Lonzie Cox – 7/22/08

This page was last updated on July 23, 2008.

Obama is wrong to change strategy; Lonzie Cox, Jr.; Beaver County Times; July 22, 2008. I am not related to Mr. Cox.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“As one who has supported and campaigned for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for president since January, I think he has been making some questionable decisions of late that are damaging his campaign for president.

“Obama seemed to have had a good roster of advisors as the primary campaign ground to a close. However, he seems to be straying from what seemed to be a winning strategy.”

[RWC] Could it be Mr. Obama knows running against someone (Mrs. Bill Clinton) in a primary whose positions are the same as yours is different from running in a general election?

“For example, retired Gen. Wesley Clark was a great man for Obama to have speaking for him. Clark gave the candidate credibility in military and foreign affairs.”

[RWC] How does “Clark [give] the candidate credibility in military and foreign affairs?”

“Clark was right when he said that having been a prisoner of war alone didn’t qualify Sen. John McCain to be president.”

[RWC] Without any other qualifications, is serving in the military for 23 years and being a tortured POW for over five years enough to recommend a person to be President? Perhaps not.

Here’s what Mr. Clark said: “I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.” This comment came during an interview when the issue of Mr. Obama’s lack of experience relative to Mr. McCain was mentioned. Since Mr. Clark couldn’t build up Mr. Obama (Is being a “community organizer” – think ACORN and Al Sharpton – anywhere near comparable to Mr. McCain’s experience.), he sought to tear down Mr. McCain’s service.

“That’s a true statement. Obama’s campaign rudely denounced Clark, and the general hasn’t been heard from since. So another good and wise Obama supporter who wanted nothing but to help Obama become president has been silenced.”

[RWC] “Obama’s campaign rudely denounced Clark?” Not exactly. Mr. Obama simply alleged Mr. Clark’s “remarks don’t reflect my beliefs” and on the next day referred to the comments as “inartful.” That’s hardly rude and not much of a denouncement.

“And if the dismissal of Clark wasn’t bad enough, McCain made the absolutely crazy suggestion that Obama take a trip to Iraq. For what? I thought the idea was so dumb that Obama or his so-called advisors would reject it immediately.”

[RWC] As far as I can tell, Mr. Clark wasn’t dismissed as Mr. Cox alleges.

“Instead, Obama went to Iraq. He should not have gone. Nothing good can come of it.”

[RWC] What was stupid about the trip was Mr. Obama laid out his plans for Afghanistan and Iraq just a few days before the trip. This made it clear Mr. Obama wasn’t going to let what he heard from “the boots on the ground” affect his position. This should make Mr. Cox happy.

“And in addition to being dangerous to Obama personally, the generals might convince him to alter his pledge to end the war. If the generals had any answers, the troops would be home by now.”

[RWC] “If the generals had any answers, the troops would be home by now?” What an ignorant comment. Apparently Mr. Cox has missed the successes over the last 18 months. It’s not over until it’s over, but the current tactics have been successful to date. Does Mr. Cox want us to steal defeat from the jaws of victory?

“Obama should have canceled the Iraq trip. He can end the war as soon as he can after his inauguration.”

[RWC] You’ll note Mr. Cox didn’t mention Afghanistan.