Really, for a man in his early seventies, he acts like a fifth grader. This is rich. First, John McCain gets criticized by Barack Obama for his opposition to the 21st Centurty GI Bill. Here is the key quote:
"I respect Sen. John McCain's service to our country. He is one of those heroes of which I speak. But I can't understand why he would line up behind the President in his opposition to this GI Bill. I can't believe why he believes it is too generous to our veterans. I could not disagree with him and the president more on this issue. There are many issues that lend themselves to partisan posturing but giving our veterans the chance to go to college should not be one of them."
It was an appropriate criticism of a man who claims to be pro-veteran because...well, he is a veteran. So how does he respond. He argues the merits, right? Nope. He decides that since he is a vet, he is above criticism on this issue and starts yelling at the clouds. This is perfect, because it makes him just like Bush, another Republican beyond criticism.
"It is typical, but no less offensive that Sen. Obama uses the Senate floor to take cheap shots at an opponent and easy advantage of an issue he has less than zero understanding of...And I take a backseat to no one in my affection, respect and devotion to veterans. And I will not accept from Sen. Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did."
It's a classic ploy, "because you did not stand in my shoes I am beyond reproach by you" attitude. Except, it's bullshit. Excuse me, Mr. McCain but your service to this country does not impune you from criticism of your actions. You chose to side with a very unpopular president and oppose an extremely popular bill (it did pass with over 70 votes in the Senate, as well as a veto proof majority in the house).
Your quote above is shameful as you try to hide behind the very service you claim to honor. Your 5 year stay as POW in Vietnam is held in the highest regard by most Americans, including me. But, it doesn't provide you with a shield from legitimate criticism.
When the time came for you to stand up to provide our veterans with an avenue to gain a 4-year college degree (housing and books included) after serving six years in the military, you stood against them. You may have had merit to your argument, but instead of standing by those merits, you decided to play the Veteran card.
I got news for you, you don't get to determine when it's appropriate to criticize you, the American people do, regardless if they served or not. I got a little more news for you, there are more ways than one to serve this country and most them don't include putting on a uniform and taking up a weapon. You can continue to yell at the clouds all you want, but come November, America will have spoken and it will say, in one voice, Yes We Can Change!
Oh, and Barack, bless his heart, hit McCain right back, and called him out for what he really is...a bully. It is nice to have a Democrat with a spine.
" It's disappointing that Sen. McCain and his campaign used this issue to launch yet another lengthy personal, political attack instead of debating an honest policy difference. He should know that this is not about John McCain or Barack Obama -- it’s about giving our veterans a real chance to afford four years of college without harming retention. Sen. Webb’s bipartisan bill will do this, and the bill that John McCain supports would not. These endless diatribes and schoolyard taunts from the McCain campaign do nothing to advance the debate about what matters to the American people."
Well done Barack. Don't worry, we got your back.
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