McCain: Obama Did Not Serve In Uniform

Presumptive GOP Nominee Says He Will Not Accept "Lectures" On Military Scholarships From Those Who Didn't Serve

(AP)  Republican John McCain said Thursday that Democrat Barack Obama had no right to criticize McCain's position on military scholarships because the Illinois senator did not serve in uniform.

"And I will not accept from Senator Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did," the Arizona senator said in a harshly worded statement issued Thursday.

McCain lashed out at Obama's personal history despite Obama's repeated praise of McCain's military service. As Obama said Tuesday night in Des Moines, Iowa: "We face an opponent, John McCain, who arrived in Washington nearly three decades ago as a Vietnam War hero, and earned an admirable reputation for straight talk and occasional independence from his party."

McCain was a Navy fighter pilot who was shot down and spent nearly six years as a Vietnam prisoner of war. At age 46, Obama is too young to have been drafted or fought in Vietnam. The direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War officially ended in 1973, the same year the military draft was ended and replaced by an all-volunteer military.

The candidates' criticism of each other has grown increasingly acrimonious in recent weeks, a sign of things to come in the general election campaign.

At issue is an expansion of the GI bill that would guarantee full college scholarships for those who serve in the military for three years. The Democratic-led Senate passed the measure, sponsored by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., and supported by Obama, on Thursday by a 75-22 vote as 25 Republican abandoned President Bush, who opposed the provision.

Obama and his rival Hillary Rodham Clinton returned to Washington for the vote. McCain skipped the vote to campaign and raise money in California.

McCain opposes the measure, as does the Pentagon, out of concern that providing such a benefit after only three years of service would encourage people to leave the military after completing only one enlistment even as the U.S. fights two wars and is trying to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps.

Instead, McCain and Republican colleagues proposed a bill to increase benefits in conjunction with a veteran's length of service. Senate Democrats blocked the measure last week.

"Most worrying to me is that by hurting retention, we will reduce the numbers of men and women who we train to become the backbone of all the services, the noncommissioned officer," McCain said in his statement.

While McCain was joined on the campaign trail in California by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Gov. Pete Wilson and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, Obama reiterated his respect for McCain's service in a speech on the Senate floor.

"He is one of those heroes of which I speak," Obama said. "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."

McCain, in his statement, accused Obama of being motivated by politics.

"Perhaps if Senator Obama would take the time and trouble to understand this issue, he would learn to debate an honest disagreement respectfully," McCain said. "But, as he always does, he prefers impugning the motives of his opponent, and exploiting a thoughtful difference of opinion to advance his own ambitions."

[liberalme]

Neither did most of his neocon friends in Washington, and the 2 who should have---AWOL Bush and 5 deferrment Cheney disgraced any military uniform.

What are you talking about John??

[jonswift2]

Thus it begins. Next, McCain will accuse Obama of having fathered two Black children.

[jonswift2]

Thus it begins. Next, McCain will accuse Obama of having fathered two Black children.

[krenz4]

Hmm, looks like john Mccain wants our servicemen to not go to college so they can be free to die for the country in wars he has in mind. We allow people from all over the world to come here and live free and go to college free, without serving one minute of military service, why not the men and women who fought for that same freedom? VOTE OBAMA!

[liberalme]

Hmm, looks like john Mccain wants our servicemen to not go to college so they can be free to die for the country in wars he has in mind. We allow people from all over the world to come here and live free and go to college free, without serving one minute of military service, why not the men and women who fought for that same freedom? VOTE OBAMA!

Posted by krenz4 at 05:20 PM : May 22, 2008

Right, then they won''t need the GI Bill he and Bush won''t be voting for anyway!

[gopack443]

"McCain, in his statement, accused Obama of being motivated by politics."

IT''S ALL ABOUT POLITICS!!!

[gopack443]

OBAMA FATHERED TO BLACK CHILDREN?!?!?!?
AHHHHHHHH

[undermyboot]

Looks like McCain just went off the deep end. "Mad McCain" we should call him. The guy looks increasingly unfit to be President.

