John McCain II as political as Schmuck Talk son

Turns out the old man was thought of by some as being almost as incompetent with a ship as the son was with a plane. But John II got his fourth star, and command of the Atlantic Fleet, with some sharp prodding by Evertt Dirksen.

In case you don’t know, the Illinoisian was Senate Minority Leader for much of the 1960s. And had been pushing Jack McCain’s case for some time.

Johnson (promoted him) even though Defense Secretary Robert McNamara said in a 1966 phone conversation with Johnson that he had been told McCain wasn't competent and that “he’s not a good strong tough commander.”

And, John I had HIS bacon saved from a 1945 inquiry that he was negligent in letting ships under his command in the Pacific suffer typhoon damage.

Just as a petulance gene must run in the family, I guess there’s a “military incompetence” gene there too. And a “shameless politicking” one.