That sounds like a serious stretch to me.
You’re telling me.. I’ve heard some pretty pathetic attempts at making McCain’s war record a liability, but this takes the cake.
Also, I’d be interested to see a poll of Vietnam vets to see what percentage of them agree with Webb, Kerry, and Hagel on what the “lessons” of Vietnam were. Of course, those three are the only important ones, because their version of the “lesson” of Vietnam is the media-approved one.
That sounds like a serious stretch to me.
It is. Psychologizing looks easy but amateurs really ought not be trying it at home. Especially geeks like Matt Bai.
The fact is that the distortions characteristic of overriding shame and anxiety are mostly to be seen in the perceptions of the Kerrey Kerry Hagel cabal. They are the ones unable to make realistic appraisals and separate Iraq from VN. A very dangerous failing for those with responsibility for decisionmaking.
If in fact McCain is able to decide about Iraq separately from VN that is an advantage not a deficit. But I wouldn't expect the jerkoffs at the Slimes to understand.