Can we dial back the bone spurs barbs, please?
There is a healthy list of chief executives (18 total) who never served in the military (Grover Cleveland paid a Polish immigrant to take his place during the Civil War). And of those who did, not all saw combat (James Madison actually drew British fire during the War of 1812).
List of Presidents who were Veterans.
And of the 535 members who currently serve in Congress, slightly less than 18% wore a uniform.
Veterans in the 116th Congress, by the numbers
Having military experience, while laudable, is not necessary to hold office in the House, Senate, or the Executive.
And before you play the Draft Dodger card, the number of people with deferments during Vietnam is a lengthy one too (including my brother and William Jefferson Clinton). I can assure you that the number of 1969 high school grads who were champing at the bit to go to Southeast Asia was comparatively small, if not minuscule.
And respectfully from one Barry avatar to another, this retort is aimed at others as well.
I’m going for coffee now. Still friends?
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