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Former SEAL Behind Scathing New ‘Bow to Nobody’ Ad Defends Video to TheBlaze: ‘Lead by Example’

Aug. 29, 2012 4:45pm

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Former SEAL and Creator of Scathing New Bow to Nobody Ad Talks to TheBlaze

Photo Source: The Right Perspective

On Tuesday, TheBlaze brought you a provocative new video ad released by the Super PAC, Special Operations For America (SOFA), in which combat veterans express that they risk their lives so that America will never have to “bow down” to foreign leaders. The 30-second spot culminates in the display of a now infamous-photograph of President Barack Obama bowing to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

Since “Bow to Nobody” was officially released at the  ”Defending Our Defenders” event at Republican National Convention Tuesday evening, it has garnered nearly 112,000 views as Wednesday afternoon.

An official press release on the SOFA website explains that the video “highlights this administration’s fundamental disbelief in strong, American leadership. Our service men and women showcase America’s strength and freedom, but their service is sorely discredited when their leader bows on the world stage. They have fought far too hard.”

TheBlaze caught up with Montana State Sen. Ryan Zinke, a former Navy SEAL commander and chair of SOFA, to talk about the motivations behind the ad and get his take on the 2012 campaign.

“The ad itself accurately portrays where this President is,” Zinke said in an official release prior to our interview. “It accurately portrays his core belief that America should not lead. This President is shaping America to be one of the followers, to relinquish our role as a world leader. I didn’t fight 23 years as a Navy SEAL to watch America bow to anybody.”

Zinke, who said that the Obama campaign’s recent ad in which Bill Clinton speaks of the president’s choice to raid Osama bin Laden’s compound, and that discusses the political, rather than loss-of-life ramifications of a potentially botched mission, was what prompted him to make “Bow to Nobody.” Below is that ad, for reference:

The former SEAL also pointed to the growing number of special operators who have formed political groups to criticize the president over leaking sensitive information to the press expressly for political gain.

A crucial aspect of SOFA for the Montana state senator is that his organization be as “transparent” as possible. He said he ensures that his PAC’s funds and expenditures are all “above board” so as not to give the critics any rope. Pointing to his groups integrity, he added that SOFA’s board comprises former senators, governors and veterans and that they are very careful with fact-checking what they place on their website.

“We are concerned about direction of the country,” Zinke told TheBlaze in an exclusive interviewing following his ad’s release at the Republican convention. “We are concerned about military families. And leaks of classified information.”
Zinke reiterated his dismay that Obama would weigh only the political consequences of a failed bin Lden raid rather than what the “consequences really are” — the “loss of someone’s father, a son.” He decried that with troops in harm’s way, the “number one priority” for a Commander in Chief should not be a political one.
Thus far, Zinke says that SOFA has been well received by special operations community and that although “we’ve taken some criticism from the opposition…if the veterans cant speak who can?” He added that it is the “duty of every vet” to speak out.
“We respect the office of the president. I dislike his policies, not him [Obama]. His direction is dangerous, but I don’t make it a personal attack.”

The 23-year SEAL member who rose to the ranks of commander at (not of) SEAL Team 6, said that one the lessons he learned along the way is that everyone is accountable, “including the president.” To this end, Zinke believes that President Obama does need to be held accountable for releasing CIA documents, which he said was done solely for career-advancing purposes. He referenced the young Navy SEAL who has come under fire for recently releasing a book to illustrate the hypocrisy

“How do you hold SEAL accountable and not the president?” Zinke asked with incredulity

“The president does it to make a movie and get elected,” as opposed to a young SEAL who was actually there

Regarding the Osama bin Laden raid, Zinke believes that, as Commander in Chief, Obama’s role in making the decision to conduct the operation — which Zinke applauds him for — should be recognized, but that there were many involved in setting the stage. “He [Obama] was able to make that decision because our specials operations [forces] are so well trained.” The Montana native gave credit to the Air Force and all other branches of the U.S. military, as well as our intelligence agencies and in particular, the Bush administration for making bin Laden a priority for so long.

Zinke, who believes that part of leadership means ensuring U.S. troops are well-equipped, said that if Obama is reelected the economy will suffer another devastating blow that will in turn effect the military.

“I believe in American exceptionalism,” the Montana Republican stressed. “Our role is to lead by example.” As the last great superpower the state senator said that he hopes America will not have to rely on coalitions and allies to defend ourselves moving forward in the wake of a potential Obama second-term.

He added that the service men and women he meets with all seem to be on the same page, and that that is why we are seeing a growing contingent of veterans speak out against this administration’s policies.

“The military should remain apolitical, but as a veteran, I think it’s a duty of ours to speak out and be an active participant,” Zinke told TheBlaze.

Moving forward, “Bow to Nobody” is bound to cause controversy and Zinke is prepared. He said that he anticipates bullying and misinformation from the usual host of critics, but that he also hopes the other side of the aisle would actually “look at the issues.” With security breaches affecting our troops he asked if it is really “in our best interest” to dismantle and discredit military. “I am respectful of the other party,” Zinke told TheBlaze. “If the opposition has a compelling argument, we will hear them out, but I think we need to have a debate.”

