The American Spectator

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Another Perspective

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McCAIN, THE MAN WHO SPENT five and half years in captivity in North Vietnam and refused early release, will not likely face such second guessing. And since much of his appeal is based on his post-service Senate record as a maverick, he will not have to predicate his candidacy solely on his time in Vietnam.

Still, if he loses in November, the door may be shut on a generation of veterans' opportunity to lead the nation.

What is less certain is whether this stigma is unique to veterans of Vietnam or if that war irrevocably changed our nation's view of the role of military service in presidential politics.

It remains to be seen if the men and women fighting today in Iraq and Afghanistan will be able to rise to our highest elected office or if Vietnam created an unbridgeable gulf in 200 years of American history.

topics:
Bill Clinton, Military, Iraq