By Barry E. Moore
Executive Editor

John McCain is an American war hero, no doubt; having spent years in a P.O.W. camp in Vietnam during the late 1960s and early 1970s. I remember being at home the day they were repatriated and watching on TV with my father as they were getting off the plane at Clark Airbase in the Philippines. The video you still see of McCain on his back in bed being interviewed and giving those haunting responses of name, rank and serial number while a prisoner of war are disturbing. Just like in the movies, only real.

Is he a hero? I think so and I think most of you do, too. Is he qualified to be president of the United States? Absolutely, just as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are, all three have fulfilled the requirements set forth by the constitution. Of the three major candidates, McCain was the only one not born in the United States; he was born in Panama where his father was stationed.

He is a third generation naval officer. His father and his grandfather were Admirals in the United States Navy. You would have to agree that his family has dedicated their lives to this country. So in addition to his being constitutionally qualified to be president of the United States, does his military service enhance those qualities that would make a good president? Again, I think so.

Given this, what makes him the candidate to support and vote for? What makes him different than Obama and Clinton? Aside from their respective views on foreign policy, and specifically their views on the war in Iraq, not much sets them apart. In an interview last week, he freely admitted that he doesn’t know much about the economy. He also said he wants to limit spending of campaign dollars by everyday citizens that want to promote their views.

His associations during the bailout of the Savings and Loan Crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s led many to question his judgment and the possibility of some wrong-doings. The Keating Five were five United States Senators, who were accused of corruption in 1989. The five senators, Alan Cranston (D-Calif.), Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.), John Glenn (D-Ohio), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Donald W. Riegle (D-Mich.), >>more