As we discussed yesterday, Wes Clark raised legitimate questions about whether John McCain's service had prepared him to be President. He also questioned McCain's judgment on Iraq.

I know, how dare he!?!

In any case, after the Obama Campaign distanced itself from Clark's remarks (a stupid move for all the reasons I pointed out yesterday) and the McCain Campaign pretended it was an attack on his military record, Clark responded. And his response, which I received via email, was pitch-perfect:

"There are many important issues in this Presidential election, clearly one of the most important issues is national security and keeping the American people safe. In my opinion, protecting the American people is the most important duty of our next President. I have made comments in the past about John McCain's service and I want to reiterate them in order be crystal clear. As I have said before I honor John McCain's service as a prisoner of war and a Vietnam Veteran. He was a hero to me and to hundreds of thousands and millions of others in Armed Forces as a prisoner of war. I would never dishonor the service of someone who chose to wear the uniform for our nation.

“John McCain is running his campaign on his experience and how his experience would benefit him and our nation as President. That experience shows courage and commitment to our country - but it doesn't include executive experience wrestling with national policy or go-to-war decisions. And in this area his judgment has been flawed - he not only supported going into a war we didn't have to fight in Iraq, but has time and again undervalued other, non-military elements of national power that must be used effectively to protect America. But as an American and former military officer I will not back down if I believe someone doesn't have sound judgment when it comes to our nation's most critical issues.”

The GOP doesn't own patriotism. In fact, with the long list of draft evaders in leadership positions in the party past and present, from George W. Bush to Dick Cheney, Tom DeLay to Mitch McConnell, Newt Gingrich to Bill Frist, you'd think the Democrats would have more courage in standing up to these moral charlatans. But then again, you'd also think they'd have the courage to stand up to President 24% on the FISA bill, and you'd be wrong there too.

This, frankly, is why Wes Clark is such an important voice in the party, particularly with his experience on military affairs. He has a spine. Something many in the Democratic Party could use in spades.