[homespunlady]

Yep, I put my 20 Plus years in the military - so I''ll say it - McCain has PUT the WEALTHY ELITE FIRST and HIS "ENLISTED" FELLOW SERVICEMEN AND SERVICE WOMEN LAST.

His ADMIRAL Daddy got him his Military Academy slot Just like George''s daddy arranged for his son to DUCK into the Guard. Several wrecked planes and getting captured after one later he comes home and DUMPS his disfigured first wife for a "Hot Heiress".

NOW, backed by HER "secret" over 100 MILLION Dollar WEALTH we''re fed poison NEO-CON junk think that the ENLISTED DON''T NEED NO STINKIN'' EDUCATION- LET em DIE but KEEP em'' ROTATING, DUMB AND POOR!!!

HE GOT HIS BENEFITS AND MORE why let anyone BENEATH HIM have anything - just another "What''s in it for me GOP".

Or is that NEOCON BUNCH should REALLY be called the MOP Party - MONEY OVER PEOPLE.

[greatdrivew]

FROM THE STORY: "McCain said . . . Obama had no right to criticize McCain''s position on [not supporting] military scholarships because [Obama] did not serve in uniform."

POINT #1: McCain has gone off the deep end. Obama''s not only a concerned citizen, which gives him the absolute right to question McCain, but he''s also a U.S. Senator who is running for office against him. There are few people more qualified to question you, John; and get ready, because there are MANY more questions coming.

POINT #2: The men and women of the United States Military work for We the People, not the other way around. I realize with its bloated budget and complete and utter lack of transparency that the military believes it''s accountable to no one, but rest assured, the military is wrong. We the People run this country, John, not the military!!

POINT #3: John McCain''s temper and incompetence make him unfit for office. His free ride with the press now being over, he''s starting to show his true colors. Instead of defining, defending and contrasting his position, McCain''s resorting to anger, threats, yelling and pathetic attempts to silence adversaries. Stick to the facts and dazzle us with your mesmerizing comprehension of the issues, John, but save the temper, yelling and threats. They don''t impress us!!

[suzyku]

If McCain is such a big supporter of the troops why doesn''t he support the GI bill?! He''s a hypocritical piece of trash, war hero or not. That doesn''t make him a decent person or an honest person. Kudo''s for his service, the rest sucks big time!

[riptide213]

Show Time! Senator Obama is now revealing how hope and change can be actualized, one issue at a time.

One issue at a time we can start improving this country. Let%u2019s put the us back into US.

Our military members and veterans serve the nation protecting us from all enemies foreign or domestic, regardless of personal political inclinations.

These dedicated professionals perform arduous duties that may not be popular with some, but for the greater good a nation must be capable of defending itself. Like it or not.

The very freedom to openly and safely debate the necessity of war or military action is one of the precious freedoms our military members have or are willing to lose their lives to secure.

Let%u2019s give our military first class support and funding. They serve all citizens and all parties. When the chips are down, they guarantee our multi political party way of life.

Americans support their troops and veterans all the time with praise worthy words and laments, when required.

This type of US investment first agenda does not mean more money for war, it equates to more money to recognize and respect with deed those who have a legal duty to fight any war when directed by their Commander in Chief.

Actions speak louder than words. No one knows that better than all our humble American military heroes past and present.

[dmgenet]

Bush didn''t serve anything but himself while a pilot avoiding combat and the VP, Cheney, didn''t serve either. Is there supposed to be a point here?

As usual comments and criticism get twisted and skewered until no one can recognize the original context.

[jone775]

I was in the military and I must say, I met A LOT of idiots in uniform. Having served in the military is not a pre-requisite for the presidency. McBush is a moron! It''s the wisdom, stupid.

[obamaslady]

Obama did not serve in uniform? What the h*ll is that supposed to mean? Just because McSame served, he was shot down so many times for apparently not knowing how to pilot an aircraft and was such ultimately shot down by the Viet Cong.

