It's Veterans Vs. McCain In New AFL-CIO Spot

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Advertising

AFL-CIO's Union Veterans Council released its first ad today, "Not Now," which will begin running tomorrow in Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

"Every vet respects John McCain's war record. It's his record in the Senate that I have a problem with," Vietnam Veteran Jim Wasser says in the spot. "He wants us to keep spending $10 billion dollars a month in Iraq, just like Bush. That's money we could use to build schools and roads and create needed jobs here at home."

Adds Wasser: "He even took sides with Bush against increasing healthcare benefits for veterans. People should let John McCain know his agenda is not what we need, not now."

As CBS News Chief Political Consultant Marc Ambinder points out, the strategy of the AFL-CIO, which has endorsed Barack Obama, appears to be to link veterans' issues with economic anxieties. "We're running the ad in towns where good jobs have disappeared because of flawed economic policies and failure to invest in jobs – places where the current economic slowdown is particularly acute," a spokesman said.

Watch it:

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by chrisl45 July 11, 2008 12:20 PM EDT: During John McCain''s town hall meeting in Colorado, John McCain talked about these things. He re-iterated who supports him. This was all in response to a vet. He was John''s first question after his introductory comments. He picked him out because of his hat. After John answered the question the vet left the room. John commented on this also. John, basically, was in disagreement with the vet''s interpretation of his congressional record.; Reply to this comment


by ariel133 July 10, 2008 11:43 AM EDT: So what is the case for McCain?

No candidate for President since Wendell Wilkie in 1940 has had as little relevant experience before running for President as Barack Obama. The Illinois Senator served for 8 years, in a generally undistinguished fashion, in the Illinois legislature. He was best known for voting present more often than any other State Senator. When the Democrats took over the Legislature the last two years he served, Obama worked out a deal with the Democratic leader, Emil Jones, to get his name on some bills so he could buff up his resume before running for the open US Senate seat.

In the US Senate, Obama missed many votes in his first term even before he launched his Presidential bid, as he traveled the country speaking to Democratic Party events (and positioning himself with activists for a future Presidential run). Since the campaign began, he has missed virtually all Senate votes and failed to hold meetings of his own subcommittee. So the Obama record is very thin.

His major campaign themes have been lofty messages of change and hope and bipartisan unity. This is a smart course to take, when you have little to show for your years in public office. McCain needs to focus on Obama''s record of scant legislative accomplishment and inexperience. What has Barack Obama done, as opposed to claiming to have done?; Reply to this comment


by ariel133 July 10, 2008 10:54 AM EDT: This biased support of a person who has flip flopped and is being excused for doing so is hypocritical when spoken in terms of adjusting his frame of reference according to the times and then not accepting McCains changes as well. It is so obvious and evident the propaganda for this unqualified Democrat just because of the unpopularity of Bush and not because MCCain is actually more experianced and less embarressing as a leader of a nation. People are not that stupid that they can see through the manipulation, media. The general election will prove that after we see more crazy flip flops from the only candidate who is not credible. Obama should accept that he is wrong for the USA and get off the pedastal that does not suit him.; Reply to this comment


by aj4321-2009 July 10, 2008 1:22 AM EDT: I cannot believe how McCain gets away with his flip-floppings and lyings. In a townhall meeting McCain claims that he won awards from all the vet organizations. He is lying constantly about his record of not supporting the vets. I am glad that this ad is being broadcast. But it does not go far!!; Reply to this comment


by aj4321-2009 July 10, 2008 1:22 AM EDT: I cannot believe how McCain gets away with his flip-floppings and lyings. In a townhall meeting McCain claims that he won awards from all the vet organizations. He is lying constantly about his record of not supporting the vets. I am glad that this ad is being broadcast. But it does not go far!!; Reply to this comment


by undrmyboot3 July 9, 2008 10:49 PM EDT: CBS keeps blocking my account and removing my post when I post the expose'' on biased McCain reporting. Think there is a reason? A little too close to exposing something?; Reply to this comment


by rgrxx175 July 9, 2008 10:11 PM EDT: representatives and senators
that voted against the GI bill

AGAINST

Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lugar (R-IN)
McConnell (R-KY)
Sessions (R-AL)
Voinovich (R-OH)
NOT VOTING

Coburn (R-OK) ?
Kennedy (D-MA) in the hospital
McCain (R-AZ) No Excuse; Reply to this comment


by juliekay44 July 9, 2008 9:58 PM EDT: Great ad!!!!

Why doesn''t CBSNews have any stories about McCain''s recent false and conflicting stories about the economies, jobs, balancing the budget, social security, and taxes?; Reply to this comment


by redeye551 July 9, 2008 9:57 PM EDT: McLme is a coward nothing more, nothing less. Theoward McLame CHOSE to spend 6 years of the Vietnam war (a war he supported an demanded) lounging around swimming pools at a hotel in Hanoi rather than fight for his country; Reply to this comment


by fuzkida July 9, 2008 6:17 PM EDT: DOn''t forget he also voted against the veteran''s education bill that just passed (Bush was also against that bill); Reply to this comment