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McCain's been shy on POW talk?-- DEBUNKING THE BIO-BUNKERS
In the wake of 16 August's Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency, Media Matters for America has been repeatedly striking down the right-wing talking point promoting the false notion that John McCain "doesn't like to talk about when he was a POW,"- that he "never really talked about" his decision to refuse early POW release, and that he's suddenly displaying "a new willingness to publicly discuss"- his biography.
These attempts to sell the idea that "Songbird"- McCain has been consistently mum on the subject are certainly playing off the widely-understood fact that those who've seen the worst of combat tend to talk about it the least.
The most recent Media Matters article includes transcripted text of and video of Faux News host Gretchen Carlson's assertion that "for the first time John McCain was revealing a lot of his personal side"-:
Fox's Carlson repeats claim that McCain "doesn't like to talk about when he was a POW"-, Media Matters for America, 19 August 2008.
Summary: Referring to a response given by Sen. John McCain at the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency, Fox News' Gretchen Carlson asserted that "he doesn't like to talk about when he was a POW." In fact, McCain has repeatedly highlighted his experience as a POW, even as he and the media have promoted the notion that he is reluctant to do so.
The following article includes transcripted text of and video of pollster Frank Luntz's contention on Faux News' Hannity & Colmes program that McCain's choice to refuse early POW release was a decision "he's never really talked about it until this [Saddleback] forum"-:
Luntz falsely claimed McCain had "never really talked about"- decision to refuse early release prior to Saddleback forum, Media Matters for America, 19 August 2008.
Summary: Frank Luntz falsely claimed that Sen. John McCain had "never really talked about" his decision to refuse an offer of early release from a North Vietnamese prison camp prior to mentioning it during an August 16 forum hosted by Pastor Rick Warren. In fact, McCain has repeatedly cited his refusal to accept an early release in a book, interviews, speeches, and campaign ads since 1999.
Below is a link to Media Matters for America's lengthy rebuttal to Politico chief political writer Mike Allen and executive editor Jim VandeHei's false claim concerning McCain's invoking of his refusal to accept early POW release. This piece chronicles the senator's frequent spotlighting of this decision, dating as far back as his 1999 book Faith of My Fathers :
Citing response about Hanoi prison, Ploitico characterized "new"- McCain willingness to discuss his "biography"-, Media Matters for America, 18 August 2008.
Summary: During an appearance at Pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, responding to a question about "the most gut-wrenching decision you've ever made," Sen. John McCain cited his refusal to accept an early release from a North Vietnamese prison camp. The Politico claimed that McCain's answer "shows the power of his biography, and a new willingness to publicly discuss it." In fact, McCain has repeatedly referred to his Vietnam war experiences and has specifically cited his refusal to accept an early release in a book, interviews, speeches, and campaign ads since 1999.
Randy Abel's comment, with all due respect (and all that jazz) to the presumptive candidate's POW experience:
Having been raised by a stepfather and around uncles who were torn to shreads by a necessary unwillingness or outright inability to express what they'd done, seen and been subjected to in Vietnam, I sh!t on these efforts to somehow recast McCain in a cinematic, "silent warrior"- role.
Such attempts to sell the Manchurian Candidate as an unassialable combat hero will only become more damaging and insulting--unless veteran voices, especially, START CALLING THEM OUT ON THEIR B.S. NOW!
