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Warner Wants to Meet Obama's Soldier

February 22, 2008 7:13 PM

A new development in the solider anecdote Sen. Barack Obama spoke of last night (more on that HERE)....

Z. Byron Wolf reports:

It will be interesting to see if the Army captain who spoke with Sen. Obama and his staff can remain anonymous.

Former Senate Armed Services Committee chairman (and emeritus member) John Warner, R-Va., a McCain backer, has written a letter to Obama seeking more information on the captain and the details of the deployment.

Further, Warner wants to bring the captain in to be debriefed by the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Warner tells Obama that the anecdote appears to have happened during Warner's chairmanship of the committee -- the implication that troops didn't have what they needed when he was in charge of congressional authorizing does not sit well with Warner, who diplomatically questions the veracity of Obama's claims and says if they're true there should be some accountability.

He says, "There are specific military regulations governing the use by U.S. forces of weapons other than of U.S. manufacture, and, likewise, regulations covering the deployment into combat zones of military units at manning levels below an optimum level."

"Consequently I, and I believe other members of SASC, have a responsibility to establish where in the military chain of command rests the 'accountability,' depending of course, on the accuracy of the facts."

"As you well know, we in Congress, under our Constitution, have explicit duties to provide for the welfare of the men and women of our armed forces and members of their families. We have no higher calling," writes Warner. "I respectfully ask for your assistance."

Read the letter HERE.

February 22, 2008 in Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (76)

User Comments

Some of your posts are so insulting to our men and women of the military. Obama is just trying to defend their honor and you accuse him and them of lying. My son is U.S. Marine, and I certainly want him to be well protected in all dangerous situations. You would want the same for your own. Don't judge things you don't fully understand, and don't be so quick to discount Senator Obama, just because he brings a new outlook and genuine concern into the political forum. We're not use to that as a whole, in this country, but it's certainly time to initiate the changes that this country so desperately needs. Have some respect and don't assume older politicians know everything. Many of them are far too jaded. Open your minds and deal with the hear and now, and our children's future.

Posted by: Ritz | Feb 24, 2008 11:45:07 PM

I am so glad to see that someone in our government is speaking up about Obama's factual information

Maybe the media won't attack the military to protect Obama.

The only one I don't see the media investigating thoroughly is Obama.

Who is this guy anyway?

He's hooked up with a criminal from Chicago a "slumlord" Rezko

His wife doesn't seem to appreciate being an American.

He was born in American and lived overseas going to a Muslim School

He's got ties with a half sister still over there. Where does she live.
How is he related to his family. Any other family members in the middle east?

His sister is a Buddah and his mother is an Athiest or Agnostic.

Has he had any military training?

Is he connected or not with radidal groups from the 60's and who are they.

I'm not trying to bash Obama.

I just want to be able to ask certain things.

For him to say that it was a "boneheaded" idea to have dealing with this criminal Resko really isn't a trorough investigation.


Can't we ask him questions that matter.
These are dangerous times in our world and we really ought to be able to check his resume.

I would want the same done for each and every candidate.

Maybe ask all of these on the next debate?

Posted by: Alice Rea | Feb 23, 2008 10:25:45 PM

Other news agencies have researched and verified the truth of Obama's story. So y'all can go dissect Hillary's alternative reality for lies and deceit. You'll have a lot more fun there!!

Posted by: Marty | Feb 23, 2008 10:08:54 PM

Is it Jan. 9, 2009 YET????. You have made an interesting statement abt judgement and choice of friend ".....This Rezko guy is what kind of "friend" obama picks-----THAT, in itself, is a very bad judgement...." I sure do hope that u r not a Hillary supporter or else she is worse off in judgement,with her choice of Bill! The fact is one cant control other pple's actions,including friends...sometimes u even have a problem with your self control.

Posted by: M. An | Feb 23, 2008 9:18:09 PM

the story was researched and turned out to be true. so what comments about obama fabrication do you want to print now????

Posted by: autopt | Feb 23, 2008 8:00:08 PM

Yet ANOTHER obama fabrication and HIS version of what THUTH really is.....what kind of a President would this man make? He is NOT TRANSPARENT with the American people. He needs to answer questions FULLY about his involvement with his Chicago, Illinois friend REZKO, whose corruption trial will begin on March 3rd......let's be TRANSPAERNT, obama. I hope obama is made to testify at the Rezko trial, UNDER OATH, about what exactly he knows about his "friend" of 17 years, Rezko's dealings in corruption activities.- Things WILL COME OUT in MARCH. Everybody pay attention to this trial as it unfolds. This Rezko guy is what kind of "friend" obama picks-----THAT, in itself, is a very bad judgement.

Posted by: Is it Jan. 9, 2009 YET???? | Feb 23, 2008 7:29:07 PM

Warner and the rest of the republicans who sent those brave young men and women to die have blood on their hands and no amount of congressional hearings will wash away the fact. Also I might add all those who voted for GW in 2000 and 2004. I hope you people can sleep at night knowing that you sent americas best to die in an illegal war.

Posted by: Evan | Feb 23, 2008 4:55:18 PM

I think Warner should speak with Kerry -- as far as McCain, I don't care about the Love Life; he has been know for that for sometime, it's the LOBBYISTS!!! and I am sure there is to this than is being told and I wonder why??? Doesn't everyone else??
Seems like all the insiders know the story, but the voters do not - hmmmmmmm.

Posted by: Paulet | Feb 23, 2008 4:22:50 PM

I think McCain unfortunately looks so out of energy and ideas that the idea of him having successful sex, while kindof grandpaish, does not hurt him. Dole has Viagra at his place.

Posted by: Franklin | Feb 23, 2008 4:18:40 PM

Remember what happened to Obama's republican opponent in his 2004 senate race? He had to withdraw after the Chicago Tribune published stories of a nothing sex scandal. Now we have McCain getting the same treatment from the New York Times. Is there a strategy out there by Obama's camp to get rid of the stong republican candidate and replace him with a weaker one that Obama can beat? Has anyone questioned David Axlerod's part in this?
A little too coincidental that lightning strikes twice.

Posted by: K Conroy | Feb 23, 2008 3:00:14 PM

Everyone needs to remember that Obama was not a member of the senate in 2002 and did not vote against the war. His claim is so insulting to the people who actually had to make that tough decision. I am from Illinois, and I can tell you how much I regret voting for him as our senator. Once America gets to know him, they will regret it too!!!!

Posted by: k. Conroy | Feb 23, 2008 2:58:13 PM

People don't you get it??? This is the problem-BO's lack of knowledge and inexperience in many areas is GOING TO HURT US ALL. Our country is at war, we are going into a recession, and health care in the US is a huge problem. BO's inexperince in so many areas is not good for the country. You people are supporting someone who voted incorrectly because he "pressed" the wrong button 6 times. Not once, not twice, but 6 times. When he was in the Illinois senate, he voted "present" over 150 times, rather than take a stance on an issue. Now he shows in experience when talking about the military. HE IS NOT READY TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. WAKE-UP PEOPLE. When he gets off-script he is always blowing it. I WILL NOT VOTE FOR SOMEONE SO INEXPERIENCED. HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT 08.

Posted by: Anne Marie | Feb 23, 2008 2:30:50 PM

Too bad we never got to the bottom of the WMD or other reasons for the Iraq war before we sacrificed 3900 troops. And we continue to support the troops by sending more to dye? We never had enough troops in the 1st place and wanted to do it on the cheap. We leave disabled vets rotting in their own bed sores and vomit and we still never got to the end of this investigation. And so all the major concern to vet Obama's version of an American heroes concerns is, what ?

Posted by: frankie | Feb 23, 2008 1:29:54 PM

I don't understand the attacks against Obama for expressing concern about our military personnel. He is merely pointing out that the military is stretched too thin and that we have over committed to the point that our soldiers may be compromised. We have two theaters of war and there is evidence that our funding and policies benefit our soldiers in Iraq to the detriment of our soldiers in Afghanistan. This is a legitimate policy issue that should be addressed by our current president and will need to be addressed by the next president. I would think that Americans, and our military personnel in particular, appreciate Obama raising this issue so that the needs of all of our soldiers are addressed. I certainly don't understand the criticism.

Posted by: jdinga | Feb 23, 2008 1:22:25 PM

The military has sent people out into the field without proper equipment repeatedly - it's been covered by the press - even the Humvee situation. Why shouldn't anyone believe differently?? That this was something Obama made up?

I remember some story about a mother finally being able to send cans of silly string to her son's team so they could test for trip wires of bombs, because the military wouldn't send them anything. That was covered in the major networks.

Right now what we're looking at is probably some 25 year old kid scared ****less, because the government is going to come after him.

The troops are treated like crap by the government - and situations like this make me wonder why *anyone* would serve in the armed forces in the first place, unless they love their country so much that it won't matter that the government does to them.

Posted by: Chicka | Feb 23, 2008 1:08:16 PM

It is obvious that Sen. John Warner is not a bright man. His present political act on behalf of John McCain explains why nothing gets done in Washington.

Senator Obama has more integrity than BOTH of the Johns put together. lol
One thing that does not characterize Senator Obama's campaign is cheap political point scoring.

Moreover, it does not take a rocket scientists to recognize that THE REAL WAR in Afghanistan is shortchanged while the bungling Bush misuses the American military as his PRIVATE ARMY to fight his personal Bush-war in Iraq!

Posted by: New Yorker | Feb 23, 2008 11:58:36 AM


I have served as a U.S. Army 1st Lt. in Afghanistan for two years. I have never voted for a Democrat in any election.

I want to express my anger here. For a change, a Democrat is totally right and earnest when discussing some of the major problems we faced (and still do) in fighting the Taliban ans Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. It is a courageous thing to do, certainly at this stage of his campaign.

The US Military personnel in Afghanistan, up to the highest ranks, have been deeply diappointed (and damaged) by the Pentagon's focus on Iraq and the consequent lack of support for that more important and difficult battle: fighting Al Qaeda and their fanatic Taliban brothers in Afghanistan. This is the fight where the safety of the USA and its citizens is most seriously at stake. Afghanistan is the real war on the islamic fundamentalists' terrorism.

I thank Mr. Obama for publicly setting an agenda for discussing the difficult issue of Washington support of our men and women in the Afghanistan ground war.
I thank Mr. Warner as well for his public response, but feel that he is interested in implicitly formulating a denial of the issue as raised by Mr. Obama.

Where the Republican party would support attempts to deny these issues, I and many others have served in Afghanistan will have learnt that Mr. Obama - even without having served in the US Army - appears to be an integer and strong spokesman for the real problems our men and women in Afghanistan are facing on a daily basis.

Again, I think he is a courageous politician. Mr. Obama doesn't tell the American people what it would like to hear about the US Army's overseas battles; he tells them what they NEED TO KNOW. From now on I decided I'll support him for doing so.


Posted by: Jimmy | Feb 23, 2008 10:07:12 AM

Why would a Presidential candidate feel its ok to devulge military intelligence on national television to try to score a political point?

Obama has endangered every soldier in the theatre in Afghanistan by giving the Taliban clues as to how they could compromise a unit.

Hillary has been on the senate armed services committee since the beginning of these conflicts and has never devulged intelligence during a debate.

Whether or not its true, a national televised debate is the wrong time and place to devulge this information. Why didn't Mr Obama go to the senate armed services committee if he is so concerned with the troops instead of endangering their lives?

Posted by: s.b. | Feb 23, 2008 8:56:43 AM

BTW it might be a little unclear from the way I put it... I meant the "fake moon-landing conspiracy" story isn't true -- of course they landed on the moon. But people pick holes in it because they don't know anything about it. Go to NASA and they have a whole page on it. But you can always raise some little detail and say "that sounds funny to me".

And likewise, of course this captain is telling the truth. Think about it logically -- why would they fake this? There aren't any real stories about equipment problems so they had to make one up? That's nuts.

You seriously think anyone would just concoct a story like that? Everyone knows they've had lots of equipment problems. Was that soldier lying who stood up at an event and asked Rumsfeld why his unit had to weld scrap metal on their Humvees?

It makes me so mad that people would say that a soldier is lying when he's trying to point out that there are problems with equipment and training. Whose side are you on, anyway?

Posted by: Rocky | Feb 23, 2008 4:45:41 AM

Great comments. With so much media embedded with troops why is this story now coming to play. Many Obamarites are saying that Hillary used the story of the hospital opening for her own good. I assert here that is exactly what Obama has done. Hillary has signed on the resolution for mandated funding for the VA, Obama has not....and many Cook County, IL elected officials have signed on the dotted line for this resolution. (I am a Navy vet). Are we sure this guy is not po'd because he got passed over for promotion or something. I admit I forget much of what I learned about the Army and many of uncles and cousins served in the Army. "I hang my head in shame"....I was once in Army ROTC.....

Posted by: Nancy | Feb 23, 2008 2:15:48 AM

Triction...

I like that...
Time for me touch down from cyberspace...
Perhaps I'll just look for a room at a cozy little mom and pop motel in...Obamistan!!!

It's been a pleasure...

Posted by: Ken | Feb 23, 2008 12:01:48 AM

And then you also have the question: if Obama knew of such a gross error by the Pentagon and the military chain of command why didn't he immediately act on this as a U.S. Senator? Why did he just use it in some muddled way rhetorically to try to make a point in a presidential debate?

Posted by: hopesprings52 | Feb 22, 2008 11:59:38 PM

Both my husband and I are former soldiers. As we lay in bed last night listening to the debate, we immediately caught this story as implausible on many levels. Then as we listed tonight to CNN discuss this, we determined that either Obama simply misunderstood his staff or the soldier misrepresented the problem. Either way, the most disturbing part to me was that Senator Obama did not know enough about the military to know that military move in groups that are quite large. They wouldn't split up various soldiers. BTW, I am still in the reserves and my husband is a government contracted linguist. Now, it is my opinion that the unit was most likely reserves or National Guard. The fact that they did not have sufficient training time or humvees gave that away. Additionally, the Captain says that they were out of parts and could not get those for the weapons. I'm sorry; this sounds an awful lot like a problem with a supply command, not higher Army officials. My units and my husband's units never experienced these kinds of problems. I also have several friends in Navy, Marine, Air Force and other Army units. None of them have ever complained of these kinds of problems. I just don't feel that the story is representative of the military. More importantly, I was really disturbed by Senator Obama's lack of knowledge about the military.

Posted by: CJohnson | Feb 22, 2008 11:55:55 PM

And therein lies the problem. Obama is engaging the media as an attorney professor to his students. He's assigning them homework. This is hard work, dudes, you can't just read the Cliff notes, you gotta go on the back roads of Sadr City to get the answers to some of these questions. In the end, its just a confusing morass of he said, she said. That's why we all need hope. We hope the professor brings this to an end soon.

Ken - I'm not really from the WestCoast, I just like the West Coast. (Another example of TRICTION).

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 22, 2008 11:54:03 PM

Let's see...

An investigation by the Senate Armed Services Committee...

That would mean that Obama and his campaign staffers would be called in to testify on the Hill...

That would also provide free publicity to Obama and his campaign buidlers, but probably not the type of publicity that Axelrod wants...

A double edged sword, or scythe, or whatever...

Obamistan!!!

Posted by: Ken | Feb 22, 2008 11:50:07 PM

Just saw the NBC story on this. Actually they say, the captain says he ran out of ammunition in training not in combat! Also in one situation they had to mount a Taliban gun on their humvee because their machine gun needed a part. They had 3 weeks of training not 3 days. But NBC goes on to say: "The Obama people say while these facts may have been off, the main point was correct that Sen. Obama maintains the troops were hurt by diverting resources to Iraq from Afghnaistan." Oh brother.

Posted by: hopesprings52 | Feb 22, 2008 11:46:05 PM

Wow!!!

Doesn't this just take you back to the days of Ollie North, Iran Contra, and the whole gang?

Only now, it's...Obamistan!!!!

Posted by: Ken | Feb 22, 2008 11:39:42 PM

Good work, Senator Warner!

Coming out of retirement to investigate Obamistan is worthy of commendation from both sides of the aisle.

After all, the only thing that seems to be missing here is verification. When the Senate Armed Services Committee starts to weigh in, the subpoenas should start to fly. Then, anonymity goes out the door and immunity comes in!

Hey, if we can have baseball players like Roger Clemmens testify in front of Congress, surely we can get the soldier who had to fight undermanned and outgunned to do the same.

Obamistan!!! Keep the ball rolling!!!

Posted by: Ken | Feb 22, 2008 11:35:28 PM

Ken,
My ribs hurt from laughing. Perhaps there is a special feed of CNN that is being distributed through a filter of ABC's NY Times.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 22, 2008 11:32:35 PM

Helena,
Probably the best words to describe Obama are not truth versus fiction, instead maybe TRICTION. By the way, if this new phrase shows up in Wikipedia I would like to get partial credit along with you.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 22, 2008 11:25:03 PM

This is becoming even more interesting. Now the captain in question has told NBC that he was only referring to training not to equipment and the other stuff. So Obama claimed to talk to the guy, but heard the story secondhand from his campaign. And then ABC interviewed him and backed Obama up 100 percent. And now NBC interviews him and it doesn't square with either Obama or ABC. Hmmmmmmmmm.....

Posted by: hopesprings52 | Feb 22, 2008 11:21:10 PM

Westmessenger....I have been a legal assistant for 25 years and know the ins and outs regarding attorneys....and politics....I have done enough research on Obama that I could write a book.....and make a movie.....I am not sure which part of him is truth or fiction. Do you????? Does America?

Posted by: HELENA | Feb 22, 2008 11:19:09 PM

You are right, West Coast,

A lot of the electorate simply doesn't care...at least, not yet.

My opinion is that the caucus and primary thing just does not mean much to a majority of voters.

We did actually have some candidates with good potential in the field, but they were eliminated much too early.

Posted by: Ken | Feb 22, 2008 11:18:36 PM

Warner is a man of HONOR! A true AMERICAN HERO -

HE IS VERY RESPECTED BY ALL WHO KNOW HIM, HAVE MET HIM, HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH HIM, HAVE SERVED WITH HIM.

If God would want to grant to one person the right to walk on water - God would say to Sen. Warner - Go ahead SIR you have earned it. CHECK HIS RECORD

Posted by: frank | Feb 22, 2008 11:16:22 PM

Helena seemed to be bringing up end-of the world type warnings about if Obama gets elected. Let's hope not, because there is a growing probability he will be elected.

Ken, I have to respectfully disagree with you because I just don't think the electorate cares, no offense to our men and women in uniform. Obama is continuing to get a skate. Seriously, you gotta start wondering if he has some kind of magic beans.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 22, 2008 11:08:13 PM

obama's made up story about talking to a soldier who told him whatever reminds me of reagan's habit of telling stories of things he had done - things that turned out to be from movies, not real life! guess obama really does admire reagan! (of course, reagan had alzheimers, so at least he had an excuse).

Posted by: so saddened | Feb 22, 2008 11:02:25 PM

We all know Obama would not lie....right????? HA! HA! Obama followers....you have been duped by Obama and that is so funny....I am sure he and Michelle are laughing at how easy you guys are....HA! HA! HOW GULLIBLE.....HA! HA!

Posted by: HELENA | Feb 22, 2008 11:01:55 PM

Hey Helena,
Get a grip. Just because Obama has received a GOLDEN TICKET doesn't mean that God is going to rain down upon us with fire and brimstone. I really don't think Obama sold his soul for the ticket, unless the devil is residing in Rupert Murdoch's body. Anyway, Last time I heard God was helping football players win the super bowl, not worrying about elections.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 22, 2008 10:59:31 PM

Well West Coast,

This one seems to be gathering momentum a lot faster than I thought it would.

Reminds me of the response when the guy claimed to be a veteran of the Gulf War and wasn't.

One thing is for sure...we are getting a bird's eye view of how Obama would perform as Commander in Chief.

From the tone of responses to this and other posts on the Obamistan story, a huge majority of soldiers and veterans are saying the story is just that...a story.

So, who you gonna believe?

Posted by: Ken | Feb 22, 2008 10:56:58 PM

One other correction -- I should have said "Looknow" not "Ken". Maybe Looknow works for the NY Times. By the way, it must be true if it's on the NY Times site, because they wrote the McCain story. Bottom line: all this needs to be corroborated by Obama.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 22, 2008 10:51:07 PM

Correction -- I should have said NY Times not Newsweek. But then again maybe Obama said Newsweek. Whatever Obama said is the right answer. He has a GOLDEN TICKET.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 22, 2008 10:48:52 PM

Hey Ken,
That's the most bizarre claim of the night -- i.e. that Obama's story has been confirmed as true by ABC -- it's on Newsweek's site. Last time I checked ABC was not Newsweek. But this IS a new week. Maybe Obama is now saying that ABC is now Newsweek. If so, I'll buy it dude.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 22, 2008 10:46:45 PM

Don't "look now," but CNN hammered Obama's story (good description).

Anonymous sources...

Plagiarism...

What's next?

Posted by: Ken | Feb 22, 2008 10:44:57 PM

Hey Freeborn,
I can tell you spent your whole childhood in a conservative place. Did you have a little bobble-head Rumsfeld doll? Let's not take this chain of command thing so seriously. It's time to get on Obama's magic carpet ride, he's keeping hope alive. BARACK HAS A GOLDEN TICKET!!! (Previous line to be sung in sing-song playground manner- like on a South Park episode).

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 22, 2008 10:42:56 PM

Warner wants to meet Obama's soldier?

We would all like to meet Obama's soldier.

Obama probably wants to meet Obama's soldier.

Or, at least talk to him.

How does the verse go...Be sure of you lies lest they find you out?

Don't know for sure who said it, but it wasn't a soldier.

Posted by: Ken | Feb 22, 2008 10:42:33 PM

Obama's story has been confirmed as true by ABC News; it's on the NY Times' website. Maybe you all shouldn't be so cynical. But I guess that's what happens after eight years of Bush.

Posted by: look now | Feb 22, 2008 10:41:22 PM

Oops, I guess Burdick got out of cycle with the censor in this case. He disappeared. Anyway, there was this guy Burdick that was claiming that the soldier story was independently confirmed, plus he added some choice epithets, probably the reason he got zapped. My comment below was in response to this.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 22, 2008 10:33:45 PM

Oh Please. This one is easy. Obama simply points out the obvious:

'...Now that a soldier has come forward to discuss the survival issues they face in Afghanistan, Senator Warner wants to hold him accountable for using Soviet weapons when they couldn't get the weapons they should have had from the US Government. I guess the senator believes the soldiers should throw rocks instead!...'

This is more of the same old politics we are getting from our current administration. The time for change is now, Obama is the only one that seems able to do it.

Posted by: brian | Feb 22, 2008 10:32:57 PM

Hey Burdick,

It doesn't really matter if its independently confirmed. The media has already lost its grip on this election. Obama has received the golden ticket of immunity from having to tell the truth, at this point it's really really his choice. Don't you know that he talks in broad visions, he is speaking metaphorically, man.

This is more like an acid trip. He's a blank canvass on which we can write our dreams, or recycle them, whatever you please. The media's confirmation or condemnation is out of cycle by about a day and a half. He's got 'em smoked and they cannot keep up, nor do they want to.

It's better to work down in the trenches with the more easily readable types such as Clinton and McCain. They are on cycle with the media, and continue to be current targets.

I have to give it to Obama, he is truly change we can believe in, even if its at times unbelievable....if you like that kind of thing.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 22, 2008 10:31:04 PM

"Ahh, but the strawberries that's... that's where I had them. They laughed at me and made jokes but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with... geometric logic... that a duplicate key to the wardroom icebox DID exist, and I'd have produced that key if they hadn't of pulled the Caine out of action. I, I, I know now they were only trying to protect some fellow officers... "

Has Warner become Queeg?

Posted by: The Other Steve | Feb 22, 2008 10:28:45 PM


Look - these stuff'd suits in D.C. have bungled teh Irak thing - big time - from the start.

Now we may have another example of another ****-up by this crowd. This is not new to anyone who can read and think critically.

And while Warner my want to get to the bottom of this 4 yr old event, it would seem that maybe he could look at some the guys in the know that rubber stamped every bad decision these decision makers made.

But I guess then, he'd have to do some mirror gazin. I like the Good Senator, but if he really want to find an example of a screw up that went down on his watch, he woulda found/looked for something long ago. This a day late and a dollar short.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | Feb 22, 2008 9:56:04 PM

Obama Junior has been caught once again with his hand in the cookie jar. In his feeble attempt to appear "presidential" junior has ventured into territories he is completely ignorant of.

He stumbles and gets lost except when he says things like "yes we can" "hope is change" "change is here" "change and hope are what your waiting for""you are the change and hope you have been waiting for" etc.

Posted by: truths08 | Feb 22, 2008 9:50:47 PM

Whole the hell is Warner btw?

"Former Senate Armed Services Committee chairman".

A bureaucrat.

Whatever function he still has today, Obama will soon be his boss. May he retire gracefully.

Posted by: CaptainKirk | Feb 22, 2008 9:38:04 PM

1) This is an intimidation tactics to keep others from talking.

2) The former 1st Lieutenant who is now a Captain does not need this publicity.

3) The captain can take comfort that he has a friend in Obama who would soon be President who will make sure that he gets fair treatment.

Posted by: Zhonni,TN | Feb 22, 2008 9:36:41 PM

The "STORY" was confirmed not the truthfullness of it!

Posted by: geevill | Feb 22, 2008 9:30:34 PM

I find it typical of people who write with so much bravado on the web that they hide behind some adopted persona where they are safe from confronting the facts or substantiating their bias with a foundation.

If things are going wrong in the military, shouldn't we find out? Should we keep it a secret so that families who offer their loved ones up to serve our country have no place to turn for truth? That sounds like boneheaded crap to me. Perhaps it is similar to the friendly fire cover-up that Pat Tillman's family suffered through.

If this is true, we have a serious problem. Probably it is more likely that those people who are claiming to be "grownups" are really just ignorant. Or maybe these are just reactionary, dogmatic trolls with no interest in the truth. A truth that I trust Senator Warner and Senator Obama would want very much to know as responsible elected officials interested in protecting and honoring the military.

I grew up around real cowboys and real military families. They signed their names and knew and used their manners. Having grown up in San Diego County, California I spent my entire childhood in a very conservative place. Even so, I still can't imagine anyone being so dogmatic about the military that they can't imagine that someone might stick up for the soldiers they lead when the higher levels of leadership would ask them to fight without proper equipment. Chain of command relies upon a loyalty that moves in both directions. If that loyalty and leadership fails to protect the interests of the whole, somebody has to tell the truth about it and put in the correction! Shame on those of you that think such truths should be hidden. If a truth is dishonorable, then it ought to find the light of day and be made right.

Posted by: Susanne Freeborn | Feb 22, 2008 9:29:55 PM

Story confirmed:

Earlier in the day, reacting to the criticism from conservative bloggers, the Obama campaign made the Army captain available to ABC News. The news organization reported that it interviewed the captain — which it declined to name — and concluded: “He backs up Obama’s story.”

Posted by: look now | Feb 22, 2008 9:26:38 PM

Warner should be ashamed of himself. He wants to out this whistleblower so he can get attacked, harassed, and threatened by some right-wing goons.

Jake, I hope you'll do the right thing and continue to protect this hero's identity.

Posted by: Mike | Feb 22, 2008 9:26:03 PM

So now it is an "anecdote" Jake? I thought you proved it was a true story?

Posted by: geevill | Feb 22, 2008 9:24:12 PM

This is incredible! Why didn't John Warner send his letter to George Bush who, sent needed troops and equipments in Irak instead of Afghanistan, where were (and still are) the Talibans?

Posted by: Mark | Feb 22, 2008 9:23:21 PM

flyover:What are u talking about?
I am wondering if you understand the game that these people are playing right now. They are determined more than ever to stay in power even though the timing is not propice for them. That's the reason.
I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ASSSISTE U IF U REPLY TO ME. OK!

Posted by: fly2over | Feb 22, 2008 9:21:06 PM

Platoon commanders are typically lieutenants and not captains. Captains are typically company commanders, etc.

Posted by: Thunderbolt | Feb 22, 2008 8:58:45 PM

How can we trust Obama?

Posted by: Pat | Feb 22, 2008 8:56:26 PM

Wait a minute. A Captain confided secret information to Obama and he uses it for his political advancement. Now this Captains reputation is supposedly on the line. Obama needs to stop using other people, othe peoples ideas and other peoples speeches. The Jerk!

Posted by: Hector | Feb 22, 2008 8:46:43 PM

Let's see, General Petraeus has publicly spoken on efforts in Iraq (in detail). So has Gen. Casey, and Sec. of Defense Gates.

We must, I repeat we must!!, hold them accountable for speaking about military efforts . .

What a bunch of idiots on this list.

Posted by: True Patriot | Feb 22, 2008 8:46:01 PM

Mr. Obama and I mean Mr. Obama. A rifle platoon can have anywhere from three squads of 6 or up to 5 squads of 8. Not 39. If he had served in the miliary or at least did his homework he would know this. And he wants to be Commander in Chief of our military. HAA!!

Posted by: Pee Vee, Long Island | Feb 22, 2008 8:43:56 PM

The military has ever had supply chain problems. In the Gulf War in '91, there were certain wings of aircraft that had fewer than 30% of their planes flyable. All of our F-117 stealth fighters were grounded for a time due to the supply chain being unable to provide the putty that is applied to the seams in the metal on the aircraft.
Further, the armored vehicles requested three years to protect our troops from IEDs are now scheduled for delivery in 2012.
The only part of this story that's hard to believe is that we don't hear it weekly. America is not doing right by its men in uniform, and I'll stand up and say anyone who attempts to cover that fact up is unamerican and should be ashamed.

Posted by: Geiiga | Feb 22, 2008 8:39:20 PM

This is nothing new. The M16 rifles used in Vietnam frequently jammed and recovered AK47s were much more reliable.

Posted by: Glen Parker | Feb 22, 2008 8:37:51 PM

Ultimately, the one who will pay won't be the politicians, but the poor guy who spoke up about a bad situation.

Posted by: Rev. Spaminator | Feb 22, 2008 8:24:48 PM

Perhaps we should see if Deval Patrick said it first.

(Sarcasm.)

Posted by: Thunderbolt | Feb 22, 2008 8:22:16 PM

If Jake spoke to the actual soldier and finds him credible - Sen Warner should want to speak to the soldier to learn what happned and make things right -- not because of concern for his legacy

Posted by: AMBER | Feb 22, 2008 8:02:24 PM

When this war started did we not have a host of media men and woman all over the place, it was like a constant war movie. Maps, graphs, daily video of bombing and so on, how come no one in the media at that time picked up on this hot story of our men and women not having proper gear.

Why is it after all these years something like this is now coming to the surface, ABC, FOX, MSNBC all you guys were there riding with the troops so how come none of you picked up on anything like this before.

So who is lying Obama, the solder or the media??

Posted by: SJ | Feb 22, 2008 7:59:15 PM

Obama, winning state after state, now believes that Americans are fools. He is convinced since he gave that DNC keynote speech that it's easy to FOOL the people and grab the Presidency. It's time his true color is shown to the public with the help of experienced politicians, who probably can't stand still anymore with his lies, imaginary stories, with all the non-sense hypes.

Posted by: Jkan | Feb 22, 2008 7:53:16 PM

I urge Warner and other Republicans not to let this one pass and follow up as much as necessary.

Posted by: Sam39 | Feb 22, 2008 7:46:52 PM

Time someone takes this idiot to task he is talking crap and lying outright. Obama seem to have a thing with borrowing, he borrows full speeches now he is saying the troops are borrowing guns, I say this story is a lie, another tale made up to pretend he knows what he is speaking about.

Posted by: SJ | Feb 22, 2008 7:42:16 PM

Guess senator Obama is going to learn that he is playing with grown ups now

I predict the outcome of this will not be pretty for anyone. Warner would not ask the question if he did not already know the answer.

Posted by: flyover | Feb 22, 2008 7:40:28 PM

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