Comments on: Max Cleland Memoir Uncomfortable Truth

By: D. E.Rodriguez

D. E.Rodriguez — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:26:25 +0000

At the risk of establishing a “mutual agreement society,” I agree with you (also) on the part that family, especially children, must be off limits. No politician “signed up” to see, nor deserves to see, his children attacked.

Thanks

Dorian

By: TheMagicalSkyFather

TheMagicalSkyFather — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:46:49 +0000

I agree, I shouted down any during the 2008 campaign that tried to go after McCain's record as a POW. I do not freakin care what happened there unless he sold out and got sent home quickly he is a hero for it and I say this as a man that voted for Obama for policy reasons but for pure heart and soul I wanted to vote the other way…I just did not agree with him like I did in 2000. Either way certain methods should not be used, namely peoples actions in war should be off limits since it was done not for them but for all of us(I feel differently about actions done to avoid war, see Clinton and Bush). Whether you are Kerry, Cleland McCain or anyone else it does not matter. It not only cheapens and blemishes their honorable service it also does the same for those that served with them and those in the entire war. That campaign did not just hurt Max, it hurt my uncles and friends fathers(many of whom are Republicans) that were in that damn war too and for that I will throw down. To be honest though I cant think of much else that is off limits other than that or family.

By: D. E.Rodriguez

D. E.Rodriguez — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:35:17 +0000

"but [Cleland] entered national politics and you have to be prepared for that.."

I am sorry, but nothing, absolutely nothing---no national politics, no nothing-- excuses "that": the shameless, cowardly smear campaign at times aimed specifically at the very heroism and sacrifice of a triple amputee Vietnam war hero.

And, I would say this about both political parties, if such occasions arise/have arisen.

Just a personal opinion. Nothing to write home about.

By: kritt11

kritt11 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:11:58 +0000

Unfortunately, often those who are shameless about their tactics and personal behavior seem to thrive in the political realm, while those who have real integrity are winnowed out.

Its sad that Chambliss' below the belt tactics took out a real American hero.

By: Leonidas

Leonidas — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:07:53 +0000

Cleland also is crying just a little bit too loud, he didn't shy away from negative advertising either during that campaign. I appreciate his valor in serving our nation bravely, but he was no saint when it came to campaigning either. Still nothing wrong with him making a buck by selling a book to his supporters like anyone else.

By: Rudi

Rudi — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:48:49 +0000

LOL Leo I agree 90% with your comment. But I do think Chambliss needed the dirt to win.

In the 1960s, during the Vietnam War, Chambliss received five student deferments while attending the University of Georgia and the University of Tennessee College of Law and was also given a medical deferment (1-Y) for bad knees due to a football injury.[2]

Cleland has no knees…

By: Leonidas

Leonidas — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:50:55 +0000

I think Cleland was treated to a particularly vicious campaign and I do not condone that in any way shape or form, but he entered national politics and you have to be prepared for that. Its a shame but its the truth, if he didn't know what he was getting into, he probably wasn't the right man for the job. You need an iron will and not a feeling of helplessness during and after such setbacks. I do feel sorry for him, however, I might not have liked his policies but he is a good man. Of course so was Jimmy Carter (stupid race baiting comments aside), but Carter was a disaster as a President (not as bad as Bush Jr but a disaster nonetheless).