The American Spectator

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DOWN THE HATCH
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s Who Will Protect America?:

Congratulations, Mr. Tyrrell, Stalwart Always!

I would only add that as stories of teenaged Obama sharing whiskey from a jar with marxist Franklin Marshall Davis and his own grandfather, Stanley Dunham, in Hawaii have emerged, Evan Thomas told a marvelous story at the end of his epic WWII work Sea of Thunder. It is 1953 and an aging Admiral Halsey was attending a memorial to the Stonewall Jackson of his carrier fleet, Adm. John S. McCain, who died a week after the surrender. The teary-eyed old warhorse walks up to young John McCain and demands he join in him a "salute" to his magnificent grandfather. Young John at first demurs, but Bull Halsey insists and he drinks his first spirits with the most legendary Admiral in U.S. history. Could the comparison of these two candidates for our Presidency be more stark?
-- Timothy P. O'Neill
Pompano Beach, Florida

McCain is a trained military man, right? Trained to take aim, hit the target etc.? You like this part of him. You praise this part of his life, offer it up as a demonstration of fine leadership skills.
 
Yet, when it comes to using Obama's relationships as evidence of his views, McCain leaves Wright out of the picture, along with some other characters.

Where is the kill shot here? Honor? McCain says he thrives on being the underdog. PTSD vets learn about the "rush," the "thrill" in reliving those moments that combat created.
 
I don't like Obama. I do like Palin, respect McCain, but don't think he walks as straight as you think. Biden just likes being one of the powerful guys in a select club.
 
Anyone who has worked the flight deck knows that when trouble hits you move faster than ever to control it, if possible. McCain should have put down Obama up front and directly. He didn't and we are paying for this error.
-- R. Philips
New Mexico

Although it may be difficult for you, if you would listen to the very factual and careful interview segment dealing with Afghanistan on the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC that she had with Senator Obama, and compare it with anything Senator McCain has said about that conflict, you would understand that Obama fully understands the nuances of the very bad situation and has a clear vision of what needs to be done to fix it. In calm, clear language he lays out how bad it is and what he would do about it. I hasten to add that this isn't posturing for the interview or for votes; it isn't slogans or politicking; it would win the respect, and probably does win the respect, of the military. I urge you to listen to that segment and then re-think your piece here. No histrionics, no easy solutions, no vote-getting here, nothing but the laying out what we must do if we aren't to be engulfed.
-- Lawrence M. Light
Mission Viejo, California

WHERE'S THE FIGHT?
Re: Quin Hillyer's McCain's Best Argument:

Yeah OK, we know, Quin, we know. I'd like to believe Johnny Mac is learning some valuable lessons on this right about now, and hopefully, not too late. Frankly, I'm kinda missing Rudy, Mr. Political Pugilist. At least we wouldn't have to be putting up with that "my friend" chamber etiquette crap which McCain wears like a sophomore pledge. C'mon John, you're a senior, now, time to realize you're not running for Senator. Patriotic and exceptional he may be, but poor fellow, he is 72, and he sounds out of wind. When I listen to him speak, I think of how the words would sound if Reagan were delivering them. They wouldn't sound like he was giving a speech to a bunch of lame Senate colleagues, that's for sure. Yet, maybe we can push McCain over the finish line, anyway. Then what? More bipartisanship? A veto-proof Congress? Anyway this goes down, it looks like "we the people" will lose unless McCain truly gets the message loud and clear that "we're mad as Hell, and we're not going to take it anymore!" When I see him carrying a pitchfork with him on the occasion of his first State of the Union, then I'll know he's for real. Maybe.
-- Mike Showalter
Austin, Texas

Thank you.

You may not like him but you understand what he believes in  as do I. We have to get back to basics and clean Washington up  not try something new that is proven around the world in every generation not to work
-- P.D.A. Brooksville

Mr. Hillyer is dead on. Senator McCain is the best man in the race. And that is truly a scary thought.
-- Ira M. Kessel
Rochester, New York