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McCain's New Willingness to Talk Up His Vietnam-era Heroism

July 08, 2008 10:58 AM

To many observers of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., it has seemed like a sea change.

Running for president in 2000, McCain often seemed so uncomfortable discussing his 5 1/2 years as a P.O.W. while campaigning, on one occasion he even told a story about himself in the third person.

"Many years ago, a scared American prisoner of war in Vietnam was tied in torture robes by his tormenters and left alone in an empty room to suffer through the night," McCain told a crowd in Virginia Beach on February 28, 2000. "Later in the evening, a guard he had never spoken to entered the room and silently loosened the ropes to relieve his suffering. Just before morning, that same guard came back and re-tightened the ropes before his less humanitarian comrades returned. He never said a word to the grateful prisoner, but some months later on a Christmas morning as the prisoner stood alone in the prison courtyard, the same Good Samaritan walked up to him and stood next to him for a few moments. Then with his sandal, the guard drew a cross in the dirt. Both prisoner and guard stood wordlessly there for a minute or two venerating the cross until the guard rubbed it out and walked away."

Concluded McCain: "This is my faith, the faith that unites and never divides, the faith that bridges unbridgeable gaps in humanity."

That "scared American prisoner of war in Vietnam" to whom McCain referred eight years ago was himself.

Certainly McCain's biography was a major part of his pitch to voters then as now. His best-selling "Faith of My Fathers"  had been released in 1999 and he discussed his experiences during his book tour. Additionally, a TV ad from that time described him as having "refused early release from prison, where he suffered repeated beatings and was held for 5 1/2 years."

But for many reporters and even some McCain staffers back then, there was no mistaking the Arizona senator's personal distaste for what he seemed to have viewed as touting his own heroic behavior, for beating his own drum.

Let me make clear that in my view, Sen. McCain has earned the right to tell the story of his uncommon valor however often he wants, in whatever venue he wants. But something changed, and he is currently more willing to talk about his heroism as a P.O.W. than he once was.

**

For instance, contrast the Virginia Beach story with December 2007 when McCain's campaign was on the ropes.

At that point, McCain's senior campaign officials convinced him not only to tell that Christmas story in the first person, but to do so in a TV ad.

"One night, after being mistreated as a POW, a guard loosened the ropes binding me, easing my pain," McCain says in the ad. "On Christmas, that same guard approached me, and without saying a word, he drew a cross in the sand. We stood wordlessly looking at the cross, remembering the true light of Christmas."

Quite a difference from that third-person story in Virginia Beach.

Today McCain launches a new TV ad heralding his heroism, telling his tale. "John McCain: Shot down. Bayoneted. Tortured," the narrator says. "Offered early release, he said, 'No.' He'd sworn an oath."

And before the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) later today -- as he did in June before another Latino group -- McCain will tell his personal story of refusing early release.

"When I was in prison in Vietnam, I like other of my fellow POWs, was offered early release by my captors," McCain will say, according to prepared remarks released by his campaign. "Most of us refused because we were bound to our code of conduct, which said those who had been captured the earliest had to be released the soonest. My friend, Everett Alvarez, a brave American of Mexican descent, had been shot down years before I was, and had suffered for his country much more and much longer than I had. To leave him behind would have shamed us."

Let me say again, in my view, Sen. McCain has earned the right to tell the story of his uncommon valor however often he wants, in whatever venue he wants.

It's just interesting to see him discussing his ordeal publicly, considering how reluctant he once seemed to do so.

He seems to have been convinced that -- as senior staffers for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, say -- surprisingly few Americans actually know the details of his story. And that the only way to really get it out there is to, well, get it out there.

- jpt

July 8, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (133)

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Anyone read gulag archipelago? the cross in the sand story sounds terribly familiar.


And when is the courageous liberal media (cough cough) going to start talking about how McCain shutdown hearings on POWs being left in Vietnam?
Diane Van Renselaar, wife of a POW left behind has a lot to say about the real McCain.

Posted by: john | Aug 17, 2008 5:49:56 PM

Aston wisely wrote:

Question: When is Barack Hussein Obama going to open up about his military service?