More importantly, our Constitution states that "a civilian" should hold the office of POTUS - not a military type If McSame was half smart as Obama (which McSame is not since he finished 3rd from LAST in his class and was very fortunate to even graduate) who will have the smartest advisers, Obama does NOT need to have ever worn a uniform. Lots of people (like both Daddy Shrub [read my lips] and Jr. Shrub [Iraq] and McSame [Iraq] have worn uniforms) and after 12 long years of those regrettable scenarios I don''t believe those are the qualification for this Office? It takes a very educated intelligent person to govern and Obama has those qualifications. If McSame thinks this job is all about who wore a uniform, there are many others who have or are wearing a uniform that are FAR MORE "ABLE AND QUALIFIED" than him to have this job [especially when you think about his senior moments and not knowing the difference between Iraq and Iran].

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cliff-schecter/the-real-mccain-goes-vira_b_102626.html

[lordmi]

ask sociologists - service in uniform USUALLY leads to linits in outlook, cause major duty is - to follow the order. And just few can really make a proper order.
Not every captain becomes a general.
So , in return - why even after Academy McBush did not desrve at least general post?
Lack of leadership?

[lordmi]

to Riptide213 : so many words about nothing.
Why don''r You thinl before to say?

[dmgenet]

John Kennedy was a tough opponent on the world stage, especially against the Soviets. Yet, in spite of his military war time experiences he held an open and inquiring mind. He had people with ranges of opinions from left to right within ear shot. He took in all opinions and used his brother, Robert, as a sounding board. This is what we need.

We don''t need another closed minded, bunker living, corp-o-crat in or near the White House again. Our economy and world standing is already damaged enough thank you very much.

[homespunlady]

Simply put:

Obama = Education and help readjusting after serving our country and possible trauma and loss.

McCain = GO FEND for yourself - and DON''T bother my RICH FRIENDS.

[liberalme]

No Obama couldn''''t have served in the military like cbs says during the vietnam war, but he could have still served couldn''''t he? McCain is right, Obama didn''''t serve and knows nothing about the military, neither does that mutant Clinton. She never served and hates the military anyway!

Posted by zgomer at 05:38 PM

Want to see military records??
This will open your OTHER eye!!!

http://www.squadron13.com/JackDresser/servicerecords.htm

[krenz4]

Mccain doesnt even see the draw that the gi bill is and would be to attract those who want to go to college, but cant afford it. All he can do is try to wriggle out of paying them back for risking their lives. Maybe in HIS world, everyone can afford college on their own, but not in the REAL world.

[larysinclair]

Obama has a uniform at home,...the Weather Underground Jr. Cadet uniform,..or maybe the New Black Panther uniform,..or maybe Louis Farrakhan''s Jr. Nation of Islam uniform,...or maybe,etc.

[obamaslady]

GOPACK443 - You need an education since you don''t know how to spell TWO - NOT TO! Or didn''t you wear a uniform and take advantage of your educational benefits? If you did not take advantage of the education, you sure as h*ll won''t be able to now because McSame will not vote "yes" on the GI Bill. Or don''t you know enough about politics to understand?

Our Constitution does NOT require that the POTUS had to serve in the military. McSame''s entire life has been military and he only thinks military and that is NOT good for anyone! He has a one-track mind (of course except for his beer heiress wife and all her money which helps him fly all over the country in her jet). As OLD as he is he would make a CANCEROUS prez since he can''t seem to keep any facts straight without the help of ''LIARMAN'' up his @ss. There is no STRAIGHT TALK; it''s ALL BS DOUBLE TALK. Here, watch the video:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cliff-schecter/the-real-mccain-goes-vira_b_102626.html

[homespunlady]

simply put:

Obama = Minimum wage increase, health-care for all, PEACE, equality and hope that our national reputation can be repaired.

