McCain’s courage for this country and its ideals he holds cannot be overstated.  McCain has the highest caliber of patriotism that I can think of in a presidental candidate.  I’m glad Keating is so zealous to defend McCain so well.

Gov. Keating’s response to this thoughtless attack on Sen. McCain is accurate and tells of McCain’s enduring spirit.

Not that prior military service is a ‘shoe-in qualification’ to serve as Commander in Chief, but it is DEFINITELY a positive qualifying factor and should be considered. When Gen. Clark was running for president, he used his military experience as readying him for the Oval Office. McCain should be able to do the same, although scrutiny of anyone’s service record should not be off limits.

Great response to a senseless comment! Recently, I heard someone say that we need an intelligent person in office to lead us (just remembered who it was, I’ll leave that out) during this time of uneasiness and war. Though I’m still trying to swallow the idea of voting for McCain based on some other issues; I undoubtedly believe that he is more than fit to lead us as needed. This is just another example as to why his character and judgment can be much more trusted. It also makes a relevant point as to why experience(s) play such a critical role in who we choose and why he fits the bill as the intelligent leader we need.

Honestly even as a republican, I would like to point out if we are in the business of telling the “whole “ truthful story, lets also point out some key facts:

After being periodically slapped around for “three or four days” by his captors who wanted military information from him, McCain called for an officer on his fourth day of captivity. He told the officer, “O.K., I’ll give you military information if you will take me to the hospital.” -U.S. News and World Report, May 14, 1973 article written by former POW John McCain

“When the communist learned that McCain’s father was Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., the soon-to-be commander of all U.S. Forces in the Pacific, he was rushed to Gai Lam military hospital (U.S. government documents), a medical facility normally unavailable for U.S. POWs. “

“Demands for military information were accompanied by threats to terminate my medical treatment if I [McCain] did not cooperate. Eventually, I gave them my ship’s name and squadron number, and confirmed that my target had been the power plant.” Page 193-194, Faith of My Fathers by John McCain

Forget name rank and serial number, he gave them all the information they needed to know.  Forget not saying anything that could harm your comrades he gave it all up to bet better treatment for himself.  And as for being tortured, 1. last week on the BBC his jailer endorsed him saying that he and John were friends and John was never tortured.  In fact, John taught him English slang and drank tea and played chess with him.  I understand not trusting him but also
“Phoenix New Times, March 25, 1999—Two former POWs, Air Force Colonels Ted Guy and Gordon “Swede” Larson, said in a feature article that while they could not guarantee that McCain was not physically harmed, they doubted it. Both Guy and Larson were senior ranking officers (SRO’s) in McCain’s POW camp at a time he claims he was in solitary confinement and being tortured.
Larson told the New Times, “Between the two of us, it’s our belief, and to the best of our knowledge, that no prisoner was beaten or harmed physically in that camp [known as ‘The Plantation’].
“My only contention with the McCain deal is that while he was at The Plantation, to the best of my knowledge and Ted’s knowledge, he was not physically abused in any way. No one was in that camp. It was the camp that people were released from."”

Be realistic here… Jessica Lynch 507th Maintenance Company and the 3rd Combat Support BN elements who were captured and still gave up nothing are heroes. Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon are heroes they gave their lives to protect and save their comrade not give up information to get better conditions.

I knew of McCain’s history in the military, but unfortunately not to this extent.  I am sure that 75% of America has no idea either.  To me, you can’t get any more patriotic or passionate for your country than spending over 4 years getting tortured day in and day out.  It is nice to see someone of political significance (Gov. Keating) bring something so positive to the public spotlight while so many others are searching for dirt and misdeeds to bring to light.

I think it’s a stretch to look down upon anyone’s service to our country, especially someone with the recognition and longevity that McCain has. The only people with the facts are those who have the first hand account, but let’s just assume that General Wesley Clark’s comments are completely true. McCains public service began before Obama was even born.  Contrast that against Obama’s eight years in the Senate and biggest highlighted past achievement being the less popular choice of the Chicago slums over cooperate America. Although I do admire the service to his community, I believe it pales in comparison to McCain and that it provides no boast to his candidacy for supporters to try and tackle McCains history. 

With that being said, I still consider being stripped of your life and freedom for five years is torture enough to call McCain a hero. Plus the Forrestal incident and his term as POW are just the beginning of his career.

I’m not privy to all the claims mentioned above by Jase (although citing The New York Times should be a clue to the veracity of argument but the article by Mr. Keating was concerned with the character of McCain, not whether or not he is or has been intrepid. A person of good character is not—nor should be—defined as someone who acts perfectly in every respect. The criterion for good character should be the striving to do the right/appropriate thing at every moment but realizing when one falls short of those expectations, honest assessment must be made about the failure and blame should be received. McCain has done this. McCain has been forthright about his un-patriotic moment that has brought him feelings of ignominy ever since. He has also accepted the blame for issues having to do with the termination of his first marriage.  I understand that you, like myself, are probably not completely pleased that McCain is our only republican option, but we must not obfuscate the fact that McCain has proven himself—in good and bad ways—that he is a man of exceptional character willing to accept the truth in open, honest and personal matters. He seems to rise above Barak Hussein (yeah I said it) Obama in this particular category.

Another example of democratic garbage.  John McCain’s experience as a POW not only proves his dedication to the United States, but it is solid evidence that he is a genuine candidate for president.  McCain’s return from 4 years of brutal treatment provides me with the indication that he loves to work for the american people.  I can honestly say that most people in his situation would not return to their home in normal condition.  But McCain fought through all of the horrific memories and took on the challenge of returning to the navy as a commanding officer only a year after release from the prison camp.  His commitment to working with the democrats on a number of issues to help america really proves to me that McCain is the man for the job.  Most republicans complain of his compromising attitude toward democrats, but I disagree completely.  He fights for the american people, even if it means crossing the bounds of party lines.  He realizes that his job as senator doesn’t consist of fighting for the beliefs of his party, but for americans everywhere.  Not only do I believe John McCain’s war history should be a credential for his election, but I believe it should be the core.  I thank him for what he has done.  John McCain has, and always will be my choice for president in 2008.  GO McCAIN!

Yes, McCain is a hero, just like John Kerry. I’m sure you all voted for Kerry instead of that draft-dodger president of ours? Right? Hmm? No? I’m confused by your lack of consistency on such a fundamental issue--war hero equals good commander-in-chief! Lucky for us, Commander-in-Chief is only a part of a president’s duties. Frankly, our country can’t afford (economically) to suffer from another 4 years of Bush/republican rule.

Jerry,

My point isn’t that McCain’s war history proves that he’s a good commander in cheif.  HIS HISTORY proves that he has character.  Did I believe in John Kerry’s views on governent?  No I didn’t.  But I also believe the time he spent in Vietnam should have been used as a credential for his campaign. I didn’t disregard what Kerry did, but im not gonna vote for someone’s views I don’t support.  If McCain can handle what he did in Vietnam, then im sure he can overcome most of the difficulties the white house has to offer.  And if you would have read further… I provided more reasons why McCain deserves to be president other than his experience from Vietnam.  Im sure most of the other posters feel the same way.

Cameron, you make a great point.

McCain does show his character through his history & would be able to handle whatever the white house has to throw at him.

Jase, your comment was interesting, but also lacks truth. If John McCain was never beaten or tortured at all and spent his five years in captivity “playing chess and drinking tea,” how do you explain his inability to raise his arms above shoulder level because of injuries sustained while a POW? The Democrats are currently foaming at the mouth over his choosing not to use email...and yet none of them mention that he cannot type because of his injuries from the war.

While you make an interesting case, the majority of your quotes disagree with facts.