~ The issue ~ Sen. John McCain as POW

~ Our opinion ~ Senator stands firm on Iraq – as he stood firm

in captivity 34 years ago

The focus on Arizona Sen. John McCain is Iraq and his position in support of a troop build-up. Pundits say that is one reason why the candidate who once seemed a lock for the GOP nomination now trails in some opinion surveys and straw polls.

On Wednesday, McCain delivered a speech to the International Association of Fire Fighters Presidential Forum. Not surprisingly, he dealt with Iraq, and talked in typical frank McCain style.

“We do have some evidence that the new tactics we are employing since General Petraeus’ arrival have begun to make progress. I don’t want to oversell this. We have, in the past, made the mistake of offering false optimism in the short term, and that has contributed directly to the American public’s despair that we can ever achieve success there that warrants our sacrifice in blood and treasure. But we should not overlook this progress either, as it offers some encouragement that the long overdue counter insurgency strategy General Petraeus has conceived and is executing might yet succeed where our past strategy has failed. We have the right commanders in Iraq now. ...

“We have a long way to go, and success is far from certain. But I am guardedly, and I stress guardedly, encouraged that General Petreaus’ plan is achieving more progress sooner than expected.”

McCain continued by addressing concerns about national preparation for terrorism, equating the sacrifice made by responders to those of soldiers. He insisted both must be well equipped and well prepared.

“Our Armed Forces confront our enemies where they live, hide and fight, in the hope they will be prevented from again attacking us at home. Firefighters will confront the consequences if that hope is not realized.”

McCain knows about consequences – and it should not go unnoted that his speech came on a significant day.

Retired Marine Lt. Col. Orson Swindle writes: “Thirty-four years ago today, on March 14, 1973, John McCain and hundreds of other prisoners of war were released from Hanoi and began the trip home. My repatriation from Hanoi was a week earlier, having been shot down a year before John. I will never forget the feeling of relief and joy upon stepping into an American aircraft with my fellow countrymen to begin that journey home.

“Things could have been very different for John. The son and grandson of Navy admirals, the North Vietnamese quickly realized when they captured him that they had a special prisoner from a distinguished military family. In an effort to embarrass us and our country, they offered John early release. John consistently refused those offers, understanding that freedom without honor was not worth having. He kept faith with us, his fellow POWs, and stood by the Code of Conduct through which we pledged ‘I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.’ Because of his dedication to principle, the North Vietnamese made his life a living hell for a number of years.

Swindle contends McCain, with whom he shared a concrete slab for a bed during captivity, is the right leader for a difficult time, a man willing to stand by principles and “straight talk” in Washington.

The senator is at odds with popular opinion but refuses to waiver. He’s done so before, in very difficult circumstances.

Whether the next president or not, McCain is an American leader to be respected for his assessment and thanked for his significant personal sacrifice.

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