On McCain's War Record

By Cernig

Yes, I think there are legitimate questions to be asked by historians about McCain's account of his war experiences. Witnesses to and participants in some of those events have undercut McCain's version. However, it was a long time ago and is only of historical interest, it shouldn't really be part of the current political debate any more than Kerry's swift-boating should have been. However, I'm with John Cole when he says that the Rightie-tighties howling in outrage today but gleefully participating in smearing Kerry then have nothing under their feet but swamp.

No, I don't think making a big song and dance about it is something that will particularly help the Democratic campaign, for reasons that Steven Taylor explains today.

No, I don't think John McCain's military experience particularly qualifies him to be Commander In Chief. "He was a junior officer a very long time ago. So?" That's all that really needs said.

Other Newshoggers contributors' mileages may vary.

Comments

[anderson]

You should find what Wesley Clark just said about McCain's war record:

"I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president."

Ouch.

[Michael]

Google "reverse ace".

[Leah]

The people who are making an issue of this are McCain, the media and the right. Clark's discussion of McCain on "Face The Nation" was measured and respectful, but it did seek to put McCain's actual military experience in some kind of national security context. Bob Schieffer could barely contain himself. How dare a four star general question the biography-as-destiny Maverick and Commander; after all, Barack Obama has never flown a fighter plane in combat and never been shot down, which was the comment that produced Clark's observation that such experience was hardly a qualification for President.

And, BTW, is Ben of Politico going to check out how Wesley Clark is routinely denigrated in right-wing blogs, despite his own record of service, which includes having continued to command his troops despite having received four separate wounds.

I agree that Clark probably should have left it alone, but it's still infuriating that only military service done by right-wingers seems to count. I don't remember Schieffer ever getting upset about the fact that George McGovern's experience in WW2, in which he distinguished himself in some of the worst air combat ever recorded, and then volunteered for a second tour of duty flying bombers over Germany, didn't seem to play any role in how his campaign for president was viewed, at the time, or since.

We shouldn't let them get away with these double standards. Let's also remember that in regards to the Swiftboating of Kerry, although it's true that McCain initially said that he disagreed with their imputations about Kerry, and that McCain believed Kerry had served honorably, after that initial statement, he never said another word, campaigned whole-heartedly for Bush, and managed to overlook entirely the many connections between the White House and the Swiftboaters.

[Howard]

Of course Obama wants to put an end to Patriotism as an issue, because Obama is the one who's patriotism is in question! He conveniently condems questioning patiotism, but where was he when his hatchet men came up with General Betray Us??? Also, why isn't Iraq, or Afganistan on Obama's upcoming itinery? Obama knows he can't compete with McCain on the issue of patriotism, so he's trying to make it a non issue. Obama has no experience, except to listen to God Damn America for 20 years!