Sweet: Clinton raising the commander-in-chief ante.

WASHINGTON–The Clinton campaign puts in play big time Monday the question of who is ready to be commander-in-chief. At the debate last week in Austin, Texas, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton declined to say Sen. Barack Obama is not up for the job, while Obama made the case he was ready. On the day before Tuesday’s debate in Cleveland, Clinton is ready to tackle the question again.

FROM THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN

Clinton Unveils List of Flag Officers Endorsing Her for President

Hillary Clinton will set out her approach to American foreign policy in the 21st Century in a speech at George Washington University today. Joining her will be a group of senior retired military and defense officials who have endorsed her to be this nations next Commander-in-Chief. They are: General Wesley Clark, Lt. General Joe Ballard, Major General Antonio M. Taguba, Rear Admiral David Stone, Brigadier General John M. Watkins, Jr. and former Secretary of the Army Togo West. Generals Taguba and Watkins will formally announce their endorsement of Senator Clinton today.

Many of our nations most distinguished military officers stand proudly with Hillary Clinton because they believe that she has the strength, experience and leadership necessary to be President and Commander-in-Chief. They include three four-star generals, a former chairman and vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and many other Americans who have served their country with honor and distinction.

In addition to the endorsements of Generals Taguba and Watkins, Senator Clinton is proud to announce the endorsement today of Admiral William Owens (Ret.).

Admiral Owens served with distinction for more than 30 years in the Navy, rising to become Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nations second highest ranking military officer.

Major General Taguba served his country with distinction for 34 years, retiring from the Army in 2007. The son of a Filipino-American who survived the 1942 Bataan Death March, General Taguba led the Armys investigation into prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib in 2004.

Brigadier General John M. Watkins, Jr. served nearly 30 years in the Army and completed his military career as the Chief Operations Officer/Deputy Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency.

Admiral Owens, General Taguba, and General Watkins are among 27 flag-rank military officers who have endorsed Senator Clinton to be our nations next Commander-in-Chief. They join more than 2,000 veterans and military retirees who are members of Senator Clinton’s national and state veterans steering committees.

Flag Officers Endorsing Hillary Clinton for President and Commander-in-Chief

General Wesley Clark

General John M. Shalikashvili

General Johnnie E. Wilson

Admiral William Owens

Lt. Gen. Joe Ballard

Lt. Gen. Robert Gard

Lt. Gen. Claudia J. Kennedy

Lt. Gen. Donald L. Kerrick

Lt. Gen. Frederick E. Vollrath

Vice Admiral Joseph A. Sestak

Major General Roger R. Blunt