Analysis: John McCain, Party Of One

CBSNews.com's Vaughn Ververs: GOP Nominee Is Charting A Course Of His Own

(CBS)  This analysis was written by CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.

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Heading into the 2008 election, the Republican Party finds itself saddled by an unpopular war, an economic recession and a national mood of pessimism about the future of the country both at home and abroad. It comes at the end of eight years of almost total control of the federal government, and from the presidential level all the way down to state and local elections, the party appears to be in dire straights.

It’s so bad that, according to a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, a generic Democratic presidential candidate beats a Republican one by a margin of 50 percent to 37 percent.

But the presumptive GOP nominee is no generic Republican candidate, and as his general election campaign launches, he’s making clear that he’s not running as one. Party orthodoxy is taking a back seat. John McCain, it appears, is going to be a party of one.

The self-styled maverick who once reportedly flirted with leaving the party he joined as a “foot soldier” has also now become inexorably connected to a war which hangs around the GOP like a political anchor. But rather than seek distance from that inconvenient political reality, McCain is entering into his campaign in a way that binds him even further to war, even while distancing himself from any party at all.

In a choreographed movement, McCain’s campaign released its first ad of the general election just days before embarking upon a tour designed to reintroduce the candidate to the electorate. Launched in the battleground state of New Mexico, the spot once again transported the candidate back to those defining years as a prisoner of war held and tortured by the North Vietnamese.

McCain’s “Service to America” tour begins Monday in Meridian, Mississippi, where he will speak about his family’s long military history, stretching from service under George Washington to George W. Bush. Stops on the week-long tour include Annapolis, Maryland (and the Naval Academy his family has attended for generations) and Jacksonville, Florida - the site of both his departure to and return home from Vietnam.

The tour is billed as a biographical reintroduction to Americans but also suggests that he will not be asking for votes based on an ideological or party platform. No talk of tax cuts or health care policy. Instead, McCain is starting off his campaign by appealing to the nation on a deeply personal level. The underlying message is service. Not only his own but that which he repeatedly talks about in his speeches, urging others to serve an interest other than their own.

Critics will be quick to shrug this approach off as a nostalgic paean to a bygone era and proof of McCain’s desire to continue, if not expand, a war that the majority of voters are unhappy with. But that ignores not only McCain’s history but also his appeal to the kinds of voters both parties will need in November.

In 1996, the Republican Party nominated a war hero as its standard bearer. But Bob Dole was also the very embodiment of the party, a loyal servant whose ascendance had more to do with rank seniority than anything else. Republicans in that election began deserting the Dole campaign almost the minute they left San Diego’s nominating convention.

This time those candidates don’t have the luxury of sloughing off a longtime party fixture facing long odds in order to save their own hides. Even a glance at the GOP’s outlook for regaining lost ground in the House and Senate shows that it’s the brand in trouble, not the candidate at the top of the ticket. In fact, their standard-bearer may be their last, best hope.

For the Republican Party, McCain’s candidacy could prove to be a godsend, despite the fact that a large segment of it fought fiercely against it. Protesting his perceived apostasies on issues ranging from taxes to immigration, conservatives rallied for every last opportunity to stop a candidate once thought to be finished. Increasingly though, even those who fought it are becoming converts to the McCain campaign. At least some GOP operatives now believe they have the best candidate they could have hoped for under the current circumstances.

With the Democratic battle continuing, the GOP is getting a head start on the general election planning. The Republican National Committee and various surrogate operations have been kicking into high gear over recent weeks, raising money and laying out organizational muscle for the battle to come. Undoubtedly a luxury, such advantages will do little to stem the overall tide running against the party.

McCain alone now represents the party’s best chance to hold onto any hope of avoiding a complete blowout in November. While a “generic” Republican candidate is swamped in the polls by a Democrat, McCain fares much better when his name is inserted.

Universally, Hillary Clinton is seen as the best candidate for Republicans to run against. She has the highest negative ratings of any of the three remaining candidates. And, at this point, her unlikely nomination would almost certainly rip the very fabric of the Democratic Party’s coalition.

But while some believe Barack Obama to be almost invincible in a general election matchup, McCain is holding his ground. The most recent CBS News poll shows him within five points of Obama and trailing Clinton by just two. More importantly, McCain leads among independent voters, leading Clinton among that group by 11 points and beating Obama by eight.

