Reply #4: Veterans are a subset of the country... [View All]

[YvonneCa]

...a country that was very divided about VietNam and Kerry's role in it. The group supporting Kerry in 2004 DID understand and believe in what he did. The other 'side' saw a loss because of insufficient use of war power...hampered by protesters and a disillusioned American public. They NEVER want to fail again (Iraq) and they belittle the role of dissent as keeping victory from their grasp. McCain represents this side. The Kerry haters come from this group.

As JK has said, the "fissures of VietNam are stubbornly resistent to closure." I think Iraq enhanced that division between veterans. I also think that ...had JK run again and had McCain as an opponent...while it might have proven interesting, it probably would have divided us even more. Obama, as a candidate, didn't attract the haters.

As to trends, I think it's too soon to tell.