McCain graduates in bottom 0.55% of his class

[goletian]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/02/politics/main3991081.shtml?source=RSSattr=Politics_3991081

On a blustery day in Annapolis, John McCain recalled his years at the Naval Academy, when he was known more for insubordination than heroism

"At the end of my third year, I had marched enough extra duty to take me to Baltimore and back 17 times," he said.

Despite the resistance, McCain did learn discipline there - discipline he now applies to his presidential campaign. Wednesday he told reporters he's put together a list of about 20 possible running mates but refuses to name any of them.

"It takes weeks, if not months, to just go through the background," he said.

But a more pressing problem for McCain now is money. A new non-partisan report shows the two Democratic candidates have raised nearly $50 million from business interests that usually give to Republicans. McCain has raised only $13 million.

"He has frankly angered, alienated business interests over his many years in Congress," Stuart Rothenberg of The Rothenberg Political Report said.

But McCain insists the fundraising operation is now back on track, and so is his sense of humor. Last night he appeared on David Letterman's show.

But late night TV aside, McCain's aides say he's focused on winning - another quality he was taught at the Naval Academy.

McCain graduated from the Naval Academy near the very bottom of his class, and some were surprised he graduated at all. Wednesday he said the fact that he is now a candidate for president shows that in America, anything is possible.

if obama, after having gotten his law degree magna cum laude from harvard, loses to this us naval academy reject. our country is in trouble. this guy's greatest accomplishment, the greatest achievement of his life, was getting tortured for five years -- had that not happened, he wouldnt even be the repub nominee. this is the conservative mentality we are up against people. sickening.

[Political Heretic]

1. Sad, but true I think.

About his greatest accomplishment.

It scares me though, because Americans seem to shy away from people they think are smarter than they are and vote in the perceived "everyman"(person, haven't gender neutralized that word yet)

Working in Obama's favor however, is his intense charisma and ability to connect with voters. In the minds of the people, it seems, he is not perceived to be a stuffy out of touch ivy leaguer. I think that his experience as organizer has helped with that.

[LeftishBrit]

2. You mean there were people who got worse marks than he did?

[goletian]

6. yeah, FOUR! lol. - nt

[Doctor_J]

3. Just like Bush - only older

we are doomed.

[4themind]

4. Reminds me of bush's "Hope for C students everywhere" remark -nt

[SOS]

9. In 2008, the hope is extended to D- students.

nt

[HereSince1628]

5. McCain is more a U.S. Grant than a R.E. Lee

Just remember in every law school class and every medical school class 49% of the students who graduate are in the bottom half of their classes.

[hfojvt]

13. my distant cousin U.S. Grant

is considered to be a tactical genius by some military historians.

[nam78_two]

7. "and some were surprised he graduated at all"

K&R

[SOS]

10. Father and grandfather were Navy Admirals

Like Bush at Harvard, graduation was guaranteed the day he arrived.

[ecdab]

It's hard to hold things that happened 237 years ago against McCain

but I'd say his youth is still a fair topic.

[Ichingcarpenter]

8. He was also Nominated as the Worst Freshman at his High School

He took the award 'Honorable"

[NJSecularist]

11. Where does the 0.55% number come from? n/t

[SOS]

14. He graduated 894/899.

nt

[BlooInBloo]

12. Clinton pepole would rather have an idiot in the WH than an intelligent Democrat...

... That's the only way Clinton gets another crack at it in 4 years.