Obama/Biden vs. McCain/Palin

[Numbers]

Whether you agree with Mccain's position on the war or not doesn't matter. The POW thing is mentioned because it shaped him and because it puts him in the light of having formed his decision while being sympathetic to the tragedies of war. This isn't some favored son who's never faced horror and atrocity. Whether you agree with him or not, you do have to acknowledge that he has an understanding of the horror of war. That's why it is constantly highlighted.

Absolutely. But he also was right behind Bush in the run-up to the war in Iraq. That's the part that matters to me. I'm sure everyone in Iraq today has an understanding of the horror of war. It doesn't mean that they would have good judgment in making decisions about whether or not to lead us into another one.

And that's a legitimate conclusion. I'm just trying to offer a rationale for this particular portion of his history being highlighted. I'm by no means a 100 percent Mccain supporter, and I do hope that people look for facts behind soundbites. Then when we have reached our conclusions, we may not agree, but we can at least respect that some reasoning went into our decisions.

[greenback44]

I think the reason the countless reincarnations of the POW story doesn't sit well is because many Americans are tired of the Iraq war and what's perceived as a hawkish, militaristic approach to foreign policy. To many, it represents more of the same and it also underlines an out of touch approach to real domestic issues Americans are facing daily. There is no doubt that people respect his sacrifice for our country, it's just that pertinent domestic issues have been neglected while fighting what some would consider an unjust war.

Shameless bump, but no one has a comment about this POW leverage rationale?

I thought your Brian Barton/Rick Ankiel comment worked better.

This thread is nearing a lockdown and it's not Leroy's fault.

[Socnorb11]

Whether you agree with Mccain's position on the war or not doesn't matter. The POW thing is mentioned because it shaped him and because it puts him in the light of having formed his decision while being sympathetic to the tragedies of war. This isn't some favored son who's never faced horror and atrocity. Whether you agree with him or not, you do have to acknowledge that he has an understanding of the horror of war. That's why it is constantly highlighted.

Obama growing up as a black man in America probably had a great deal to do with shaping him. He's certainly not playing that card....... not once. Why? Because he doesn't stand to gain politically from it. McCain stands to gain political leverege from being a POW.

By all means, let not use something that is one of our strengths. The fact remains that it puts him in the light of understanding the consequences of his decision. That is legitimate whether you agree with his conclusion or not.

Oh, I don't blame him for using it. I just don't think you can base an entire platform on it, and that's basically what he's doing. At some point it becomes propoganda, and that's a shame for him.

[Michael]

This thread is nearing a lockdown

Yup. Some posters can't control themselves.

[sighyoung]

Whether you agree with Mccain's position on the war or not doesn't matter. The POW thing is mentioned because it shaped him and because it puts him in the light of having formed his decision while being sympathetic to the tragedies of war. This isn't some favored son who's never faced horror and atrocity. Whether you agree with him or not, you do have to acknowledge that he has an understanding of the horror of war. That's why it is constantly highlighted.

Absolutely. But he also was right behind Bush in the run-up to the war in Iraq. That's the part that matters to me. I'm sure everyone in Iraq today has an understanding of the horror of war. It doesn't mean that they would have good judgment in making decisions about whether or not to lead us into another one.

And that's a legitimate conclusion. I'm just trying to offer a rationale for this particular portion of his history being highlighted. I'm by no means a 100 percent Mccain supporter, and I do hope that people look for facts behind soundbites. Then when we have reached our conclusions, we may not agree, but we can at least respect that some reasoning went into our decisions.

Fair enough.

[docellis]

I think the reason the countless reincarnations of the POW story doesn't sit well is because many Americans are tired of the Iraq war and what's perceived as a hawkish, militaristic approach to foreign policy. To many, it represents more of the same and it also underlines an out of touch approach to real domestic issues Americans are facing daily. There is no doubt that people respect his sacrifice for our country, it's just that pertinent domestic issues have been neglected while fighting what some would consider an unjust war.

Shameless bump, but no one has a comment about this POW leverage rationale?

I responded but it didn't make it to the next page.

[sighyoung]

This thread is nearing a lockdown

Yup. Some posters can't control themselves.

I've been quite thoughtful. And charming.

[Numbers]

Does John McCain actually know when the Russian Empire was? And does he know that it hasn't existed for close to 100 years?

We must stop Czar Putin!

I'm opposed to the eye roll icon, but this is where I would use it.

Are you mocking me or McCain?

You, but only because I'm safe behind my computer screen where I don't have to face the consequences. I was just implying that Russia has been in recent history, and still is a legitimate threat.

[fulldeck]

Whether you agree with Mccain's position on the war or not doesn't matter. The POW thing is mentioned because it shaped him and because it puts him in the light of having formed his decision while being sympathetic to the tragedies of war. This isn't some favored son who's never faced horror and atrocity. Whether you agree with him or not, you do have to acknowledge that he has an understanding of the horror of war. That's why it is constantly highlighted.

Obama growing up as a black man in America probably had a great deal to do with shaping him. He's certainly not playing that card....... not once. Why? Because he doesn't stand to gain politically from it. McCain stands to gain political leverege from being a POW.

You really cannot compare these two things to each other.

[JG1982]

Has anyone checked on McCain's mom lately?

All this excitement..