Obama camp launches veterans group

Posted: Monday, August 18, 2008 3:46 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Alex Wall
In an attempt to mobilize support among veterans, the Obama campaign announced a veterans group designed to tout their candidates’ judgment on military issues.

Phillip Carter, the campaign's veterans director, said in a conference call that the group -- called Next Generation Veterans for Obama -- will be involved in activities at the Democratic convention, as well as in grassroots organizing and speaking to veterans and non-veterans across the country.

While several veterans on the call expressed respect for McCain’s military service, the group stressed Obama’s superior ability to tackle issues in the 21st century. Drew Sloan, a veteran Army infantry captain in Iraq and Afghanistan, argued that the “threats this country faces” were “too complex for a Cold War mentality” and praised Obama’s recognition that there must be “a plan to win the war” and “a plan to win the peace.”

When asked during the Q&A about Obama’s claim that he would still have voted against funding for the surge in hindsight, Carter defended him by arguing that additional troops won’t lead to victory in Iraq. “The primary reason why things are better in Iraq today is because of the political negotiations with the Sunnis and the Shiites, which has brought them out of the equation and it has improved the situation markedly,” he said. “You could double the number of troops in Iraq, but we’d be no closer to a lasting Iraqi political solution. The security gains are tenuous at best without political solutions in Iraq.”

Carter also praised Obama for his support of the GI Bill (McCain voted against it), citing it as a major reason for veterans to throw their support behind him. “This next generation isn’t looking for a handout, we’re looking for opportunities,” he said. “The GI Bill was such a big victory because it allowed all of us to buy into the American Dream and also to continue our service to this country as tomorrow’s doctors and lawyers and engineers and businessmen and women, and that is what this next generation brings to the table.”

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Comments

Brian from NJ (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 3:57 PM)

Faruq al-Obeidi, who headed a local Awakening Council in Iraq was murdered along with his bodygaurds on Sunday. Military officials and members of the council are unsure whether it was Al-Qaida in Iraq or rival members of the Awakening council. It seems that the US government is not living up to there end of the deal with the awakening council. They were promised 100 dollars a month for every fighter in the council. The US government have not paid half of them one penny so far. This growing distrust with the US by the awakening council has led them to fracture and turn on themselves.
Is this part of the surge strategy Senator McCain? You seem to think or at least like to give the impression that the surge is your brain child so please explain to us why the US can't simply hold up our side of the bargain?
Military experts are also reporting a re-emergence of Al-Qaida in Iraq in Baghdad. While US and Iraqi forces move to contain a new area, Insurgents go right back to the area that they were forced out of weeks earlier.
Another very disturbing fact emerging recently is that violence was not reduced as much by the surge but the fact that five years of ethnic cleansing left insurgents in some of the more violent areas of Baghdad and other cities with no one left to kill.
So Johnny Boy....
The surge is as much a failure as everything else in this godforsaken war. No political reconciliation in the Iraqi government. Anbar awakening council murdering each other. No effect on the death toll of US troops and innocent Iraqi civilians. You may want to reconsider taking credit for this blunder.

Mark,Seattle (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 3:57 PM)

Simply put cares nothing about veterans. Check it out it. He doesn't vote for GI's or anybody.

McCain thinks…. Encouraging veterans to go outside the VA for “routine health-care needs” is not technically privatization, but encouraging the VA to “focus” their attention on “grievous wounds of war” might easily be interpreted as an effort to scale down the scope of care.
McCain also said in his heartless, uncaring, stump speech that the VA needs to “focus” their attention on “grievous wounds of war” might easily be interpreted as an effort to scale down the scope of care; because the accountability will eliminate pork.
PORK is that what you think of our sons an
When they start drilling make sure it includes your head to remove the air in it.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 3:58 PM)

John McCain's campaign is an elaborate fraud.

It is starting to unravel.

McCain's cross story has been told before - by somebody else.

McCain's cone of silence - he campaign won't deny that he knew the questions beforehand.

McCain's record doesn't match his rhetoric . . . the truth is coming out - even though the media doesn't want it to.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 3:58 PM)

I like and agree with Carter's description of the GI Bill and its intentions, but McCain's opposition to expanding the GI Bill illustrates where he differs in seeing the purpose of the bill and of our armed forces.

McCain stated expanding the GI Bill would discourage re-enlistment. In other words, he doesn't want today's soldiers to be tomorrow's doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc. He wants them to be tomorrow's soldiers. After all, how can you have an endless war if soldiers you spent money and time training get to stop being soldiers and use that training and experience to enrich their own lives, like perhaps running for office?

If McCain is elected and enacts his vision for our armed forces, how will today's soldiers ever earn $3 million and move into the middle class?

Chris, MI (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:00 PM)

Despite his status as a veteran and POW, John McCain has a worse voting record than Barack Obama when it comes to veteran's issues.

-Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a grade of D for his record of voting against veterans. (By contrast, Obama got a B+.)

– Disabled Veterans of America noted McCain’s dismal 20 percent voting record on veterans’ issues. (Obama had an 80 percent.)

– In a list of “Key Votes,” Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) notes McCain “Voted Against Us” 15 times and “Voted For Us” only 8. (Obama voted for VVA 12 times, and against only once.)

jb (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:00 PM)

The republican candidate McStalin cares not for veterans and their life after service....he wants warm bodies for the front. And if there's not a front, this guy will make one. He was a legacy to Annapolis, has had free health care his entire life and whose career could be highlighted by one word: careless. His present position on Iraq won't allow him to afford to be fair to veterans. He doesn't want them going off and getting a college education when he could keep them under fire. I'm absolutely amazed that anyone could support this schmuck.

subgruvet, ok (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:02 PM)

I am glad Barack is back from vacation. We will see movement: hitting back harder, more volunteers getting voter registrations, knocking on doors. Now if MSNBC will simply watch and report what they see this election will not be close. It is when Chris, David, Joe, Pat try to spin and twist things that it all becomes crazy. For me, it is good to watch the Olympics. Too much silly season politics on "Race" and "Hardball".

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:03 PM)

This is something Obama's needed for a long time, if only to fight all these bogus charges of lack of patriotism. The lopsided emphasis of Mclame on vets has given the impression NO vets support Obama, which is absurd. Now we're going to see just HOW absurd a lot of Mcsame's old warrior tactics are.

class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:04 PM)

I notice that McCain's jokes are at other folks expense. We all try to be positive and hold our heads up but we don't need our presidential candidate to make fun of us. We are struggling.

McCain has very little in depth to say about our issues, He is either making up lies aboutObama or making fun of us Americans.

That is NOT COOL in my book.

Andrea, New York City (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:05 PM)

Has anyone ever checked into McCain's story about remaining a POW after being offered release. I've never heard of any POW in history being offered release but turning it down. I'm not saying it's not true I'm just asking can it be verified.

Eugene Calloway (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:05 PM)

I know McCain was against the GI Bill, but he didn't even do the work of actually showing up to vote on it all. Like so many other important votes, he missed it. (Perhaps you should look in the mirror when you do your "Tell 'em to get back to work!" stump speech, Johnnie Boy.)

However, once the bill was passed, both he and Shrub tried to take credit for it, as if they had anything to do with supporting it or its passage. Disgusting, but not unexpected.

The record he does have with regard to voting on veterans' issues is deplorable. LIV's can't seem to get past his image of "hero"...when his voting record clearly shows him as a "zero" when it comes to helping our vets. I am so glad the Obama Campaign is launching a group of this nature. The truth needs to be spoken again and again...and it needs to be pounded home during the debates.

Add all of this to the already long list of reasons why McCain should never be POTUS.

Obama/Biden '08

PAMama4Obama (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:06 PM)

McCain is a habitual liar and aggrandizer and if the Obama campaign doesn't get voters to realize that they will lose this election. These conservatives must be called out on their fale attacks once and for all. There is no narrative that pushes back against McCain at this point..and it's getting late in the game.

CJ (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:07 PM)

This is a good move -- A good move....

Lauri Smalls, Providence (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:09 PM)

I wonder if when those troops in Iraq are allowed to come hom will McCain have waiting for them those 3 - 5 million dollar middle class jobs? I was just wondering.

On the other hand would you not say that because McCain loves the troops so much and considers them the best trained in the world paying theultimate sacrafice should their military pay not be 3 - 5 million annually? If they don't ake that much should not McCain then increase their pay so that they can at least lead middle class lives while in the military?

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:09 PM)

On a purely technical basis, the surge gave the Iraqi government the time to get their act together. Add the impact of 30,000 more troops and you have a shaky but viable government.

Can't argue with sucess.
Brian from NJ

It hasn't been successfull when violence continues to occur. There was two suicide bombs last week. How is this success?

voter (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:10 PM)

Just because you served in the military doesn't mean you know and understand it well. It also doesn't mean that always have the best choices in mind for those that are currently serving.

Obama is the opposite of that. He didn't serve in the military, but he does have a good understanding that you must support them. The New G.I. bill was a good example of that.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:10 PM)

"the group stressed Obama’s superior ability to tackle issues in the 21st century."

What issues? His superior ability is based on a speach, not a vote cast in the U.S. Senate. No one knows how he would have voted given the circumstances
and the preceived threat to the country. Hindsight is 20/20.

Brian from NJ (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:11 PM)

If experience is what you want, it's pretty much impossible to simulate the experience of wrecking 5 fighter jets, setting an aircraft carrier on fire and collaborating with the enemy.

($58,000 / yr 100% military disability AND social security? Lot's of experience working the system, too. I wonder if he and Cindy get food stamps?)

Now THAT'S experience! (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:11 PM)

Hey MSNBC and First Read, Can you look into the stuff going around today about McCain's Cross in the dirt story. I am reading it may have been taken from Solzhenitsyn's book The Gulas Archipelago. Apparently McCain suggested that Dick Durbin read this book in 2005 on Meet The Press. Also, McCain wrote a 12,000 word article for US News & World Report after his release as a POW. He never mentioned the cross.

Show Me State (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:11 PM)

When Nobama is POTUS we'll all be "Rich" so that we can be taxed even more!

American Voter (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 3:18 PM)

American Voter,
You're out of touch!

Nobody but Obama
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Voters, let’s be in a “cone of silence” women about issues like equal pay, paid sick leave, expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act, education, and affordable health care are not mute issues. We cannot allow our right to exist. Obama is not of touch with the cost of living. Voting for Mcsame will only worsen our existence. All the smears about Obama being a terrorist, hippie, Socialist, Black Nationalist… et al means nothing if pocket issues are taken from us.
This close election now but after the Olympics and vacation people astute and non-astute will see their survival depends on a leader who has our concerns; this slumping economy must be reversed. Ignore those who make lame statements such as the culture of the American voter just made. It’s a SCARE TACTIC..

Nobody but Obama

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:13 PM)

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:13 PM)

Brian from NJ - The "surge" brought troop levels back to where they were a year or so before. McCain clinging to the concept of the "surge" bringing down violence all by its lonesome betrays how narrow his knowledge is in political/military matters.

Rod (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:15 PM)

The big message beyond Barack Obama is that small buiness people (suffering tremendous losses from 8 years of GOP economics), the academy officiers, the enlisted of the military and the vets, and a growing number of Republicans know that the nation cannot continue as we have. They know that John MCCain is using the old GOP playbook and they know that the games being played to defeat Obama do not ring true. They know that the military for all its work, cannot sustain the efforts it is being asked to sustain. Then know the country can't continue the taxes that we are paying for the war. They know the economic plans of the GOP no longer work. They know that the country must be united. McCain only has fear to sell and the military does not buy it.

mexed, san antonio, texas (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:15 PM)

The victory behind the surge should only be viewed when the number of troops in Iraq are pulled out. If the surge was successful, when the troops come home, Iraq should still be stable. If you need to keep the number of troops in Iraq in order to keep the peace, then the surge is a failure.

Gerri of PA (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:17 PM)

Richard, Washington State (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:18 PM)

I agree with Show Me State. Senator McCain's story is very similar to one written by Solzhenitsyn. I suppose it is possible that an almost identical incident could have happened to two people but.......

To keep the record straight, the Senator's story should be checked for veracity.

