McCain's War Hero Status
Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his supporters have, throughout his political career, made reference to his experience as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.1
However, comments made by retired general Wesley Clark on June 29, 2008, imply that, while the honor of McCain's service cannot be questioned, those experiences may not be relevant considerations in the campaign for the White House.1
Fast Facts
- The validity and value of John Kerry's service was questioned during the 2004 presidential election1
- John McCain spent five years in a prison in Hanoi, Vietnam
- Wesley Clark implied that military experience does not necessarily translate to command experience1
- Clark: "I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president"1
- This statement has been rejected by the Barack Obama Campaign2
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