Webb GI Bill Passes Senate, McCain Skips Vote

*** UPDATE BELOW ***

The Associated Press reports that the Webb GI Bill has passed the Senate:

Senate Republicans have broken with President Bush to help Democrats add support for veterans and the unemployed to a bill paying for another year of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The 75-22 vote also added billions of dollars in other domestic funds such as heating subsidies for the poor and money for fighting wildfires to the $165 billion for the military operations overseas.

...The huge tally in the Senate was driven by $15.6 billion over two years to extend unemployment benefits by 13 weeks and more than $50 billion over the upcoming decade to provide returning Iraq war veterans with sharply increased college aid.

Both Sens. Obama and Clinton voted in favor of the bill. Sen. McCain skipped the vote (as did Sens. Tom Coburn and Ted Kennedy).

Howard Dean released a statement criticizing McCain for skipping the vote:

"America's veterans and military families deserve better than a candidate who is willing to keep our troops in Iraq for 100 years, but refuses to take care of them when they come home. The men and women in who volunteer to put on the uniform of the United States of America risk their lives to defend our freedoms, and we should do everything we can to help them be successful when they come home. While Senator McCain talks about supporting our troops and veterans on the campaign trail, his real record tells a much different story. While we honor his service to our country, Senator McCain's double talk on veterans' benefits is one more reason he is the wrong choice for America's future."

Obama also responded to McCain's absence:

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.

And McCain hammered back in a particularly harsh response:

"Perhaps, if Senator Obama would take the time and trouble to understand this issue he would learn to debate an honest disagreement respectfully. 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. If that is how he would behave as President, the country would regret his election."...

"It is typical, but no less offensive that Senator 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. Let me say first in response to Senator Obama, running for President is different than serving as President. The office comes with responsibilities so serious that the occupant can't always take the politically easy route without hurting the country he is sworn to defend. Unlike Senator Obama, my admiration, respect and deep gratitude for America's veterans is something more than a convenient campaign pledge. I think I have earned the right to make that claim."

UPDATE: Obama has responded to McCain, calling him out for making 'schoolyard taunts':

I am proud to stand with Senator Webb and a bipartisan coalition to give our veterans the support and opportunity they deserve. It's disappointing that Senator 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. Senator 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.

Comments

[incontempt]

No Vote in support of troops McCain...h­as a nice ring to it...wait.­.shorten it
No vote McCain

[Indoboy7]

It is very rare for this country to see a politician develop two faces while running for President, but with John McCain, just watch how Jr McBush keeps twisting and turning while throwing everything but the kitchen sink at anyone trying to call him on his double-talking straighttalk express. If John McCain keeps talking the way he is talking, his straighttalk express could be a very bumpy ride for him as square wheels will develop from all this two-face flip-flopping in full view of the whole world. McCain may have acted the hero while in captivity in the Hanoi Hilton, but he is now held captive to his extremely unhealthy desire for the keys to the White House.The country does not need to SEE THROUGH John McCain, we can all just sit back and watch McCain slowly twist in the changing political winds being blown about by the truth.....­.

[mahalosili]

Why the bitter attack McShame? Is your temper acting up again? Poor grand pop must've forgotten to take a nap. Hey oldie! Don't dodge the question! Why didn't you support the bill? More accurately, why do you oppose the GI Bill? BECAUSE : McCain "Worry that a more generous and expansive GI Bill would create an incentive for troops to get out of the military and go to college." ??? Oh that's right. You want our troops in Iraq for a 100 years and them going to college would be bad for them!! now I get it.. McBush must be the oldest hypocrite on the face of the planet right now!

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/04/15/mccain_bill/

[exmun]

How do you as a veteran NOT vote for a GI bill in an election year while at war and when you're the presumptive nominee of your political party? McCain's decision may just do him in on this one.

[incontempt]

yeah...No-­vote McCain is gonna drown with this one...the republicans will have a shame at convention.

[incontempt]

Hammer home that folks that love the troops will return the vavor on our behalf....­and skip the vote when it comes to supporting McPain

[exmun]

OK... Jim Webb for VP with the quickness!

[Zhonni]

I don't think reservist who serve in Iraq and are out of or on the verge of getting out of the military are included. I hope that those who are Reservist are included because when you go to a war zone, you are not a weekend warrior.

[IslandGyal]

Talk the talk, but don't walk the walk; go out and fight for America, but when you come back, don't expect too much.

[tds1273]

New nickname for John...


McSHAME

[karela]

He never explained why he's against taking care of veterans.

McCain is all hot air about his military service, but notice that he didn't explain why he's against taking care of our veterans. When he came home from Viet Nam, he didn't have to live in crappy buildings without clean sheets and wait in line to beg for medical care. Are admiral's sons more worthy? The Pentagon instructs doctors to give diagnosis of our veterans based on cost instead of whether or not a soldier actually suffers from PTSD and McCain doesn't think veterans have a problem? Blackwater mercenaries get paid many times what our veterans get paid for doing the same work--and it comes from taxpayer money. Many soldiers say that if they're going to take the risks, they might as well get paid a quarter of a million a year to do it. Maybe, Mr. McCain , college is not as big a threat to the military as mercenaries are. You said that there would be many wars under your administration. Were you thinking of the draft again? How do you plan to collect the cannon fodder you seem to require------and who you aren't willing to take care of. Flashing the pictures of yourself returning from Viet Nam in every ad is touching. But I'm touched in a whole different way when you betray the men and women who serve America. How could you?

[tds1273]

It is legislation and Senate leadership like this that is precisely why Webb should not be VP. If we pull him from Congress and put him on the ticket, we will be stuck with Reids, Liebermans, and McCains overrunning the place. We need Webb to keep fighting for what is right in the Senate.

Fine work Sen.Webb, bless you.

[unscum]

Not one did John McCain give a response why he did not vote for this GI Bill. He is one of the more vile politicians to come along in a generation.

[sheraz]

"It is typical, but no less offensive that Senator 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."

Even a child would understand the troops deserve and have earned the benefit of a free education.

McCain sickens me more and more with every wod that comes out of his mouth.

[Grannysue]

But But McSame says HE SUPPORTS THE TROOPS, I guess it's o.k. as long as he wears his flag pin!

[kappa08]

"It is typical, but no less offensive that Senator 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."

Kind of like the way you're boy "W" did in Israel...W­ith you piling on.
I am so looking forward to the full on attack you will be getting when your only saving grace Hillary finally taps out.

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

Tar and Feather the SOB