Instead, perhaps naively, Gen. Clark stated a very simple fact. Mr. McCain's service in Vietnam doesn't prove his aptitude or competence to serve in the nation's highest office. Or as he told "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer on CBS: "I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president."

Nor with all due respect is withstanding long captivity and torture by the North Vietnamese. "I certainly honor his service as a prisoner of war. He was a hero to me, and to hundreds of thousands and millions of others in the armed forces, as a prisoner of war," said Gen. Clark. The reservations he expressed were clear and honest, requiring no apology and no scuttling repudiation by Barack Obama.

Supporters of Mr. McCain insist that his military service should be exempt from discussion, except when they feel like bringing it up to prove some point about national security, terrorism or the presidency that it really doesn't prove at all. But of course he was not the only soldier, sailor or airman to survive such experiences with courage and nobility. There was once another former POW whose candidacy for high office vindicates the Clark argument.

Or has everyone forgotten Adm. Stockdale?"

There's some very valid points here. Especially pointing out that Adm. Stockdale had a far better record than Sen. McCain, and yet was not qualified for high office.

Also points out that: