John McCain Attempts Spin to VFW Audience

by: Richard Allen Smith

Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 15:56:41 PM EDT


As a political proposition, it would have much easier for me to have just signed on to what I considered flawed legislation. But the people of Arizona, and of all America, expect more from their representatives than that, and instead I sought a better bill. I'm proud to say that the result is a law that better serves our military, better serves military families, and better serves the interests of our country.

"Better bill", eh John? Funny you should say that in front of the VFW's national convention. This is what their deputy director for legislative affairs had to say about your "better bill":

The Graham-Burr-McCain plan is "very partisan and is seen as a way to convolute the GI bill, or to slow the Webb-Hagel proposal down.

McCain is taking a pretty large leap to say that he introduced "a better bill". Here is the skinny on McCain's version:

They aim to increase the $1,100 of education benefits per month for active duty service member to $1,500.

And the bi-partisan Webb-Hagel bill:

Under the bill, service members returning from Iraq or Afghanistan could earn up to 36 months of benefits, equivalent to four academic years, which would include payment of tuition, books and fees, as well as a $1,000 a month living stipend for those veterans whose military service qualifies them for the program.

You can decide for yourself which version is the "better bill". For what its worth, VFW endorsed the Webb-Hagel version and is even awarding Senator Webb a a gold medal and citation of merit for his work on Veterans' education benefits.

More on this in Ernie1812's diary.
Richard Allen Smith :: John McCain Attempts Spin to VFW Audience
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John McCain Attempts Spin to VFW Audience | 7 comments
This is an interesting quote (4.00 / 1)
I'm proud to say that the result is a law that better serves our military

So he is actively taking credit for the Webb-Hagel bill, which he worked against and did not vote for.  

Someone remind me - who was the senator from Illinois who found time to vote FOR this bill?

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

McCain just now discovering vets need help? (0.00 / 0)
Senator McCain has been a member of Congress since 1982.  Yet today's speech seemed to indicate he has just now become aware of problems faced by wounded warriors and veterans.
McCain's Seeming Unfamiliarity With Recruiting Process (0.00 / 0)
McCain doesn't seem to understand how military recruiting works in this country: it depends heavily on advertising.  And since this new Bill is so generous in its benefits, a lot of poor American neighborhoods are going to be bombarded with military recruitment ads implying that poor, disadvantaged, non-white young people who barely graduate from their nasty public high schools can attend elite private universities for free if they only enlist and then discharge honorably.  Expect to see such messages in a poor neighborhood near you.
Don't see why that would be so bad... (0.00 / 0)
that's pretty much the tagline that hooked me in.

I'm on twitter.
[ Parent ]
Not to mention (0.00 / 0)
that this new GI Bill is actually a smart investment on the Government's part as well. What was the ratio of return for the GI Bill after WWII. Was it 7 to 1? Try getting a return that good from the stock market or a trust fund.  
[ Parent ]
My Drill Sergeant had a saying... (4.00 / 1)
"Just call me stupid.  It'll make me feel better."

McCain clearly thinks that the VFW doesn't follow political issues.  Everyone in that room knows he didn't support the Webb-Hagel bill.

Obama at the VFW in Orlando today...'he's hitting hard' (0.00 / 0)
John McCain Attempts Spin to VFW Audience | 7 comments
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