and hope everyone understands I am not speaking for me. For years now I have stayed out of the military part of the presidential debate because I haven't served. McCain has served more than me, so has Kerry, so has Bush. This causes me to pause. But I can tell you that McCain will not be swiftboated as Kerry was. Why you ask? Talk to veterens. The far majority of them that I talk to see McCain as a war hero...a real war hero. I can't think of one, even those voting against him, that don't see him in this light.

Not so for Kerry. When I mentioned John Kerry to veterens...the only word I get back is traitor. Whether this is reality or perception of how many feel about the man, that opinion is why so many came out against him in 2004. I don't see that happening against McCain. If you didn't see the problems Kerry had with his fellow veterens, then you were just ignoring it. The Republicans may have thrown gas on it...but the fire was already there.

not even running. what's wrong with you?

and you must know ALL the vets, huh? lmao...not quite. many VN vets beg to differ....

Only people who are black and lived within the black community should have an opinions on Obama and his activities within the black community.

Fair enough ?

maybe so...but that is not the impression I get when talking to the ones I have gotten to know.

Again, I'm not sliming Kerry as you have McCain. I am simply stating that the veteren demographic will not be so hard to get to go against McCain and the reasons are pretty obvious. Veterens have a far different perception of Kerry than McCain.

Geez, Pugs tout McCain and bash Kerry? How surprising!

Bottom line---Kerry risked his life on the Mekong River, succeeded in his missions, and earned medals.

McCain got shot down and was captured.

Gotta be nuts to say Kerry deserved the sliming the Pugs threw his way.

but I think it could be more geographic than straight race. I absolutely don't feel like I am qualified to judge Obama's length of community service in Chicago. Different place than I have ever lived in and give him different experiences.

Also, if he and another black man get into a debate about "black issues" your damn right I am not getting involved.

I'm saying:

1) Both are vets and vets can argue with eachother about their service

2) You are not a vet and are a hypocrite piece of crap.

Thx

while i have not in any slimed mccain. traitor, was that the word you used? yes? wow, jeff, you're quite disgusting today.

i understand your need to lie. You slimed McCain, then tried to hide it, now are trying to defend it by bringing up what happened to Kerry and finally are accusing me of what you are doing when all I am doing is saying what I hear from most vets I know and talk to.

So, you need to be trash...I understand...keep up the lying.

this is my opinion from people I have talked to...just an opinion that is all.

Not fer nuthin' but McCain getting shot down and captured is basically irrelevant to me. I support the guy whose positions, judgment and smarts I respect more---Obama.

I just happen to think it's daft to say that McCain should be given a "leg up" in the race cuz he got shot down and captured. So I say so.

Jeff:

I'm saying:

1) Both are vets and vets can argue with eachother about their service

2) You are not a vet and are a hypocrite piece of crap.

but you are a piece of crap...why do you think i care what you say?

That is to say, I'd be very surprised if there are any undecided veterans at this stage of the game,and even more surprised if those few chose BHO over McCain.

That being said, this is politics we're talking about, after all. The nature of the game is to attack your opponents strengths, tarnishing their image such that a lingering sense of doubt persists up until the election. The GOP did the same thing to McCain in 2000, so this is hardly a shocking development. Really, did you expect McCain to get a free pass this time around?

Any statements about the black church he attended were out of line. Glad you see it that way.