McCain = More WEALTH for the wealthiest, increased poverty rates, less health care for the poorest, WAR, international embarrassment and a return to feudalism.

[larysinclair]

Or maybe the Kool-Aid king uniform, or maybe the Jim Jones honorary next in line uniform, or maybe the first term Senator wants to be the leader uniform,..Or maybe just a Brownie uniform to match the pink panties he wears when he scrubs the toilet for Michelle.

[liberalme]

Obama has a uniform at home,...the Weather Underground Jr. Cadet uniform,..or maybe the New Black Panther uniform,..or maybe Louis Farrakhan''''s Jr. Nation of Islam uniform,...or maybe,etc.

Posted by LARYSINCLAIR at 06:00 PM :

What uniform did you wear?

[sean5002]

#######################

McCain is truly SENILE, he is trying anything. Obama was never in the Army; And what does that have to do with anything ,

I think someone John McCain should be calling out is President George Bush, he USE his special connections to AVOID going and SERVE.

What is John MC_Bush talking about!!!,

Not everyone who became President was in the ARMY.

Would he have said the same thing about HIllary .

He is trying to change the TOPIC ONCE again to HIDE his DEFICIENCY to serve as Commander in Chief.

This guy is NOT EDUCATED to run for any office.. much less the Oval office ,
His marks was a JOKE at the Academy college.

he think the WHITEHOUSE is some kind Army Barracks.

[homespunlady]

Simply put:

Obama = Education and help with readjusting after serving our country and the possible trauma and loss from doing so.

McCain = GO FEND for yourself - and DON''T bother my RICH FRIENDS.

[hungry1968]

What uniform did you wear?

Posted by liberalme at 06:08 PM : May 22, 2008





I''ll bet it had a swastika on it.

[liberalme]

I wore the one that turned Obama on,...the Crack ho "Don''''t ask,don''''t tell" uniform!!

Posted by LARYSINCLAIR

Hahaha another pathetic non military neocon who has no problem supporting mass murder of troops and Iraqi civilians, who can look himself in the mirror daily and thank God he''s "not one of them".
Supporting a war where no one will come out a winner, because there is nothing to win.
Happy with what he''s being fed through faux news, Lintball and Hannity because he doesn''t have the intelligence to look things up for himself.

Do you have any family in Iraq? Sons, daughters, grandkids, neices, nephews? If not you should---you would be so proud to have one of them get killed for this Bush war for oil--who by the way, was to cowardly to go to Vietnam--he''s tha man huh?

Obama didn''t serve, but what Bush and Cheney did were far worse than not joining.

[liberalme]

I''''ll bet it had a swastika on it.


Posted by hungry1968

LOL I bet so!

[larysinclair]

Posted by liberalme at 06:19 PM : May 22, 2008
Posted by hungry1968 at 06:17 PM : May 22, 2008
___________________________________________________
I must have hit a nerve?

[liberalme]

_________________
I must have hit a nerve?

Posted by LARYSINCLAIR at 06:21 PM : May 22, 2008

You???? You have no ammunition to hit the broad side of a barn!
You represent the Bush/Cheney cowards who had no probled disgracing a uniform, not to mention the USA!

[hungry1968]

I must have hit a nerve?

Posted by LARYSINCLAIR at 06:21 PM : May 22, 2008





Are you kidding?

As soon as I saw your moniker, I knew you were NOT to be taken seriously.

Then I read your posts, and knew I was right.

[smirk5]

After eating his own feces in Vietnam, McCain later dumped his disabled first wife for a super rich trophy heiress. I guess John figures most of our troops could do the same thing after they get out.

[robroyh390]

What *** service did Magoo perform - pretty much all his time "in uniform" was spent swanning around the pools of the Hanoi Hilton

Hell Magoo was enjoying his time so much he REFUSED to leave the Hanoi Hilton to fight for his country

[robroyh390]

This guy is NOT EDUCATED to run for any office.. much less the Oval office ,
His marks was a JOKE at the Academy college.

he think the WHITEHOUSE is some kind Army Barracks.




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

Posted by sean5002 at 06:11 PM : May 22, 2008 "

Magoo finished near the bottom of his class at Annapolis - and the standards of education at annapolis are only about the same as those at kindergartens in the rest of the world

Magoo is a moron - Combined, he and his butt buddy Bush have an IQ lower than a 4 year old anywhere else in the world

[liberalme]

After eating his own feces in Vietnam, McCain later dumped his disabled first wife for a super rich trophy heiress. I guess John figures most of our troops could do the same thing after they get out.

Posted by Smirk5 at 06:26

You''re so right! What a snake he was--his first wife Carol stool by him while he was in captivity and in a lot of pain herself and he had the gaul to have several affairs before settling on Ms Gotrocks Cindy.

He should have Giuliani as his running mate, they could have a lot of laughs about their ex''s--those 2 are scum.

[smirk5]

McCain''s a war hero because his most famous mission was a failure and he survived all the advanced interrogation techniques he now supports.

[larysinclair]

Posted by hungry1968 at 06:24 PM : May 22, 2008
Posted by liberalme at 06:23 PM : May 22, 2008
________________________________________________
Have some more of that tasty Kool-Aid losers!! LMAO

OBAMA/YOURMAMA!!

[liberalme]

Have some more of that tasty Kool-Aid losers!! LMAO

OBAMA/YOURMAMA!!
Posted by LARYSINCLAIR at 06:


HAHAHA neocons can''t stand anyone with intelligence---

Work on getting your IQ higher than your shoe size, you may find it enlightening!

[larysinclair]

Anyways,...Gotta go now,...Obama is supposed to call so I can meet him on the "Down-Low!"

Obama/YourMama!!

[sgtrds-e4]

"McCain opposes the measure, as does the Pentagon, out of concern that providing such a benefit after only three years of service would encourage people to leave the military after completing only one enlistment even as the U.S. fights two wars and is trying to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps."

Of course they would! Who wouldn''t? They have earned that right after spending a couple of tours in Bush''s meat market in Iraq. If they can''t get and keep enough cannon fodder for their war of choice then maybe it''s time they got the message and stopped it!

[larysinclair]

HAHAHA neocons can''''t stand anyone with intelligence
Posted by liberalme at 06:40 PM : May 22, 2008
___________________________________________________
When you find somone with some intelligence to represent your point of view,..let me know!!

Later Losers!!

[sgtrds-e4]

"McCain: Obama Did Not Serve In Uniform"

Neither did Bush. He "served'' in a bar, shoveled coke up his nose and then went AWOL. That''s hardly serving.

[jack3213]

Perhaps if Senator Obama would take the time and trouble to understand this issue, he would learn to debate an honest disagreement respectfully," McCain said. "But, as he always does, he prefers impugning the motives of his opponent, and exploiting a thoughtful difference of opinion to advance his own ambitions."

YES INDEED, OABAMA IS AN ASSUMING, SELF RIGHTEOUS,CONDENSCENDING A -HOLE.

[dmgenet]

Serving in the military is no prerequisite for the Presidency. That''s why there are "advisers" and plenty of them too.

We need critical thinking, surface living (as opposed to bunker living), open-minded, articulate, humans leading this nation.

[liberalme]

Later Losers!!

Posted by LARYSINCLAIR at 06:42

Another coward with nothing factual or intelligent ot post, sad--what a waste.

[smirk5]

Even if you''ve been to war on more than one tour, John McCain doesn''t think you should getthese extra GI benefits. Warm bodies. We only need stinking warm bodies.

[sgtrds-e4]

Anyways,...Gotta go now,...Obama is supposed to call so I can meet him on the "Down-Low!"

Obama/YourMama!!

Posted by LARYSINCLAIR at 06:40 PM : May 22, 2008

Translation: His little sister is due home from Jr High School and he wants some "quality time" with her before pa gits home from the still and takes over.