Why is McCain considered the GOP military "expert".

[11 Bravo]

Upon graduation form the US Naval Academy in 1958, he reported to Pensacola, Florida for flight school. He promptly parked his sled in Corpus Christi Bay during a practice run. After receiving his wings McCain reported to the fleet, where on July 29, 1967, he was shot down on the deck of his own carrier, the USS Forrestal. (OK, it wasn't his fault. An F-4 accidentally released a missile which slammed into McCain's A-4, setting of some ordinance. 144 sailors perished in the ensuing conflagration.) But I fail to see how any special military acumen accrued to McCain as a result of the incident.
Then, on October 26, 1967, McCain was shot down near Hanoi by an Anti-Aircraft missile. I will enthusiastically state that McCain's performance while incarcerated in Hoa Lo Prison was magnificent and I honor him for it. He refused early release from the infamous Hanoi Hilton, and comported himself in the finest tradition of an American warrior.
But what part of crashing two jet aircraft provides one credence as the go-to guy for the GOP on military matters?

[Vincardog]

1. Compared to aWoL McCain is a military genus. The soft bigotry of low expectations.

[Cabcere]

2. Well, how many Repubs have served in the military at all?

:shrug: I'm only being half-facetious here...

[TomInTib]

3. Maybe because he once overheard his father talking to his buddies?

I have never understood.

Hey! I have done a good bit of Hard Time.

Does that make me DU's Legal Eagle?

[DrDan]

4. I think he comes across as that jumpy, nervous infantryman who has lost most of his hearing . . .

[Ikonoklast]

5. Because 'Duke' Cunningham is in jail?

The rest of the GOP military 'experts' are only expert in avoiding any service in the Armed Forces.

[Bitwit1234]

6. Oh didn't you know...

bush flew in missions to protect this country during Viet Nam. He said so.

In one of his private socials, a planted oldster asked him, "Mr. President didn't you fly your jet to protect our country during Viet Nam" and bush answered..."Yes, yes I did." When I read that piece I fell of my chair.

[mmonk]

7. There are so few of them with any real military connections.

Now if you are looking for a deferment parade, you're in luck.