McCain Said Military Service Doesn't Make Someone Better Equipped To Be President

McCain Source

McCain Said Military Service "Absolutely" Didn't Make Someone Better Equipped To Be President. During an interview with National Journal, John McCain was asked if "military service inherently makes somebody better equipped to be commander-in-chief." McCain said, "Absolutely not. History shows that some of our greatest leaders have had little or no military experience- Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Harry Truman was in the artillery in World War I, which was magnificent. Ronald Reagan did most of his active duty in the studio lots in California. It might be a nice thing, but I absolutely don't believe that it's necessary. [National Journal, 2/15/03; emphasis added]

McCain: "I've Never Believed That Lack Of Military Service Disqualifies One From Occupying" The Oval Office. In an address to the American Legion in 1999, John McCain said, "I believe that military service is the most honorable endeavor an American may undertake. But I've never believed that lack of military service disqualifies one from occupying positions of political leadership or as Commander and Chief. In America, the people are sovereign, and they decide who is and is not qualified to lead us." [McCain Speech to the American Legion, 9/7/99]

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