Campaign 2008 is shaping up to be a contest of personalities as much as party or policy. The Democrat will be a historic candidate, either the first black or woman nominee of a major party. And everything is going their way - eight years of Republican rule, a struggling economy, a war and uncertainty about the direction of the country.

But the Republican is not beginning his campaign with a series of policy speeches or a platform of ideology. John McCain is running as John McCain, the product of a family whose military service reaches back to the very foundation of the nation; a Navy pilot who spent five years as a prisoner of war in one of the most controversial and unpopular wars in the country’s history; a politician who has earned both the contempt and grudging admiration of his own party. Most importantly, a “maverick” whose membership in the very party he now leads has been questioned.

Someone who has long been accused of being both a shill for his party and a thorn in its side now has to carry its banner into the presidential election. John McCain is beginning his effort by running on his own, not as a member of a political party. And a party of one may be the only thing standing between Republicans and disaster.

[irliberal]

There are three choices for president: Hillary, Obama, McCain.

Hillary and Obama''s platforms are nearly identical and both would end the Iraq war.

McCain quote: "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran".

Vote for Hillary. Vote for Obama. If you want an endless Iraq war and a new Iran war (that makes a war on THREE - count them THREE fronts, folks) then, by all means, vote for McCain.

The rest of this is all hype, distraction, and partisanship. Nothing more need be said.

[Stratmaster7]

If it wasn''t for the fact that he is too hawkish on the war, too volatle in his approach toward Iran, clueless on any issue other than the war, and from recent comments seems pretty clueless on that too... if it wasn''t for all of that he would be a good candidate. Yeah, I could vote for him... if it wasn;t for all of that.

[kenbomc]

The guy is too old. If he actually served two terms, he would be about 80 years old when leaving office. He''s an old guy with old ideas.

[sgtrds]

He''s senile.

[sgtrds]

"In 1996, the Republican Party nominated a war hero as its standard bearer. But Bob Dole was also the very embodiment of the party, a loyal servant whose ascendance had more to do with rank seniority than anything else. Republicans in that election began deserting the Dole campaign almost the minute they left San Diego%u2019s nominating convention."

McCain is this election''s Bob Dole. This is the GOP version of handing him a gold watch as he heads for retirement. They know he hasn''t a snowballs chance in hell of winning, so he''s the token candidate. Next year at this time he''ll be a pitchman for Viagra or Depends.

[tylenol6]

SORRY CBS, RON PAUL IS STILL RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.
YOU ARE JUST NOT COVERING HIM BECAUSE YOU DON''T WANT
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TO KNOW ABOUT HIM. RON PAUL FOR
PRESIDENT......

[lochlan-2009]

The guy is too old. If he actually served two terms, he would be about 80 years old when leaving office. He''''s an old guy with old ideas.

Posted by Kenbomc

A point our informative media insist on completly avoiding. How much wear and tear and stress can a person take at 72 in something as mild as running for president of the United States? I''m picturing him proped up like in the movie "Weekend at Bernies" if the guy even makes it to November.

One thing is for certain, who ever he chooses as his running mate will eventually become our next president, if he wins in November, when McCain either dies from the stress or resigns due to health.

[hawksprings]

This is just so bizarre that McCain is the GOP candidate.

Why doesn''t he just come out of the closet and admit he''s a Democrat and make it a 3 way race for the nomination?

[jonesforch]

Ok when was the last time a Democrat ran and was elected president?.. Jimmy Carter.. President of the United States from 1977 - 1981. So lets vote in another President with no experince.

[jonesforch]

Ok when was the last time a Democrat ran and was elected president?.. With miltary experince? Jimmy Carter.. President of the United States from 1977 - 1981. So lets vote in another President with no experince.

[codetoad]

Mr. McCain, why can''t we open the POW/MIA records? Families of POW/MIA want to know.

Sen. John McCain warmly greeted Vietnam Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet during a 1992 visit to Hanoi. Kiet was a ranking communist party member of the secret Central Committee of the former National Liberation Front (Viet Cong), and was part of the elite clique responsible for setting policies and directing the communist war waged against the pro-democracy Vietnamese as well as U.S. forces in South Vietnam.
As a senior Central Committee member, Kiet ordered American POWs to be punished by execution and helped formulate the Vietnamese communist policy which resulted in the murder of thousands of pro-U.S. South Vietnamese in Hue during the Tet Offensive of 1968. Communist Party henchmen executed over 5,000 men, women, and children, burying many of them alive in mass graves during the brief time North Vietnamese troops held that historic ancient Vietnamese city

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

[jonbodenet]

Mr. Vaughn Ververs: What is all of this tautological verbiage about? It is true that John McCain is not representative of the center or right elements of the Republican Party. Whether or not the American opinion of the War in Iraq is as you describe is open to question. Wendell Johnson, in his essay "You Can''t Write Writing" brings the reader to the concept that "Clarity is a prerequisite to validity." It is certainly difficult to find any validity in your article. Just exactly what do you mean when you say "...the Republican Party finds itself saddled by an unpopular war...?" Do you mean that people are fed up with the way the war is being fought by politicians and media pundits instead of the military? Or do you mean that people no longer believe that Iran will overtake Iraq and create a new stage of terrorist training and exportation? Do you mean that people are convinced that an immediate withdrawal from Iraq will have no ill consequences for the security of the American people? Just what do you mean? Given the circumlocutions that attempt to create an image you may have had some difficulty in Wendel Johnson''s English class.

[cfin5]

SORRY CBS, RON PAUL IS STILL RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.
YOU ARE JUST NOT COVERING HIM BECAUSE YOU DON''''T WANT
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TO KNOW ABOUT HIM. RON PAUL FOR
PRESIDENT......

Posted by tylenol6 at 11:00 PM : Mar 29, 2008--------If I see his name on the ballot, that''s who I''m voting for. Could care less for party line unity. Their the ones who left to the left,.....somewhere. I don''t think that they even know where they''re at. Ron Paul knows exactly where he''s at,......still standing with the Founding Fathers. Voting for him will be better than being able to vote for John F. Kennedy again. Voting for the other three would make me an accomplice to the confiscation of my/your Constitutional Rights.

[jonbodenet]

Mr. Vaughn Ververs: What is all of this tautological verbiage about? It is true that John McCain is not representative of the center or right elements of the Republican Party. Whether or not the American opinion of the War in Iraq is as you describe is open to question. Wendell Johnson, in his essay "You Can''t Write Writing" brings the reader to the concept that "Clarity is a prerequisite to validity." It is certainly difficult to find any validity in your article. Just exactly what do you mean when you say "...the Republican Party finds itself saddled by an unpopular war...?" Do you mean that people are fed up with the way the war is being fought by politicians and media pundits instead of the military? Or do you mean that people no longer believe that Iran will overtake Iraq and create a new stage of terrorist training and exportation? Do you mean that people are convinced that an immediate withdrawal from Iraq will have no ill consequences for the security of the American people? Just what do you mean? Given the circumlocutions that attempt to create an image you may have had some difficulty in Wendel Johnson''s English class.

[wardoglrs]

Not one of these runners are what this country needs.
Whats needed is the constitution to be followed.
Whats wrong with America is you have been dumded downed to the great works and laws that protect you from goverment. Goverment is to heavy handed let the people decide there future. I support Dr Paul and for good reason. I will not try to talk you into him You can go with the goverment or come with us and regain your freedom and future from goverment. Just look back on the past and you will see your future when goverment gets to close.

[cfin5]

"Although we give lip service to the notion of freedom, we know that government is no longer the servant of the people but, at last, become the people''s master. We have stood by like timid sheep while the wolf killed - first the weak, then the strays, then those on the outer edges of the flock, until at last the entire flock belonged to the wolf." - Gerry Spence, From Freedom to Slavery

[rockdad50]

This CHALLENGE was issued during an interview with INSIDE EDITION on January 17, 2008.

