Comments on: McCain's NOT running for commander-in-chief

By: Nancy Levin

Nancy Levin — Mon, 26 May 2008 10:09:03 +0000

Monika's contribution clarifying the role(s) of president were the most helpful of what's on this blog so far. The "job" of CEO of a large company is close, but is not so burdened by the passions of so
many. This 2008 election year is the most participtory ever seen by those of us listed as seniors. And although I often cringe at the
misunderstandings and spelling(!!!),that passion comes through!

By: J.V.Hodgson

J.V.Hodgson — Mon, 26 May 2008 06:12:18 +0000

There is actually nothing wrong with what he said it is an important part of the role of the next president.
The real problems are:-
1) Nomination races that take too long. No campaigning for nomination or presidency until 3 months before conventions or the election date.
2) 24 hour News media who have time to pick up on non issues and blow them up out of all proportion and have a bunch of analysts prognosticate on the effect, instead of things that matter to voters
3) Take a leaf out of some other countries political systems which restricts the amount of media time that can be devoted to each party and most important the amount of Advertising spend/ time to each party based on a Per capita of population.
C'mon guys & dolls (not sweetie's of course) even US University ( politics) professors cannot agree on one interpretation of the constitution and how many amendments have been made and will be made.
Regards,
Hodgson.

By: Anne

Anne — Sun, 25 May 2008 21:01:14 +0000

"Headquarters in those days struck me as being extraordinarily dense, not to say silly. It was necessary to explain to them that water would not run uphill, that sand blew in the same direction as the wind and did not get up and fight its way against it; that the sun was hotter in summer than in winter, and other masterpieces of the obvious of this description. It never seemed to occur to them that we men in the desert were the reason for their existence, and that if we were not in position in the out-stations there would be no need for any Headquarters. They rather regarded themselves as the centre of the universe and us as troublesome beings who always required something they were not inclined to cede, and imagined what a pleasant place Headquarters might be if only they were not worried to death by insistent creatures who lived in the desert. They reminded me of the Army subaltern who said the ideal regiment would consist of the Mess and the Band; the men are merely a nuisance and cause work. From "Three Deserts" by C. S. Jarvis 1936. "
Seems to me Sen. McCain has spent far too much time in Washington (ie Headquarters) and has forgotten about the young men we are sending off to risk life and limb over and over again - so that the rest of "us" don't have to - in a war that never should have been authorized and never should have been fought.

By: maurice jamall

maurice jamall — Sun, 25 May 2008 06:36:51 +0000

Dear Mr. Cooper
Throughout this campaign, Sen. McCain has been referred to as a "war hero". This is based on his having served in Vietnam and being held as a POW during that conflict. I find this epithet quite astounding.
In order to be a war hero, you must be on the right side. The US invaded this tiny nation–yet another war of choice–and over 4 million Vietnamese died. What did McCain do in this war? He was a bomber pilot. I wonder how many villages he carpetted. How is that heroic? Thank goodness he was caught and locked up. It stopped him bombing even more people.
Simply serving in the armed forces does not a hero make. You have to be on the right side of the argument. My Vietnam hero? He did not run. He did not fight. He stood up to his immoral government. He fell on his sword for the good of the nation. Mohammed Ali. Now there's courage, honour and duty.
I am sure that in WWII there were many German soldiers who fought with honour and courage. Can we call them heros? I think not. They too were on the wrong side. The baddies don't get to wear white hats.

By: EJ

EJ — Sun, 25 May 2008 01:45:35 +0000

For the records, I'm not American and reading some of the responses here make me truly grateful for that fact. If "YOU THE PEOPLE" give your presidency to someone who has the mindset that he is running to by CinC to perpertrate and possible embark on new premptive wars, "YOU THE PEOPLE" truly deserve fifteen trillion dollars more of debt and fifty bucks a gallon of gas.

By: Apple in Tampa

Apple in Tampa — Sun, 25 May 2008 01:07:50 +0000

Actually I don't think Sen McCain made that major of a slip up....but you know what they say – what goes around comes around. Sen Obama is constantly under scrutiny for any type of mistake so... I guess another saying is don't throw stones if you live in a glass house. Sorry for all of the old sayings but I just couldn't resist.

By: Peter Brrows Workman Lakeworth. FL 33463

Peter Brrows Workman Lakeworth. FL 33463 — Sat, 24 May 2008 18:21:39 +0000

Wake up America! the prophet Isaiah warned man over 3000 years ago of the errors ade by man's leaders.

O! My people those who lead thee cause thee to ERR, and destroy the way of thy paths. [ISAIAH 3:12.]

Are we really going to elect any of these politicians to lead the U. S. A.?

When will we ever learn.

