Vets vouch for Obama; generals vouch for McCain
On the eve of tonight's debate that is supposed to focus on foreign policy, Barack Obama's campaign has up a new video from veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Speaking directly to the camera, they vouch for Obama. One says he knows that the United States has the best fighting force in the world.
Another says that Obama knows "that success is Iraqi security, not a 100-year American occupation," referring to a much-circulated comment that Republican rival John McCain made in New Hampshire this year that he could see US troops in Iraq for another 50 or 100 years in a peacekeeping role as in Korea.
And another vet says that Obama knows that Osama bin Laden must be caught.
The latter part of the spot features Tammy Duckworth, one of the Democrats who won congressional seats in the antiwar tide in 2006.
"We deserve a strategy that honors our sacrifice," Duckworth says from her wheelchair. She lost both legs when her Black Hawk helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade near Baghdad in November 2004. and says that Obama knows the need to care for veterans.
The Obama campaign also announced this afternoon that senior military leaders, veterans, and military family members supporting him will fan out to 27 cities to talk up his foreign policy plans in advance of tonight's debate.
"More than 14,000 military personnel and veterans have donated to the Obama campaign during this election cycle -- equivalent to an Army division," the campaign bragged, also claiming that 13,000 veterans are members of their own Obama website.
UPDATE: John McCain's campaign tried to one-up Obama, issuing a letter of endorsement tonight from 300 retired generals and admirals, some of whom had previously announced their support.
"We have had the honor and privilege of serving as career officers in the United States Armed Forces, and of serving shoulder to shoulder with so many of the fine young men and women who are the backbone of America's Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. It is that experience that informs our judgment that John McCain is the presidential candidate best suited to serve as America's Commander-in Chief from the day of his inauguration.
"Our next president will confront national security challenges as significant as those faced by any administration in at least a generation. Success will require a leader with proven tenacity, judgment and courage. It will also require a leader with detailed knowledge of our military and other instruments of national power, and with years of experience dealing seriously with foreign leaders.
"John McCain's entire life has been devoted to the service of America. Throughout a long and distinguished career in the military and in Congress, he has repeatedly displayed the courage and integrity to place America's interests first -- regardless of personal cost. And he has demonstrated the experience and wisdom to lead America -- and, importantly, our allies -- in effectively dealing with complex and vitally important national security challenges around the world.
"We unequivocally endorse him to continue his service to the country as the next President of the United States."
And who would know about being a military veteran--someone who has never worn the uniform much less sacrificed for one's country, or someone who still suffers to this day the wounds of war he experienced as a Prisoner of War decades ago?
As a veteran of Gulf War One and Iraqi Freedom, I am going to cast my lot with someone who has 'walked the talk' rather than someone who has never recieved nor rendered a salute, nor consecrated their life to their country nor faced the enemy.
I would vote for Tammy Duckworth to represent my interests as a veteran, but
not to lead this country in war or peace. I'll reserve my vote for someone who's already been refined in the crucible of war, not an empty suit.
to CPO Andy Carillo, your veteran, McCain, voted against the GI Bill just recently. He is a war veteran, ex-POW, so you would THINK that he would be the first person in line to vote FOR the GI Bill! There is something definitely wrong with that picture.
O.K., so John McCain voted against the G I bill. How did Osama Obama VOTE??
Something is definitely wrong here. I saw the email from a GI in Iraq that told how Obama treated the GI's when he visited. There were a bunch on GI's in line to shake his hand and meet him, and he walked right on by them, not even recognizing their existence! Well, if it had been ME, I would have at least taken the time to shake their hands. This shows that he has no respect for the men that lay their lives on the line every day for his freedom. He has no vote from ME for the Comander in Chief. Thanks, but NO THANKS!
Larry Svetlik, Your comment #3, Obama voted YES!!!!!. Your comment #4, if you were a person with any intelligence, you would know that this story was debunked by factcheck.org.....IT NEVER HAPPENED!!!! Obama visited the troops.....didn't you watch any TV when he was traveling????? The pictures were everywhere with him eating with the troops, playing basketball with the troops!!!!! Stop spreading your ignorant, slimey smears! You must be living on a different planet, or you are just stupid!
There was a VERY good reason that John McCain voted against the GI Bill. This version offers such a lucrative payment that it is believed it will be difficult to keep trained soldiers in the service. The veterans of other wars sure never had it this good!
Daughter of a WWII (minesweepers) career Navy officer
Widow of an Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer
Wife of a ret. Airborne M.P. Officer, Vietnam advisor '64 - '65
ACTION always speak louder than words. Without going into the details of their vote records, Obama voted along party lines while McCain voted on what he believed in - exactly why he is called a maverick. Going into the details of the vote , it would help to know the reasoning behind them. Then can you only know what that vote stood for. Having a feel of how Sen McCain has demonstrated his love of country will comfort you that his decisions will always be for the good of the country he so loves.
MB. Senator McCain voted against the new GI Bill because senior officials in the military were not for it. It gave too much money for only a few years in the service. We would spend money to train them for a year or sometimes more depending on which specialty that they had. Then after a couple of years they could get out of the service. Very little value for the cost. The benefits are for people who serve a little more time than two years and punch out.
To-"m.b." ,Your comment #2 referred to Senator John McCain as CPO Andy Carrillo's "Veteran". Senator McCain was a soldier in the United States Navy, he did not suffer the wounds of war and sacrifice those many years of his life as a prisoner of war for either Democrates or Republicans, but for the United States. Senator McCain is still today a much admired, respected and appreciated American Veteran & Hero. Those of us who remember seeing him and the other Prisoners of War come home will proudly claim Senator McCain and the others as "OUR AMERICAN VETERAN"
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