McCain denies attacking Obama's patriotism
John McCain, today:
Three four thoughts on this:
1) If that were truly all McCain has been saying, that would be perfectly fine. Totally legit. No problems whatsoever. We can argue over whether it's true, obviously, but it's not out-of-bounds. It's a legitimate line of criticism, and certainly not an attack on Obama's patriotism.
2) That's not all McCain has been saying. Specifically, McCain hasn't limited himself to stating that Obama "has made these decisions ... because he doesn't seem to understand the consequences of an American defeat in Iraq, how it would risk a wider war and threaten the security of American families." Rather, he has explicitly stated that Obama has made these decisions because of "ambition," and because he'd rather "win a campaign" than do the right thing for the country. And his campaign has endorsed Joe Lieberman's statement that Obama doesn't "put country first." That's all very different, and much more inflammatory, than what McCain said today. Today's statement by McCain merely questions Obama's judgment, which is fine. But previous statements did much more than question his judgment. They questioned his motives. Indeed, they didn't just "question" them; they directly impugned them. These statements clearly positied that Obama is motivated NOT by honest -- if misguided -- beliefs about what's best for the country, but by a desire to pursue personal ambition even at the expense of the nation's best interests. Arguably, this is tantamount to calling Obama unpatriotic, even treasonous.
3) You'll note I said "arguably." That's a bit less direct than what I said yesterday. This is because I've had some further thoughts on the matter, and while I still think McCain's line is low and inappropriate and unbecoming and dishonorable, I've come to the conclusion that, on the patriotism/treason question, it's not quite as cut-and-dried as I made it out to be. But I don't have time to fully explain my thinking on that just now. Maybe later.
4) Regardless, liberal though most journalists may be, they are continuing to give McCain an unjustified pass on his doubletalk about this issue. His claim today that he is only attacking Obama's "judgment" is demonstrably false. Even if you don't buy that McCain was previously attacking Obama's "patriotism," he was definitely attacking Obama's motives. That much is undeniable. And attacking a man's motives is very different from merely accusing him of poor judgment. McCain's statement today that he's focused only on "judgment," and on whether Obama "understands the consequences" of the action his proposes, is simply untrue, and such a false statement should not be repeated uncritically by journalists without mentioning the previous quotes that clearly and directly contradict it. The press is failing to do its job on this.
Yesterday, Senator Obama got a little testy on this issue. He said that I am questioning his patriotism. Let me be clear: I am not questioning his patriotism; I am questioning his judgment. Senator Obama has made it clear that he values withdrawal from Iraq above victory in Iraq, even today with victory in sight. Over and over again, he has advocated unconditional withdrawal – regardless of the facts on the ground. And he voted against funding for troops in combat, after saying it would be wrong to do so. He has made these decisions not because he doesn't love America, but because he doesn't seem to understand the consequences of an American defeat in Iraq, how it would risk a wider war and threaten the security of American families. I am going to end this war, but when I bring our troops home, they will come home with honor and victory, leaving Iraq secured as a democratic ally in the Arab heartland.
1) If that were truly all McCain has been saying, that would be perfectly fine. Totally legit. No problems whatsoever. We can argue over whether it's true, obviously, but it's not out-of-bounds. It's a legitimate line of criticism, and certainly not an attack on Obama's patriotism.
2) That's not all McCain has been saying. Specifically, McCain hasn't limited himself to stating that Obama "has made these decisions ... because he doesn't seem to understand the consequences of an American defeat in Iraq, how it would risk a wider war and threaten the security of American families." Rather, he has explicitly stated that Obama has made these decisions because of "ambition," and because he'd rather "win a campaign" than do the right thing for the country. And his campaign has endorsed Joe Lieberman's statement that Obama doesn't "put country first." That's all very different, and much more inflammatory, than what McCain said today. Today's statement by McCain merely questions Obama's judgment, which is fine. But previous statements did much more than question his judgment. They questioned his motives. Indeed, they didn't just "question" them; they directly impugned them. These statements clearly positied that Obama is motivated NOT by honest -- if misguided -- beliefs about what's best for the country, but by a desire to pursue personal ambition even at the expense of the nation's best interests. Arguably, this is tantamount to calling Obama unpatriotic, even treasonous.
3) You'll note I said "arguably." That's a bit less direct than what I said yesterday. This is because I've had some further thoughts on the matter, and while I still think McCain's line is low and inappropriate and unbecoming and dishonorable, I've come to the conclusion that, on the patriotism/treason question, it's not quite as cut-and-dried as I made it out to be. But I don't have time to fully explain my thinking on that just now. Maybe later.
4) Regardless, liberal though most journalists may be, they are continuing to give McCain an unjustified pass on his doubletalk about this issue. His claim today that he is only attacking Obama's "judgment" is demonstrably false. Even if you don't buy that McCain was previously attacking Obama's "patriotism," he was definitely attacking Obama's motives. That much is undeniable. And attacking a man's motives is very different from merely accusing him of poor judgment. McCain's statement today that he's focused only on "judgment," and on whether Obama "understands the consequences" of the action his proposes, is simply untrue, and such a false statement should not be repeated uncritically by journalists without mentioning the previous quotes that clearly and directly contradict it. The press is failing to do its job on this.
posted by Brendan Loy at
8/20/2008 04:48:00 PM
