Dowd: McCain "Cheapening" POW Experience

NY Times:

My mom did not approve of men who cheated on their wives. She called them "long-tailed rats."

During the 2000 race, she listened to news reports about John McCain confessing to dalliances that caused his first marriage to fall apart after he came back from his stint as a P.O.W. in Vietnam.

I figured, given her stringent moral standards, that her great affection for McCain would be dimmed.

"So," I asked her, "what do you think of that?"

"A man who lives in a box for five years can do whatever he wants," she replied matter-of-factly.

I was startled, but it brought home to me what a powerful get-out-of-jail-free card McCain had earned by not getting out of jail free. ...

So it's hard to believe that John McCain is now in danger of exceeding his credit limit on the equivalent of an American Express black card. His campaign is cheapening his greatest strength -- and making a mockery of his already dubious claim that he's reticent to talk about his P.O.W. experience -- by flashing the P.O.W. card to rebut any criticism, no matter how unrelated. The captivity is already amply displayed in posters and TV advertisements.

Read the whole story: NY Times

Comments

[supergranny]

"Dancing Queen" by ABBA. Anyone else here feel that picking that as one's favorite song is reason enough to not be allowed to be President of the US. I think a Constitutional Ammendment is in order. I that song from high school. So awful, so sugary stupid, so totally empty, so GOP.

[SwingVoter]

And here is McCain POW record in 2 minutes : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afawZWEtCKc

[allenosuno]

Maybe John McCain didn't get tortured as much as he claims and maybe it IS fair game to question his war hero status. Check this out:
http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/manage.php?submit=view&storyid=658545854

[JumpingCholla]

I'm surprised he doesn't worry more about the collaboration thing. Oh right, records sealed.

[margardner]

McCain plays the victim POW card to try and gather the sympathy vote. How pathetic is that!
He has no new ideas to offer so he needs people to feel sorry for him to try and win this election.
It's really getting old.

He also needs to stop calling everyone his "friends," because they're not.

[jazzman]

Can't remember the difference between Sunni and Shiite? It's OK, he was a POW
Thinks Iran is supporting Al Qaeda? It's OK, he was a POW
Cheated on his wife? It's OK, he was a POW
Was involved in one of the largest financial scandals? It's OK, he was a POW
Can't remember how many houses he owns? It's OK, he was a POW

Why should he be elected President? Why, of course, it's because he was a POW.

[glesslib]

Let McCain blather on and on about his POW experience. It's all good. Rudy Guiliani did himself in with his 9/11 mantra. McCain will do the same. Sad little man. You can only hold people's attention, even people in a war-loving country like this one, by waving the flag for so long.

[ronspri]

It appears the touchstone of his life is his POW experience. If that is his touchstone to all issues I certainly don't want him running my country. If Obama spent as much time speaking of his black experience I am sure you would hear the howling on Jupiter. Even though in those days especially it was certainly no picnic.

[BlackbirdHighway]

And now an important message from the GOP candidate:

(Insert noun) (Insert verb) when I was a POW.

-- I'm John McCain, and I approved of this message.

[Drjimmy72296]

Wow, M aureen is looking old.

[ronspri]

bad news jimmy, happens to us all eventually.

[Phoebe917]

thats real relevant. and also mean.

[DFutureIsNow]

Misplaced the keys again John? This ain't RedState now go back to bed old man you could use an oxygen tank or two.

[levi501]

McCain's experience as a POW is probably the most life changing part of his life. No matter what he will do those 5+ years will define him. Same is true of one of the Olympians or a movie star.

McCain maybe talking too much about his days in the Hanoi Hilton. However, I can't find fault. I spent 12 years in the military and didn't even face combat. Same with McCain, I think about those days as a defining point in my life.

I think if Democrats want the White House they should focus on other issues than McCain. They have plenty of issues to talk about without even having to mention McCain.

[glesslib]

I'd be more than happy to focus on any of the issues that face the country in this election cycle. McCain is the one who seems unwilling or unable to discuss the real issues. That means the discussion will more than likely focus on character issues, This man seems to have no real answers to the problems that surround us. Excusing this lack of a program with POW rhetoric really puts the onus on him to get back to the discussion.

I would think that any voter who is concerned about the country would want to see both the candidates discuss their plans to get the country back on track.

[Egalitare]

Just as soon as McCain talks about the issues instead of telling us how "risky" obama is, we'll be happy to talk JUST issues.

Don't hold your breath waiting for McCain to go on a series of policy lectures.

[StaggerLee]

When you start insinuating that your opponent is a traitor you open a door behind which many ugly things reside. That door should never be opened unless you have absolute proof of your assertion. McCain brought whatever comes on himself.

[rock2casbah]

McCain is using his POW experience to avoid being vetted by the media and the American public . It is also an insult to everyone who endured the horrors of a POW camp, and it certainly is not a qualifier for the President of the US.

My Dad and the veterans I know don't spend a lot of time talking about their experiences, let alone brag about them or use them as a shield to avoid personal responsibiliy. Most are pretty low key and get a little "shy" when publicly acknowledged. McCain's a bit odd to me...

[66rock]

Excuse my ignorance but I want to know.

Can anyone get those military records Unsealed,anyone have that power and what is the possible process??

[anneinwa]

THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION! Let us know if you receive an answer.

[jukesgrrl]

I was under the impression that some journalists have tried. Apparently the Navy doesn't have to reveal anything it doesn't want to. One thing the Navy did confirm is that McCain was not about to become an admiral when he retired, as he has claimed before. I think that whopper should be trotted out every time some Republican starts accusing Biden of plagerism.

[FdeBear]

McCain is just playing on people's guilt. He's not the only person in American history to suffer? His contribution is not any more sacred or worthy of our profound appreciation than those of thousands of others who have contributed to our way of life. And most of them didn't get paid or receive special privileges. For example: check out the story of Fannie Lou Hammer - a woman tortured and beaten savagely in a southern jail trying to help people get the right to vote. I'm sure you all can add your own. As a nation we are fortunate to have such strong and committed people in our midst.

[murphysgirl]

I wonder how long playing the POW card will last? Hopefully from now on more journalists, pundits, commentators, etc..will call on the McCain camp to answer how does being a POW 40 years ago justify being president of the United States?

It's pretty well established that Americans have great admiration for someone who survived the atrocities that he experienced, but I don't think it's an excuse for not knowing how many houses you own or defending why you like the ABBA hit "Dancing Queen."

BTW, John McCain is on the special features portion of Sex and the City. He says that he's a big fan of the show!! I guess you can attribute that to being a POW as well...

[Jsaint]

MCCAIN IS A SNITCH!! THAT'S WHY THEY CALL HIM "SONGBIRD" MCCAIN TOLD THE ENEMY EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED TO ABOUT THE US AND AS BONUS HE MADE A FEW VIDEOS TRASHING THE US. MCCAIN DIDN'T WANT THE EARLLY RELEASE AFTER SELLING HIS COUNTRY OUT.

WHY ELSE WOULD HE FIGHT TO KEEP HIS MILITARY RECORDS SEALED?

WAKE UP PEOPLE MCSNITCH IS A FRUAD!!!

[speeddeeps]

Wow, that is one massive accusation,











but prolly you are right