John McCain, family members of Vietnam POW/MIA(s) have been waiting for more then 14 years for you to have the courage to face them eye to eye in front of the American Public - Here is your opportunity for some "STRAIGHT TALK." Stop hiding behind your fabricated "War Hero" persona. You know we can prove your collaborations with declassified government documents . . . It is time for the American people to get to know the REAL John McCain - the John McCain that the POW/MIA families witnessed during the 1991-93 US Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs .
EDUCATE YOURSELF AT:
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/

[on_alert247]

Well RockDad,

I educated myself, watched the videos and have concluded that this is nothing more than innuendos and a disagreement on whether to declassify the debriefs of some of the POWs. I agree with the Senator on this one. Ms. Alfond seems a bit self serving. As for suggesting he got preferential treatment, the record shows only initially he did. There is ample video, interview and physical evidence that he was tortured and suffers today from the beatings.

[danstoned]

"Who do you want to pick up the phone at 3:00AM?" Certainly NOT John McCain!

Theres a political party in the USA that now practices the same ideology as those that killed the "boys" buried in France that died to defend the freedom of Western Europe and the USA in WWII. They are the Republicon Party, Americas Fascist Party practicing the same broken idiology of Nazism, Italian Fascism, and Japanese Imperialism while wrapping themselves in the US flag..

[paladin777-2009]

I echo the sentiments of other posters: McCain would not be a good choice for president. Also, Dr. Ron Paul is still in the race, so McCain is still running for him (even though McCain has already secured enough delegates). But Obama or Hillary would be a much better choice than McCain because of McCain''s ties to lobbyists and his involvement in the Savings and Loan Scandal. Also, McCain has passed McCain-Feingold which effectively stiffled free speech and McCain-Kennedy which is pseudo-amnesty for illegal immigrants. And then there is the war, which McCain thinks we should be involved in for 100 years (perhaps even have permanent bases in Iraq). If you support the troops, go see "Stop Loss" and then ask how clueless politicians can ask our troops to keep fighting a no-win war that harms American troops and makes us less secure.

[oleander8]

The mood in America is ''anyone BUT a Republican''.

[nowarforzion]

A premature withdrawal from Iraq would endanger Israel, John McCain said.

http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/107735.html

--------------------------------------------

John McCain, NeoCons, the Israel Lobby and Weekly Standard (USS Liberty and Ron Paul mentioned):

http://neoconzionistthreat.blogspot.com/2008/03/make-people-aware-subscribe.html

Here is a tiny URL of the above one:

http://tinyurl.com/358b8c

Here is the direct link for the youtube of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfLeZXrluZw

Be sure to also access both pages of http://NEOCONZIONISTTHREAT.BLOGSPOT.COM (click on the pictures).
Founding Father George Washington warned US against the passionate attachment (like we have for Israel) in his Farewell Address which is included near the bottom of the following URL:

http://astandforjustice.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6 Signs the U.S. May Be Headed for War in Iran (for Israel)

http://www.itszone.co.uk/zone0/viewtopic.php?t=71055&start=670

Here is a tiny URL of the above one:

http://tinyurl.com/39qkun

http://NOMOREWARFORISRAEL.BLOGSPOT.COM

[iceman_1960]

RE: "A premature withdrawal from Iraq would endanger Israel, John McCain said."

That"s what the headline says.

The McCain quote mentions Israel only in passing.

[iceman_1960]

"Today we are not alone," [McCain] said. "There is a collective powerful voice of the European Union, and there are the great nations of India and Japan, Australia and Brazil, South Korea and South Africa, Turkey and Israel, to just name a few of the leading democracies."

Israel is mentioned as just "one of the bunch."

[iceman_1960]

It is my firm belief that in the general election, when the public gets to know these two men, the superior brains and character of Barack Obama will eclipse the bumbling John McCain.

The difference is their strengths is too great even for a Karl Rove too obscure.

It will be Jack Johnson vrs. James Jeffries all over again.

[iceman_1960]

The difference is their strengths is too great even for a Karl Rove to obscure.

John McCain as "the Great White Hope" will have to be carried out of the ring.

[harrydoghiny]

Monica is vilified for performing the exact same service on the Big Dog that cBS is now performing on McCain. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! Loosers... (sic)

[iceman_1960]

I"m surprised the political cartoonists haven"t seen the obvious parallel between John McCain and James Jeffries, the "Great White Hope" who foolishly got into the ring with Jack Johnson.

"I am going into this fight for the sole purpose of proving that a white man is better than a Negro" - James Jeffries said.

Jeffries" corner had to throw in the towel to save him from being knocked out.

