Question of the week: A Presidential Candidate for Veterans

Now that's a no-brainer. John Mc Cain will support veterans the most with his military background along with being held captive during the Viet Nam War.

It seems in election years seeking votes everybody suddenly is interested in veterans, but I would say McCain has a better understanding of it all.

I agree with Rob, that is a no brainer.

Senator Clinton. She is a woman of compassion and commitment to this coutnry.

Well, knowing the backgrounds of all the candidates, I will say McCain will support and be most compassionate to veterans and their rights, as he sure has done his time in the Military.

McCain of course. Who better to understand the needs of veteran then a veteran.

Senator McCain, despite his military service and the rhetoric, does not have a good record of supporting veteran's issues. There's no way to know how either Democratic candidate will act if he/she becomes President, but I would trust either over Senator McCain. My preference is for Senator Obama, as he seems to listen to his military advisers about veteran's issues.

Of course, any of the three would be an improvement over what we have now.

You might want to read THIS ARTICLE about the three candidates and their support for veteran's issues. It's an objective report, not favoring any candidate.

I'm hoping whichever candidate wins they will keep our Veterans concerns front and center!

McCain without a doubt

It is a no brainer for sure already: i am a disabled vet, 100% and he is totally against supporting disabled vets and is against the GI Bill for vets and is even more anti-vet than Bush has been who has done the most to hurt vets since the Civil war. GI's are being abandoned, and the VA publishes out right lies. In secret emails, the head physician for psychological services admitted that the suicide rate among vets from Iraq is running more than a 1000 a month, and warned people NOT to admit he leid that it was more like 700. They lie and then lie again. McCain is for the war but the most anti-vet and anti-disabled vet since Civil War times. if he gets elected vets will lose their benefits: he already said so. The VA has already denied disabled vets in its homes and hospitals the right to register to vote and vote registers are not allowed to help them register anywhere in any VA facility. They are all completely against our voting rights, education rights and health benefits already. FACT And McCain approves and will cut more.

This is really sad to see, because McCain's record with regard to bills supporting vets is very weak. Many vets are supporting Obama. Do some research before you decide.

Thank you for all of your posts!

The obvious choice is NOT McCain. While he definitely boasts his support of our veterans, but when it comes down to voting and acting on his words, he has fallen short. Here are a few examples of McCain's shortcomings:

* John McCain has refused to support the 21st Century G.I. Bill; supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other veterans organizations
* John McCain voted AGAINST an amendment providing $20 billion to the VA's medical facilities. [5/4/06]
* John McCain voted AGAINST providing $430 million to the VA for outpatient care "and treatment for veterans," one of only 13 senators to do so. [4/26/06]
* John McCain voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.5 billion by closing corporate loopholes. [3/14/06]
* John McCain voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.8 billion by ending "abusive tax loopholes." [3/10/04]
* John McCain voted AGAINST a $650 million increase in veterans' medical care funding. [8/1/01]

Honestly, I'm not thrilled with any of the remaining candidates who have announced their candidacy for the Oval Office in 2008. :( I think McCain might be the most supportive of vets; as for his voting record, perhaps those were bills where a rider was attached to which he had objected. I honestly don't know. McCain is very unpredictable and changes quite often.

I don't personally believe that the vets have ever been taken care of. I have not heard one canidate address this issue.

Maybe Ron Paul, the non candidate, but an M.D. or Obama.

McCain without a doubt.
Yes, I know what Osama Obama says but you can tell when he is lying, his lips move.
Hillary? Hillary is all about Hillary.

But really, Marsha S. is right.

Ditto on the "no brainer". McCain has the most understanding of the military life and commitment. It is my opinion that HC is only in it for the title and the power of the office. BO is beating the CHANGE tamborine just like the first Clinton, to get the young vote and the vote of the frustrated people.(a lot of frustrated people out there) Most likely, nothing will change, so might as well have someone in there with a clue. Sorry for the rant.(i tend to rant) I could go on for days, but you all probably have lives to get back to.

