McCain's bravery, as seen by one man imprisoned with him

Let’s not forget how the GOP formed in the aftermath of the death of the Whig Party, one hundred and fifty years ago, give or take

It's hard to forget. My family was there and helped form it: Free Land, Free Labor, Free Men. We formed it to stop the Southern malignancy from spreading. It wasn't long before we had to come acallin' with lessons on how to treat your fellow man. Been back a time or two since. Little Rock hosted the 82nd Airborne while Eisenhower was President. Then we sent some lawyers, lots of lawyers. I bet ya'all enjoyed their company.

Don't worry, we'll be around awhile yet. Matter of fact we enjoyed our little vacations so much we just may drop in one of these days.

There is one thing you should never do and that is to impugn a POW.

While I'll NEVER impugn what a POW went through, I'll never agree that that alone makes him fit to be CIC. To say because one suffered in war as a POW, he should be CIC is akin to saying because one almost electrocuted himself plugging in the toaster, he should be an electrical engineer; because he was injured shaving, he should be a brain surgeon; because he once had to write a 'Thank You' note to his grandparents, he's automatically a candiate for The Nobel Prize in literature. etc.

And I'd suggest that a divorce after a forced 5 year separation during which both parties suffered severe physical injuries and emotional trauma says absolutely nothing negative about the character of either husband or wife.

McCain was married to Carol for eight years after he returned home from Vietnam. When he met a younger, richer woman that could help advance his lust for power and the presidency, he kicked her to the curb (after years of reported infidelities).

I think that says a lot about character. But you're entitled to your opinion.

Comparing McCain to Reagan and Churchill is a bit over the top, IMO...

McCain demonstrated more personal courage than either Reagan or Churchill were ever required to. McCain is not likely to approach even remotely the greatness that Reagan or Churchill exhibited as political leaders. Personal courage is a quality that should be taken into account when picking a political leader. It shows steadfastness in the face of pressure, which is helpful in the event that a leader needs to go against the prevailing opinion of the masses or the elites.

Not every leader has had the opportunity (or misfortune) to be required to demonstrate his courage. Lincoln had no military experience, Reagan very little. Good conservatives like Jim DeMint, Fred Thompson or Bobby Jindal may have had little or no military experience, and probably could not match McCain for courage in the face of bodily danger. But they would make better Presidents than McCain, because policy positions and steadfastness in the face of political pressure is more important in a leader than raw courage. You should have courage, but it should be courage in your convictions. And the convictions need to be worthy. Otherwise, we could just search the nation for the bravest soldier, firefighter or cop and annoint him President. But then, we might end up with Jim Webb, George McGovern, Bob Kerry or Jim Stockdale as President. We're not looking for a courageous idiot, we're looking for someone who can lead us away from socialism. McCain may be better than Obama, but a Churchill or Reagan, he is not. The two things are different.

John McCain, I salute your conduct as a POW. You are a man among men. Why did you cut Phil Gramm loose so fast if you are so fearless?

When he met a younger, richer woman that could help advance his lust for power and the presidency, he kicked her to the curb (after years of reported infidelities).

This is your interpretation, and it's a remarkably uncharitable one. I don't know if you knew the McCains personally, but even close friends of couples who divorce never really know both sides of the story. Even the children usually don't. The only people who know everything about the breakup of a marriage are the husband and the wife - and that's why it's unwise to make judgements about the character of those whose only "crime" was to divorce their spouse.

I’m with you on the republican meltdown, the RINO’s that they have become... but I think voting for him would only encourage them.

I plan to pull NO lever for Pres. and then straight Republican for congress.

the more I think about it the more I believe it is time for some election reform. Bill clintoon got elected with little over 40% of the vote. That means 60% voted AGAINST him, but were split between Bush and Perot.

I would be in favor of a run-off election between the top two.

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