Obama Hits McCain on Veterans Benefits
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama used a Sunday morning pancake breakfast with veterans in Sioux Falls, S.D., to once again blast McCain over veteran’s issues.
Obama highlighted the difference he has with the presumptive Republican presidential nominee over the 21st Century GI Bill proposed by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., a bill that passed overwhelmingly in Congress but is now up for looming veto by President Bush.
"John McCain — like George Bush — opposed it, even though John McCain didn’t come back to vote, " Obama explained, "I don’t understand why he would side with George Bush in opposing a bipartisan bill that does so much to make college affordable for veterans. George Bush and John McCain may think that the bill is too generous, but I could not disagree more."
The GI Bill would expand education benefits for veterans who served at least three years in the military after Sept. 11, 2001. Obama used the story of his grandfather, who fought in World War II, to demonstrate the need for veterans benefits when they return from war.
"We have an obligation to do everything that we can to extend opportunity to those who serve. Doing so will not only help us with recruitment, not only will it help veterans live their dreams, but that’s what built the middle class in this country was the ability to train a new generation after they’d come back from war," Obama said, "America stood by my grandfather when he took off that uniform, and it never left his side."
The McCain campaign responded to Obama’s criticisms, saying the Illinois senator once voted against funding for a veterans’ health bill in 2007.
"Last year Barack Obama was driven by left-wing party politics to vote against more than a billion dollars in funding for veterans’ health care because it was included in funding for the ‘surge’ strategy in Iraq," McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said.
Obama ended his visit with veterans, eating a pancake brunch — the pancake chef tossed three flapjacks high in the air and Obama caught them on a plate.
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Hey, Obama can’t do that. In the McCain twisted logic which is similar to the same twisted logic used to justify military coups (and completely contradictory to what our Founding Fathers set up), no one can speak out about military issues except veterans.
Posted by: Paul | June 1, 2008, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
Though I should note that many ground officers would say McCain doesn’t have any real military background, being just an aviator and all.
Posted by: Paul | June 1, 2008, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
Aviators tend to see things in overly simplistic terms. Shi-ites and Sunnis look a lot alike from 5,000 feet up.
Posted by: Paul | June 1, 2008, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
Support Our Troops, Their Families, and Veterans! Support the 21st Century GI Bill!!!
Posted by: USMarine1171 | June 1, 2008, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
*there*
Posted by: USMarine1171 | June 1, 2008, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
John McCain a supposed “veteran” should understand the extreme benefits of the GI Bill.
Not all marines are married into wealth.
This bill will definitely hurt McCain with veterans.
Posted by: Vanessa | June 1, 2008, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
No mention of the alternate bill that McCain did support? Oh well, lets hope people do their homework.
Nice distraction tactic by Obama in light of yesterdays headlines.
Posted by: Belle-Seattle | June 1, 2008, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
Between not voting for college tuition, disability benefits, veterans benefits, or voting to leave our brave Americans behind in the jungles of Vietnam… (Vietnam veterans against McCain), I think Obama, Hilliary, or even Ralph Nader can and should beat John McCain over the head with this kinda stuff. He is scum…
Posted by: ugh | June 1, 2008, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
McCain was some flier. He got his ride shot out from under him. He was even incompetent back then.
Posted by: Don | June 1, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
Now that’s what I like best about McCain, he does not promise the unattainable just because that is what many voters and veterans want to hear. How many years of service did the World War II veterans serve in war? Once again McCain says a college education should be based on your years of service in this war. The VA also has full paid college and living allowance through their vocational rehabilitation program for physically disabled veterans. I find that this is fair and very understandable.
The stop lose program retention is mere months of service compared to actual re-enlistment time. While college is definitely not for everyone if the DoD diverted a third of the money they spent on recruitment into strengthening the GI bill—they could save money and have more recruits than they need. The new GI bill needs to be based on length of service. While McCain’s proposal is not perfect, it is not unrealistic. If you actually listen to what McCain is saying his protocol like himself is open to debate and suggestion.
Posted by: Pat Smith | June 1, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
McCain seems to think his flying jets in the military 40 years ago qualifies him uniquely to express his opinion on the military bills pending before Congress. He does not however express that same right to other Congress members (e.g. Webb) who oppose his ridiculous bill. Simultaneously, McCain says that Senator Obama lacks any right to express his opinion because he did not serve in the military. Well if military service is the exclusive and vital test to express one’s opinion on a proposed law, our [alleged] President (who avoided active duty) and Vice President (multiple deferments) should shut the f*ck up about anthing to do with the military. For once, I agree with McCain (about Bush and Cheney only). Simultaneously, McSame never went to law school (compared to Obama graduating in the top 1% of his Harvard law school class and practicing law for many years). In fact, MCCain graduated in the very bottom of his naval academy class (894th out of 899). So, using his own logic, McCain has no right to express any opinion on anything concerning law. However, lord knows McCain will never apply his own “logic” to himself. That just would not be fair. Would it?
Posted by: Patrick Henry | June 1, 2008, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm
Like the Shrub, McCain has the most endearing ability to NOT let the facts get in the way of a good argument.
Posted by: Patrick Henry | June 1, 2008, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
McCain and Congress can borrow money to support Israel and Puerto Rico welfare states, but offer watered down benefits for vets?
Posted by: x32792 | June 1, 2008, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm
Get your licks in now while you can Obama. McCain has been holding back because he wants you to be the nominee. You are the weaker candidate. All hell is going to break loose on you once the Democrats have made their final choice.
Posted by: Bill Elliott | Jun 1, 2008 7:34:39 PM
Maybe McCain will tells us what he’s doing about the high number of Iraq war veteran suicides. Tho I doubt it from someone now willing to support the new G.I. bill for veterans.
Posted by: LG | June 1, 2008, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm
That should read – Tho I doubt it from someone NOT willing to support the new G.I. bill for veterans.
Posted by: LG | June 1, 2008, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm
mccain and the republican leaders believe in giving away billions to bearsterns and the oil and drug companies but when it comes to our troops they can all go to hell i hate bush and mccain more than ever now
Posted by: john | June 1, 2008, 8:54 pm 8:54 pm
According to McCain, Obama is all wrong about the service and the GI bill. He knows nothing because he voted for it. By implication, then, McCain is calling 74 other Senators all wrong as well, including vets like Chuck Hagel, and even his own bunkie Lieberman. They all voted for it, so they must be just as clueless as Obama. If you can’t vote for Obama because of this, you can’t vote for any of the Republican Senators that voted with Obama. The list can be found at http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00137
Posted by: Hornet | June 1, 2008, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm
As a current NCO w/ 4 years of service & 2 Iraq deployments I know that sometimes “no” is the right answer, whether or not its against popular opinion. I joined the military w/ only the intent to serve than ETS (get out). I would’ve joined for no benefits but that of serving the greatest country in the world. I know when I get out me & my family will struggle when I go to college and the Webb GI Bill gives hope and if it does not pass, I realize it is more than likely for the better of the country, which is good enough for me.
Posted by: Anonymous Soldier | June 1, 2008, 11:12 pm 11:12 pm
Not everybody who serves in the military will go to college. Our military personnel are highly trained and can get good paying jobs as a result of their indepth training in such fields as air controllers, carpenters, computer programming, policemen, firemen, etc. Those who want to go to college or vocational schools will be able to use those benefits. So it is not like EVERBODY who has served our country will automatically go to college. Ultimately it will be a matter of choice by individuals. I think the Webb Bill is a good thing for those who do want to get a degree. Although, I must say, I know several active duty people who have gotten their BAs and even Masters degrees WHILE still performing their job requirements.
Posted by: NinaK | June 1, 2008, 11:49 pm 11:49 pm
To infer or catagorically state that a shortfall of troops would be a direct result of enhancing the GI bill for our vets, is a senseless argument. Would or should we expect that each and every person who volunteers for service, must dedicate the entire remainder of their lives to the service, disregarding the poor planning & support of our military by those who run the country?
Posted by: just another vet | June 2, 2008, 11:03 am 11:03 am
How can we count on Obama to support our veterans with GI Bill benefits when he failed to support a veteran in death? I contacted Senator Obama to solicit his help in securing a VA grave marker for my mother who died in January 2004 (Korean War Veteran) and a resident of Illinois at the time of her death. Senator Obama failed to respond to my request for assistance (he is a member of the US Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs). It took Rep John Shimkus (Rep) from Illinois to secure her grave marker. Even Senator Durbin failed to respond to an identical request for assistance. How would Obama support our troops as commander in chief?
Posted by: Dennis | August 13, 2008, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
Dennis, do you think that McCain has never failed to respond to a request? What an incredibly shallow, self-centered, biased, dishonest basis you have chosen for judging who should be CiC.
Posted by: Jay Ballou | September 6, 2008, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
Jay, how dare you call that shallow! McCain has surely failed to respond just like Obama did, but to take this blogging so far as to insult someone about their feelings concerning their mother’s GRAVE MARKER! Do you really think that verbally abusing someone is going to make them vote for Obama?
Posted by: Ryn | September 8, 2008, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
As an Army Brat whose father was a medic in Vietnam, receiving Bronze with 3 Oak Clusters, loosing my brother-in-law on the Forrestal and many other friends, I believe this 21st Century GI Bill is Right On!
Those who want a Career in the Miltary will stay regardless of this bill. McCain’s logic on this, as with most of his proposals just goes to his lack of insight, leadership, and just plain old common sense.
Guess you know who I am voting for!
Chris
Posted by: Christine | September 13, 2008, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
what a bunch of idiots, obama is going to cut the military that means your pensions and compensations, morons
Posted by: John | November 5, 2008, 8:13 pm 8:13 pm