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...
I won't argue the point of staying when he was offered an opportunity to leave because of his father. But, he was the source of that information. The VN had no idea at the time who he was. If he'd name-rank-and-serial-number'ed them until they figured it out or he ultimatley subcumbed to the torture they may never had known. I do suspect his staying was his moment of self-recognition he'd violated the code for personal "gain" and felt compelled to make some amends. More important, as with Murtha, that was then, this is now. We acknowledge his service but that does not entitle him to a pass for present transgressions and truly questionable actions regarding the defense of the nation.