Obama focuses on veterans' issues in WV
Posted: Monday, May 12, 2008 2:40 PM by Mark Murray
From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones
CHARLESTON, WV -- On the eve of what is almost sure to be a big defeat for Obama in West Virginia's primary, the Illinois senator focused on veterans' issues and blasted McCain for his opposition to the GI Bill being debated in Congress.
Veterans' issues are especially important in this state with its large veteran population. Obama gave a speech sprinkled with memories of his soldier grandfather and mentioned that his mother was born at an Army base. He offered no new policy proposals, highlighting instead his work with Sen. Jay Rockefeller on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to help veterans and their families and promising to build a fully-funded "21st Century VA," where there would be no red tape and more facilities in rural areas and to help soldiers make the transition back to civilian life. He also talked about the importance of taking care of and respecting veterans, even when you oppose the war they fought.
"There is no reason we shouldn't pass the 21st Century GI Bill that is currently being debated in Congress," Obama said.
He went on to say he respected McCain and hailed his service to the country, before hitting him for his stance on the legislation in language that seemed aimed at painting the presumptive GOP nominee as out of touch with middle-class concerns.
"He is one of the few senators of either party who oppose this bill because he thinks it's too generous," he said. "I couldn't disagree more. At a time when the skyrocketing cost of tuition is pricing thousands of Americans out of a college education, we should be doing everything we can to give the men and women who have risked their lives for this country the chance to pursue their American Dream."
The McCain camp responded just an hour after Obama uttered those words. "It is absurd for Barack Obama to question John McCain’s commitment to America’s veterans, when Obama himself voted against funding our nation’s veterans and troops in the field during a time of war," McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said in an emailed statement. "Voters need a leader with uncompromising judgment, and will reject Barack Obama’s decision to vote against funding our troops in the field, after he said it would be irresponsible to do so.”
Obama also touched on his message of unifying the party, even as acknowledged again that he would not win tomorrow's contest. Polls show Clinton with a comfortable lead. "There is an election here tomorrow," he said. "I am extraordinarily honored that some of you will support me. I understand that many more here in West Virginia will probably support Sen. Clinton. But when it's over, what will unify us as Democrats -- and what must unify us as Americans -- is an unyielding commitment to the men and women who've served this nation and an unshakable fidelity to the ideals for which they've risked their lives."
And he ended his 25-minute remarks with "Thank you, West Virginia. Remember to vote tomorrow."
Rockefeller introduced Obama by focusing on his world experience and his religion. "He knows the world better than any of the other two candidates because he's lived in that world, on the streets at the grass roots level," Rockefeller said. "I know him as a profoundly devout Christian who loves America."