Zinke said he is also prepared to be compared to the “Swift Boat” veterans, which he adamantly claims SOFA is nothing like. “We are no swift boat,” he said before explaining that troops are done a grave disservice when veterans start fighting veterans. “I have chosen not to criticize the few vets who have been used as surrogates.”

“I am confident when Americans are informed…they will choose a change in leadership,” he added.

For reference, the ad, “Bow to Nobody,” is featured below. It opens with the Zinke reciting the poignant line that, as a Navy SEAL:

“We sacrifice not because we have to, bleed not because we want to…we fight because we need to, and sometimes we die. Because we love this country.”

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Comments (45)

  • Baja
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:20am

    It’s amazing how the very people, whose beliefs and ideologies our military was trained to defend and oppose since the 1700′s, are the very people running our government from the very highest levels on down.

    Report this comment

    Baja  
  • pirate052
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:22am

    I stand behind the Seals 100%. Bow to no one, especially if you are the leader of this great nation, i forgot we have a communist at the helm.

    Report this comment

    pirate052  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:46am

    …
    We all should send notes to Obama stating “Stop bowing to our enemies.”

    Report this comment

    LeadNotFollow  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:19am

      To the SEALS….THANK YOU….
      To the pot in the PEOPLES WHITE HOUSE….GET OUT!!!!!!!

      Report this comment

      banjarmon  
  • blazingaway
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:45am

    I am going to listen to this ******** dick Clinton tell me about making difficult choices when that ass wipe couldn’t … What a limp dick.

    Report this comment

    blazingaway  
  • david3755
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:22pm

    One thing is for sure. These guys don’t need any more time on the range. They have hit not only the 10 ring but the x-ring. Every shot is on time and on target. Keep sending it.

    Report this comment

    david3755  
  • SlushPuppyKing
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:25pm

    Really guys? Our president bowing ticks you all off THAT much? Pretty sure President Adams bowed to the king soon after we defeated them as a sign of respect and open up trade between our nations.

    Obama is still having us kill folks in Afghanistan, kill people via drone strikes, and did make the executive decision to take out Osama. That isn’t enough to make you “Blaze” types happy?

    Report this comment

    SlushPuppyKing  
    • dennisS
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:28pm

      No! We don’t like communists. What part of that don’t you understand?

      dennisS  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:46pm

      He looks like some goof ball idiot doing it and so much of it like some boot licker but then again I bet he has lots of practice licking Soros @ss everyday

      Its embracing

      Report this comment

      Mikev5  
    • mrqstixx
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:03am

      Yes.

      Report this comment

      mrqstixx  
  • F_This
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:58pm

    I know I’m dreaming, but since the head Muslim in charge has no respect for our military, they all ought to vow not to follow a single order from the POS Odumbo. What the heck could he do about it if they all agreed to do so? Cower in the corner praying from the Koran.

    Report this comment

    F_This  
    • SlushPuppyKing
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:21am

      Sounds good. I’m sure our boys would love to come home from an unjust war and the people of Afghanistan could use a break. Osama was in our ally Pakistan’s country anyway so we should cut them a little slack :)

      Report this comment

      SlushPuppyKing  
    • Bill Rowland
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:39am

      I took the oath every time I reenlisted – to support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. I did not take an oath too obey every order from someone who has proven that he has not respect for the constitution or for the military who defend it.

      OMG Nov 6, 2012

      Report this comment

      Bill Rowland  
  • hempstead1944
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:38pm

    We are hardly worthy of these fighting men……..

    Report this comment

    hempstead1944  
  • tuppergun
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:59pm

    I will not bow to anyone and sure wont salute obongo!

    Report this comment

    tuppergun  
  • dennisS
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:56pm

    Well bam-bam, you get one thing right in your 51 miserable years on this planet. You know a broken clock is right twice a day. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Castro and all the other two-bit dictators also got a few things right along the way. So don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back, you couldn’t carry a Seals jockstrap!

    Report this comment

    dennisS  
  • denkat56
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:51pm

    god bless our military, gods speed and guidance.

    Report this comment

    denkat56  
  • johnpaulkuchtajr
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:14pm

    Obama can’t relate to Americans because he wasn’t raised like the rest of us.

    When you are bred to hate all the colonial powers, would you not expect Obama to actively attempt to knock us down a peg or two?

    It’s OK. The time for Obama to honor himself is drawing to a close. He can go back to Chicago and Man’s Country.

    Report this comment

    johnpaulkuchtajr  
  • face.chewer
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:07pm

    I wonder if any of these guys ever read any history of the Vietnam war. I don’t remember this type of behavior from the Green Berets.

    Report this comment

    face.chewer  
    • Zipit
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:22pm

      They were probably too busy getting spit on at airports when they got home, and thanking god that they even made it back alive to write such an account! Which were you there Face? A spitter, or someone who thanked them for their service?

