Maybe McCain thinks these vets, who fought and bled in Vietnam, haven't earned their right to freedom of speech.
Of course not, because Senator McCain, and ONLY Senator McCain, is the spokesman for Vietnam veterans. Any Republican mentioning Vietnam, using Vietnam in advertisements, or thinking about Vietnam, must first submit their actions and thoughts to McCain for approval. John Kerry, Max Cleland, et.al., are not required to do so. Of course, Senator McCain also declines to apply this standard to slanders against President Bush for his service in the National Guard.
McCain apparently doesn't think anyone but elected officials and cannidates running for office *have* any first amendment freedom of speech. Otherwise why would he have authored, well had ghosted, the so called "Campaign Fianance Reform" Act, aka the incumbent protection act.