Does being a POW qualify you to be President?

[barts]

In her speech Sarah Palin said, "In our day, politicians have readily shared much lesser tales of adversity than the nightmare world in which this man [John McCain], and others equally brave, served and suffered for their country.It's a long way from the fear and pain and squalor of a six-by-four cell in Hanoi to the Oval Office.But if Senator McCain is elected president, that is the journey he will have made."


How exactly does the experience of being a POW relate to being the President of the United States?



If John McCain had not been shot down by the Vietnamese, would he be less qualified than he is now to be the President of the United States?


Why is it that the McCain campaign and now Sarah Palin use the POW card to shield John McCain from legitimate queries about his fitness for the Presidency?

[KennyCannon]

His experience ALONE does not qualify him to be President, but it sure does show what type of leader the man is. I shows that he has the character, judgement, and leadership skills needed.

As I said, his time as a POW does not qualify him to become President but it is a part of the overall package.

He was a military man for 22 years, POW for 5 of them, and 25 years in Government. He has passed countless legislation, and a few meaningful ones along the way.

Almost 50 years serving your Country, being praised by Democrats, Republicans, conservatives and liberals, and showing that he can work with the left to get things done, I believe, does qualify him to be President.

Everyone's "qualifications" are different forthe candidates and everyone judges the candidate differently.

Personally, I have no idea how anyone can argue that Obama is qualified, but some do.

[GHook93]

LOL, much better than a failed community activist, 1st term absentee Senator (who won due to the fact that his opponent was exposed in a crazy sex scandal), who has presented no bills, headed no plans, presented no solution while in Congress, has done nothing to solve any of the corruption in Chicago, has done nothing to help solve the stalemate in IL government (ask any Illinoisan, its a fricking mess and its all Democrats not coming together on a thing; along with an ignorant, corrupt and brain-dead governor) and basically has spend his whole time in the Senate ignoring his job and basically running for President.

Oh yea did I forget to mention a self-proclaimed coke-head!


What John McCain went through, survived and did it with courage! That shows amazing character. This is what you want as a leader! And its not just the POW status! He has a long and proven record. Obama has nothing! Empty suit who makes only promises!

[KennyCannon]

Quote by: GHook93 LOL, much better than a failed community activist, 1st term absentee Senator (who won due to the fact that his opponent was exposed in a crazy sex scandal), who has presented no bills, headed no plans and basically has spend his whole time in the Senate ignoring his job and basically running for President. Oh yea did I forget to mention a self-proclaimed coke-head! What John McCain went through, survived and did it with courage! That shows amazing character. This is what you want as a leader! And its not just the POW status! He has a long and proven record. Obama has nothing! Empty suit who makes only promises!

Well said. You hit the nail right on the head.

[Roger Bartlett]

Does being a POW qualify you to be President?

Does having absolutly no executive experience qualify you? Because that's what Obama and Biden have. They've never led anything, at least McCain has led soldiers and has a highly experienced VP candidate.

[GHook93]

Quote by: Roger Bartlett Does having absolutly no executive experience qualify you? Because that's what Obama and Biden have. They've never led anything, at least McCain has led soldiers and has a highly experienced VP candidate.

Come on now, the Big O has been a failed community organizer and a he has run his campaign! OK I guess you are right!

[thebuescherman]

Quote by: barts In her speech Sarah Palin said, "In our day, politicians have readily shared much lesser tales of adversity than the nightmare world in which this man [John McCain], and others equally brave, served and suffered for their country.It's a long way from the fear and pain and squalor of a six-by-four cell in Hanoi to the Oval Office.But if Senator McCain is elected president, that is the journey he will have made." If John McCain had not been shot down by the Vietnamese, would he be less qualified than he is now to be the President of the United States?

How exactly does Gov. Palin's words mean being a POW is a qualification for President? She's just pointing out that the man has been through thick and thin for our country. It's a testament to McCain's dedication to the country, not to his qualifications. Being a POW does not grant one qualifications to rule. Unless I'm just reading it wrong, Palin is saying the exact same thing.

