You're right, voting based solely on military experience is stupid. Just like voting based entirely on gender, race or religion is stupid.

EXACTLY!

This is why in some of you guys' eyes I have been dismissive about his military record.

damn near every president that has served has one....

Don't sell me on what he has done FOR our country in the military, that's what he got signed up for .....sell me on what he has done TO the country in the government...that is what OTHER PEOPLE voted for him to do!

Yes, like I said, it's not the only thing. But you don't get to tell other people at to base their vote on. If I want to vote for the candidate with the whitest teeth, I have every right to do so. After all, a new study shows a link between cancer and gum health, and many people would find a president with cancer to be a detriment.

And, even if we're going with congressional experience, as you say we should all do, McCain's got umpteen more years than Obama in that area of his resume as well.

which comes down to the next question: what has he done with those umpteen years?

If it was that simple, then we all should be voting for McCain.

It kind of goes back to an earlier statement:

I will paraphrase: just because you have so much of 'something' doesn't necessarily mean that you are the most qualified.

Let me also add with that, it also doesn't mean that people will still 'like' you enough to pick you either, regardless of your job record.

It is that simple.

not hardly

Of course it is. I mean, if you like America and babies and baseball and freedom, you SHOULD vote for McCain. I know you still might not, but clearly you should.

I don't agree with some of his policies...that's why I won't.

I know...like freedom and Jesus and sunshine.

Now you're just trying to be facetious.

Freedom is never free

Some don't believe in Jesus

and somewhere in the world the sun always rises....

Apple pie. Don't forget the apple pie.

It's baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet... (am I dating myself with that commercial?)

According to Jon it apparently is. Since war is hell we should just not go to war anymore.

Also, when Congress voted on the torture bill, who was a very big advocate against it because he had been in the situation, and drawing on his own experiences in the military voted against it. So yes, it does play a vital part in how he feels about some of military, war, and veteran policies and those are things that should not be overlooked. The military part is not all war.

I don't know the answer to this question:

How many presidents were POWs or whatever?

Just remember this sound logic when you celebrate something Obama has done that has absolutely nothing to do with politics, his platform, and what he will or will not do if in office. :)

John McCain isn't POTUS yet so let's not jump the gun...

Enough presidents however have seen combat.