Trivializing the POW Experience

crossposted at Left in Alabama

In the same way 911 became the hub of all Rudy Giuliani’s communications, POW is now John McCain & Company’s answer when questions are tough.  Steven Benen sees the pattern:

The McCain campaign is road-testing a new argument in responding to Obama’s criticism of his number-of-houses gaffe, an approach the McCain camp has never tried before: The houses gaffe doesn’t matter because … he was a P.O.W.!

“This is a guy who lived in one house for five and a half years — in prison,” spokesman Brian Rogers told the Washington Post.

When the Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, a close Bush ally, publicly questioned McCain’s marital infidelities, the McCain campaign responded by highlighting McCain’s background as a prisoner of war.

When Dems attacked McCain’s healthcare plan in May, McCain responded by noting his background as a prisoner of war.

Benen highlights more examples.  Yet, McCain has in the past professed a hesitancy to discuss his POW experience. Why are things different now except that McCain feels he needs a telflon coating.

Sam Stein at the Huffington Post picks up on cynically played POW card.

I suspect McCain cloaking himself in his Vietnam experience as a protection from scrutiny will only end up making the candidate appear pitiful and out of touch.  Vietnam was four decades ago.  People want answers about now.

Plus, we see how far 911 carried Giuliani.