"John grew up in a family where military strategy was constantly being discussed at very high levels," said Carl Smith, a Washington lawyer who served with McCain in the Navy. "He was steeped in the history and purpose of American military power." By contrast, the influences in Obama's youth were more about diversity than tradition. Full Story »
Posted by Beth Wellington
A "contrast" story that is somehow informative, most of the facts are already known. The suggestion that John McCain was raised on daily "military strategies" talks is a bit too much, similar true for Obama's father "idealism" that influenced the young Obama. "Military defined" McCain and "idealistic" Obama is what the article drives to, in both cases there is not enough analysis to make the case. The privileged McCain flew 10-11 hours of combat missions and spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner. These years are IMHO the defining years for McCain and we do not know too much about it.
