Like George McGovern, John Kerry, and John Murtha, to name a few?
Look, military service, in peace or war, is a noble undertaking in itself, and most of those who have served did so out of duty and honor, and not to earn entitlements or to make excuses for their other, unrelated inabilities or failings in life. Military service is not a trump card for deficiencies of knowledge, ability, or character. It is an enhancement to those who do possess these qualities, however.
Please don't use it as the single virtue that immediately qualifies one for high office. Besides, if you do, you will be denying Hillary her right to the Oval Office. (OK, that part was sarcasm!)
Back in 2000, there were apparently more Conservatives voting then moderates which would explain Bush's win over McCain?
Question, for 2008, will there be more or less Conservatives voting? Has the country moved further to the right or left? Are RINO's the standard bearers of the Republican party like the Marxists in the Democrat party?
This is important because it will be the difference between having either Rudy/McCain or a Conservative running against the RAT?
We really must look at the direction we are going in as far as moral clarity and leadership. The rest of it is pure politics that we will either like or hate.
Abortion isn't getting fixed, nor is gay marriage, nor is any failed social program that costs us billions. Those are ingrained into our culture and while we may not like it, nor believe it should be legislated from the bench, it is a fact of life.
I don't use it as a single virtue, but we'd be better off with more vets in Congress, even if some don't turn out the way I like.