Healthy? Well, Joe Bidens of the world would still be the Joe Bidens of the world, I am certain, even if the Bush twins served in Iraq (imagine if they served in the Texas National Guard!). I often think of this 2004 exchange in the Senate (which really you need to watch for the fully lousy effect) when the where-are-Bush’s-kids? cry comes up. Ashcroft’s son serving didn’t matter. The attorney general still was just another heartless necon hawk:
SEN. BIDEN: Well, I don’t either. And, by the way, there’s a reason — I’ll conclude by saying there’s a reason why we sign these treaties: To protect my son in the military. That’s why we have these treaties, so when Americans are captured, they are not tortured. That’s the reason, in case anybody forgets it. That’s the reason.
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: Well, as a person whose son is in the military now on active duty and has been in the Gulf within the last several months, I’m aware of those considerations. And I care about your son. I care about –
SEN. BIDEN: He’s not there. He’s in JAG and he’s back here.
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: Well –
SEN. BIDEN: But that’s the reason.
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: — he may not be there, but my son has been. He happens to be stateside right now for more training, but is scheduled to go back within the month.
SEN. BIDEN: Or someone’s in Pristina working for you guys and the same thing occurs?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: I just want you to know –
SEN. HATCH: Senator, your time is up. Senator Sessions.