Dorothy, Illinois (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:20 PM)

so now the republicans are saying if you don't have mccains military experience you aren't qualified? That means that reagan, bush I and sure in the heck bush 2 along with his VP and entire cabinet are unfit for the office too...sad but true

Ralph Malph (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:21 PM)

"$58,000 / yr 100% military disability AND social security? Lot's of experience working the system, too. I wonder if he and Cindy get food stamps?)"

Now THAT'S experience!

BUt i suppose even with his senate salary he still is middle class, not having made it to an annual income of $5,000,000.00 yet......

hey where's my lifetime healthcare! (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:23 PM)

MCCAIN KEEPS USING THE TROOPS FOR POLITICAL FODDER. HE HAS YET TO SUPPORT ONE BILL THAT FAVORS THE VETS

MCCAIN HAS BEEN IN THE SENATE 26 YEARS WHY DIDN'T HE AND THOSE SMART SENATORS PLAN TO ENSURE THAT ANY TROOPS INJURED OR DISABLED WOULD RECEIVE THE ULTIMATE MEDICAL CARE

WHY ARE THE TROOPS STANDING IN LINE MCCAIN HAS BEEN IN THE SENATE FOR 26 YEARS AND HE PRIDES HIMSELF ON THE "SURGE" WHY DIDN'T HE PREPARE A PLAN TO ENSURE THAT THE TROOPS WERE NOT STANDING IN LINE FOR DAYS, NOT GETTING THEIR DISABILITY EVALUATIONS AND PAYCHECKS ON TIME BUT HAVING TO STAY ON THE STREETS AND FAMILIES SUFFERING WHILE WAITING ON THE MILITARY

IF THE 26 SENATE VETRAN IS SO SMART WHERE WAS THE PLANNING FOR THE INJURED TROOPS SHOULDN'T THIS HAVE BEEN PART OF THE PLANNING

INSTEAD 40,000 ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE PTSD AND MOST HAVE NOT RECEIVED MEDICAL CARE, EVEN THOSE CRIPPLED FOR LIFE ARE STANDING IN LINE WAITING FOR MEDICAL CARE

WHY MR. MCCAIN IF YOU SAY YOU PLANNED THE SURGE, WHICH WE KNOW YOU DID NOT, ACTUALLY THE FIRST GENERALS ON THE GROUND DID, BUT YOU AND THE ADMINISTRATION ACCUSED THEM OF BEING UNPATRIOTIC AND REFUSED TO GIVE THE ENOUGH TROOPS DURING THE INITIAL INVASION, THAT WOULD HAVE SAVED THOUSANDS OF LIVES

SEN. MCCAIN WHY IS IT THAT 26 YEARS LATER YOU NOW HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS, HOWEVER YOU ACTUALLY DON'T BECAUSE THEY ONLY BENEFIT THE RICH.

GG, FL (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:23 PM)

I can't stress enough how happy I am that McCain is being highlighted for the hypocrite that he is when it comes to Veterans Affairs.

Given his general disdain for votes that increase veteran's benefits, such as the new GI Bill, it's no wonder the military is breaking 57-43 in donations and overseas soldiers are breaking 6 to 1 for Obama.

Here's McCain's complaint about NBC News, by the way:
http://www.rodneyhopper.com/presidential-election/mccain-whines-about-nbc-coverage/

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:24 PM)

The biggest liar is John McCain. I would love for someone to do a bit of research on McCain’s incarceration in Nam. Suddenly he is Solsenetsyn! I really question that cross story for it reminds me too much of Hillary and the sniper fire. I don’t like politicians who deliberately lie to gain sympathy. If you are prepared to do that in order to win votes it questions your morality and an immoral president signals destruction.

Spicegirl Md (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:24 PM)

“The GI Bill was such a big victory because it allowed all of us to buy into the American Dream and also to continue our service to this country as tomorrow’s doctors and lawyers and engineers and businessmen and women, and that is what this next generation brings to the table.”

-Phillip Carter

American Veterans have suffered the indignities of government neglect after their service in the military since the Revolutionary war.

McCain has been in the Senate for a quarter century, and has spent his time there advocating against Veterans, though he as an officer enjoys the finest of benefits for his service. Senator McCain has a 'aristocratic' mentality that does not favor the lower class or women.

Some of you laud McCain for his blustery, in-your- face, military rhetoric, and accuse Senator Obama of being weak. Since 'the wall' fell in Germany, so has the level of your due caution. Have you so thoroughly forgotten the threat of a nuclear holocaust?

I have had enough of your ignorant asessments of his decision to have the Clintons as keynote speakers at the convention as 'caving'. For heaven's sake, what is wrong with showing respect for the last democratic President, and celebrating the first woman, (also a minority), to have come within an arm's length of a major political party's nomination? That is an achievement that deserves it's place in Denver. It is not as if a roll call has not been made in past conventions. If ever one were warranted it is in 2008!

Some of you people are ignorant blowhards.

I was proud of Senator Obama's decisions with regard to the Clintons. I believe it was the only decent thing for him to do. It never does harm to be magnanimous. Quite the contrary.

donna (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:26 PM)

Brian from NJ (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 3:57 PM)
On a purely technical basis, the surge gave the Iraqi government the time to get their act together. Add the impact of 30,000 more troops and you have a shaky but viable government. Can't argue with sucess.

Brian:

Perhaps so. One could argue the definition of the Iraq government as being shaky but vaiabile versus a puppet regime that will fold as soon as the U.S. leaves whether 6 months from now or 15 years from now. But let's not argue that point.

The real question however is was the cost of thousand of young Amercian lives worth it when it was not necessary to invade Iraq in the first place? I'm not so sure you or anyone else should have the gaul to call the surge a success at such a costs.

And even if the surge were to be a success. If it is then it was stumbled and blunered into and I still think anyone who voted for the invasion and continues to support the original invasion and military build-up should be held accountable for so many American deaths.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:28 PM)

McCain is a military guy in vocation and really avocation. Raised in a military family, went to a military school, has focused on military concerns while in the service, etc. In times of crisis it is human nature to go to what's familiar. As he has shown little interest in anything non-military or related, I suspect that military will be is first and favorite solution.

Robin, Portland, OR (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:28 PM)

Richard,

Glad to hear it..., to you, and yours also.

Nashville,

Thanks again.

donna (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:29 PM)

obama has to keep pandering to the under-30 crowd. If he goes more than 3 or 4 days without giving them attention, they'll go back to their PlayStation's and forget to vote in Nov. It's a full-time job keeping them and the AA voters from zoning out. He doesn't seem to notice that the core of this Party is fleeing him in droves. Oh well, Hillary 2012!
Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:13 PM)

---------------------------------------------

We missed you, Bobbi!

(Not really.)

Surprising you didn't make an appearance amidst all the hubbub last week about the mismanaged Clinton campaign or John Edwards costing you Iowa.

Hillary 2012 (that would be her Senate re-election campaign)

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:31 PM)

or 4 days without giving them attention, they'll go back to their PlayStation's and forget to vote in Nov. It's a full-time job keeping them and the AA voters from zoning out. He doesn't seem to notice that the core of this Party is fleeing him in droves. Oh well, Hillary 2012!
Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:13 PM)

Gee Boobie I thought that your bigoted behind was gone. I guess just wishful thinking. Drop dead you racist cow. That keeping the youth and AA remark is just as dumb as you are. By the way when you are milking your cow remove your mouth from the teet and let it drip into a bucket. Then you can share it with your family instead of them having to suck it from your 4 teets.

I really hate bigots (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:31 PM)

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:13 PM)

Bobbi:

See you in a few months when you are eating crow while Obama is taking the pledge for President. No one is abandoning Obama. You have not seen what a true surge is until you see the numbers that vote for Obama come November.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:32 PM)

obama has to keep pandering to the under-30 crowd. If he goes more than 3 or 4 days without giving them attention, they'll go back to their PlayStation's and forget to vote in Nov. It's a full-time job keeping them and the AA voters from zoning out. He doesn't seem to notice that the core of this Party is fleeing him in droves. Oh well, Hillary 2012!
Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:13 PM)
*****************************************************
So every American whose under 30 or african american is stupid? Wow Bobbi I knew you were ignorant but I had no idea you were a complete and utter racist! You just clearly stated that every black man and women in America does not have the mental fortitude to remember to vote in November. You are obviously too stupid yourself to remember that your hero Hillary would not have been first lady if it wasnt for african americans and people under 30 voting for Bill Clinton. Really nice post Bobbi! You can crawl back under your rock now.