[frogprophet]

How can anyone Ronald P. is a viable candidate. The man is a loony toon fit for another adventure with Alice in Wonderland. He''s a dumb domestic turkey in the wild woods, a fish on a baited hook, the lead lemming. Only in Texas, where failure is rewarded with a governorship and presidency could a whacko like Willard Milton Romney (why doesn''t he use his real name?) got as far as he has today. He is cheap entertainment, a political comedian of sorts. RIP RP

[firstnation2]

What a hoot! A website for children. Barack Hussein Obambi is a deer in the headlights. His Wright is wrapped around his neck like an albatross. The American people know who is serious about protecting their nation and who is made of words and not od deeds. If the Demos think they got a whipping with McCarthy - just wait till Nov 12.

[firstnation2]

Four Stumps in the Water for Obama
By Charles Lipson

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/03/four_stumps_in_the_water_for_o.html

[firstnation2]

Obama Overstates Kennedys'' Role in Helping His Father

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/29/AR2008032902031_pf.html

[firstnation2]

"The real issue is this," John Dean, DNC Chairman said in March 2004, when endorsing formal rival Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. "Who would you rather have in charge of the defense of the United States of America, a group of people who never served a day overseas in their life, or a guy who served his country honorably and has three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star on the battlefields of Vietnam?"

McCain, by the way, has been awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

[ranger1948]

IF mCcAIN WOULD CHANGE HIS STANCE ON STAYING IN iRAQ AND ADDRSSING THE PROBLEMS HERE AT HOME I THINK HE WOULD PICK UP A LOT OF VOTES VERY QUICKLY. I THINK THESE TWO ISSUES WILL COST HIM THE ELECTION AND I DO NOT WANT TO SEE OBAMA ELECTED AS PRESIDENT.

[firstnation2]

Really? One question for the future Indonesian/Hawaian/Daley Chicagoan Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful nation on Earth - "Yo, Obamessiah - ever been in so much as a fist fight?"

Yeah, Obama is so smart that he can''t recognize a con artist (Rezko) or a racist anti-American black seperatist (Wright) and you want to trust him with the nuke football?

To much of that "Progressive" Kool-Aid tonight?

[cattlekate]

"A self-styled maverick?" Vaughn Ververs - please show me where on McCain''s web page is there ANYTHING different from Bush&Co?

[fibonacci_]

firstnation2, I dont know if I trust people more if they have been in a fist fight. You sound like a jingoist! LOL.

[mcvet]

Really? One question for the future Indonesian/Hawaian/Daley Chicagoan Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful nation on Earth - "Yo, Obamessiah - ever been in so much as a fist fight?"

Yeah, Obama is so smart that he can''''t recognize a con artist (Rezko) or a racist anti-American black seperatist (Wright) and you want to trust him with the nuke football?

To much of that "Progressive" Kool-Aid tonight?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by firstnation2 at 06:21 AM : Mar 30, 2008
+ report abuse

You sound awlful angry, even for a fascist! Maybe you need to tell the people how McSame is going to do anything different than you have in the past. I hardly think attacking the Senator for Illinois is going to win the day for you this time. There''s just way to much failure and Incompetence for that to work. Sieg Heil Bush

[joyous88]

It is really simple,

If you like whats been happening to our country vote McSame

If you want the war in Iraq to last 100 years
vote McBushCain

If you want the wealthy on wall street to get more of YOUR money, your tax dollars,
vote McBushCain

If you like to see the richer ger richer while the tax dollars you send in never get to a disabled veteran, vote mcsame

a republicon vote is a wasted anti american vote

[pelosisaho2]

MCVet,

If anyone is a Fascist, it is you and your like-minded friends like Tucker, Grazingjacka&&, Loserman and Iceboy. Grow Up.

I frankly doubt you have even served in OUR military, buddy. To support a coward and racial hypocrite like Obama speaks volumes about you. Furthermore Obama, the "tar baby" can''t even seem to ween himself away from his bigoted Black Nazi Rev, just as he can''t keep from bussing his lips up against Senator Byrd''s wrinkled white-sheeted posterior.

