Aside from the very different environments (one without the SECDEF, CJCS and other leadership, the other with) and the different staging, I'm actually surprised that you find this to be telling CW. When was that Dubya video anyway? Before or after he pissed away 6 years in AFG? And please don't tell me the Barry reference is shorthand for Marion...that's borderline man, borderline. If you've seen clips of Obama with soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines in the field (like the Bush clip seems to be), there's a much different tone and feeling. Please tell me you have more than this to show the virtues of a comparative Commander-in-Chief analysis?
So I guess your argument is Obama is just as revered and loved by the military as W? This is a video manipulation not to be trusted. Sorry, you'll have to sell that line of BS someplace else.
Ascension--I believe I made reference to the cherry picking....
Here's what I think: I think that George Bush enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the military that was mutual.
I think the middle of his Presidency was more of a muddle. When I left the Pentagon in January 2004, all was well--when I returned in fall 2006, well, it was a different place. Bush was less popular, yes. But Rumsfeld was ridiculously unpopular and people were talking out loud about it.
The surge brought folks back to Bush. They saw the courage, the faith in the military. Bringing in Gates was a good move. But there was damage done, and Rumsfeld made it fashionable to be a Democrat in the officer ranks again (always was enlisted, as far as I can tell).
I think Obama came in with a huge reservoir of support. I think he has done little to add to the account, and much to subtract from it.
The Barry reference is by the folks who did the video--don't think it adds anything, personally.
So yes--this isn't a heads-up comparison. I think it is valid to bring up an in-the-field vs HQ gathering. All valid.
Assension, what upsets you more; people referring to the president as Barry or Barack Hussein refusing to use the T-word when referring to Nidal Hassan?
Believe me, one doesn't need this video to see what a weak punk President Obowma has proven to be.
There you go, Jarheads ain't stupid. It's lucky for Obama he had a band otherwise you could have heard the crickets chirping.
ReplyDeleteAside from the very different environments (one without the SECDEF, CJCS and other leadership, the other with) and the different staging, I'm actually surprised that you find this to be telling CW. When was that Dubya video anyway? Before or after he pissed away 6 years in AFG? And please don't tell me the Barry reference is shorthand for Marion...that's borderline man, borderline. If you've seen clips of Obama with soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines in the field (like the Bush clip seems to be), there's a much different tone and feeling. Please tell me you have more than this to show the virtues of a comparative Commander-in-Chief analysis?
ReplyDeleteSo I guess your argument is Obama is just as revered and loved by the military as W? This is a video manipulation not to be trusted.
ReplyDeleteSorry, you'll have to sell that line of BS someplace else.
Ascension--I believe I made reference to the cherry picking....
ReplyDeleteHere's what I think: I think that George Bush enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the military that was mutual.
I think the middle of his Presidency was more of a muddle. When I left the Pentagon in January 2004, all was well--when I returned in fall 2006, well, it was a different place. Bush was less popular, yes. But Rumsfeld was ridiculously unpopular and people were talking out loud about it.
The surge brought folks back to Bush. They saw the courage, the faith in the military. Bringing in Gates was a good move. But there was damage done, and Rumsfeld made it fashionable to be a Democrat in the officer ranks again (always was enlisted, as far as I can tell).
I think Obama came in with a huge reservoir of support. I think he has done little to add to the account, and much to subtract from it.
The Barry reference is by the folks who did the video--don't think it adds anything, personally.
So yes--this isn't a heads-up comparison. I think it is valid to bring up an in-the-field vs HQ gathering. All valid.
And Ascension--thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteAssension, what upsets you more; people referring to the president as Barry or Barack Hussein refusing to use the T-word when referring to Nidal Hassan?
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, one doesn't need this video to see what a weak punk President Obowma has proven to be.