Former Kerry advisor: McCain’s POW captivity left him “sadly limited” in foreign policy experience

hotair.com ^ | June 30, 2008 | Allahpundit

[Free ThinkerNY]

I’m not sure what to do with this. Obviously what he said raised someone’s eyebrow at ABC, but they don’t give us enough of a quote to know exactly what he’s saying.

While Barack Obama was urging supporters not to devalue the military service of rival John McCain on Monday, a top Democratic voice on foreign policy argued at the political arm of a liberal think tank that the former POW’s isolation during the Vietnam war has hobbled the Arizona senator’s capacity as a war-time leader.

The comments were made by Rand Beers, Sen. John Kerry’s, D-Mass., top national security adviser during his 2004 presidential run…

His voice rising, [a] questioner wanted to know if McCain understood that the public would not go along with a protracted US troop commitment to military conflicts that were not premised strictly on self-defense but rather on the expansion of freedom or democracy.

Beers said that because McCain was in an unfortunate state of “isolation” during much of the Vietnam War, his national security experience is “sadly limited.” McCain spent five years in captivity as a POW in North Vietnam.

[AmericaUnited]

The middle will decide this race and I would bet 90% of them think this is a very low and sleazy attack. Big blowback.

[Bahbah]

When Clowns like this come after McCain I know where my donation, work and vote are going.

I am seeing quite a lot of reactions like this. I include myself.

[nikos1121]

I must tell you, that I dislike Beckle, probably because I wish he were on our side. We need a Beckle junk yard dog...He seems like he should be a conservative...but he’s not. He’s a true blue democrat, who I think was genuinely enraged and still is at Hillary Clinton, as she tries to shake down Obama for money.

Did we see Romeny shaking Mccain down for money to pay off his debt? The Clintons are something else.

I think if truth be told, the democrats are much more divided than they appear to day.

[montag813]

So Kerry sunbathing on a swiftboat or Al Gore smoking a bong during Vietnam gave them “foreign policy experience”?

[montag813]

Barry Obama's Koran study classes in Indonesia gave him great foreign policy experience.

In case Danielle Allen didn't hear me, I said that Barry Hussein Obama's Muslim prayer groups, you know WHEN HE WAS A MUSLIM, must have given him great experience in understanding those who yearn to murder Americans.

[mathurine]

I’m sorry all of this has happened. It’s amazing how gross and crass political wannabees become. On the other hand, in a few weeks I will be going to a family gathering were some of my relatives are likely to get back on their anti-Vietnam soapboxes with me, and I intend to make them exceedingly sorry if they happen to do so. I used to be polite so as not to upset my mother, who wanted things kept civil; but bless her soul, she’s gone now, and who is going to hold this old Marine in check now so the sissies won’t have their feelings hurt?

[freeandfreezing]

Obama will get creamed playing this card on McCain.

I agree. For the last 4 years liberals and Democrats have been criticizing President Bush and his advisors for being out of touch with the members of the armed forces who are serving on the battlefield. We've all seen and heard their talking points ad nauseum. But nobody can say that about Senator McCain. He surely has as much experience as any living person as to the cost of fighting for freedom and our nation.

I only hope that Sen. McCain has the opportunity and nerve to point that out to Sen. Obama - perhaps in a debate. I'd like to hear him say something like "Whether we like it our not our nation and our military will have to fight with terrorists in the years ahead. Unlike you, I have first hand experience in the price that our military personnel pay to protect your freedom and that of our fellow citizens. I'll ensure that our military personnel always have the full support and backing of the government, something you and your Democrat colleagues never do. And I'll never sell out our military like your friend Dick Murtha."

[freeandfreezing]

Dick Murtha

Make that Jack Murtha. My fingers' opinion of him slipped through.

[mkjessup]

1967 = John McCain's A-4E Skyhawk shot down over Vietnam, McCain is captured and tortured, released in 1973.

1967 = Barack Obama (then 6 yrs old), moves with his family to Indonesia where he attends Muslim schools but never becomes a Muslim, was not a Muslim, is not now a Muslim, and never WILL be a Muslim [official Obama-lama-ding-dong party line]

Sooo when it comes to experience, I guess we would be expected to choose Barack Obama because while McCain was a POW, Barry was learning about how the Islamic call to prayer is "such a pretty sound".

Rand Beers has obviously had one too many if he expects anybody to swallow that horsesh*t.

[Postman]

Well....when they raise their heads, play Whack-a-Mole.

[Postman]

As Rush pointed out, it’s a carefully scripted attack on McCain’s strengths. That do nothing Clintonite general, Weasly Clark, leads off. Then the drive-bys launch a coordinated attack the following day and now this bit of
pond scum adds a few words. The usual suspects will no doubt scurry out of the woodwork during the next few days with their versions of the anti-McCain script.

It’s really easy to be paranoid when there ar so many Dims, Libs and Marxist enemises in such close proximity.

[shove_it]

HAHA! That's a good one!! Jeesh I hate leaning toward McRino.

[Postman]

Without getting scatalogical, that should really be “enemies”

[mkjessup]

Oh, I know what you mean FRiend, I was four-square for Duncan Hunter, and I have to admit I was a little perplexed when he threw his support to Huckleberry Hound, but if the choice is McCain vs Obama-lama-ding-dong, I’ll pull the lever and hold my nose.

I pray to God that McCain picks a true conservative as his VP and not somebody like Colin Powell (that nightmare choice is being pushed by Juan Williams over at FOX) or God forbid Governor Light-In-The-Loafers Charlie Crist of Florida.

[shalom aleichem]

McCain released in 1973... DBM ignores what he did after. He attended National War College, by invitation only. He served on Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees. John Warner is out yelling this all from the roof tops.

The only thing impeding a good blowback this past 24 hours is McCain, himself, speaking of a murky coordination between Boma’s campaign and Weasley Cluck. A surrogate should be saying that. Ollie North is doing fine (correctly calling Weasley a “small and petty man”)

Here is McCain’s thesis from War College:
http://www.myantiwar.org/view/154380.html

[bray]

Must be why Kerry begged McCain to be his VP for 3 weeks until McCain told him to get lost.
If you like $5/gal Thank Congress. If you want $10, Vote Obama.

Pray for W and Our Troops

[shove_it]

Right on Bro!! I love yer tag line!!

[HardStarboard]

Yeah, but Kerry only spent one Christmas visiting Cambodia, whereas McCain spent 5 in Vietnam.

Obama washed out of flight school, ears wouldn't fit under a helmet.

[HardStarboard]

>>>The Dems still actually believe that the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth liabled John Fraud Kerry. <<<

Well they were close....they didn't liable him, but they did label him for what he was, and is....a coward and a fraud.

[Hiddigeigei]

Beers said that because McCain was in an unfortunate state of “isolation” during much of the Vietnam War, his national security experience is “sadly limited.” McCain spent five years in captivity as a POW in North Vietnam.

I think what Beers meant was that poor old McCain was locked up being tortured by the North Vietnamese instead of marching under a Viet-Cong flag at home demanding that we surrender.