Who Gets The Troops' Votes?

ABC News:

ABC's Martha Raddatz asked American soldiers in Iraq what issues are most important to them when looking at the presidential candidates.

Though the military is not supposed to engage in partisan political activity, these soldiers spoke out about their personal endorsements, and their opinions are likely to matter. In 2004, 73 percent of the U.S. military voted for a presidential candidate, and officials believe it may be even higher this time around.

PFC Jeremy Slate said he supported Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., because of his stated intention to pull out of Iraq right away.

"That would be nice," Slate said, "I'd like to be home, yea."

SFC Patricia Keller also expressed support for Obama, citing his representation for change.

Spc. Patrick Nicholls from Eggawam, Mass., pointed out that many soldiers on the frontlines frequently think about their families back home.

"We think about how our families are doing back home. That's a major concern, like how the economy is doing, also as well as where we're going to be in the future. Because really, truly, what we consider we're doing, we're doing a valuable job, we want to make sure that the efforts we make are appreciated."

He suggested he was too engaged in Iraq to keep up with politics back home. "I haven't really been following it too much since we've been over here, ma'am," he told Raddatz. "So, don't really know which issues are too important to me right now. ... I don't know who's running, ma'am."

Lt. Leah Wicks said that, tied into concerns about her family's welfare, were concerns about the economy, "where we're going to be in the future."

Read the whole story: ABC News

Comments

[VivaZapata]

How about McCain's claim that the men and women in uniform that he's talked to said, "Please let us complete our mission"? guess he didn't talk to everyone.

[IngeniousGirl]

they didn't let a real soldier near him, or if they did, he gave a "gold plated answer" which is code for a statement what they want to hear, not what the Soldier really believes.

[gonavy]

a real soldier? I think you are just trying to piss people off.

[gonavy]

The "troops" are not the Borg, they are individuals, with individual opinions.

McCain's claim? Are you implying that he was lying about that statement? Because I have heard that sentiment from many soldiers, personally and given in interviews.

[IngeniousGirl]

McBumble lie? Mis-speak, forget who is Shia or Sunni? no... just bumbles along doing Cheney's 1% solution abominations.... Who in their right might who enlisted and is standing in front of this guy would dare voice a different opinion? Like I said give me your bonifieds, if you served what is your rank, if you haven't why not and so what gives you insight into the truth of what the soliders think vs. what they say?

[Erdgeist]

They will vote Democratic, to be sure. It is an insult to a grunt's dignity to see men like Gen. Petraeus lie to Senators and America that Iraq is making progress. It is the NCOs and the grunts under them who know otherwise because they are on the ground constantly while, like in Vietnam, the brass remain out of touch with reality. When was the last time Gen. Petraeus went on patrol with an Army unit guarding a convoy of trucks? When was the last time he had an IED go off right by an Iraq police checkpoint where everyone knew that Iraqi police set it? Troops are tired of this war. It is a lie. And sorry to say this, but Gen. Patraeus is no friend of the grunt or the American people. He remains a Bush errand boy.

[VivaZapata]

HuffPost's Pick

has there ever been a war that didn't look better from the general's tent than the privates' foxholes, sand barriers, or mountain cracks?

[31313]

Reality vs.Rhetoric

[desmirl]

Why can't we have a way in which the Chickenhawks do all the fighting? I am habitually and hilariously amused by the number of vociferous people who support the war with their mouths, but wouldn't get within a mile of a recruiter's station. Are all Republicans hypocrites? Or just the NeoCons?

[Hallucinocynic]

Certainly all neocons. But those Republicants who don't step up and acknowledge this circle jerk for what it is, despite their misgivings or because of misplaced party loyalty, are also hypocrites.

[gonavy]

...states the all knowing, as they sit in their cushy chair in front of their computer, casting insults like daggers at those who serve and sacrifice.

