Great post!
:O)
P
Allowing this to be an issue damages all Republican candidates who didn't serve, and it also allows the left to dictate the debate. If we follow this line, from now on the left will shout "hypocrisy" on any candidate who isn't pure as the driven snow, and the Republicans will jump to their bidding.
We should choose candidates based on the issues and their demonstrated character. LOTS of people didn't serve in Viet Nam; some people spent the war serving with the military in Europe, some got deferrments, some were never drafted, some served in the Guard, and some never left the US. MOST women didn't serve, for heavens sake!
As far as I am concerned, if someone didn't burn his draft card and go to Canada, or spit on military coming home, or agitate against the war like Kerry, then that is sufficient. Those days were a different time, and trying to establish some benchmark for acceptable service is simply going down a path we shouldn't follow.
No. it wouldn't. And using this as an issue to attack Guiliani is poor political strategy. This is one of the reasons Webb got elected over George Allen. I daresay there are few on FR who would think that Webb is a better senator than Allen. Allowing this to be an issue damages all Republican candidates who didn't serve, and it also allows the left to dictate the debate. If we follow this line, from now on the left will shout "hypocrisy" on any candidate who isn't pure as the driven snow, and the Republicans will jump to their bidding. We should choose candidates based on the issues and their demonstrated character. LOTS of people didn't serve in Viet Nam; some people spent the war serving with the military in Europe, some got deferrments, some were never drafted, some served in the Guard, and some never left the US. MOST women didn't serve, for heavens sake! As far as I am concerned, if someone didn't burn his draft card and go to Canada, or spit on military coming home, or agitate against the war like Kerry, then that is sufficient. Those days were a different time, and trying to establish some benchmark for acceptable service is simply going down a path we shouldn't follow.Wow... you just said everything I was trying(and failing) to. My hat's off to you.
The guy who chose "Born Fighting" as his campaign slogan proved it by disrespecting the C-I-C upon meeting him and telling others he wanted to punch him out.