In reality however, he was a junior pilot when shot down and spent the war as a POW. Neither of those two resume bullets equate to leadership; a fact he demonstrates on a daily, if not hourly, basis. While he may be able to convince a majority of people his Vietnam experience makes him a natural leader (war experience did not work for Dole), his proudly touted violation of the Code of Conduct early in his captivity and his quisling, in constant search of stroking, Senate activities would spell mostly failure or even disaster as President. It is one thing to nip constantly at the heels of the leader; it is quite another to be the leader.
You are right that his war experience was limited to his capture and subsequent torture...but you have to understand that McCain had an opportunity to leave b/c of the status of his father and he CHOSE to stay instead of getting special treatment...That grants him some merit...but I do agree that his pandering political demeanor will be his downfall...