jan-24-08 08:25 AM
Response to Reply #13

14. Webb hasn't proven himself to be a solid Democrat, although he's getting there

Edited on Thu Jan-24-08 08:26 AM by bigtree

I like Webb. I like most of what he's done so far in the Senate. Some things, not so much.

I agree with your point about McCain and his particular service being unrelated to the issues and concerns we face today. I'm not so sure voters will readily distinguish between his actual service and its relevance to today. That's a good defense to present in a debate, though.

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