[IngeniousGirl]

Sounds like a husband who was in the Navy

[SmellTheHorse]

how about those balmy Cayman Islands, Sen. Clinton?

from a speech by Hillary Clinton on March 3, 2004 http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2004/03/b35989.htmll):

"We know that people who create a mailbox, or a drop, or send one person to sit on the beach in some island paradise, and claim that it is their offshore headquarters, know exactly what they're doing. They're playing the American economy, they are sucker-punching the American taxpayer...I think it's wrong, and we need to end it. And this should be a non-partisan, let alone bipartisan issue, in order to do so, to tilt the scales back in favor of American companies creating jobs here."

April 5 (Bloomberg) -- Former President Bill Clinton has earned $15.4 million from billionaire Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Cos. investment firm since 2003, according to tax documents released by his wife, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.....Yucaipa controls three funds located in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands doesn't charge any individual or corporate income tax and has strict bank secrecy laws.

[rlmcintosh]

Ron Paul receives the most support from our troops abroad.
fact check it yourselves. It is true - unlike this misleading headline.

[valleygent]

Nonsense, Ron Paul is already a has been. Get over it.

[Vern58]

Do you really think Ron Paul's name will be on that ballot? Get a grip.

[lawyerinthemaking]

Actually, those numbers are skewed and misleading because of the fact that the FEC only requires that campaigns submit that type of information (employer, etc) about the donor if the donor gives over $200 in a donation. Since Obama's contributions average about $100 per donation, most of his military supporters won't show up in those numbers (like the majority of his contributors). I'm sure if we counted up the donations of ALL the people, Obama would be beating Ron Paul handily in the contributions from military personnel.

[ideasmatter]

I am not the least bit surprised. I have two nephews that served in the Marines, both did two tours in Iraq. Both went in as rather conservative young men (from an otherwise liberal family -- the 60's in reverse, I suppose). Both are otherwise very intelligent with Ivy League degrees, and very caring about their country and their fellow citizens, really outstanding young man. #1 left the Marines when his four year contract was up. When I asked him what is was like in Iraq, he told me to read the book "Fiasco", it's all there. #2 just got back and won't stay in the Marines much longer either. They don't have much positive to say about the Marines either: a lot of psychopaths there that jumped upon the opportunity to kill with the blessing of their gov't. So much for all that pride in our troups.

Admittedly, another unscientific sample of two, but certainly not a viewpoint you'll see expressed in our mainstream media.

Let's just listen to the Iraqi's: more then two thirds want the US out of there.

[BlackWidowPilot]

ideasmatter,

my thanks to your nephews for their service to our country. I am relived they are home safe.

I am also genuinely sorry that they were sent into such a debacle by so ignoble an excuse for a president as "Mission Accomplished" Bush. I am saddened to read yet more confirmation that my father's Marine Corps has sunk so low, has recruited such poor human material as they have encountered in the ranks.

May your nephews find their voices to speak of what they've endured. We The People need all of our patriotic young people in uniform as well as civilian to work to bring our people home from this bloody bid for oil and empire of the Busheviks.

Enough is enough is enough.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[IngeniousGirl]

My nephew served in the Marines first in Afghanistan after special forces, never again he said, bad treatment, had to buy his own gear, not enough protection, no leadership and death not deserved, he did his 2 years and was out fast and home.

When Blackwater gets to provide security for the recent visits of Bush and Cheney in Iraq, you really have to ask the entire Military, what the hell are you there for? Aren't you the "best fighting force in the world".

Do you care if Frank Prince says in public, why use the Post Office, when you can use FedEx?

The Soldiers in Iraq feel queezy about all this, they loathe the Blackwater/Contractors their attitude toward the troops and otherwise. They are outraged and indignant that our President would choose a mercenary to provide for his security rather than his own military of which he is the Commander in Chief. What does that tell you about this administration's respect and trust in the troops?

[Durango]

The funniest part is that she talked to the troops immediately after Cheney had given a "rousing" speech.

Not buying that nonsense?