By: Spider

Spider — Sat, 24 May 2008 16:49:00 +0000

Senator Obama never misspeaks.

That's because, unless he's reading a speech someone else wrote off a teleprompter, he stutters and stammers so much you think he's said a lot. "I...uh...er...am very......um...er...glad...um...er...to be here....in the 57th....uh...um...state. The state.....um....er....of...uh....confusion."

The most fun of the election will be watching the dabates between McCain and Obama. The Obama campaign will try it's best to paint McCain as a doddering old fool, but in the debates, Obama's inability to answer questions on the fly will make him look like an Alzheimer's patient. This time folks, I don't think "I agree with John" will work. Do you?

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 24 May 2008 15:36:52 +0000

I think what I find just as significant is that he never explained to me as a voter why he did not support the bill. I would have respected an answer, rather I agreed with it or not ,had he chose to give one. Instead he seemed to do every thing from Sen. Obama as a reason to dismiss questions being asked of him. If Sen. Obama is wrong and his (McCain's) wants me to believe his experience is better, I think I should be told the reasons why. Right now, I am hearing no substance from McCain. Then again, he knows most Americans are against the war, so he can't talk about that. He admits he knows nothing about economics, so he can't talk about that. He has flip flopped on issues to align hiself with Bush, so he has to stay away from those areas. Perhaps I have my answers: it is because when he does speak, we do not get experience but a great deal of faux pas.

By: Stefan

Stefan — Sat, 24 May 2008 14:59:25 +0000

Roland Martin is a fraud. He is nothing more than an affected mail order preacher who has absolutely nothing to offer in an intelligent discssion of the issues. Now, Martin's interpreting the Constitution. CNN, you can do better than this.

By: twiggy

twiggy — Sat, 24 May 2008 09:33:03 +0000

great job roland. i have made that mistake as well.with so much misinfromation out there a little correct information is a treat. we should all take a deep breathe, inhale now exhale.
clinton should be asked to step down now. she does not represent any moral factor i can think of at this point. she is her own worst enemy.

By: EJ

EJ — Sat, 24 May 2008 04:27:47 +0000

Some of the people on this blog appear to need some of those internet prescription drugs that were mentioned on 360 tonight.

By: Kay in CA

Kay in CA — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:24:24 +0000

True, Art. While I appreciate McCain's heroism he did spend a lot of time recovering from accidents during the war and was imprisioned for the remainder of his service. While survival is commendable, it is not necessarily a credential for a powerful world leader.

In regards to Hillary Clinton's recent statement about Bobby Kennedy, I am appalled and greatly disappointed that one of our leaders in the Senate would be so insensitive, especially during this highly charged political climate...or at any time, for that matter. This last statement, along with all the other "misspoken" statements this year in a variety of media, is beyond comprehension. She needs to be asked to step down. As far as I'm concerned, she needs to leave the Senate as well.

By: tom

tom — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:00:20 +0000

You are so Obama bias it's unreal, maybe the preacher talk inspired you, not me! 20 years in the pew 20 20 20 it's amazing that they call you a political anylist

By: TJ

TJ — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:13:31 +0000

This is just more evidence of the mental state of McCain and his unawareness of reality when it comes down to the position of what he is seeking. I wonder if he would forget which office to hold meetings; where to meet with foreign affairs; when is president's day or to take his medication daily to keep him "focused"

By: Art

Art — Sat, 24 May 2008 01:58:06 +0000

All McCain did during the was was get caught – that was not his job. Also, Vietnam was a Conflict, and was never declared a War.

By: Trudy in Peoria

Trudy in Peoria — Sat, 24 May 2008 01:53:07 +0000

There are more than 50 electoral states in a Primary. Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Washington D.C. and I believe Saipan. That's 56 is it not? They count as states, because they are adding to the cumulative total of delegates.

By: Laura Marie

Laura Marie — Sat, 24 May 2008 01:49:40 +0000

I am surprised some of the comments get through here. They show a complete lack of education on the part of many Americans. Some of their comments are embarrassing to a fellow American. Roland, thanks for your contributions.

By: Roland S. Martin

Roland S. Martin — Sat, 24 May 2008 01:47:59 +0000

You guys are funny. This is not a major deal. It's simply pointing out something that a lot of us to. Like I said in the blog, I've even made the same mistake!

Boy, a lot of you guys are wound up tight. The point of having different blog posts is not to always have something earth shattering.

A lot of y'all need to do some yoga. LOL

By: Annie Kate

Annie Kate — Sat, 24 May 2008 01:08:19 +0000

Roland

You make a good point – commander in chief is just one of the many mantles a President wears. The titles have become almost interchangeable for many of us that we forget there is a difference and that using the incorrect word can lead to misunderstanding.

I appreciate your analysis. We all have differing views and should respect that.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL