Obama, McCain reach out to veterans

Tuesday 27th May, 06:54 AM JST

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super delegate at 08:57 PM JST - 27th May

McCain's distinguished service in Vietnam and the fact that his son has served in Iraq greatly distances him from Bush.

No need to even mention his Dem rival.
Madverts at 09:11 PM JST - 27th May

Uhm, heh, super-d...,

"McCain's distinguished service in Vietnam and the fact that his son has served in Iraq greatly distances him from Bush."

Didn't help Kerry much.

But I'm sure McCain will be comfortable eking out his final days watching the democrats try and sort out the disater Bush Co caused, and of course, all the war vets that will be going loopy.
super delegate at 10:45 PM JST - 27th May

"Didn't help Kerry much."

So you agree character does make a difference...
Madverts at 11:23 PM JST - 27th May

"So you agree character does make a difference..."

Are you kidding?
adaydream at 11:27 PM JST - 27th May

Skipthesong I was a Marine Corps drill Instructor, successful tour, and I know from experience that recruits aren't brought in handcuffs.

The military doesn't want recruits that don't want to be there. They would be more trouble then the military wants.

Maybe a recruit goes AWOL and is brought back for processing for discharge, but recruits are never brought to training in handcuffs.

Because of the war, recruits are/were enlisted from courts. But, it was an agreement, I'll go to the military instead of prison. In those cases the recruiters take the new enlistee to the processing center and they are intergrated with everybody else. "No handcuffs."

So Skipthesong, yes I want a photo.
usaexpat at 11:29 PM JST - 27th May

At first blush I'm going to say that McCain has a much better chance of getting vetran's support.
adaydream at 11:32 PM JST - 27th May

When I got out in 1984, I was still under the old GI Bill. Not allowed to get into the VEAP Program.

I was allowed 1 1/2 years of the old GI Bill, period.

Not allowed VEAP and the old GI Bills existance was waining and I didn't receive the benefits I was promised.

No the GI Bill needed to be reworked for the ones who volunteer to proptect us. They are willing to serve, we have to be willing to protect their benefits.
WhiteHawk at 02:00 AM JST - 28th May

rjd_jr:

He wants to have his cake and eat it too, or whatever the phrase goes like, playing both sides of the fence in an obvious misguided pandering attempt to all sides. Acts like he disagrees with Bush administration handling, yet claims military commanders need more time.

I disagree. McCain could clarify that military commanders need more time due to the Bush administration's early mishandling of the war.

RomeoRamenII:

Yep, in obama-o-vision all Americans should either work for the government, or be on the government dole.

Obama just doesn't want American's signing up for military service. Kinda funny how Obama is asking Americans to work, when he hasn't worked a single day in his entire life.

adaydream:

With this voluntary military they can only beat the bushes of the poor so far. They are even signing up felons to make their goals.

Unless I'm mistaken, several Senators and Congressmen have sons and/or daughters serving in Iraq now, including McCain. Duncan Hunter's son ran for Congress from Iraq (and won).
adaydream at 04:09 AM JST - 28th May

Whitehawk, that's just great that a few senators and congressmens sons and daughter have enlisted.

That's a small fraction of the rich who have enlisted. I'd challenge you to show where the rich even make up 1% of the enlistees.

But they relaxed their standards enough to accept over 2000 felons the past couple of years.

http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/images/chart1_large.gif
RomeoRamenII at 04:18 AM JST - 28th May

I was allowed 1 1/2 years of the old GI Bill, period.

Not sure which "old GI Bill" you were under, but when I retired from the Army after 22 years in service in 1992 I was under the Vietnam GI Bill, which paid me 1 1/2 months for each month I served ($466 a month) from 1970 - 1977 (78 months total) with no time limit set. I occassionally get letters from the VA reminding me I still have 14 months left to use.

Mr. McCain is on the right course by advocating increased monetary entitlements based on length of service.

As president of the United States, I will not let you down

heh .... don't expect seeing any American Legion, AmVets, VFW, or other veterans organizations turning out enmasse for obama (if you don't think those are large voting blocks in America, think again). Perhaps obama is more like john f. kerry than john f. kennedy; getting more media hype than he deserves.

RR
adaydream at 05:01 AM JST - 28th May

I got out with 13 Years, 7 months in 1984. I received about the same amount as you did each month for a year and a half. I didn't retire from active duty.
WhiteHawk at 06:08 AM JST - 28th May

adaydream:

That's a small fraction of the rich who have enlisted. I'd challenge you to show where the rich even make up 1% of the enlistees.

Excuse me. I thought you were trying to suggest that the military is comprised exclusively of poor people or prisoners who have no other choice but to volunteer for service. That was the goal of your exaggeration, was it not?

Still, it doesn't change the fact that McCain's son is serving in Iraq. Does Obama or Clinton have any offspring serving? Has Barry served? Michelle? Bill? Hillary? Yet they hope that veterans will relate to them?

Sniper fire, indeed...
adaydream at 06:23 AM JST - 28th May

Nope, none of those people have children in the military. Just like bush, chaney or rumpsfeld.

I have 6 children. Two sons are still in the Navy and Air Force, both almost ready to retire, a daughter honorablely discharged and a son-n-law in the Marine Corps.

We've done our part and I don't want any of them to get screwed. I get tired of hearing crap from posters who have never served.
unscrejects at 09:19 AM JST - 28th May

Hey was McCain's sidekick - Joe "I'd sell my own grandmother if the price was right" Lieberman, ever in uniform?
RedMeatKoolAid at 01:18 PM JST - 28th May

When was Barack Obama in uniform? I get tired of hearing crap from politicians who have never served.