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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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You are mistaken, this Asian-American and people in our community WILL NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA. We have heard the talks from our people in church, in grocery stores, in party's events, and in our own community!!! NO VOTE FOR OBAMA! YOU HEAR ME!!!!!
Posted by: Asian-American | Jul 8, 2008 4:48:52 PM
The GOP is spending some money today! First this flowery piece about McCain followed by another flowery piece about his mistress/second wife Cindy McCain and all in one day! The GOP out did itself but to no avail, you still loose in November.
Posted by: peoples_prez | Jul 8, 2008 4:43:03 PM
Independent. I cannot feel pride for attacking who have done nothing to me. I know some people can.
Posted by: Dennis | Jul 8, 2008 4:40:52 PM
Dennis:“There should be no pride felt in doing that” is your feeling and your own business. You don’t talk for millions serving in a war or for my family. Being a POW in North Vietnam for over 9 years, my dad is proud of his service!
Posted by: Independent | Jul 8, 2008 4:35:47 PM
I do not care if you are Democrat or Republican, if you cannot show respect for a vet, you do not deserve to be an American. Thank you John McCain your service to our country is appreciated.
Posted by: rogersm234 | Jul 8, 2008 4:31:13 PM
I can’t wait to see Sen. Obama’s military record. A few years ago the Democrats and liberal media established the concept that Sen. Kerry was more qualified to be president because of a more impressive military record. Democrats established that qualification in spite of Bill Clinton’s service record. Now that the Democrats have established that qualification, I know Sen Obama must have a very impressive military record. If not, they might be properly accused of hypocrisy and elitism. Again.
Posted by: Royce | Jul 8, 2008 4:26:42 PM
McCain never talks about how his 19 year old son just returned from Iraq. He enlisted at the age of 17. McCain never talks about how his other son is about to graduate from the navy academy. McCain's son found out his dad won new hampshire while he was digging out of a ditch in iraq.
On one of the visits McCain got bashed on as he went to iraq he had lunch with his son. Never mentioned it. Jim Webb used his son for political benefits. Tim Johnson cut ads with his son who was serving in iraq.
The media never mentions how McCain hasn't used his son for political gain instead they bash him.
Posted by: Don | Jul 8, 2008 4:25:01 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
"Hero" is tossed about so easily, the word sometimes seems to mean little. There is nothing heroic about being shot down and being captured. It is not as if he chose to do so. There is nothing heroic about enduring torture. He didn't have a choice.
He gets the same credit as millions of other guys do for serving in a war in which he and they (including me) killed people who had done nothing to us. We (I) don't need to feel shame, but there should be no pride felt in doing that.
Posted by: Dennis | Jul 8, 2008 4:22:02 PM
I don't consider John McCain is a perfect candidate, but compared to the anti-American people like Obama and his wife, John McCain has served this country whole-heartedly. Obama has anything to prove??? NONE! That’s why he keeps shouting the word CHANGE!
Posted by: Independent | Jul 8, 2008 4:13:22 PM
Peg,
"McCain although a war hero, is now mentally unfit to be President"
….The guy has refused to walk out the Trinity Church and refused to disown his hateful pastor for the past 20 years is unfit to be a President! Obama’s mentality and judgment is not only poor, but also questionable!
Posted by: Independent | Jul 8, 2008 4:00:00 PM
I seriously doubt the Democratic drawing at straws claim that Sen. McCain is senile. Even if he was senile, senility is preferable to the mindless following of a man who preaches hatred of our nation. Senator McCain is a trained and proven leader. He has experience at making the hard decisions that Senator Clinton said Sen. Obama doesn’t have the experience to make. Obama isn’t trained and proven capable to lead. Senator McCain was trained and his ability has been proven.
Posted by: Royce | Jul 8, 2008 3:52:00 PM
Of course he's talking about his war days! What else does he have to talk about???
Posted by: SpaceCat | Jul 8, 2008 3:44:06 PM
Don't forget, I was tortured!
Posted by: WALNUTS! | Jul 8, 2008 3:41:54 PM
McCain although a war hero, is now mentally unfit to be President. Anyone watching him can see major signs of senile dementia, which the MSM is pretending not to notice (just like they did with Regan). But the American people can see it. Just watch videos of him four years ago, compared to today's John McCain. He is having some major health problems and anybody can see it.
Posted by: Peg | Jul 8, 2008 3:20:27 PM
Senator McCain is a hero. He won’t say it. Mary’s husband won’t say it either, but he is. Every man and woman who has ever wore the uniform of our nation is a hero. They all serve to defend our freedom. All of them, including Senator McCain and Mary’s husband deserve our respect and our gratitude. Mary, please thank your husband for me. Tell him to consider this a long distance handshake.
Posted by: Royce | Jul 8, 2008 3:03:02 PM
Seems Obama and his supporters equate Obama sitting in a racist, hate mongering church for 20 years with McCain's military experience. WAR IS HELL. My husband was in Veit Nam and came home ill, hurt and delusioned at the lies being told to Americans via news outlets. Unless, you were there, do not critize or questions those who were. YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING.
Posted by: Mary | Jul 8, 2008 2:33:28 PM
Nat Turner — Senator McCain entered the Naval Academy in 1954. Graduated in 1958 He retired from the Navy in 1981. You do the math. We’re still waiting for Sen. Obama to release his military records.
Posted by: Royce | Jul 8, 2008 2:30:21 PM
Nat, others reveling in Obama's presumptive victory:
Let the miracles begin? I think you are right, at this stage it looks like Obama might win. However, it will not likely be the landslide you envision. Even if it is, and your man wins and McCain gets 5% of the vote (as some on this board have curiously suggested), I doubt you are going to see as much change as you think.
Clinton also claimed to herald a new era in 1992, but the "changes" were not that significant, in my view. That's a good thing too, and is why I am not too worried about Obama's lip service to leftist policies, as he is already jumping to the middle on several major issues.
Posted by: Wade | Jul 8, 2008 1:55:46 PM
Now he's gonna milk his war stuff. You'd think he look for options other than war. But no, he'd like to milk those wartime presidential powers, too. Sick and sad...
Posted by: DaveM | Jul 8, 2008 1:55:36 PM
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