Fifty things you didn't know about John McCain

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

semantics...

Seid, the thing is dude, you're running a semantic/rhetorical argument ("his experience doesn't matter to me because it was in the past" while drawing a distinction with later experiences), so getting the semantics correct is important, because otherwise it deteriorates into quibbling, like in so many other threads.

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

I'm not suggesting the president's "Commander in Chief" title be removed. He/she can still be Commander in Chief and seek the professional counsel of people with much experience below him/her. Any good CEO or boss does the same. A good president also has humility.

Oh, silly me, adding in "she" and "her"...our founding fathers never expected a woman to be a serious contender for president, either! Tell me, what happens one day if a woman is a party's chosen candidate for president - though women can be in the military, they officially cannot be in combat (say what you will about women being on the front lines right now - they're not supposed to be, and the military is taking actions to correct that). Because I don't think simple military service is enough to the people who talk it up as a "must" - I think what they're really looking for is combat experience. Will military service then become a moot point, or will it become yet another reason why some people don't want a female president?

I don't think anyone is saying military service is a prerequisite - just that, as part of the job, it is potentially useful due to the many and varied (and sometimes contentious) interactions between government (and specifically the Executive Branch) and the military (if not the military/industrial "complex"). It's another piece to consider, for many people, when examining the potential pros of a candidate - and certainly more specific and universal than claiming that "a good President also has humility," which is certainly arguable and 100% unprovable as an assertion.

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

ETA: By the way, the President has many duties required of him/her in the Constitution, not just commander of the military. He/she is also Head of State and has the power to meet and form treaties with the heads of other nations, among other duties specified such as appointing other heads in the govt. and judges, and giving a state of the union address "from time to time."

Right - this is why we simply don't elect the highest-ranking general every four years. Additionally, this is why we don't elect the highest-ranking diplomat, the head of HUD, or Tom Hanks (who certainly seems like a worthy and talented man on the whole).