Jimmy McCain: Marine

[clifp]

I'm an admitted McCain fan but I still find this latest incident remarkably classy, and the NY Times the opposite.

Today's NY Times has a front page story about John McCain youngest son Jimmy, who enlisted in the Marines at age 17 and recently returned from a tour as infantrymen in Iraq's formerly violent Anbar province. It is a very good story and quite positive. I think even who folks who hate the war, and disapprove of a military culture will agree the Jimmy is admirable young man and Senator McCain has gone out of his way to avoid taking political advantage of either of his son's military service. (His oldest son is at Annapolis following in the family tradition.)

The money quote from the Times is here

Mr. McCain has largely maintained a code of silence about his son, now a lance corporal, making only fleeting references to him in public both to protect him from becoming a prize target and avoid exploiting his service for political gain, according to friends. At the few campaign events where Lance Corporal McCain appeared last year, he was not introduced.

The McCains declined to be interviewed for this article, which the campaign requested not be published. “The McCain campaign objects strongly to this intrusion into the privacy of Senator McCain’s son,” Steve Schmidt, a campaign spokesman, said in a statement. “The children of presidential candidates in this election cycle should be afforded the same respect for their privacy that the children of President Bush and President and Senator Clinton have been afforded.” (To protect Lance Corporal McCain in case he is again deployed to a war zone, The New York Times is not publishing recent photographs of him and has withheld some details of his service).

I am disappointed but hardly surprised by NY Times failure to do the right thing here. This article can do nothing but jeopardize the future safety of Jimmy McCain and just as importantly the fellow Marines in his unit. On the other hand I am proud of the McCain campaign stick to there principals. Pretty much every positive article about Senator McCain not surprisingly finds its way on to his website and/or campaign email list. However, this flattering front page NY Times article has not been mentioned at all.


I do think Chickenhawk and Micheal Moore ambush interviews about having your kids in service are pretty much off the table in this campaign.

 

[youbet]

I'm an admitted McCain fan but I still find this latest incident remarkably classy, and the NY Times the opposite.


I do think Chickenhawk and Micheal Moore ambush interviews about having your kids in service are pretty much off the table in this campaign.

Michael Moore and the NY Times will find some way to enhance themselves at both of McCain's sons' expense. Count on it.

 

[chinaco]

McCain's son is the anti-thesis of most politicians and wealthy families.

It shows that McCain's family is dedicated to Military Service to our country.

I like McCain... but the economy and his position on Iraq will likely be his undoing.

But you did get me thinking... The Creedence Clearwater Revival anti-Vietnam war song.

YouTube - Creedence Clearwater Revival: Fortunate Son

McCain and the war aside... a great song... real toe tapper.

 

[FinanceDude]

McCain's son is the anti-thesis of most politicians and wealthy families.

Very refreshing........

It shows that McCain's family is dedicated to Military Service to our country.

Even more refreshing.........

I like McCain... but the economy and his position on Iraq will likely be his undoing.

Don't count your chickens too soon.........

 

[unclemick]

I thinking a certain British royal and Afganistan - certainly the information may have altered military strategy - even at a local small unit level.

heh heh heh -

 

[Orchidflower]

For all the small things I don't like about McCain, I find more things like this one that show what great character he has. I'm voting for him, but secretly feel he won't win, unfortunately.

 

[Orchidflower]

If it were Chelsea, the Clintons would have it on their letterhead.

 

[shoe]

I am voting for McCain come November. I have to believe that 5 years in a POW camp comes with some reward. Likely, a set of brass ones, was his. I also like that he's cranky sometimes!

 

[zoey]

I'm not a McCain supporter, but I respect that he isn't one of the politicians who supports the war and yet only sends other people's children to war, not his own.

 

[samclem]

In today's America, nobody can "send their kid to war." These young men and women join, and stay, in the service knowing what will be asked of them. The respect this earns is all theirs, not Mommy's or Daddy's

Though Mom and/or Dad deserve a firm "attaboy" for raising such a kid. And McCain deserves kudos for handling this issue with class.

And the NYT? Well, it's exactly what I'd expect from that rag.

 

[youbet]

And the NYT? Well, it's exactly what I'd expect from that rag.

Really? You're too kind. They're typically much, much worse than this. Each day, every word printed is there because they are focused on $$$ and care not at all what they say or how they say it as long as the $$$ is maximized. They would have to improve a ton to make it up to "rag" status.