Yes. But he was NOT their first choice. For example, there are an estimated 140,000 veterans in New Hampshire and many of them are registered independents who voted to help John McCain capture the Republican primary over Bush in 2000.
This issue was vetted then and dismissed.
And hopefully you can pull it off again. But this ain't your Granfather's 2000.
no one cared then, just as no one will care now.
Correction. No one in sufficient numbers cared then. Suggestion -- like that scene in Hud when they buried the sick cows, throw that missing year in a big pit, dump in lots of lime, and cover it up real good! Good luck....;)