For the Record

In 2004, a group calling themselves the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth (the actual liars) argued that Kerry lied about his service in Vietnam to cast doubts about his leadership abilities. Yesterday, General Wesley Clark said that John McCain's experience in Vietnam does not qualify him to be President. Conservatives and Liberals are claiming this statement is unfair and that he is "swiftboating" McCain.

Let's get this painfully clear -
Clark is not arguing that McCain lied about his service and imprisonment in Vietnam. Many people have flown planes in war, have been shot down, and subsequently imprisoned by their enemies. Does this qualify them to be president? No. McCain's time in Vietnam was probably his most heroic and honorable time in his life. However, it does not qualify him to be President. McCain continually trumps himself up as the stronger National Security candidate. It is only fair to raise questions about why can claim this. This should be the same for any policy issue.

Andrew Sullivan, the conservative voice young liberals adore, has demonstrated a significant amount of intellectual laziness on this issue.