Recently on a talk radio show, the guest, a Democrat, said there was little difference in policy between John McCain and the two Democrats running for President.  Many of those calling in agreed.  Considering McCain’s recent comments on global climate change and his position on some other issues I can understand why some might have that impression. 

If voters are convinced there would not be much difference in policy between a McCain and an Obama presidency, it is likely the majority will go for the young, charismatic candidate who would make history as the first black President.  If they vote for Obama thinking he would be the same on policy as John McCain, though, they will be making a big mistake.

On some of the most important issues the country faces there are huge differences.  On one issue in particular, national defense, McCain has demonstrated that he is the only candidate of the three we can afford to have as President at this time.

Democrats see the Iraq War as an issue that will hurt McCain.  The war in Iraq is unpopular, and since the progress and success that is now being seen there is receiving little media attention, it is likely to remain so, at least until November.

McCain was not only supportive of the decision to go into Iraq, but he was a strong proponent for “the surge.”  In fact, much of McCain’s criticism of the war was based on his belief that a larger force was needed.

McCain has not been an unquestioning cheerleader though.  In addition to being a steadfast supporter of the mission, in his criticism of troop levels, McCain has also been an outspoken critic of policy failures there.  This gives him credibility with many Americans who were not necessarily against removing Saddam Hussein, but rather have problems with how it was done.

The position popular with Democrats now is that we never should have removed Saddam Hussein and that even if there have been positive results of it, the surge should never have occurred because the war is ultimately unwinnable and the surge only prolonged it.

There is far from “little difference” between those positions.  There is a huge difference between the two.

Putting Iraq aside, John McCain is the only candidate for President with military experience.  (Hillary’s Bosnia sniper fire claim only highlighted that fact.) Some Democrats have now come up with an attempt to level the playing field against McCain based on the nature of his service.  One argument now being floated by some Democrat Senators is that McCain did not learn the lessons of Vietnam because he was “sealed away” as a prisoner of war. Continued...