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Ear to the Ground

Note to McCain: Ease Off on the POW Talk

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Posted on Aug 23, 2008
John McCain
Flickr / soggydan

Patriotism and sacrifice for one’s country usually make for reliable go-to topics for politicians, but according to Talking Points Memo, John McCain’s detractors and admirers alike are starting to suggest that the Republican presidential hopeful and his campaign honchos dial it down a bit on the subject of McCain’s time as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam.


Talking Points Memo:

Newsweek’s Howard Fineman, for instance, says that the McCain camp is in danger of “trivializing” McCain’s sacrifice.

“I think they are going to it way too many times,” Fineman told MSNBC, adding that “you can’t help but have admiration and respect for the guy” but that “it’s become a crutch in the campaign.”

“I think he is in danger of trivializing it,” Fineman continued. “By the time they get to the convention in St. Paul, there might not be much of it left to use.”

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By Marc Schlee, August 24 at 5:59 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

http://www.counterpunch.org/valentine06132008.html

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By Alejandro, August 23 at 5:22 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Since this reprobate keeps saying that his being a POW qualifies him to be President. Let him release his Military/POW, as well as his medical records so that we the public can determine whether he is indeed a war hero, or did he in-fact as many of his fellow POW’S say actualy reveal Top Secret Information in-order to receive preferintial treatment. We know he’s a liar a theif and a cheat. He may be a traitor. Also, I am a Vietnam Veteran (Combat)and any combat veteran knows that McCain stayed in Hanoi because he would have be court-marshled and drummed out of the Navy had he taken the deal. Not even his Daddy could have saved him.

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By Pacrat, August 23 at 12:35 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Will someone please explain the connection between being a POW and being a military commander in chief? Oh, there isn’t one? Then why does McSame pretend that there is at least in his case?

John McCain is not the only POW from this country - and he won’t be the last. If he has his way there might be many more!!!

Please John that was almost 50 years ago - what have you done for the country lately?

Can this country survive with

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By PatrickHenry, August 23 at 11:06 am #

I hope these guys count.

http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/index.htm

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By augustus, August 23 at 10:09 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

In the 2000 primaries, Karl Rove floated the sinister rumor that John McCain was mentally unstable as a result of his 5 years as a POW. Now in the 2008 election cycle Karl Rove is exploiting John McCain’s POW status as the reason he is qualified to be president and elevating McCain’s experience to hero worship, patriotism that is untouchable, an answer for any McCain flip/lie/forgetful gaffe. Embracing Karl Rove as a friend and advisor to his campaign, John McCain’s mental stability should be questioned.

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By cyrena, August 23 at 9:10 am #

“...“I think they are going to it way too many times,” Fineman told MSNBC, adding that “you can’t help but have admiration and respect for the guy” but that “it’s become a crutch in the campaign.”

~~~~~

Reality check. It’s not a ‘crutch’ for the campaign, like a ‘fill-in’ to stretch other stuff and make it seem like more..It’s ALL HE’S GOT!

And as we see, it’s an illusion, because it simply has ZERO to do with a qualification for president.

The only other thing he has is longevity in the Senate, and THAT isn’t an indication of anything either, if he hasn’t done anything more than involve himself in scandals that exploit the American people.

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By Big B, August 23 at 8:08 am #

All of our past presidents have two things in common. They all achieved powerful positions in life through inheritence, marriage, or wealthy connected benefactor. And non of them had any experience being president of the United States.
Barry has at least had to try harder than most men to overcome his biggest politcal liability (his blackness) that does speak somewhat to his charactor.
Mcsame has “Forrest Gumped” his way through life, taking advantage of the connections of everyone he has ever known, from his father and grandfather, to his wifes business, to yes, the likes of Mr. Keating.
Who gives two shits if this putz was a POW?

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By VietnamVet, August 23 at 6:11 am #

Well, I am still wondering why five years in the Hanoi Hilton qualifies Mr. McCain to be President? Granted, he probably underwent an ordeal that most of us are thankful we did not have to experience, but, and again, why does that make him such a fine candidate to lead this great nation? Hundereds of other military persons have been held captive in past conflicts; does that make THEM somehow an ideal candidate for President? I think not! Mr McCain has voted with Bush 95% of the time, and almost always in favor of continuing the war in Iraq. He, McCain, says he knows how to win wars! Now, just what war has he ever won? None! Sum total. He is over the hill, out of touch, and is only offering his status as a POW! We don’t need an ex-POW for President...we need someone who can turn the Bush disaster round, and turn it around NOW!

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By Anarcissie, August 23 at 5:24 am #

For some time people have been asking in what way having been a prisoner of war qualifies one for the presidency.  That question has yet to be answered by McCain, or anyone else. See
http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/www.alternet.org/95906/

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