What another POW thinks of a McCain presidency...

Doctor Phillip Butler is a 1961 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former light-attack carrier pilot. In 1965 he was shot down over North Vietnam where he spent eight years as a prisoner of war. He is a highly decorated combat veteran who was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merits, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Heart medals.

http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,164859_1,00.html

If people who went to school, served in Vietnam, and were even a POW with him are not fully behind the man... it's hard to understand why we should be. The man who wrote this article served with McCain during some of the defining moments of his life, so I think his opinion is worth being considered. Notice, however, how the mainstream media has not paid any attention to this. That might be because as much as everyone (especially the right) likes to eschew this idea of the "liberal media", the reality is that John McCain and the media have a very cozy relationship. You can read a little more about this relationship here:
http://mediamattersaction.org/freeride/myths/

I think everyone who keeps using John McCain's status as a POW to allay criticism about his infidelity, treatment of women, policies, constant public gaffes, and distance from the common American need to read this op-ed in its entirety. McCain was 894 of 899 in his Naval Academy class... not exactly what most people would call a standout. In fact he was damn close to last. Many people say the only reason he graduated and got to fly planes was because his father and grandfather were 4-star admirals in the Navy. Now although there is probably no way to prove that, it's not hard to imagine how some of the other graduates of the Naval Academy might see such an event in that light. He managed to crash two planes and fly one into telephone wires. He seems to show incompetence left and right. Yet somehow he is a presidential candidate. Does this remind you of anyone? (Hint: he's probably down clearing brush at this very moment)

My point is this... McCain, for as much as he talks about his experience, seems to never have been much of a standout when it comes to achievement in his life besides getting born into a highly decorated Navy family and marrying (after cheating on his first wife) a very rich woman. Being on the earth more years than someone else doesn't make you more qualified. Everyone gets older... that doesn't mean you have any more judgment than the next person. McCain lacks the judgment that it will take to turn this country around. He is a panderer, not a strong leader. He will say whatever he has to to be elected, even if it means ignoring experts on the subject (i.e. the gas tax holiday).