McCain POW Video Released by French National Archive

When Sarah Palin says John McCain is the only candidate in this race who has actually fought for America, she's not kidding. Today the French National Archive has released an interview that was conducted with McCain during his early days as a POW when he was still bedridden from his injuries.

The video portrays the Republican as a hero but the message may be tarnished as he is filmed smoking a cigarette.

In the footage an emotional and shirtless McCain passes a message to his wife saying he will get well and loves her.

He also describes being shot down over Hanoi in 1967, and parachuting into a lake.

At times, when speaking of his family, McCain's lower lip trembles and his voice breaks.

"I was on a flight over the city (Hanoi) ... and I was bombing and I was hit by a missile or anti-aircraft fire, I'm not sure which," he said, adding that his plane "when straight down."

After landing in the lake, McCain said he "was picked up and taken to the hospital, where I almost died."

In the interview, McCain said he was treated well by his Vietnamese captors. Asked about the food, he told his French interviewer, "It's not like Paris ... (but) I eat it."

Somehow I don't think most Americans watching the film will care that he was smoking. That was a silly statement on the part of the writer.

Here's the film: