McCain Politicizes The Military By Floating Petraeus For Vice President
McCain Politicizes The Military By Floating Petraeus For Vice President
In May, Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen published a letter to uniformed soldiers warning that “the U.S. military must remain apolitical at all times.” Five days later, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was forced to publicly apologize for using a picture of himself with Gen. David Petraeus in campaign fundraising materials, saying, “It won’t happen again.”
Yesterday, however, the McCain campaign once again politicized the military and Gen. Petraeus, now the Central Command chief, by floating the idea of asking Petraeus to be McCain’s vice presidential pick:
People close to the campaign also floated a wild-card choice, Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq. They said it was not beyond the realm of possibility that Mr. McCain would ask him to join the ticket, although General Petraeus has no experience in elective government and has said repeatedly that he is not interested in the vice presidency. … The adviser said the campaign was putting forth his name in part in a bid for attention.
McCain and the right wing have consistently tried to use Petraeus to boost their partisan causes. The New York Sun and the National Review fantasized over a Petraeus presidency. Bill Kristol championed Petraeus as a GOP vice presidential pick, and conservative columnist Tim Hanes declared a McCain-Petraeus team “the dream ticket.”
McCain seems to be following Bush’s lead, who has politicized the military to an unprecedented extent. Bush heralded Petraeus as “the best messenger” for White House policy in Iraq, has called Petraeus to Washington “to purely make political statements,” and has sent him in the place of political appointees to defend Bush’s Iraq policy before Congress.
Unfortunately for McCain, Petraeus has said he would refuse to ever run for office.
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If Obama's limited time in the Senate makes him "inexperienced" to become president , what makes Betrayus , who has has ZERO experience in elective government , qualified to be VP ?
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:42 amAs head of Central Command, David has to deal with Iran first. Let's wait and see how that turns out. Then we can lionize or demonize the General.
It's Operation Brimstone vs. Caspian Border Watch.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:42 amI guess when you get a "D" in supporting the military, you need to pander to them in another way. But this is a ridiculous move, Johnny Boy, even for you.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:44 amMcCain would not find the general to his liking. Unlike the empty platitudes directed to our military, General Petraeus believes in the true value of treating his troops with genuine support.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:44 amYesterday, however, the McCain campaign once again politicized the military and Gen. Petraeus, now the Central Command chief, by floating the idea of asking Petraeus to be McCain’s vice presidential pick.
I guess McCain wants to follow the Pakastani model of military rule.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:46 am"Unfortunately for McCain, Petraeus has said he would refuse to ever run for office."
So much for listening to the commanders on the ground.
/snark
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 amst. john and his advisors are simply throwing out names to keep everyone focused on them. The rethugs have no shame and know no boundaries in elections or ruling (they don't govern). Those who see that mccain is ahead in the polls now and are thinking ahead to 2012 need not worry, there probably won't be a real 2012 election.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 amYou missed a recent intermediate step. When McCain was asked to name three wise men he would consult during his administration, he named the general along with John Lewis (who says that McCain has never consulted him before). Is there any ass McCain will not kiss?
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:51 amI read that whole thing and I can't find any mention that McCain is a "war hero" Wazup?
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 amLieberman must be jealous.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 amFor an encore, the DoD will issue an order that ALL personnel are to vote GOP on their ballots.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:53 amdareme Says: I read that whole thing and I can’t find any mention that McCain is a “war hero” Wazup?
McCain told CNN's John King that stuff that happened 35 years ago was irrelevent.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:53 amWhat... and McShame didn't claim it was "God's will"??
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:53 amAnyone who wants to know why the military should be apolitical has merely to look up the history of the Roman Empire for the most forceful reasons. Armies made and deposed emperors with dismal regularity. This is what the neocons want for America? Great, maybe in 2000 years people will read about the Decline and Fall of the American Empire.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:53 amImpeach Pelosi, Cheney and Bush, Save the Constitution and Rage Against the Fading of the Light!
The adviser said the campaign was putting forth his name in part in a bid for attention.
Precisely right. Speculation about Obama's VP choice and upcoming announcement was just taking far too much attention away from McCain. Just like Obama's European trip. McCain is acting just like any other two-year old would. Problem is, you have to add 70 years onto that, and issues about maturity arise.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:57 amoh please, a float in the air to take some buzz from Obama's vp big day. Anyway why would McCain take another military man. Why are you taking this seriously. I have to say I give Obama credit for creating some anticipation. I remember 2004 where everyone knew it was Edwards a couple days out, the announcement was a formality. Who should Obama choose, if I was on his staff I would lean towards Sebilus, go for a young dynamic partnership kind of thing. Who do you guys think it will be?
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:58 amAbu Ben says:
maybe in 2000 years people will read about the Decline and Fall of the American Empire
I am thinking more like a 100 years from now. The people of the US are giving their rights away and letting Bushco carve up the constitution for breakfast. I keep wondering "where is the rage?"
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:59 amOne would hope that officers, faced with the far-to-often politicalization that does occur, would choose to side with their oath to defend the Constitution.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:01 amAh yes... leave it to Verdi to totally miss the underlying significance of McCain's gesture...
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:05 amBetrayus is an asshat for the Boosh Crime Family...there I said it...prove me wrong.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:05 amWe've had two oil men in charge for the last eight years. It brought us nothing but trouble. The LAST thing that this country needs is two pandering soldier puppets running this nation! Why don't we just cut out the middlemen and cede control of America directly to the neocons?
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 amrobert verdi: Who do you guys think it will be?
It's not worth speculating.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:10 amPetraeus Book 'Endorsement' Draws Fire Aug 20, 2008
The book is "Under Orders: A Spiritual Handbook for Military Personnel," by Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) William McCoy, and according to Petraeus' published endorsement of the work, "it should be in every rucksack for those times when soldiers need spiritual energy."
http://www.military.com/news/article/petraeus-book-endorsement-draws-fire.html?col=1186032310810
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:10 amDid anyone ask Jesus what He thought, or did McPander just float this one out on his own? Patreus would consult the Bible or maybe divine some chicken guts before he would accept the nomination.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:15 amre McCain and Petraeus:
Yup it;s a cry for attention from the McCain camp. The media is loving Obama's secrecy as it keeps things interesting for them ( last week they were talking about how the public was getting bored, which is bad for ratings.
BTW Petraues ran the MFN-I program to re-arm the nascent Iraqi forces before he got promoted. Under his watch 190,000 weapons intended for the Iraqis couldn't be accounted-for, according to the Washington Post. My own research suggests double that amount as well as a loss of $30 to %100 million.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:23 amPetraeus reached his level of incompetence at that point, he's since risen above it.
Brutus was a patriot !
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 amI like the fact Obama is already hammering McCondo for not knowing how many houses he owns.
Time to take the gloves off, folks. Get ready to rrrrruummmble!
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 amOld Seven House Gold Digger McCain will do ANYTHING to try to get elected. He is pathetic.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:29 am"The [McCain] adviser said the campaign was putting forth [Petraeus] name in part in a bid for attention."
I think that says it all!
PEACE
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:31 amThe polls , if U believe them have mc cain and obama running neck and neck .Any close election will most likely be decided by diebold .
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 amThis election is Obama's to lose , he had better stop playing to the center !The country wants REAL change , it's what he's supposed to be campaigning on or so goes his slogan .
good_golly5 Says:
I like the fact that McCain hammered right back at Obama for getting his $2 mil. mansion through a shady land deal involving convicted felon Tony Rezko.
Better listen to McStain's ad again, gigi, it's ONE million, not TWO, and this story has no teeth, as Clinton found out months ago.
Must be "troll math". Or did you read that in the National Review or NY Post?
PEACE
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:38 amLeftcoast: “it should be in every rucksack for those times when soldiers need spiritual energy.”
Spiritual energy?
SARGE: "Okay guys. we'll hold this position and call-in for air-support, so gimme a sitrep!"
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:38 amCORPORAL: "We've all got about 150 rounds left, 2 frag and four smoke grenades, 300 rounds for the SAW and Pfc. Ryzbecki has nine rounds for his M203."
SARGE: "How much spiritual energy?"
CORPORAL: "None, sarge. Gomez didn't think we'd need General Patraeus's Handbook."
SARGE: Goddamnit!
Pfc HUDSON: "Oh GREAT!!What the eff do we do now? Game Over man! Game over!"
I the soldiers are looking for spiritual energy maybe they should look in the old testament for the part where god says to commit genocide on peoples the isrealites have never met , kill their men take their women as slaves burn their cities to the ground and move on toward the promised land !
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 amA little later in deuteronomy God expounds the virtues of slavery with the prohibition that no jew should be enslaved .
Now tell me history doesn't repeat itself!
Gee, a picture of TWO TRAITORS:
General BETRAYUS and McSeniLunatic.
Anyone who continues to support and PROMOTE the TREASON committed by Bush and his criminals are TRAITORS themselves.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 amHell you can even make slaves on them with your mothers face , it's recommended by gawd , as a means to increase your investments , no kidding .
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:46 amHim teach Indian to read .
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:46 amAny officer who still holds rank in the Bu$h presidency is obviously a yes man, a political shill. The real commanders, who got it right about Iraq, are all gone.
Anyway, this is just another dog and pony show put forth by the McCain campaign to grab some headlines, and bolster support among the God, Guns and guts crowd.
Too bad it's working on the feeble minded, flag sucking half wits that comprise a large portion of our electorate.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:47 amSince McDeathWarmedOver will be dead before his first term is over, what makes Puppetraeus qualified to be president?
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 amgood_golly5 Says:
I like the fact that McCain hammered right back at Obama for getting his $2 mil. mansion through a shady land deal involving convicted felon Tony Rezko.