#1. I'm a Viet Nam vet. i.e. a national embarrassment
Supporting vets is an interesting issue but it can't be isolated in my opinion. America has a ribbon for everything, but in reality few do anything more than put a ribbon on the car. The same is true with Washington and States governments, The process is called passing the Buck, they will do it, all we can do is vote. In my opinion again that is passing the buck.
I live in Arizona but I feel John is slipping into forgetfulness of old age. I see him as a cowboy who will continue to keep us in th political WAR GAMES. Like Bush said after 9/11 he didn't have to worry about the budget or domestic problems like the Vets; he had a war to run. John's running for commander and chief not the presidency. No John Mc cain. will only increase the number of vets, and once their usefullness is over we're disguarded and if we don't get our jobs back, loose our homes and wind up a national embarrassment. If a vet gets drunk or uses dope after seeing children blown to pieces, or their best friend have their leg blown off a foot or two from where your at, it's embarassing. Now 18 iraq vets attempt suicide each day because they can't readjust from a combat zone to the American life, he's an embarassment to our image, after all kids play blood and gutts computer games and go shoot up the high school.
Clinton will be the same as Bush if not worst, and worst than Mc Cain by far. Her history bears that out.
Obama may not do anything if elected other than send a clear statement to EVERYBODY in government THE STATUS QUO SUCKS.
Clearance clearwater Revival had a couple of song, and I ain't no Senetors son. Polititions protect their children from war, Bush was not the only one. Why don't they like heros in their families too?
I may be wrong but I don't see and disabled war heros in the government period. Maybe one or two in the VA. Why have a constant reminder of war in front of you daily when you can hide the facts.
But is the responsibility of the American vets the VA's or the entire people of the united states? You and me.
So passing the Buck will continue and those embarrassing HEROS will continue to be swipe under the rug to keep up our image.
Look at history, what happened in Viet Nam after we left. Peace?
I'm going to vote for Obama if the Democrates don't allow the Clintons to steal the nomination like Bush stole the White house twice. Democracy in action.
I THINK THAT VETS SHOULD START A POLITICAL PARTY, WHAT DO YOU THINK? I will vote for a guy in a wheel chair before and of the three pompas asses running now.

oops I forgot to mention that Clinton successfully dodged the draft by going to England or something to do with school.

No, John. That was Bush.
John...it is Obama that will actually listen to The People--not the Machine. You've been played by the minority/majority voice. Clinton, although I voted for her husband previous...I don't like where her money is coming from.

McCain has voted continually and consistantly against vet's benefits and their armament to keep them from being harmed. I hope he's burning in nightmares everynight for voting against vet's benefits.

It is Obama for me. I've done my homework. Looked at how they've voted. Looked at who "owns" them. For vets...and middle / "lower" class Americans. Obama has my vote. Now, and until November.
McCain is Bush-lite. He is owned by the military meglo-machine. No way. No how.
He'll screw vets 6 ways from Sunday to keep the military machine in place.
Nope.
Clinton, although a women, is also owned by parts of that same machine.

Send me the grass-roots kid. (And I'm an old fart.)
I want America and her borders protected. I want the soldiers home...protecting the country from the evil doer's outside our country. NOT a half world away, fighting Haliburton's Money Making Endeavor War.
Bring 'em home. As fast, and as safe as we can.
Every last mother's son and daughter...bring them home--alive.
Then we can talk about healing them...and the cost of doing so. Which I will gladly pay.

Who is making money from the war that has actually sent one of their own kids over to fight? Who????
NO ONE.

Wilka

I think John McCain would be the candidate who would most act on behalf of veterans. He does so now, in the Senate, and after the election, I hope he continues to do so, from the Senate. Either Democrat would be better at supporting the troops in all ways than this administration has been. My husband was in the Army for 21 years. When Republicans were in power, the individual soldier was overlooked for pay raises and programs, but there was more spending on military hardware. The best presidents for the rank and file troops were always Democrat.

Wilka - You are soooooooo right.

I don't think anyone who is actively running right now, i personally don't like any of them, both my husband and i would say that Ron Paul would be the one to best support the vets. and i know there are many people who would disagree, i think it would be mighty funny and really nice if he ran as an independent and actually won.

Thanks just what i think :)

There is no doubt in my mind that McCain will be the most supportive of veterns and active military. I also believe he will do the most to promote vetern services.

Clinton

Veterans need their own candidate. The Veterans Party should nominate Frank Lynch from http://www.franklynch.org because 40 years ago he was a national security consultant to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and performed a projection of future conflicts that predicted the current situation in the MidEast with 100% accuracy.

It is time we had a President who can see the future to boldly lead America to our best possible future.

I have to disagree with most people who think that just because John McCain is a veteran, he'll support veterans issues.

Actually, his voting record on vets issues is pretty poor. Take for example, the GI education bill. A bi-partisan bill was put forth by Sen. Webb (who has a Marine son) and Sen. Chuck Hagel that would give really good benefits to ALL veterans, not just those on active duty. It also takes into account that college costs vary state to state. McCain didn't want to sign the bill, even though many Repub's have, and instead introduced another, more "watered down" version of the bill. His bill doesn't even include National Guard or Reservists (who have bore the main grunt of the war) and gives a flat rate for college tuition, even though some states have state colleges that are much higher than others! Actually, most veterans groups are not big McCain supporters.