When it comes time to stone the media whores I will beg a pardon for Martha Raditz based soley on that report.

[republicans4obama]

Most people I know who have come back from Iraq think it's a mess, but they are not all going Dem...For the sake of being right, how can Huffington name a thread with this title without polling data????

[speakingtruth2power]

The shift from GOP to Democratic is because the

troops know that they are being used and abused.

In 'Nam, we knew we weren't wanted and we sure

as hell wanted to be back home w/ our loved ones.


The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[IngeniousGirl]

Absolutely speaking truth, thank you for your service for our country, God Bless You.

[DustyRebel]

Whether you are a Clinton or Obama supporter....this story should help us both focus on our real mission: Winning the White House to bring home our troops.

Fight the Real Enemy [insert picture of McCain torn]

[Sylmason]

The real mission is our economy. Our enenomy is at-risk because the assholes in the Bush administration created a useless war. Members of our senate gave the asshole an open-ended OK to do whatever, and that fool did whatever.

AMERICA is BROKE!! That's our mission. The trillions of dollars spent in Iraq can be used to create a balance in our economy. This is called>>>>>>>> CAUSE AND EFFECT,

[BlackLeatherRain]

We have many, many missions, actually.

Economy.
War.
Foreign policy.
Education.
Health care.

I would think those are primary issues. We have an entire HOST of secondary issues, which include decreasing the amount of corruption in our governments (state and federal) and returning to a We the People state of mind instead of the Versus sports rivalries that politics has turned into.

We have a lot of work ahead of us. I know the American people are capable of making it all happen, it's just a matter of getting off of our collective rears and making it happen.

[NightRider]

Now i figure out why Hillary is pounding the Health Care issue and not the Iraq issue. She try to pivot away from Iraq because since her vote for war she has had shifting positions on the troop withdrawal. McCain would eat her alive on Iraq.

Obama has been very consistent and resolute in bringing the troops home. The troops want to know when they are coming home. McCain and Cheney thinks that because they volunteer, they volunteered to die in Iraq, in a senseless war. Pity.

[rbspickles]

"McCain would eat her alive on Iraq."

That's why the war machine is doing everything possible to sully Obama's reputation. Thank goodness it's not working this time.

[BBGG]

Do you people understand, Hillary voted for the war because the information they (the Congress) and the information we had (Americans) was WRONG! We can only use our best judgment based on the facts at hand. You all know, if you will admit, we were happy when we were bombing the crap out of Iraq and when they tore down the statue of Hussein (no insult intended). We were all duped.

Now, when we vote for a President, we must use the information on hand and there are no do-overs. One thing for sure, I will never vote Republican. I have seen the disappearance of civil rights offices, workmens comp offices, veterans hospitals and services, access to education, privitization of infrastructure which repairs roads, bridges, and highways and everything is going to hell. Health Insurance, gas and utility costs are soaring and no one gives a damn. This has been at the hands of the Republicans and greed. HELP, HELP, someone, help. We must make an intelligent selection for a President and we must rely on our life experiences and to do that, we must use our best judgment. Look for a depth of understanding that only comes from life experiences which includes mistakes made and making things right again. A depth of forgiveness and loving this country before any other. Know this and you will make the right decision.

[natasyenehc]

Clinton? Where is it mentioned the troops want clinton ? It's Obama overwhelmingly.

Hilary Clinton voted to send them there in the first place. She also has never apologised to them for her grave error in judgement.

[outnow]

Being Hillary Clinton means never having to say you're sorry or wrong. She makes everyone else wrong but not herself. The NAFTA-Queen can't fool the troops apparently.

[uglybetty]

Obama ?? only in your dreams !

[BrooklynLager]

Obama ?? Obama !!

[A Meat Beetle]

natasyenehc:

"Hilary Clinton voted to send them there in the first place."