      Report this comment

      Zipit  
  • GlennaBeckski
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:04pm

    Our military deserves so much better… Wish I could promise you all a REAL Commander in Chief!! A big Thanks and God Bless to ALL our Military!!! I for one will be donating to SOFA ..tonight. Thank you for Loving this Country and Americans enough to Put your Blood, Sweat and Tears on the Line with your Ads.. Billboards, etc. With all the things going so wrong.. I feel a swell of pride just knowing you guys are out there! THANK U ALL
    Glenna B

    Report this comment

    GlennaBeckski  
  • jwdunn28
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:58pm

    The Darn GOP BETTER start Producing Better Videos / Ads! Get Ron Paul’s team, as they were at least “Epic,” as is the Lefts vides. Music, slow motions, clean voice over, etc. We need to do better, as that Obama add is pretty darn good from a Production-Value Standpoint… and believe me, I know, I’m in the business!

    Report this comment

    jwdunn28  
  • SiToNiTsOrOs1
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:53pm

    KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK SEALS!!! One of the reasons I am honored to live in America is because of the fine men in all of the Special Forces. Navy SEALS are men of HONOR. They are men of God and Country. They are the BEST of America!!!

    Navy SEALS are true Americans and CAN SEE THE TRUTH WHEN IT IS STARING THEM IN THE FACE.

    The BHO administration is NOT honorable AND DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT. They do not know what honor is. They do not accept American EXCEPTIONALISM. They do believe in knocking down America. They do believe in wealth distribution.

    WATCH 2016 AND GET TO KNOW WHO OBAMA REALLY IS. THE SEALS DO INDEED ARE RIGHT ON POINT!!!

    Get on board America. Support these men and all that they hold true. If they call a spade a spade, then always have their backs!

    God bless the SEALS and their sense of the truth and God Bless America!!!!

    Report this comment

    SiToNiTsOrOs1  
  • Dragonfly92667
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:34pm

    Hooyah!

    Report this comment

    Dragonfly92667  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:23pm

    OFF TOPIC RNC UPDATE…..

    Well, it rained about 50% of the day on and off. The Police are thinning out their forces a bit because the protesters are nearly all gone. Almost no one seemed to show up today. If no one shows up tomorrow except the NBPP’s they will face a Police force with no one else to pay attention to.

    Downtown Tampa has been so vacant today it seems that the protesters did a “wicked witch of the west” disappearing act when they got wet.

    More updates tomorrow. : )

    Report this comment

    The-Monk  
  • zoro51
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:19pm

    HOLD EVITA OBAMA TX N SPEECH NON AMERICAN BORN MARXIST IN CONTEMPT for lieing to america and for PAYING his cronies dollars that raised the debt cealing STILl failed policies FAILED soylandra jobs FAILED green jobs FAILED for not opeing the oil pipe line FAILING to not go after black panthers unions and the LEFT OH wait OBAMA IS THE LEFT… IMPEACH N REMOVE NOW

    Report this comment

    zoro51  
  • shortafoot
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:11pm

    Sure glad you cleared that up. thx!

    Report this comment

    shortafoot  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:09pm

    Good article, everyone is indeed responsible from the top on down; especially Obama of the “the buck stops with you” fame.

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:08pm

    Clinton, you hit tents and aspirin factories. You did nothing to take out UBL when you had chance after chance. Instead you were up skirts, making a mockery of our White House!

    Report this comment

    Elena2010  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 4:59pm

    i guess this SEAL wasnt paying attention when Bush bowed to Saudi King. Could we not be hypocrites for just one election?
    http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?idx=150625

    Report this comment

    soybomb315_II  
    • matamoros
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:17pm

      the point is Soy,

      that we shouldn’t be bowing down to anybody, and neither should any of our presidents.

      Report this comment

      matamoros  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:29pm

      then dont pretend it is JUST obama that is evil….speak out against the evil in both parties. otherwise, he is just partisan

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:33pm

      Hi Soybom315,

      No worthwhile pictures yet. Read my RNC update post above. : )

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:40pm

      copy that

      i saw that you were able to gain access inside yesterday. must have been pretty cool

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • Cagey1
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 5:59pm

      I looked at the video you posted. Bush lowered his head so the Saudi King could put a metal, that was on a ribbon, over Bushes head. It was not done in deference to the Saudi King. Bush shook hands with the King, but he never bowed in deference to the Saudi King.

      Report this comment

      Cagey1  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:06pm

      hmmm, well maybe so. I gaurantee they all do it behind closed doors. We give them tons of money afterall

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • sharkeydana
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:08pm

      I looked at the link that you supplied. It shows Bush bending over while sitting down. That’s not a bow.

      Report this comment

      sharkeydana  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:41pm

      soybomb315_II

      You must be blind or crazy be bent down to receive his gift that’s not bowing down is that the best you could find? How pathetic you people get

      Get real

      Report this comment

      Mikev5  
  • blanco5
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 4:50pm

    Oh, barf.

    Report this comment

    blanco5  
    • blanco5
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 4:54pm

      Referring to the “one chance” piece of crap NOT the brilliant “Bow To Nobody.” THAT one is excellent!

      Report this comment

      blanco5  

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