TO THOSE who rushed to condemn Wes Clark’s remark about Sen. John McCain’s qualifications to be president. What Clark told “Face the Nation” host Bob Schieffer was something few would dispute: “In the matters of national security policymaking, it’s a matter of understanding risk. It’s a matter of gauging your opponents, and it’s a matter of being held accountable.” After Clark noted that McCain had no major executive responsibility experience and little experience in decision-making roles, it was Schieffer who raised McCain’s wartime experience: “Barack Obama has not had any of those experiences, either, nor has he ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down.” Clark responded, “I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.” Sure, Clark should have stayed on message — what it takes to be commander in chief — but that doesn’t diminish the truth of his statement.
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