Stumping for Hillary Clinton, Gloria Steinem made this swipe at John McCain as noted in the New York Observer [1]:
McCain was, in fact, a prisoner of war for around five-and-a-half years, during which time he was tortured repeatedly. Referring to his time in captivity, Steinem said with bewilderment, “I mean, hello? This is supposed to be a qualification to be president? I don’t think so.”
Here is why this is unfair and seriously misguided;
What is missing from this story is that McCain was tortured and mistreated for five years so that he would give up military secrets which he never did. Also, because McCain was the son of a navy admiral, his captors wanted to send him home early to embarrass the United States. McCain refused to leave the torture camp unless all the other soldiers that were captured before him were released with him. This was important to show that no soldier received special treatment among his brothers. His captors refused, and therefore McCain remained in prison. Being able to stick to your principles and be sacrificing under unbearable torture and depravation is a sign of tested courage worthy of a President.