>It was an "analytical" article for MSNBC 2-3 days ago that now seems to have disappeared.
>
>>>Yeah, Tracy, isn''t it sad? And now I'm seeing in the MSM articles about how military service shouldn't be counted for the presidency. Unreal.
>>>
>>
>>Can you point to something that says that? What I'm seeing is Clark's assertion that military service doesn't _automatically_ qualify you to be president. Neither do lots of things. It's what you do with them.
>>
>>Tamar

Okay, I just read the article you mentioned. I don't see it waying that military service shouldn't count, simply that like all other experience, you have to evaluate it and see whether it provide valuable lessons that would make the person a better president.

That makes perfect sense to me. McCain's fortitude in his captivity is clearly a plus. OTOH, the fact that he missed 5 years of what was going on in the US and the world (through no fault of his own) and may, therefore, not understand certain people, ideas or movements, is a negative. Getting shot down is a neutral--doesn't make him any more or less of a leader.

But we need to apply the same judgment to candidate's other experiences. Serving in Congress, as we know, doesn't in and of itself, qualify one to be President. It's what you do there that matters. Ditto for experiences outside of government.

Tamar