Check out VoteVets.org and Veterans for Common Sense:

http://www.votevets.org/news?id=0126

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/9559

Just because McCain is a veteran, doesn't meet he always supports veteran needs.

Hands down, I would have to say McCain!!!!

McCain, look at his record!!!

 

Pray it will be the Right Candidate! Blessings to all our vets and soldiers! THANK YOU!

Obama, not McPain.

John McCain, for two reasons..for many of our friends that are veterans and to keep my active duty husbands job in the Marine Corps.. I think alot of people dont realize that with the clinton/obama campain that they are playing right into the terrorists hands. Dont people think that they watch the news of this on the internet?

It's Sad to see all you people saying that John McCain will support veterans more. This just isn't true. Look at his voting record! John McCain may be for WAR, but he is not for veteran services AT ALL!!!!!!

People have short memories.
Wasn't it the clinton's who wanted the Honor Guard to wear servants uniforms & serve as waiters during bill's term?

Compare and contrast Obama and McCain's positions on veterans:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/veterans/

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/9cb5d2aa-f237-464e-9cdf-a5ad32771b9f.htm

It seems that Barack Obama is more specific on what he will do for veterans (for instance, Iraq veterans with traumatic brain injuries, probably the most common injury), whereas John McCain is not.

What many of you may not realize or maybe you don't care, John McCain has two sons servicing in Iraq. He does not say anything because it would be pandering. The bills that you all speak about were filled with so much pork he could not vote to pass the bills. He also has his own Vets. Bills in the Senate but the dems keep blocking it. If you watch cspan or cspan1 you will really know what goes on up on that hill. I have been watching for years and if more people paid that close attention, alot of this stuff we complain about every 4 years would not manifest. Wake up it is our own fault who is running this country. I am a dem who will be voting for John McCain because we can not afford Obama if we like our pay checks and perks.

If anyone looks at MCBush campaign from 2000 you will see he is an obvious flip flopper or suffering from alzheimers.
It's known that the Viet Cong broke MCcain mentally, and as a result, he seems suffering from serious mental deficit knowns as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
aside from PTS, one has to wonder what effect the torture had on his mind.
It's not that his temper gets the best of him, he's mentally disturbed and time after time, has made
statements that suggest he's either confused, unaware of the reality of the situation, or true lier.
If McCain's experience could not help him vote against the Iraq war, how will it help him make America safer and better by conytinuing failed Bush policy?
These are serious troubling issues for a president
No MCBush = No more War
McClueless, MCold, MC stupid, gotta love McFlipFlopper, This guy is true lier and clueless about Iraq war.
American people are not stupid, to give MCBush failed policy & US occupation of Iraq another four years to let him
figure out that Iran and Iraq did not have anything to do with 9/11, Alquida in Iraq is outcome of US occupation.
MCstupid has to listen to Irqi lawmakers that are saying US occupation is fueling insurgency and they can take care of their country.
http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSN04304912

Yesterday, Senator Kennedy interrupted his cancer treatment so he could be in the Senate for a re-vote on the Medicare/TRICARE bill. Once again, Senator McCain failed to show up for the vote. Read the story HERE

"In an added element of drama, the only Senator to miss the vote was Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), his party's presumed presidential nominee, who was campaigning in Ohio. McCain would have faced the choice of voting against the interests of seniors and active and retired military personnel, whose healthcare system is linked to Medicare, or voting against party elders at a time when he needs their support."

After the last rounds of "repricing" my doctor dropped all of her Medicare and TRICARE patients and I had to find a doctor farther away. So far, he is still seeing TRICARE patients he already had, but is not accepting new ones, nor is any other doctor withing a 50 mile radius. If this cut had gone through, my only option would have been an already overcrowded military hospital more than 200 miles away, or selling my home and moving back near a military facility.

I won't be voting for Senator McCain in November.

McCain, of course. The bottom-line question arising from the debate is, “Who do you trust?” We need a steady hand on both the military trigger and the throttle of the U.S. economy. In the debate, McCain was head and shoulders above Obama in inspiring my trust. In typical “lawyer” fashion, Obama bobbed and weaved, parsed words, misquoted people and generally showed his lack of depth and experience. When Obama didn’t know the answer to a question, he fudged it, agreeing with McCain at least 8 times during the debate.
If you trust lawyers, who are trained to twist and turn depending on the wind direction, then you will love Obama. You will love him even more, if he gets elected because he will inevitably say, “Oops, it looks like we will have to double your taxes to pay for all of the neat things I promised to do for you.” The man is scary, but his supporters are even scarier. If he is elected, I will be convinced that we have become a nation of blind idiots. The man is a “shape-shifter”, not a leader.