Right you are. So did Senators Kerry, Dodd, Dorgan, Daschle and Nelson, all Obama supporters. Pretty lousy judgment displayed by the whole lot. I knew Bush couldn't be trusted; why didn't they? And why should I trust their judgment now?

None of the Above '08!

[markos]

'Pretty lousy judgment displayed by the whole lot.'

Indeed, hence why many of them publicly apologised for their vote. Has Clinton?

[Unobtainium]

I guessing their absentee ballots will not be properly counted, just like in past two stolen elections.

Especially now that there is a "heads up" that the majority is not voting republican.

[realwoman]

I'll bet anyone anything that the majority of troops will go for McCain. ABC news probably had to interview 100 soldiers until they found the 3 or 4 that were pro Obama or Clinton. Use your common sense. These are military people, McCain is a military hero. To think they are voting otherwise would mean that you are delusional.

[Arbos]

Use your common sense.

The majority of these soldiers are young men and women who never asked to be military war veterans and heroes let alone to be sent to die in a pointless war.

Polls have consistently shown that Barack Obama and Ron Paul are the overwhelming favorites with the soldiers overseas.

Maybe you need to wake up...and stop being delusional.

[BlackWidowPilot]

(un)real,

my common sense and a lifetime devoted to Military History and the Art of War tells me you're wrong - dead wrong. "Common sense" is neither; it must be taught. It is in fact called *critical thinking.*

McCain may have been a hero of sorts for surviving the brutality of the Hanoi Hilton, but he is no hero since entering the halls of government, a loyal member of the "Gang of Pedophiles" and part of the Keating Five rip-off just for starters.

McCain is a staunchly loyal member of the "party of family values" whose actual track record in this arena is anything but Christian:

http://www.armchairsubversive.org

Family values like the locals in THE HILLS HAVE EYES.

END PART I

[BlackWidowPilot]

PART II to (un)real:

"Hundred Years War" McCain is no maverick, but a staunch GOP loyalist who has never met a lobbyist he didn't like. He is also demonstrably *incompetent* as his pal Chimpy "Mission Accomplished" McFlightsuit. The GOP of today is no longer the party of Lincoln and Eisenhower, but a corrupt nest of sycophants and perverts that would make Boss Tweed blush in shame, and would be more at home in the court of Caligula than a functioning democracy.

It is your reasoning that I find delusional in light of the 900+ *documented* lies about WMDs and spurious claims of connections between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda, Hurricane Katrina and "Heckuvajob" Brownie, the foreclosure epidemic, runaway foreign debt, mercenaries, billion of taxpayer cash missing and unaccounted for in Iraq, no-bid contracts, scandal after scandal after scandal involving corrupt, incompetent Bush or Cheney family cronies and political allies, ad infinite nauseum.

That you refuse to acknowledge these facts, both their nature, content, overwhelming documentation, and magnitude, speaks of an intellectual dishonesty and moral bankruptcy as profound as that of the "party of family values" itself.

The corruption of the Bushevik regime has reached epic proportions. So too it would seem, has the deluded fanaticism of its partisan supporters.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[historyprof]

Most of the current or past military students that I teach have expressed great disdain for McCain. They don't care to be sent back to Iraq for a second, third, or fourth time on what most of them see as a futile and never-ending mission. Many of them, while admiring McCain's bravery during captivity, do not regard him as a military hero due to his multiple plane crashes before he went to Vietnam.

Winston Churchill expected to win the British elections in 1945 due to his inspirational leadership during World War II. However, his party was voted out of power, largely because of the military vote. These men saw Churchill as a man of war but not a man of peace, and had had enough war. If American soldiers are still being maimed and killed on a regular basis in Iraq next fall, don't expect a huge wave of support for McCain from the brave American men and women whose lives are on the line daily in this grotesque misadventure.

[BrooklynLager]

I'm guessing you've never served or know very many people who have. The opinion of troops really isn't all that different from the population at large. There are a couple of differences - in this case they're less impressed by a guy whose claim to fame is crashing his plane four times and getting shot down the fifth.

