And here I thought Obama was supposed to be the hip candidate:

Democrat Barack Obama on Monday promised Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans help with their grievances — save one. "I know it drives you nuts. But I'm not going to lower the drinking age," the presidential candidate said.

Army veteran Ernest Johnson, 23, of Connecticut, said one of the things that peeved him before he turned 21 was that he couldn't come home and drink a beer — even though he was old enough to serve in the armed services and die for his country.

Obama told Johnson he sympathized, but that setting the legal drinking age at 21 had helped reduce drunken driving incidents and should remain.

That may be true, but let's not lose sight of the recruiting potential here. Example: I simply refuse to believe that these two news stories are unrelated...

Corps Lowers Drinking Age to 18

and

Marines Achieve "Unprecedented Success" during 2007 Recruiting Year

There's a "Red, White, and Brew" joke in here somewhere, but I'll refrain.

HT: Blackfive