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."