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Highlands Today

War Hero McCain Is Admirable, Not Necessarily Presidential

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By RANDY LUDACER

Guest Columnist

Published: August 14, 2008

After witnessing several weeks of the press micro dissect and parse every utterance of Barack Obama, I wonder why there has been no critical examination of the qualifications and policies of John McCain?

I recall a recent TV broadcast in which McCain leaned toward the camera and grinned, "I know how to win wars." Despite this amazing revelation, no one in the media inquired further, to ask, "really, how?" or "where did you acquire this knowledge?" or "have you seen fit to share it with anyone who is now conducting two wars overseas?"

Although the media insists that it is playing hardball in this campaign, McCain has so far been the beneficiary of "slow pitch." Accordingly, I think it is past time to have a closer look at his qualifications to serve as president. What has been advanced on his behalf is that he was a fighter pilot, a prisoner of war and an extended service as a senator from Arizona.

Deeply rooted in the American psyche is the romantic image of the fighter pilot. It has displaced the gunfighter of the old west as the ultimate macho icon. The risks inherent in being a fighter pilot and the quality of courage necessary to perform such a function are obvious. They must have the necessary ability to make split second decisions with life and death as the outcome. Just what bearing this has on the skills necessary to be a president are less obvious. While a president is required to weigh evidence and opinions carefully before committing the country to a course of conduct, the fighter pilot's instincts are precisely the opposite, necessarily in the direction of quick and impulsive action.

With respect to being a prisoner of war and having bravely suffered abuse, pain and indignity for more than five years, not enough can be said in tribute to McCain's courage during his ordeal. America has manifested a kind of guilt complex, a feeling of shame that for so long we were unable to extricate our prisoners while they suffered continued brutality at the hands of their captors. In short, we could not do enough for them once their release had been obtained. Whether a seat in the Senate of the United States or the presidency of the country is the appropriate reparation for that suffering is quite another matter. His ability to bravely withstand torture and deprivation bears little relationship to the responsibility of a president and does not in any particular serve as preparation for the responsibilities which a president faces.

Lastly, let's look at his service in the legislature over the last three decades. Rather than demonstrating any outstanding leadership, in initiating legislation or supporting important initiatives, McCain almost always voted with his party, not distinguishing himself in any particular but rather being a dependable vote in the Republican column. Reminiscent of the lyric in Gilbert and Sullivan's "When I was a lad", he "...always voted at his party's call." Rather than having some 26 years of legislative experience, he has had 1 year of legislative experience 26 times.

Not until the possibility of a dark horse candidacy loomed on the horizon in 2000 did he decide to distinguish himself, suddenly taking on the mantle of "the happy warrior" and bring himself to the attention of the press.

After being trounced in the South Carolina primaries, he reconstructed himself, doing a 180-degree turn as it were, making up with those elements of the right who he "dissed" in 2000, and in short, getting right with the party regulars and retreating from any position which earlier brought him credit.

Having made up with George Bush and given his unqualified support to Bush's recent decisions, we can only expect more of the same from a McCain presidency. He visits at Kenibunkport to show the faithful he is back in the fold, riding in the golf cart with George I and George II.

Now his lackluster campaign consists largely of bumper sticker cliches and cheap shots at his opponent, devoid of imagination and filled with posturing based on his supposed credentials.

And oh, yes. He has still failed to tell us how he knows how to win wars. Wrapping himself in the flag and declaring he is more patriotic than anyone else does not demonstrate the sort of judgment needed to lead this country.

Randy Ludacer lives in Lake Placid.

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