MoveOn's 'Lifelong Republican' One Sharp Airman

MoveOn.org sponsored a contest for the best 30-second pro-Barack Obama TV commercial. The winner, according to the Associated Press's article, "MoveOn ad features pro-Obama Republican," was an ad starring Air Force veteran John Weiler. The spot includes Mr. Weiler, whose military service is to be commended, saying "I've been a Republican since before I could actually vote." Not only that: "I'm a lifelong Republican and I'm voting for Barack Obama."

I don't know if Mr. Weiler is a lifelong Republican as he claims. I do know that if the Associated Press is accurate in its reporting, he must have been an extraordinary serviceman.

"He served in the Air Force from 1983 to 1989, leaving the service as a master sergeant," according to the AP. Is that not amazing? The Air Force Enlisted Promotions Fact Sheet shows promotion to Master Sergeant (E-7) requires eight years in the service. According to Military.com, "The average service wide active duty time for advancement to the rank of Master Sergeant is 17.06 years."

I wasn't in the Air Force, and I only made it to E-5, but Mr. Weiler's accomplishment is as astounding as a lifelong Republican abandoning his party for the ultraliberal Obama. Mr. Weiler says part of the reason is "We need somebody who's gonna represent the left and the right."

I would think representing, simultaneously, the left and the right would be impossible, given the differences. But I guess if you can make E-7 in six years, anything is possible.