Alec Russell (Extracted from "Straight-talking McCain reveals himself as a leader in waiting", Daily Telegraph, 12 November 2005)

"Senator John McCain has all but launched a campaign to succeed President George W Bush, calling for a new approach to the war in Iraq and savaging the Pentagon's record there. With the White House struggling to regain the initiative after a series of damaging blows and the Democrats lacking a leader, the maverick Republican has effectively taken charge of the political debate."

[Ed: Both President Bush and Vice-president Cheney managed to avoid army service in Vietnam in their youth by means of others pulling strings on their behalf -- though not for reasons of prIvate conscience as was the case of ex-President Clinton. However, John McCain did his national service, was injured and captured in Vietnam and emerged from the conflict in crutches. If anybody has the moral authority to take over the present corrupt administration in America, he certainly has. But it is doubtful whether there is enough time left to him now. In the next three years, it is likely that Bush will bring down America so low, economically and militarily, that it's highly unlikely that Republicans will gain the Presidency in 2008. But does the Democratic Party in America understand the profound social and economic changes that are occurring in all developed countries?]