VetVoice: McCain overstretches his support of veterans and troops.

[babylonsister]

McCain overstretches his support of veterans and troops.
by: Brian McGough
Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 00:05:21 AM EDT



In tonight's debate John McCain said "I know the veterans, I know them well, and I know that they know that I'll take care of them, and I have been proud of their support and their recognition of my service to the veterans, and I love them, and I'll take care of them, and they know that I'll take care of them."

Truth be told this is not the case. McCain has a lackluster voting record when it comes to veteran's issues and America's veterans know it. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America have given McCain a grade of "D" when it comes to voting in their interest. The Disabled American Veterans have given McCain a 20% rating when it comes to voting in the interest of disabled veterans.

McCain has voted 29 times against Veteran's medical benefits. In April of 2006 McCain joined only 13 other Senators in voting against an amendment that would increase funding for the VA to provide outpatient care and treatment. Earlier that year, in February McCain voted against increasing funding for military and veteran's hospitals. This was money that could have been used to fix the problems at Walter Reed before it became a national disgrace.

McCain was a staunch opponent of the bipartisan Webb/Hagel GI Bill. This bill would have provided better educational opportunities to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. McCain called this bill "too generous" and tried to introduce his own watered down bill. McCain didn't even bother to show up to vote for the bill. After it passed the 2 staunchest opponents of the GI Bill, Pres. Bush and John McCain, tried to take credit for its passage.

McCain has an equally bad record when it comes to supporting our active duty soldiers.

more...

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1957

[chupacabranation]

1. I know.

This is something that really, really bugs me.

You've got to be some kind of unholy man if you neglect what you are. That's a serious, deep-seated issue right there.

Kind of the partner issue to the fact that he wants everyone to live in a War-State, despite him knowing full well how terrible war is.

[spag68]

2. McCain

I hope you are not too surprised to hear a republican lie. Worse then the vets issue, I wish something would have been said about his opposition to the torture bill.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. And why in god's good name didn't Obama challenge this???

He could have scored some big points if he had!

:banghead:

[FrenchieCat]

4. He isn't perfect? He chose not to attack McCain on everything

this time.

He could have......and he either chose not to, or had other things to say.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear FrenchieCat...

Oh, I know he's not perfect...

I guess the vet issue is just one of my particular pet peeves, is all!

And he did so very well, even without it.

:hi:

[CitizenLeft]

19. it was just before the very end, I think...

...just before the closing statements. In fact, I didn't even realize they were making closing statements because I was still jumping around yelling "NAIL HIM! NAIL HIM!"

No doubt McCain will tell that lie again. When he does, hopefully Obama will get him next time.

[babylonsister]

5. I thought the same thing, Peggy, it pissed me off. But Rachel's dealing

with it, so it's okay.

This will get a lot of attention. :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear babylonsister!

Oh, good...I don't have the TV on now, so I'm glad she's taking it on...

Other folks can make an issue of it...

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

[redqueen]

11. It's a sensitive issue...

being an "outsider" to the military, perhaps it's better to let the Veterans' groups field that one?

It's not like he didn't score major points... or missed many opportunities.

:shrug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. I hadn't thought of your point...

And it's a good one, too...

He really did well, even without it...

Thanks for your clarification!

:hi:

[stillcool]

12. I saw a soldier at a townhall meeting...

confront John McCain about his support for veterans. His answer was to rattle off all the different organizations that support him, and shut the guy up. I don't see how that would help Obama one bit.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. Well, if Obama had chosen to engage McCain on this...

I'm sure Obama's answer would have been much sharper and harder to deal with...

:shrug:

[Native]

21. my take on this . . .

* it was at the end, and Obama wanted to close with something that made it clear to us that he was in this for the common man - he steered it right back around to 'our' plight. The focus group comments of independents clearly show that this was effective.
* I can't believe that he would unintentionally avoid going for the jugular on this.
* Because Biden tackled this almost immediately during the after debate commentary, I'm assuming this was planned.
* Because of McCain's POW sainthood (as acknowledged time & again by the Obama campaign), this territory (on a debate platform) might have been one that was perceived as a no-win issue & best left to be refuted by vets themselves (note Maddow had them ready) & Biden.

[Inuca]

23. Some of McCain's statements

were so full of refutable BS that there was no way I think for Obama to address all of it when his turn came. Also, I don't think that he wanted the whole thing to degenerate into a dog fight, not into his nature and not very presidential (and remember that according to common wisdom, he is the one that supposedly had to prove that he is indeed presidential material).

[uppityperson]

8. I heard that bit (about all I heard since was working) and had to wonder: what. the. hell?

"I love them and they know I'll take care of them..." What the hell? No. No. Way.

k&r.

[babylonsister]

9. Quick response. Who knew? Me. Ha! nt

[redqueen]

10. That was fast!

:wow:

[babylonsister]

14. Hey, I'm good, unless you were referencing a "quickie" btwn the McUckies. nt

[babylonsister]

16. Hey, I'm good, unless you were referencing a "quickie" btwn the McUckies. nt

[ProSense]

15. McCain's statements were a series of gaffes and lies. n/t

Paskistan

Lebanon

[CitizenLeft]

18. this is my one criticism of Obama tonight...

...when McCain said that, I leaped outta my chair and yelled at the TV, "Barack, if you don't whip those rating stats out from the vet groups and bash him over the head with it, I'm gonna choke you!" LOL. He didn't do it, damn it. Everything else was great for me, but that... I wanted THAT.

[babylonsister]

20. But it's been done. He had back-up, didn't need it, but knew it

would be an issue. Very smart! And I'm so damned glad!!

[babylonsister]

22. am kick-he won't get away with this. nt