Is McCain having been a PoW actually relevant?

[rirv]

My grandpa was a prisoner of war during WWII but I think that has absolutely no bearing on his ability to hold a post of great responsibility.

All I've heard from the Republican convention seems to be "McCain is a war hero! Who else could be better suited than him to run AMERICA!" [huge cheer]
But what relevance does it have to his ability to be president?

This isn't an explicit dig at McCain, nor an endorsement for Obama - I can't vote in the election. It is a serious question, so let's not let this descend into mud slinging.

[kaiser soze]

No, in fact I think it is just another facet of their "rule by war" mentality. 9/11, POW, Iraq, "War on Terrorism", Patriot Act, picking fights as we move along

Honestly I see all citizens of Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, and everywhere in the world as POWs....we have little to no control over those who want to wage war, hands tied behind our backs.

[Laver1969]

I viewed last night pretty much as a tribute to McCain's life. Honoring the great soldier who was very brave. It seems like they were going to give him a lifetime achievement award, but instead they said let's let him be our nominee for President.

I can't wait for the debates to see McCain and Obama talk about the issues.

[QueenAdrock]

Having war experience wasn't relevant for Kerry in '04, so I don't think it's relevant now, either. Bush II didn't have war experience, neither did Clinton, and they both ran against war heroes and won.

I'm at least glad to see that the GOP has decided that wearing purple heart band-aids is in poor taste this year. Too bad they didn't think it was in poor taste in 2004. I mean, that was absolutely disgusting.

[NoFenders]

It's relevant in the sense that he's put his life on the line (and then some) for the United States of America. It shows he was proud and honored his country long before he was ever in these political games.That pretty much it in a nut shell.

I'm getting tired of the war story though. I think we all know it by now, and I think after last nights presentation, he's done with it.

:cool:

[rirv]

At the moment - as a semi-interested foreigner - his war hero status is all I know about him apart from he doesn't know how many houses he owns and he adopted a Bangladeshi orphan (I can't decide whether this is a noble thing to do or incredibly patronising.)

Personally, I don't think it's relevant. It's a nice backstory, interesting and commendable, but it's getting mentioned and reported more than his policies, his political exeperience etc.

But then again, what do I know about Obama other than he is black and is a muslim?:confused:

[Whatitis]

Yes, the war stories are wearing very thin.

[Bob]

he adopted a Bangladeshi orphan (I can't decide whether this is a noble thing to do or incredibly patronising.)


i don't see why that would be patronising. as far as i know they love her, and it's not like they parade her around for political gain or anything (not that it would necessarily work; in the 2000 primaries some people actually gave him flack for having a non-white daughter)

anyway my point is is that he's being delightfully private about his family, so hats off to him there

[King PSYZ]

aisde from the statement about how he stopped beating his wife halfway though his campaign...

But between me and you Rirv, no it has no bearing to his leadership skills other than at least he served rather than do coke of hookers tits like Bush. But as far as good ol boy amerikkka is concerned he should be made king for it.

[Documad]

i don't see why that would be patronising. as far as i know they love her, and it's not like they parade her around for political gain or anything (not that it would necessarily work; in the 2000 primaries some people actually gave him flack for having a non-white daughter)

anyway my point is is that he's being delightfully private about his family, so hats off to him there

That used to be true, but it changed during the convention. It wasn't on the national feed -- it was during the earlier speeches only shown on CSPAN, but two speakers in a row one night delivered cringe-inducing speeches about how the McCains were doing a public service in saving that girl. And then they cut to the poor girl who had to smile every time. It was disgusting. Oh, and she was the only one of his 7 children who were sitting in the VIP section that night. She should just be up there as their daughter--as one of many kids-- but she was used as a photo op.

It's a similar deal with is POW story. It's a remarkable story. He made a sacrifice that he didn't have to make. He behaved with honor under circumstances that broke other men. It's a story that other people should tell behind his back. That's how it used to work. Then suddenly he was telling the story himself during his speech. A hero doesn't admit to being a hero. I'm sorry he did that, even though I think he was trying to use the story to win over conservatives -- because the way he told it last night it was how America/god saved him. It was all done very badly.

[BBboy20]

anyway my point is is that he's being delightfully private about his family, so hats off to him thereKind also give him a hats off for trying to represent the party while also distancing himself away from it.

[Burnout18]

I think his war stories do nothing for me, but there are current members of the military, and have family members sitting home watching mccain and listening to his war stories and they mean something to them.

[Bob]

That used to be true, but it changed during the convention. It wasn't on the national feed -- it was during the earlier speeches only shown on CSPAN, but two speakers in a row one night delivered cringe-inducing speeches about how the McCains were doing a public service in saving that girl. And then they cut to the poor girl who had to smile every time. It was disgusting. Oh, and she was the only one of his 7 children who were sitting in the VIP section that night. She should just be up there as their daughter--as one of many kids-- but she was used as a photo op.

hmm i guess i was thinking of 2000 mccain. oops

[travesty]

I think it is incredibly honorable that he served and especially so for how he conducted himeself in captivity but.... wouldn't it have been more heroic to NOT get caught?:eek:

[Documad]

hmm i guess i was thinking of 2000 mccain. oops

A lot of people are making that mistake.

I think it is incredibly honorable that he served and especially so for how he conducted himeself in captivity but.... wouldn't it have been more heroic to NOT get caught?:eek:

The Daily Show's movie on McCain was hilarious tonight. They did a joke about how many planes he crashed before he got caught. I think McCain is a real hero for how he conducted himself. The documentary on him and the other POWs kept with him is very moving. I didn't think anyone could joke about this, but the Daily Show did it.

[Echewta]

Kerrys war service was very important to the Republican party during the 2004 election. Somehow McCains is looked at differently. :confused: