In Texas, voters focus on Obama's, Clinton's military positions

SAN ANTONIO -- In order to do well here in Tuesday's crucial primary voting, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton must appeal to military personnel, who constitute a large presence in this city of more than 1.2 million.

San Antonio is home to three Air Force bases, including the sprawling Lackland facility on the city's southwest side, which handles a wide range of operations and trains 86,000 personnel annually.

The president's role of commander in chief, largely subordinated to other issues earlier in the campaign, has suddenly rocketed to prominence. The shift began when Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war John McCain became the presumptive Republican nominee and began speaking in support of the military surge in Iraq.

Clinton's campaign sensed an opening to convince Democratic voters that she -- not Obama -- is better positioned to compete with McCain on national security issues in the general election.

More Coverage Campaign journals Joseph Ryan from Ohio: Slices of life style="float:left; padding: 0 6px 0 6px" /> David Beery from Texas: Limits to Obama-mania Stories In Texas, voters focus on Obama's, Clinton's military positions [03/03/08] Setting the stage for a close one in Ohio [03/03/08] Crunch time for Clinton [03/03/08] Obama fires back over foreign policy [03/03/08] Eyes will be on racial divide in Buckeye State [03/02/08] A fight to the finish in Ohio [03/02/08] No matter the choice, Texas voter turnout huge [03/02/08] Clinton does 'SNL,' but misses out on endorsement [03/02/08] Obama accuses Clinton of playing politics [03/02/08] In Ohio, the unions count [03/01/08] Texas Twist: State is #8230; complex [03/01/08] What makes the March 4 primary states tick [02/29/08] Clinton campaign raises concerns about Texas caucus [02/29/08] Video Ohio Voters Look for Economic Miracle Here in Texas, Clinton has pressed the point by airing television ads this week that show a woman checking on her sleeping children while a voiceover says: "It's 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep. But there's a phone ringing in the White House. Something is happening in the world. Your vote will determine who answers that call."The ad goes on to cite Clinton's White House experience and knowledge of world leaders and issues. Obama quickly put up a counter-ad in Texas stating that the person answering that White House phone needs impeccable judgment. Like, the ad says, the judgment he exercised in opposing the Iraq war before it started.But on Sunday afternoon, Clinton announced the backing of 18 former generals, admirals and former defense officials, including Gen. Wesley Clark. Here in San Antonio, state Sen. Carlos Uresti, who also is a former Marine captain, took part in that announcement and joined other former military leaders in canvassing neighborhoods on Clinton's behalf. In choosing a commander in chief, Uresti said, "you look for decisiveness. You look for leadership, and you look for someone who leads by example. Clearly you have that in Hillary Clinton."While Republicans long have been the party of choice for voters who list national security at the top of their issues, some Democrats here say that is changing.Democratic State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, who represents part of San Antonio and is a co-chair of the Democratic National Convention, said: "How do you push a woman who always has been active in Republican politics all the way to voting for Sen. Obama? You send her son to Iraq. I speak with an entire network of military wives, and some say 'I'm for whoever is going to get them out now, now, now.' "Although it's far from universal, that point of view also could be found Sunday among members sharing beers and stories at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6012, a stone's throw from the perimeter of Lackland. Conversation among the veterans was cordial, but their views of the presidential candidates varied from one end of the opinion spectrum to the other.Norman Kirtland, who served in the Air Force from 1988 to 1994, said the news media has blown setbacks in Iraq out of proportion and failed to report positive developments. Kirtland said the thing he wants in the next commander in chief is someone who will not "cut and run and give up the mission."Robert Cartwright, the post's senior vice commander who put in 22 years of active Air Force duty, cast an early primary vote for Obama and called Bush's action in Iraq "one of the worst blunders in the history of the country.""I will tell you," Cartwright said, "that John McCain is a hero. But I don't agree with his views. I particularly don't agree with his views on Iraq."By contrast, 29-year veteran Paul Melton said he can live with McCain's views on Iraq and will back him because he sees no viable alternative. "If Hillary Clinton gets the nomination and gets elected, then you still have got Bill Clinton running the country, and I was in no way satisfied with the way he did that. Obama's obviously an intelligent man, but all he's done so far is come out with a lot of rhetoric; I don't see any substance."As a measure of how strongly he opposes either Democratic candidate, Melton said, "I don't like John McCain. I believe he'll be worst president we'll ever have, but he'll still be better than either Obama or Clinton. McCain's too liberal. He believes in open borders. He doesn't believe in torturing militant Muslims to save American lives. He likes to raise taxes. I'll hold my nose when I vote for him." 512354Which presidential candidate is best qualified to be commander in chief? San Antonio resident Robert Cartwright, an Air Force veteran, thinks Barack Obama is best qualified.Vince Pierri | Staff Photographer