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Okay, Military guys and gals...

Kerry was on the Imus show this morning. A sort-of transcript is available via the NRO website in the segment they call the Kerry Spot. The official Imus site has it up here.

Well and good. Here's what I want to know from you guys and gals... Imus pushed Kerry to name some people that might populate his cabinet. He hedged (predictably, and probably, smartly) but Imus did get a few. Like these:

KERRY: There are a number of — General McPeak, General Clark. There are a group of about 10 or 12 admirals and generals.

I can hear the collective gagging from the Zoomies already. I know there would be a lot of gagging from dogfaces regarding General Clark. I would assume Admiral Crowe is on that list somewhere, along with General Zinni, and probably General Shalikashvili.

What are your thoughts of the Generals and Admirals surrounding the Kerry campaign as potential SECDEFs?

To start it off, I can live with the thought of Zinni and Shali, gag at the thought of McPeak and Clark, and don't have a formed opinion on Crowe.

What say youse guys?

Anonymous responses are fine - as are email responses (lemme know if I can use it or not, I know what it's like to be senior and leery of expressing opinions publicly - all confidences respected) but I'd like to hear what the rank and file think. I'll delete any moonbattery.

That is all.

11 Comments

Clarke? The guy who traded hats with an enemy General for goofy photos in Kosovo? The guy who didn't know if he was going to run as a Republican or Democrat until just before he put in his candidacy papers? The guy who got fired as CINC in the Kosovo ops for going around his COC and working directly with Clinton? He can't hack. Don't know McPeak.
 
Zinni seems ok. Clarke? Heh, he's just like Kerry: unable to make up his mind. I don't know the others. But let's be honest here, we don't have to worry about any wobbly generals being SECDEF. Kerry isn't going to win. Watch and see.
 
Shalikashvili is a political willow, he bends any which way the wind blows. As far as I can tell he will agree that black is white if a superior tells him it is so. Whe have had far too many of that ilk in JCS for the last two decades, we don't need one as SecDef.
 
Not one of those listed would I support. The fact he is even talking to Madaline Albright say it all right there.
 
Ack, ack, OMG. McPuke is probably the biggest embarrassment to Air Power since they court martialed Billy Mitchell. This weasel is nothing but a politician who a** kissed his way to Chief of Staph. And Clarke?????? Sheesh, didn't he get relieved for "ethical" problems?
 
"... guy who traded hats with an enemy General ..." He was suckered into it, despite the advice and protests of his advisors. Interestingly, the advisor who said "Don't do it, General" last was the same one who later told Clark "No I won't start World War 3". Cheers JMH
 
I would agree with the fine folks before me. As far as having a SECDEF with either prior military experience or even a career. But one that was a blatent opportunist in order to advance their career, military or other wise? (And all those suggested above fall into the last catagory) No way in hell.
 
Clarke I agree with you on. Bad decision, but typical of that camp, as it will keep Clarke from running against him in 08 if he should win. I suppose we should look for a position to be offered to Dean as well. {snip at author's request} I can't comment on McPeak, but he doesn't sound well-respected 'round these parts. I would be interested in hearing who you and yours would like for the job.
 
McPeak was the topic of an email I received and this topic was commented on in a post at http://jcrue.blogspot.com/2004/09/birds-of-feather-flock-together-kerry.html Thanks for the email inviting me to this post.
 
I've worked at a military installation since 1993. Never had the privilege of wearing the uniform -- I'm contractor scum. ;-) I can tell you, however, that the blue-suiters I knew couldn't stand McPeak. They had to be quiet about it, obviously, but I have two co-workers, both ex-AF, who got out at least in part because of him. FWIW...
 
Hey, no worries, Mary. I hung up the green suit and now I'm contractor scum. We like scum at Castle Argghhh!