Easy - McCain is a "Certified Vietnam War Hero P.O.W.", and that gives him all the credibility he needs with the average Republicans who don't pay any attention to things like the "Nuclear Option" and the "Gang of Fourteen". In fact, most people simply stop considering other aspects of his character once they learn of his "Certified Vietnam War Hero P.O.W." status. That's what Kerry envied and tried to emulate during his Presidential campaign, figuring that if he could paint himself the same way, the public would overlook the rest of his foibles.