Changes

McCain stated at a news conference in Amman, [[Jordan]], "“We continue to be concerned about Iranian taking [[Al Qaeda]] into [[Iran]], training them and sending them back..." <ref>http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/mccain-misspeaks-on-iran-al-qaeda/ McCain Misspeaks on Iran, Al Qaeda</ref> Pressed to elaborate, McCain said it was "common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that's well known. And it's unfortunate."<ref>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/18/780688.aspx McCain's Sunni/Shiite Faux Pas</ref> McCain made a similar comment during a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt, "As you know, there are al Qaeda operatives that are taken back into Iran, given training as leaders, and they’re moving back into Iraq." <ref>http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/talkradio/transcripts/Transcript.aspx?ContentGuid=ae522a49-6c82-4791-a76e-44ebb718bf32 Hugh Hewitt Transcript </ref> Iran is predominately Shia while Al Qaeda is Sunni.

McCain stated at a news conference in Amman, [[Jordan]], "“We continue to be concerned about Iranian taking [[Al Qaeda]] into [[Iran]], training them and sending them back..." <ref>http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/mccain-misspeaks-on-iran-al-qaeda/ McCain Misspeaks on Iran, Al Qaeda</ref> Pressed to elaborate, McCain said it was "common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that's well known. And it's unfortunate."<ref>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/18/780688.aspx McCain's Sunni/Shiite Faux Pas</ref> McCain made a similar comment during a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt, "As you know, there are al Qaeda operatives that are taken back into Iran, given training as leaders, and they’re moving back into Iraq." <ref>http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/talkradio/transcripts/Transcript.aspx?ContentGuid=ae522a49-6c82-4791-a76e-44ebb718bf32 Hugh Hewitt Transcript </ref> Iran is predominately Shia while Al Qaeda is Sunni.

McCain has stated in the past that he doesn't believe military service is necessarily a qualification for President.  In a National Journal interview in 2003, he was asked if “military service inherently makes somebody better equipped to be commander-in-chief.” McCain said, “Absolutely not…I absolutely don’t believe that it’s necessary.”<ref>http://mccainsource.com/mccain_fact_check?id=0017</ref>  Also, during an American Legion speech in 1999, he said, "But I’ve never believed that lack of military service disqualifies one from occupying positions of political leadership or as Commander and Chief."<ref>http://www.fas.org/news/usa/1999/09/990907-mccain.htm</ref>  In an interview on NPR in May of 2004, McCain noted that “some of our greatest presidents have not [had military experience]. … And all of them turned out to be fine commanders in chief.”

McCain has stated in the past that he doesn't believe military service is necessarily a qualification for President.  In a National Journal interview in 2003, he was asked if “military service inherently makes somebody better equipped to be commander-in-chief.” McCain said, “Absolutely not…I absolutely don’t believe that it’s necessary.”<ref>http://mccainsource.com/mccain_fact_check?id=0017</ref>  Also, during an American Legion speech in 1999, he said, "But I’ve never believed that lack of military service disqualifies one from occupying positions of political leadership or as Commander and Chief."<ref>http://www.fas.org/news/usa/1999/09/990907-mccain.htm</ref>  In an interview on NPR in May of 2004, McCain noted that “some of our greatest presidents have not [had military experience]. … And all of them turned out to be fine commanders in chief.”