[colorado tanker]

Since we have civilian control over the military, I agree a President need not have a military service background, although I personally tend to feel more comfortable with veterans. That's in part why we have the Joint Chiefs and their staffs along with a Pentagon full of brass, to advise the President.

BTW, I consider Dubya to be a veteran. Driving fighter jets is at least as dangerous as what I did.

[oceanview]

but if we want to make a rating scale - good, better, best - clearly McCain was "ahead" of GWB in 2000, and someone like Colin Powell was far ahead of both of them, if we just wanted to add another name to the mix for the purpose of this discussion.