Sorry, long DEBUNKED, except for LOSERS like YOU who STILL believe the LIES.
So, now, let's talk KEATING 5 (one of John's sons is involved in ANOTHER S&L ripoff, so it runs in the family).
Or cheating on his FIRST WIFE with Cindy, whom he later called a CNUT in front of reporters.
Such a "moral" man.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:55 amMcCain's answer to everything is the military. When your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 amGood Golly:
Your FLA sources, huh? If I were you I wouldn't rely too much on those slack jawed yokels down there. After all, they voted for Bu$h twice, and had his brother Jeb govern the state. I'd say they lack a little credibility.
And you mentioned Obama and Rezko... remember the Keating 5? I hope you and your right wing nutjobs are stupid enough to make that an issue. McCain will get raked through the coals on that one.
Hey, was there ever a definite counts on the houses McCain's elitist wealthy heiress drug addicted wife owns?
Has she paid her taxes on them yet?
How do you feel supporting a hen-pecked freeloader riding his wife's wealthy coattails?
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 amGigi, why hasn't mccian floated mother teresa as his veep choice? She's a close personal friend of cindy's (she puts the sin in cindy) and so what if she's dead, she's still more coherent than grampy.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:04 pmgigi likes her men henpecked and stupid.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:04 pmIt's all backwards.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 pmMcCain militarizes politics, that's how it should read.
good_golly5 Says:
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Zimzone Says:
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I like the fact Obama is already hammering McCondo for not knowing how many houses he owns.
Time to take the gloves off, folks. Get ready to rrrrruummmble!
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 am
_________________________________
I like the fact that McCain hammered right back at Obama for getting his $2 mil. mansion through a shady land deal involving convicted felon Tony Rezko.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Sad that you enjoy the imbecile you back for president lying about his opponent ; any you claim you're not a total GOP backing suckhole sycophant ?
You're such a piece of trash...........
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:14 pmgood_golly5 Says:
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A Biden vs. Romney debate would be a good one. Although I’m not a big fan of Biden’s politics, I have watched him in action and think that he is likely the better one-on-one debater of the two. He didn’t do all that well in the Democratic primary debates, but that is becuase of the position he was in, with all of the focus on Obama, Clinton and Edwards at the time.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 am
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Maybe Mittens will show some bi-partisanship and offer Biden a pair of magic underpants..................
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:16 pmand the neoclowns cream their jeans at the thought of being one step closer to martial law!
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 pmAye, Bozo, the subtext is this is a notice of the junta-to-be if they can't outright steal the election this time.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pmya know, considering the recent story of Petraus's unseemly endorsement of a right-wing Christian book, I've started to wonder how much of his recent career was being groomed by the Bushies rather than his talents and qualifications.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:40 pmgood_golly5 Says:
I like the fact that McCain hammered right back at Obama for getting his $2 mil. mansion through a shady land deal involving convicted felon Tony Rezko.
The problem is that we have proof that McCain owns 7 homes and there is no proof that Obama got his house due to Rezko. As a matter of fact, you really don't even know what the controversy was. It was not about his house, it was about an adjacent lot. I think you need to go back to troll school.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:56 pmgood_golly5 Says:
My Florida sources are telling me that Mitt is at the top of the list, and that the announcement will likely be made late next week in Michigan.
Now, that is hilarious. Goony has "sources". Wow, I'm impressed, aren't you?
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 pmThis is less a pander to the military, I think, than to the nuttery, which has a permanent man-crush on General Petraeus. Frankly, judging by things he's said in the past, I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that Petraeus was a Democrat.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:34 pm"General Betrayus" How utterly typical of this anti-american hate site which is heavily invested in America's defeat, to further politicize the war. You morons have no idea how this rhetoric only serves to reinforce the notion that the democrats are unfit to serve as commander in chief and unable to protect the country. A win for America abroad means a loss for democrats, that's very clear. With this mindset, you leftist extremists will obviously keep losing the white house.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:36 pmBETRAYUS is so named because, unlike the generals WHO WERE FIRED for telling TRAITOR Bush to withdraw from Iraq, he sukced Bush's dikc and said "YES", SURGE!
Iraq was a BETRAYAL of Americans by MURDERER Bush the COXUCKER punk TRAITOR to the USA.
So, BETRAYUS is correct for describing a SYCOPHANT "military man" who sold out AMERICAN principles for his "medal of 'freedom'".
Just another TRAITOR to the USA.
No "hate". Just TRUTH and FACTS, which the RapeTards HATE. See: Rush, Coulter, Malkin, O'DildoFelafel...
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:28 pmPetraeus is wise to eschew the idea of running. He'd be as poisonous at the polls as Bush, Cheney, or Rumsfeld.
Hm. On second thought, maybe McCain should sign him up.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:09 pm5th estate,
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:23 pmyou might be right, actualy I should have said who do you think would be best to get Obama elected.
Choose allready!
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm