Mar 12, 2008 6:10 pm US/Eastern
Obama Picks Up New Endorsements In Chicago
Meeting Held With Retired Top Admirals, Generals
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
-
-
Barack Obama
Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images
Some respected military leaders lined up behind presidential candidate Barack Obama in Chicago Wednesday.
This comes after Clinton's campaign scored primary points with a TV ad raising the issue of who is better prepared to deal with a crisis at three in the morning.
CBS station WBBM-TV in Chicago's Joanie Lum reports Obama enlisted nine generals and admirals, who served under nine presidents to show he's the one to trust as commander in chief.
"The real commander in chief threshold doesn't have to do with years tallied up in Washington; it has to do with the judgment and vision that you will bring to the Oval Office," Obama said in reaction to Hillary Clinton's television ads that suggest she's more qualified.
The distinguished military officers say the correct choice is Obama.
"No shock Barack kinda guy, no drama Obama," said retired U.S. Air Force General Merrill "Tony" McPeak. "When that red phone rings at 3 a.m. you want a guy with this kind of temperament."
"I spent 3 1/2 years with Lyndon B. Johnson," said retired U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Major General Hugh Robinson. "I have a feeling for what a president might do in times of emergency."
Obama says he would withdraw troops from Iraq, and deploy more to Afghanistan focusing on terrorism.
He is the only candidate who opposed invading Iraq from the beginning, though he was not in the Senate at the time of the decision to go to war.
"Sen. Clinton and McCain displayed, I think, a lack of judgment that has cost us dearly," Obama said.
The endorsement was announced at the Chicago History Museum.
Wednesday's was a rare hometown appearance for Obama, who's been on the road for most of the campaign.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Campaign '08 Complete Coverage
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
