I can't completely agree. Serving doesn't automatically make someone better equipted to be a commander in chief. Lyndon Johnson's Navy experience didn't prevent his escalation of Viet Nam. Richard Nixon's Navy experience didn't help him make better decisions in Viet Nam, either. Jimmy Carter's Navy experience didn't prevent him from ordering one of the worst minor military actions in US history. (Before anyone starts to see a Navy pattern, remember JFK.) Most of the ex-generals who've served as presidents were abysmal failures. You certainly don't want the US to follow the path of certain "republics" where any colonel can take over in a coup. What does military service actually tell you about anyone, I mean really?

Kerry's 4-5 months in combat show he's a man to be respected but it doesn't make this a freebie. I'm embarrassed for anyone who trys to find fault with his military record and he should complain when someone attacks it. That said, why was he so sensitive about his voting record on military issues? He seemed to jump pretty high when that came up.