[desmirl]

Bring all the soldiers home. Send the Chickenhawks (Bush, Cheney, Lieberman, etc.) over to Iraq, give them inadequate body armor, inadequately armored humvees, and let them stabilize the country.

[coolkraft]

and their kids and grandkids can be brought in to support another surge...you can bet this war would be long over if this were the case

[westreal]

The article didn't say anything about Clinton. The correct headline should read "Troops In Iraq Want Obama"

[kay]

They've probably been listening to her.

Not lately, but sum total, statements. Of course, I can't get it straight, parse the real Iraq position, and I'm reading them in sequence, so maybe not.

Her position pretty much tracks polls.

[gwhizz]

Having actually SEEN the report I can assure you that the (aired) opinions were even.

[kay]

Hillary Clinton:

"We don't want to send a signal to the insurgents, to the terrorists that we are going to be out of here at some, you know, date certain. I think that would be like a green light to go ahead and just bide your time. We want to send a message of solidarity. "

That's the ad.

Senator Clinton is hugely vulnerable on Iraq versus John McCain.

He's just wrong. She's wrong, and in a way that appears completely politically motivated.

Who wins the moral argument? McCain.

[TheRealMacDaddy]

Same here.

I loved the part where Martha asked a young PFC and he said "Obama" and she said "But he is calling for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq" and the kid say..."Good he can take me too".

[EinChicago]

Shhh.hh. You'll spoil the Obama cultist's rant and spoli their foaming at the mouth fun. :)

[cyndeewi]

Prove it!!

[white mende man]

1st Sgt. David Logan said, "I am leaning toward Hillary. I think that we should have a gradual drawdown."

[cyndeewi]

1st Sgt. What? Yea, you were probably in the Vietnam war.

[realwoman]

Sure they do.

[kay]

Hillary Clinton, February, 2005

MR. RUSSERT: Then you would disagree with any call for immediate withdrawal of some troops or a specific timetable?

SEN. CLINTON: Well, Tim, I understand the feelings behind that call. I mean, there is a lot of reason when we're back at home to argue about this policy. But at this point in time, I think that would be a mistake. I don't believe we should tie our hands or the hands of the new Iraqi government. Now obviously, as this government has stood up and takes responsibility, there may come a time when it decides for its own internal reasons that we should set such a deadline and withdrawal agenda. But right now I think it would be a mistake.

We don't want to send a signal to the insurgents, to the terrorists that we are going to be out of here at some, you know, date certain. I think that would be like a green light to go ahead and just bide your time. We want to send a message of solidarity. "

There are tens of shifting Clinton statements like this out there.

It's extraordinary, how close her "principled Iraq position" tracks public opinion polling. You could graph it.

McCain is going to slaughter Clinton on Iraq. He may be wrong, but she's completely without integrity on this issue.

[natasyenehc]

He will not have to (or won't get the chance).

Coz Obama will be the one slaughtering John McCain, the wife abuser.

[kay]

Sure he will. He's already using it.

He used it yesterday, as a matter of fact, against both Democratic candidates. Trouble is, there are all those Clinton QUOTES, starting in 2003.

It goes to trust.

He'll argue that he makes decisions based on "facts on the ground" and she makes decisions based on political expediency, and he'll prove it, with her own statements.

He'll use his early and vocal opposition to Rumsfeld, a position that was not popular, at the time.

What will she use?

[EinChicago]

"It's extraordinary, how close her "principled Iraq position" tracks public opinion polling. You could graph it. "

Wow. it foillows the "will of the people"..Now, seems to me, I have heard that before in a foam speckled, Kool-aid scented rant before....

[kay]

It follows political expediency. John McCain's does not.

That's the argument. On an issue of war, I think McCain wins that argument.

Again, you can ignore it, and hope it goes away, but it's what I'd use, and it'll be what they use.

It's all they have.

[BrooklynLager]

You seem angry. Relax.