Answer: When he has some.

Not only that, I doubt he even registered for the selective service.

Someone needs to tell SoetorObama that he can't be "swiftboated" if he was never on a "swiftboat."

Posted by: Vlad Tepes | Aug 17, 2008 9:00:22 AM

bluebird.

Most of McCain’s plans sound good. I really don’t think we need to reward people for contributing to that over population of our planet. If they can’t afford to have children, they shouldn’t have them. I would really like to see a tax placed on children who were not adopted to cover society’s expense for added population.

I plan to vote for McCain but this is one issue I don’t agree with at all. Actually he has several views I don’t agree with.

Still, he’s about a billion times better than Obama.

Posted by: Royce | Jul 9, 2008 2:49:47 PM

Some vets talk a lot about their experiences. Some never say anything. Some aren’t able to talk about it for a long time. Some only talk to other vets, they’re the only ones who understand it anyway. ... Never criticize a veterans military record unless you have one of your own. Never question his courage until you’ve proven yours. It’s common sense, decency and respect. Senator McCain and others like him put on a uniform to earn your right to be stupid. Don’t abuse it.

Posted by: Royce | Jul 9, 2008 2:39:37 PM

Here we go..."Elect me because I am a HERO"...Never mind I am not qualified.I am to old, and I am a Bush SOCK PUPPET...

Posted by: Brutice | Jul 9, 2008 2:28:32 PM

It loses its value once he starts hawking his own "heroic" past.

Posted by: this election counts | Jul 9, 2008 1:17:55 PM

I think the American people want to know and hear McCain's experiences because they are examples of his strength, courage, integrity, loyalty, patriotism.....qualities I want in a President. I'd like to hear more about the candidates personal backgrounds as it is a large part of who they are now.
I'd like to hear from some of the Vets who know McCain too. I'd like to hear from McCain's 96 yr. old mother, and hear from Obama's granny. The more I learn about them the better (although I know who I'm voting for already).
McCain is an American hero and why shouldn't he tell his story? I wish Obama could open up and truthfully tell his story. He's got some serious family skeletons in his closet.

Posted by: Debra | Jul 9, 2008 4:18:23 AM

Here we go again.. Look Mom...I am a "HERO...ELECT ME"..Just because he got shot down and was a POW does not make him Presidental material. Thousands of Americans have been POW's in may wars..Maybe if had learned to fly an airplane right to begin with he would not have been shot down...He wrecked 5 jets in his short career.

Posted by: Brutice | Jul 9, 2008 3:28:16 AM

McCain's "Summer of Love" .... I think McCain and his campaign are pissed off they missed the sixties. In many ways John McCain also missed the Vietnam war. He dropped bombs from a distance, then got locked away in a prison and listened to North Vietnamese propaganda for 5.5 years. I am a card-carrying, former Republican, baby boomer. John McCain's world view is dangerous and under-developed, much in part to him missing what was happening on the ground in Vietnam and what was happening in America during those years. I honor his service and sacrifice. But he never fought in combat. I had too many high school classmates go to Vietnam and either never return or return damaged. McCain is courageous and brave to live through those horrible years as a POW, but that does not mean he is right for the Presidency at this point in history. I wore a POW bracelet during the years. I fit the so-called Hillary demographic -- white female age 59. But I have supported Obama since mid-2007 and look forward to him becoming the next President of the United States. McCain is grounded in the past. Obama is grounded in the future. I think the sub-text of this ad works against McCain, and neither McCain nor his campaign seem to get that. There is a huge disconnect.

Posted by: MDA | Jul 8, 2008 8:51:43 PM

Wade.

You Must be kidding! A lib actually looking at an issue with any depth, let alone with inductive or deductive reasoning - kindasorta reminds one of Obama himself!!

Posted by: Manitu | Jul 8, 2008 8:32:11 PM

I have to almost laugh at the attempt of these bloggers to try to knock McCain's military experience, especially since obama DOESN'T HAVE ANY MILITARY EXPERENCE, and has been forced by reality into changing his stance re. Iraq. AND NOW WE HAVE THE IRAN/ISRAELI ISSUE? PLEASE DO NOT GIVE US OBAMA AS PRES - HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING!!

Posted by: Manitu | Jul 8, 2008 7:59:46 PM

McCain's speech at the Latino conference was excellent. I like the $7000 tax deduction per child per family. I like his death tax plan to allow those few Americans who finally amass a few million, to keep it without paying a federal estate tax so that their children can keep free of federal tax. I like that he's green minded. He's an excellent candidate and I think I've made up my mind to vote for him.

Posted by: bluebird | Jul 8, 2008 7:52:24 PM

"I want someone who as POTUS can help our country. Military experience is irrelevant for that."


Posted by: Dennis | Jul 8, 2008 4:24:54 PM"

IS it irrelevent?


I think almost ALL our experiences expand our complete personnage.....


But perhaps you'd prefer that all military people be prohibited from running for POTUS in case someone
with an empty resume and a megalomaniacal ego might be waiting on the sidelines with with a bunch of afficcianados whose patriotism to our country is appears both limited and questionable.... might choose to run!

Why should HE have to drag around the baggage of being a war hero?

Darn!


I prefer the knowledge that a man's actual SERVICE to our country outlasted political boot camp before he can be voted into the top spot>

Mccain before Obama !

and, always:

COUNTRY BEFORE BROKEN DOWN DNC PARTY

Posted by: EYES WIDE OPEN | Jul 8, 2008 7:48:39 PM

If we are succeeding in quelling the violence in Iraq, it's because of McCain's leadership. Where was Obama? Nowhere. He hadn't even been to Iraq in years.

Posted by: bluebird | Jul 8, 2008 7:38:07 PM

It is very interesting that it takes a British newspaper, The Sunday Times (very well respected)to print an editorial (7/6) stating the Allies had pretty much WON the war in Iraq. Claiming tremendous victory against the terrorists and praising US leadership. PICTURE THAT AGAINST TODAY'S NY TIMES WHICH HAD A FEATURE STORY ON PAGE ONE ABOUT GIs RETURNING HOME GETTING DRUNK AND STAYING DRUNK. THE US MEDIA LOST THE WAR FOR AMERICA IN VIETNAM AND ARE DOING THEIR DAMNEST TO GET US TO LOSE THIS ONE TOO! DISCUSTING - NO WONDER THE NY TIMES IS GOING BELLY-UP!! SURE GLAD THESE LIBS WEREN'T AROUND IN WW11.

Posted by: Temagami | Jul 8, 2008 7:10:12 PM

Hey Thinking:

So if he is wrong, how? Obama's position is just about the same on the war, now. You disagree on taxes, that's fine, he is a republican, you will never agree. The economy? How? How is Obama "right?" Also, how is he wrong on energy? I am not saying he is "right", but you are just saying he is wrong without support.

I just get the feeling that people don't actually look at the candidate's positions on the issues before spitting out that their guy is "right" and the other "wrong."

Posted by: Wade | Jul 8, 2008 7:08:45 PM

“we need someone who is correct on the issues.” — I’m sure Senator McCain will appreciate your vote.

Posted by: Royce | Jul 8, 2008 5:56:08 PM

And he is still wrong on the War, wrong on taxes, wrong on the ecconomy, wrong on energy.

We don't need a hero., we need someone who is correct on the issues.

Posted by: Thinking | Jul 8, 2008 5:20:23 PM

So suddenly McCain likes talking about his service. Just another McCain flip-flop.

So when will a reporter ask McCain about his 2004 statement that we would "obviously" have to end the Iraq war if the sovereign Iraqi government asked us to leave. Because they just did, and I haven't heard McCain call for a pull out. I'm sure if someone deigns to ask him in between handing him his donuts and coffee, we'll be treated to another flip flop.

Posted by: Seamus | Jul 8, 2008 5:15:15 PM

You were called for service and had done what the country asked you to do. There should be pride! Period!

Posted by: Independent | Jul 8, 2008 4:55:53 PM

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