Why I Won't Vote for John McCain by Lt Gen Robert G Gard

[ProSense]

Why I Won't Vote for John McCain

by Lt Gen Robert G Gard
Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 01:45:11 PM PDT

Some people have been surprised by General Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama. How could Powell, who served in several Republican administrations, endorse a Democrat over John McCain, a storied war hero?

As a lifelong military man, I too will be casting my vote for Barack Obama on Election Day. I deeply respect John McCain's service to our country. I admire his bravery as a prisoner of war, described by a fellow prisoner as similar to that demonstrated by hundreds of other U.S. prisoners in North Vietnam.

The fields of foreign and national security policy, however, are John McCain's disqualifying weaknesses, in my view. McCain has demonstrated clearly that he is a dedicated ideologue when it comes to foreign policy, unwilling to consider opinions or even credible evidence contrary to his preconceived notions.

His temperament, marked not only by impatience but also by rude and sometimes hostile behavior, would discourage advisors from bringing to his attention views that might not be consistent with his preconceptions. A President with this combination of significant shortcomings would be a dangerous commander-in-chief, posing an unacceptable risk to the security of the nation.

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The importance of McCain's temperament, should he become President, is apparently regarded as too politically incorrect to discuss. By his own admission, however, McCain has "a temper, to state the obvious, which I have tried to control with varying degrees of success because it does not always serve my interest or the public's." Of greater significance, he also has written: "Often my haste is a mistake, but I live with the consequences without complaint."

more

(emphasis added)

Senator Kerry cited that quote from McCain in his speech at Tufts last week.

[polichick]

1. This a something EVERY American should read! k&r

[Cha]

2. The money quotes..thanks, ProSense..

"The fields of foreign and national security policy, however, are John McCain's disqualifying weaknesses, in my view. McCain has demonstrated clearly that he is a dedicated ideologue when it comes to foreign policy, unwilling to consider opinions or even credible evidence contrary to his preconceived notions.

His temperament, marked not only by impatience but also by rude and sometimes hostile behavior, would discourage advisors from bringing to his attention views that might not be consistent with his preconceptions. A President with this combination of significant shortcomings would be a dangerous commander-in-chief, posing an unacceptable risk to the security of the nation."

[ProSense]

3. Thanks. That sums it up. n/t

[Cha]

4. Come on DUers this needs one more REC'D..this is Gold

here.

Lt Gen Robert G Gard says in essence that mccain is a danger to our country.

Too dangerous to be in a position of Pow-ER.

[ProSense]

5. The good thing is that it's

posted on Daily Kos.

[Cha]

6. Yay! And I see it

the requisite Rec'ds~