McCain's POW Experiences as Campaign Catch-all Retort

Here is a well-articulated argument on HuffingtonPost criticizing John McCain's sometimes inappropriate political use of his POW experiences from the Viet Nam War. I also have been increasingly troubled by McCain's willingness to use such a horrible and profound experience in his life to score rather cheap political points. Of course, the author's status as a retired military officer provides the critique even more bite.

Bill Clinton's Map Room Confession - 10 Year Anniversary

As John Edwards prepared for his "Nightline" interview late last week, in which he answered questions about his recently revealed extramarital affair, I wonder if he was aware of the looming anniversary of another philandering Democrat's apologia effort. Ten years ago this evening, President Bill Clinton spoke to America from the White House Map Room and admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The speech can be found here. In addition to the vague admission, Clinton also attacked Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr for overzealousness, the media for perpetuating the "spectacle," and unnamed political enemies for filing the lawsuit that forced him to lie about his affair in the first place. In making a "jurisdiction argument," the President asked the country to leave the "private" matter to his family to decide his fate. An argument that ultimately would seem to be persuasive, as many citizens grew weary of the scandal and became increasingly reluctant to see Clinton punished legally or politically. Interestingly, the speech itself was heavily criticized at the time for being too defiant, evasive, and lacking in contrition. However, many of the speech's arguments became the foundation of an ultimately effective public relations campaign. I should note that, three weeks later, Clinton did make another speech, considered much more contrite, at the National Prayer Breakfast.