Mark,Seattle (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:35 PM)

How do you support Obama when enemies of the U.S. endorse him? There is a hidden agenda here, plain and simple.

Those Americans who can be duped will be duped. I believe the liberal asylum is almost full.

Full Moon (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:38 PM)

"Drew Sloan, a veteran Army infantry captain in Iraq and Afghanistan, argued that the “threats this country faces” were “too complex for a Cold War mentality”

It seems a bit odd for a military veteran to be implying that a "Cold War mentality" is somehow simplistic and straightforward.

With all due respect for Mr. Sloan's service, I think he is perfect for Obama's campaign.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:18 PM)
******************************************************

The cold war was very simplistic compared to the current situation.

it was red vs. blue. russia and its satellites against the western capitalistic societies, with nuclear war the primary deterrent. i'm not saying that there weren't situations within the cold war that were more complex, but for the most part it was a situation where you clearly knew the enemy.

that is vastly different to the current landscape of the world. it has been shown that since the end of the cold war, the power elite of the US has no idea how to proceed in this new world, and the failures of the current administration in military, economic, diplomatic, and social issues highlight this.

i agree 100% with Mr. Sloan's statement, and it is something that i have said to my wife and friends many times. The current administration, and one led by McCain, are still the dinosaurs who were in during the cold war, and they have not learned how to operate in the post cold war era. our old espionage tactics are worthless, and their morals have slipped farther than the emperors of Rome. to continue following their leadership will lead us to the same place that the roman empire went: extinction.

Tzalaran (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:40 PM)

Is anyone at MSNBC going to do the journalist thing and dig out the truth on the "cross in the dirt" story? Sounds like McCain is appropriating a story for himself that is not his. Since he has done this before, and his story of being a POW seems to change to match whatever audience he is speaking to, it might be nice for the journalists to quit tiptoeing around him and ask him a question about his truthfulness.

Otherwise, it will be left for some brave soul to ask at one of McCain's so called "Town Hall meetings." At which point, I imagine that they will be escorted from the room, and probably arrested.

sotiredofignorance (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:40 PM)

bobbi in eau claire...no matter what happens this november Silly Hillie Clinton will never get the democratic nomination. Get over it. Perhaps you should learn a little more about Kathleen Sebelius or other highly qualified, better liked, less divisive women.

bill, okla (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:45 PM)

McCain thinks because he was a POW some 40 yrs ago we are supppose to vote for him....that is all he has and personally I AM SICK OF HEARING HE WAS A POW - Who cares, it's the 21st century and we need someone who can think and lead NOW - being a POW doesn't mean he has good judgement, in fact, I don't think he has any HONOR left after he has been proven OVER and OVER again to be a LIAR

Tr (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:48 PM)

MCain appears to be making up a few of his POW stories, including the "cross in the dirt" story.

Nobel prize winning author Solzhenitsyn featured the same story in his book The Gulag Archipelago. McCain, coincidentally, is well versed in Solzhenitsyn's writings and praised the Russian author in one his own books.

Think the main stream media will cover this? I'd love to see it on Countdown.

Read a quick breakdown of the story here:
http://www.stopthinkvote.com/whatsnew/081808.html

TallyGirl, Florida (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:48 PM)

Has anyone else noted that suddenly it is all about military matters? Truly amazing when most of us cannot afford gas or groceries! We Dems are definitely playing ball in the GOP home field. Not a good sign!!

Cindi in Louisiana (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:48 PM)

William Bellevue, NE (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:50 PM)

Have you ever heard of anything so lame?

American Voter (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:51 PM)

McCain lies again. McCain has no less compunction for lying than George Bush.The story about the cross came from a movie. I am not sure exactly which one. I think it was Barabbas? As I remember the scene. A peasant woman is serving another woman. The peasant woman draws a symbol of a fish in the sand then wipes it away.
John McCain You or your speech writers are not even original. Seems like I have heard this before "You (McCain) will do anything! to win this election.
I am so very afraid the Republican party will Steal this election as they did in 2004!

John Gallaway (Sent Monday, August 18, 2008 4:52 PM)

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