[Antares]

It's the facade of heroism that gets people all emotional. "He's been through this, he's been through that." Honestly. Any village idiot can serve in the military. But I don't see how Palin's insinuating that we should vote him just because he's been in the army.

[tinybear]

But I don't think that's what Palin is saying. She's saying that what McCain has been through shows strong character and resilience and that's what makes him fit to lead the country.

[Chaossaber314]

Quote by: Antares It's the facade of heroism that gets people all emotional. "He's been through this, he's been through that." Honestly. Any village idiot can serve in the military. But I don't see how Palin's insinuating that we should vote him just because he's been in the army.

FYI, most people in the military don't spend several years in a POW camp. Just thought you should know.

[barts]

Quote by: GHook93 ... , who has presented no bills, headed no plans, presented no solution while in Congress, has done nothing to solve any of the corruption in Chicago,

Is this a factually correct characterization of Barack Obama's record in the United States Senate and in the Illinois Senate? What is the basis for this as an assertion of fact by you? There must be some evidence you can provide or you would not make these claims.

P.S. I just checked some sources of information on legislators and it appears your statement is wrong. Could you clarify for us what you mean, and how you arrived at your assertion?

[xyzer]

I suppose being as community organizer provides some experience. As does being a lecturer in a Law School and being a Senator for a couple of years. Obama can claim that.
Problem is if one digs deeper into the record, it turns out Obama was indecisive and voted present but not Yay or Nay over one hundred times while he was a 1st term Senator. As a matter of fact he has spent much of his Senate career campaigning for president?

Digging into his murky past one finds that Obama associated with a guy named Ayers who was an unindicted terrorist? He also attended a Church which had a hate America message. Ostensibly for the injustices Blacks suffered in the past and are still suffering? The so called racist policies of a country that has a rule of law and equality not common on the world scene. Among Obamas friends is one Retzko an indicted crimminal who helped finance Obamas purchase of a multimillion dollar house? One wonders what the payoff was for that one?

When we bounce Obamas record and experience against that of McCain there is a difference. A difference in experience, service, and in their associates and friends. Obamas record and associations were opportunistic and even suspect in the crooked criminal aura of Cook County and Chicago politics. GHooks refers to that.

The main advantages Obama has are a very friendly press plus a "golden" tongue.

[thebuescherman]

Quote by: Antares It's the facade of heroism that gets people all emotional. "He's been through this, he's been through that." Honestly. Any village idiot can serve in the military. But I don't see how Palin's insinuating that we should vote him just because he's been in the army.

No, not any village idiot can serve in the military. With that type of attitude, it's debatable whether or not you could.

[thebuescherman]

Quote by: xyzer I suppose being as community organizer provides some experience. As does being a lecturer in a Law School and being a Senator for a couple of years. Obama can claim that. Problem is if one digs deeper into the record, it turns out Obama was indecisive and voted present but not Yay or Nay over one hundred times while he was a 1st term Senator. As a matter of fact he has spent much of his Senate career campaigning for president?

In addition, Mr. Obama has sent a couple dozen faxes.

In all seriousness, though, he has done some things. Some ethics bills (boohoo... aka useless), some bill banning development of nuclear weapons (I'm actually kind of happy about that one), another which helps American's see where taxpayer dollars go to (I've never heard of this until now, so it must not be a big hit), and finally something about raising awareness to the situation in the Congo (wtf?). Hardly a riveting performance.

[Jack]

If George H. W. Bush and McCain are any indication, it does help to have been a Naval aviator involved in a crash or accident. (for the sake of accuracy, please note that both were in the Navy, not the Army, and McCain was not a commander of troops.)

[grandpa]

Quote by: Jack If George H. W. Bush and McCain are any indication, it does help to have been a Naval aviator involved in a crash or accident. (for the sake of accuracy, please note that both were in the Navy, not the Army, and McCain was not a commander of troops.)

We've also left the keys to the presidency with a drunk driver. So it really depends on how things get spun, or ignored.

Grandpa h.