[Darkwolf377]

Who cares?

[OldFriend]

Abraham Lincoln did not serve.

FDR did not serve.

[West Coast Conservative]

Found this:

President George W. Bush - US Air National Guard. Served from 1968-1973. Twice promoted during his service; first, to 2nd Leutenant and then to 1st Leutenant. Honorably discharged.

President George H. W. Bush - US Navy. World War II. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Secretary of State Colin Powell - US Army. Vietnam War. 4-Star General (Ret.). Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-1993). Awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Solder's Medal, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge - US Army. Vietnam War. Awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld - US Navy. Naval aviator. Served from 1954-1957.

Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) - US Air Force. World War II. Awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals, and the Yuan Hai Medal awarded by the Republic of China.

Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) (Ret.) - US Army. World War II. Awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.

President Gerald Ford - US Navy. World War II. Served from 1942-1946.

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) - US Navy. Vietnam War. Awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.

Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) - US Army. Vietnam War. Awarded two Purple Hearts and several other decorations.

Congressman Duke Cunningham (R-CA) - US Navy. Vietnam War. Nominated for the Medal of Honor. Awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, fifteen Air Medals, the Purple Heart, and several other decorations.

Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) - US Marine Corps. Vietnam War. Awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Navy Commendation Medal.

Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) - US Air Force. Korean and Vietnam War. POW in Hanoi from April 1966 to February 1973.

Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) - US Army Reserves. Served from 1973-1986.

Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM) - US Air Force. Served from 1978-1989.

[Militiaman7]

Doesn't matter I served for all of them, even Klintoon, whom I despise.

[AbnSarge]

Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-CA), Medal of Honor

[SilentServiceCPOWife]

It's entirely possible that I overlooked it, but I didn't see George H.W. Bush in your list of those who served.

[lilylangtree]

Remember the demoncRATS ploy is keep you on the defensive. The pubs have the WH and they'll try to nitpick you to death. Don't bother to respond. Don't play their game. Walk to your own drummer.

[alnick]

"So what" would be my response.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

Service in government directing successful wars (Cold War, Iraq I, Afganistan, etc) somewhat outweighs a four month tour in Vietnam when it comes to qualifications for CinC, Vice President, SecDef, etc.

I served during both Iraq wars. I'd much rather my civilian chain-of-command were people who have a track record of success. I could care less if they were drafted forty years ago.

P.S. Ask the sender if his/her own accomplishments in life add up to even 10% of what anybody on the list has done. And then tell them to shove it.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Serving in the military is not essential to leading the country during war. Lincoln did not serve. FDR did not serve. Truman did not serve. etc....

I am a USAF Vet, so does that make me CIC material?

So who cares.

[GoBucks2002]

Democrats: Hillary Clinton. Did not serve. John Edwards. Did not serve.

[Izzy Dunne]

Why is Phil Gramm in this list?

He's been out of the Senate since 2002.

[campfollower]

President GW Bush - fighter pilot
Rep. Steven Buyer
Bob Dornan
Bob Dole
Jeremiah Denton

[RebelBanker]

Oliver North - LTCol, USMC, Vietnam Veteran

[lowbridge]

This list is a couple years old, but it will help:

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&selm=3C857A13.7225108E%40gte.net&prev=/groups%3Fq%3Dserved%2Brepublicans%2Balaska%2Bjeffords%2Bcarolina%2BBachus%2Bkorea%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26selm%3D3C857A13.7225108E%2540gte.net%26rnum%3D3%26filter%3D0

[zahal724]

Theres a reason as to why the military is at least 3:1 for Republicans. At least.

[ladtx]

...so we can all contemplate who has the right and the knowledge and the experience to lead us into war...

So according to this bozo, I suppose this means Clinton was a totally illigitimate President?

[meandog]

Your friend is EXTREMELY mistaken on many of the medals and some of the names...i.e.: Ted Kennedy never served. Only Bob Kerrey is a MOH winner; McGovern never won a Silver Star and I don't believe (but am not sure) that Cleland did either (only Kerry)... And, BTW, it is proven that Iowa Sen. Hawkin lied mostly about his combat experience; and Al Gore's PAO "Shield of Shame" IG Branch doesn't count for much!

[An Old Marine]

Here's the right answer:

Do you Dem's that keep screaming 'Chicken Hawks' to Republicans really believe that veterans really would vote not to fight if only veterans are allowed to decide?

Or how about this? If being a veteran is the criteria to determine whether to go to war I think only those vets who faced comabat should get to vote. Or how about this? How about veterans who saw combat and were wounded. Or veterans wounded and decorated?

If one arbitrary criteria (being a veteran) is the measure then the others are equally appropriate.

[SJackson]

Members in The United States 108th Congress with Military Experience

My count, 91 Reps and 64 Dems. Apparently Kennedy was an Army Pfc