Closing McCain Ad Returns To His Biography

The McCain campaign put out on Friday what could be the last television ad it airs this cycle -- a largely biographical spot that includes footage of his POW years and concludes: "Don't hope for a stronger America. Vote for one. Join me."

The ad, titled "Freedom," is reminiscent of the type of spots the McCain campaign launched at the beginning of the general election when they weren't obsessed with scoring tactical points against Barack Obama and winning news cycles. People, generally, are compelled by McCain's story and know the Senator as a war hero. But that aspect of his biography has been diminished somewhat during the past few months, despite the fact that Obama often praises it and McCain frequently cites it.

Comments

[StillAmused]

Never knew the presidency was a consolation prize for ignoring orders and getting shot down over North Vietnam.

If REAL war heroism were an automatic qualifier for the White House, we'd all be talking about the good old days of the Audie Murphy administration.

Other than empty, unspecific promises to "clean up Washington" and "win" your imaginary wars, anything else to offer before we vote?

[luvienne]

Rocking chair time.

[aWatchmanOnTheWalls]

Same old d*amned POW story! Tired of this fake "HEROISM" story. However, I think McCain has some serious questions to answer to the American people!

Ted Sampley, Vietnam Veteran, Green Beret - Special Forces. Founding member of the National Alliance:-

"For years, McCain has been an unchecked master at manipulating an overly friendly and biased news media. The former POW turned Congressman, turned U.S. Senator, has managed to gloss over his failures as a pilot and his collaborations with the enemy to become America"s POW-hero presidential candidate."

[Snoop2]

John forgets to mention the part where the first thing he did after being captured was to spill his guts in exchange for quick treatment of his wounds............ John is a legend in his own mind!

[collegemadhous]

Although McCain may be a war hero and POW..he is not fit to be President. Being a war hero is not an automatic 'IN' to the White House.

*McCain gave Order of Battle information to the enemy in exchange for individual medical care that wasn't available to the other POWs;

*McCain joined several other turncoats in freely making radio broadcasts for the enemy, knowing they were being used to affect the morale of American troops;

*On several occasions, in violation of the Code of Conduct for Prisoners of War, McCain gave unauthorized interviews to foreign nationals, and to ease their efforts, he spoke to them in their native language;

*It is also a known fact that Col Ted Guy, USAF, another returned POW, was in the process of drawing-up charges against McCain and the other turncoats, when President Nixon gave a 'blanket pardon' to all who had committed offenses while incarcerated as POWs during the Vietnam War;

*Since McCain have been serving in the House and the Senate, he has constantly hindered every effort to resolve the POW/MIA Issue. He did this while posing as a 'friend' of the Issue.

I don't know about you, but I do NOT want McCain with his finger on the little red button..and God help us if Palin..who still can't seem to figure out foreign policies..happens to step in as Commander in Chief. That would be a true butt puckering moment for the U.S

VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN!

[Brightlight]

Maybe 40 years ago he was a hero. He outgrew it too. He is nothing more than a pitiful old, grouchy, man who hates women. Maybe what faculties he has left will serve him well as he retires, reflecting on what a poor pitiful excuse for a human being he's become. Wonder if Cindy will stick around? If she has any self respect left, hopefully NOT.

[gorgonzola2]

no he like women -- to sit on his fa ce

[KeyInfo]

He says he's tested. When and under waht circumstances. Yea he ws a POW but there were thousands others just like him does that make them tested and heroes. A good soldier doesn't get caught. One central theme of his campaign seems to be fight, fight, fight and me, me, me. Whatever happened to treamwork and negotiation? You GO JOHN, straight to the house (one of yours preferably not the WH).

Key

[ewa]

MCain is no Hero and never was he was just a POW like thousands of other Veterans in Vietnam,and as for his Silver Star and Bronze Star they were not earned nor warranted.McCain has let all us Veteran down for the truth go to Vet Vote and see for your self,
Veterans Groups Give McCain Failing Grades. In its most recent legislative ratings, the non-partisan Disabled American Veterans gave Sen. McCain a 20 percent rating for his voting record on veterans' issues. Similarly, the non-partisan Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a "D" grade for his poor voting record on veterans' issues, including McCain's votes against additional body armor for troops in combat and additional funding for PTSD and TBI screening and treatment.

McCain Voted Against Increased Funding for Veterans' Health Care. Although McCain told voters at a campaign rally that improving veterans' health care was his top domestic priority, he voted against increasing funding for veterans' health care in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. (Greenville News, 12/12/2007; S.Amdt. 2745 to S.C.R. 95, Vote 40, 3/10/04; Senate S.C.R. 18, Vote 55, 3/16/05; S.Amdt. 3007 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 41, 3/14/06; H.R. 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/07)

Bill
USMCR
DAV

[llama08]

Thank you for posting this information. Our shabby treatment of veterans is shameful.

[frantaylor]

See that cigarette in McCain's hand while he is in a hospital bed? He was a POW at the time. Soldiers are required by their code of conduct to not accept favors from their captors. Food is not a favor and is to be accepted. Cigarettes are off limits, they are considered favors. Isn't it odd that McCain would show a picture of himself violating the military code of conduct in one of his commercials?

[AnalyzeIT]

McCain and POW's - Left Behind - Mccain did not have honor, but he sure took advantage of the situation.

http://www.nationinstitute.org/p/schanberg09182008pt1

By Sydney H. Schanberg¨September 18, 2008 ¨¨John McCain, who has risen to political prominence on his image as a Vietnam POW war hero, has, inexplicably, worked very hard to hide from the public stunning information about American prisoners in Vietnam who, unlike him, didn't return home.

Throughout his Senate career, McCain has quietly sponsored and pushed into federal law a set of prohibitions that keep the most revealing information about these men buried as classified documents. Thus the war hero who people would logically imagine as a determined crusader for the interests of POWs and their families became instead the strange champion of hiding the evidence and closing the books.

[lucky54]

Sooo who cares. It was how many years ago? Kind of 140 .. get it over Johnny, being a prisoner is not a heroism. Look how many heros like you we made in Iraq.

[SMP]

John McCain has diminished himself...........McCain being a POW had honor at one time...but not any more..........

Nov 4th, we must give John McCain a dis-honorable discharge from the race for President. He has diminished who Americans really are... PROUD HONORABLE PEOPLE..........something John needs to learn, again.

[ewa]

Right on!

[honestpolitician]

"In one week, you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election; that tries to pit region against region, city against town, Republican against Democrat; that asks us to fear at a time when we need hope. In one week, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change we need.....In one week, we can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo. In one week, we can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history. That"s what"s at stake. That"s what we"re fighting for." Obama Closing argument Speech - Oct 28th 2008

http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[honestpolitician]

GO VOTE NOW! Make History! Obama is need of all the votes necessary to create a landslide. Let's make sure that our state turns blue! Bring your friends and family - make it a group thing! Wouldn't you want to say 1 year from now, 5 years from now, or even 20 years from now that you contributed to the most highlighted election in US history? Wouldn't you be proud to tell your kids/grandkids years from now that you voted for this election? It will be the most talked about election for centuries. Voting is a right and a privilege. Let's all make history together!

http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[livesimply]

I'm sure this is news to a lot of people that McCain was a POW over 30 years ago. Unfortunately, lots of people have been POW's in a past life.