But hey, call yourself a vet and support this fetchit. If you had brains they''d be located up your a%%, along with the dynamite you use to blow them out.
Don''t forget to scream sieg heil with the rest of the Barack HUSSEIN Obama - Blame America, Hate Israel, and LOVE your neighborhood Nazi, whether he be Black (Wright) or White (Byrd) crowd as the door slams you on your kiester.

[pelosisaho2]

if you want to be a coward, do what joyboy wants

VOTE for Stepin'' Fetchit

if you want ILLEGAL aliens taking American jobs, do what joyboy wants

VOTE for Stepin'' Fetchit

if you want higher taxes, a less secure America, do what joyboy wants

VOTE for Stepin'' Fetchit

and...if you want more 9/11s especially of the nuclear variety, do what joyboy wants

VOTE for Stepin'' Fetchit. Because Boy Obama, coward, race hypocrite, and Islamist appeaser that he is, surrounding by his hate America advisers (Brezinzski, Lake, Power and Malley) will DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to defend this country. Period.

Case Closed. Left Nazis like joyboy, prove OTHERWISE.

[runningralph]

I like him. I think he would do a good job. And if he picks a good running mate, he could win. I feel like I''m in good enough shape, and he''s not much older. Hillary could probably do OK as well, but I never cared for her husband. Barack is a smart man, but he is another one just like the other one- Bill Clinton. Lewinsky/Sinclair = unable to control themselves.

[hypnotoad72]

Whomever can get Bloomberg or Dobbs to be VP gets my vote.

[cattlekate]

Posted by Pelosisaho2 at 07:27 AM : Mar 30, 2008

*sigh*

This is someone who will vote against his own best interest, thanks to the influence of hate radio and faux news.

Obama is a once-in-a-lifetime statesman and civil servant - a brillant, thoughtful man, broadly traveled, and not encumbered with owing favors to corporations, lobbyists, and friends.

God help us if we get 4 more years of Bush&Co.

[iceman_1960]

Pelosisaho2, our resident Klansman, is making his night ride a little late today.

[iceman_1960]

"Nice way to deflect attention from the unprecedented division in the Democratic Party, CBS News."
- Posted by earthlives at 08:10 AM : Mar 30, 2008
-------------------

Not unprecedented at all. This is nothing compared to the "Days of Rage" in Chicago in the 60"s.

The GOP may be the Party of Robots, but the Democratic Party never has been that.

[perceptions5]

Don''t know how the Dems are going to win in November with two junior unqualified Senators that are way off to the left-wing side of politics.

And how can they, the Dems, win the White House when they only recognize 48 US States?

Watch how Michigan and Florida respond to the party that "truely" doesn''t count all the votes.

If only the Democrats had just copied the Republicans they wouldn''t be in this situation.

But that "bad move" by the DNC shows once again why the Democrats don''t deserve more power.

Just look at our 110th Do Nothing Democrat Congress with the lowest approval ratings in the history of Congress as proof.

Where am I wrong?

[pollroller1]

I keep reading that we have lost the war. We have not lost the war. There are people making billions off of this war and the american tax payers are footing the bill. Sounds like a win to me. Oh I know, us peasants may be looking at it as a loss, but the ones at the top that are raking in the money see this war as a big winner. It all depends on where you sit. If you are at the top, it''s a big win. If you are at the bottom and are a taxpayer, well that''s a whole different story.

[georgew1956]

admired by all ( but not presidential )

none of them are honestly

[gkc99]

"Look at the photo and the caption: "John McCain is administered to in a Hanoi, Vietnam, hospital as a prisoner of war", and Johnny is SMILING. This photo appars to be PR for North Vietnamese during the war. Where''''s all the indignation over McCain working FOR the enemy? Hanoi Johnny: Captured, Now He works for THEM!"--Posted by GladImNotOJ


Not just that, but reportedly McCain made propaganda broadcasts for North Vietnam.

I don''t fault anyone for doing what they must to survive, although if the NV were such monsters, why isn''t McCain now decaying in a shallow grave?

But a war her? I think not. Admiral''s son gets pushed through Annapolis, then his arduous duty is bombing and napalming Vietnamese villages, returning to the air conditioned aircraft carrier, while hundreds of thousands of real U.S. war heros sweated in the jungle. Shot down, he received medical treatment, and did what he had to to survive.

But is that heroism?