Barack Obama Quietly Visits Wounded War Veterans

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama stopped by Walter Reed Army Medical Center Saturday to visit wounded war veterans, a group that he has said endures substandard care under the Bush administration.

The presumed Democratic nominee, who was in Washington to speak to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, spent about two hours inside the facility. On his way in and out, he did not speak to the small group of reporters who follow him, and the visit wasn't on his public schedule.

Obama has criticized the Bush administration for its treatment of veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and has suggested Republican rival John McCain would continue Bush policies if elected.

The administration was roundly criticized last year after it was revealed that veterans at Walter Reed were housed in rundown accommodations and suffered neglectful care.

Obama has said the country has failed its veterans by allowing such "second-rate conditions," by not giving troops enough time at home and not doing enough to support military families.

During his remarks later Saturday before the Latino group, Obama said "we have to treat our veterans better."

"We're betraying what I think is a solemn pact that we make with our veterans," he said.

And in a speech at a rally with his former Democratic opponent Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday, Obama said voters have a choice about whether to continue spending billions of dollars every month in Iraq, and leave troops there for 20 years, 50 years or 100 years _ a line that elicited boos from the crowd.

On veterans issues, McCain is seen by his supporters as having the advantage of military experience _ the Arizona senator was a Navy pilot, and spent nearly six years as a Vietnam prisoner of war after he was shot down.

Obama, who serves on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, often notes that his grandfather served in World War II.

He criticizes McCain for opposing an expansion of the GI bill to guarantee full college scholarships for those who serve in the military for three years. McCain and Pentagon officials say they oppose the bill because they fear it would encourage people to leave after only one enlistment during a war.

Comments

[majorteddy]

This man will make this country proud as president. His style has always been that of Teddy Roosevelt, attributed to TR by a political cartoonist, "Walk softly and carry a big stick." People will be able to see the difference a real man makes in the Oval Office when this guy gets elected. From a white guy in Michigan.

[heal57]

This white gal in Arizona agrees with you totally. Senator Obama is a class act, and our country will be much better off once he's elected.


Independent for Obama '08
Joy Hussein M.

[vincie]

quitely visits, what a joke, it was put out by the obama camp, this guy is not for real. they put out news like they don't want anyone to know, what a joke, and it looks like obama is a wonderful person, when he is visiting for his own reasons and it not for the soldiers.

[ohnoyoudidnot!]

It's hard not to be cynical about a politician these days, but I think Sen. Obama is a good guy.

[barackobama4prez]

Vincie...where is your proof?


exactly.....shut up or offer up proof. you should know better.

[Grunty1]

If it wasn't real, he would have done the B'ush route: aka LOUDLY visits with a thousand reporters to only rescreened patients.

[LeaveArtieAlone]

Well, at least with this BS comment you decided NOT use ALL caps!

[lynnn]

He's better than McCain who lied to the ppl of Ohio last week. MCCIN LIED AND TOLD THEM THAT HE SUPPORTED THE GI BILL. HE FOUGHT THE BILL AND DIDN'T EVEN VOTE ON IT.

Now he's trying to take credit for Hagel and Webb's work. The media (including Huffpo) let's him get away w/it.

[ChiGuy]

Of course he didn't make a big splash about the visit.
Dignity would dictate that these poor people not be exploited for photo-ops as 43 and others have done, and if there's one person in this race that personifies dignity, it's 0.

[eden4barack08]

Well said!

[AnotherAndy]

One has to wonder what took him so long to visit, if wounded vets are so close to his heart.

[amber09]

You should know your facts before giving your opinion! Obama passed legisation for the vets to not have to pay for their own meals and phone calls. He also has passed ethics reform. He has sated the health care for vets and just signed the College credit bill for vets which McCain voted against.

[gapanther]

it wasnt the first time

[FilthyPerson]

When is The Lord going to visit Iraq?
He will tell us what to do.
Have any of you touched the hem of His garment?
Washed His feet?
Flashed a thong?

Seriously folks, as was said yesterday, listen carefully to what He says upon return.
His challenge is navigate a political tightrope now that He has the nomination.
I'm sure they're already carefully writing His teleprompter speech, but haven't you all noticed that He's not sounding quite so b*lls to the wall leftist lately?
posted 06/24/2008 at 11:16:40

If he comes back and says he was really mislead by the MSM about what has been happening in Iraq and he now knows we ARE winning and he wants to finish the mission, then there will be a lot of people who think that maybe he is an honest man.

I will be among them and there will be one less reason not to vote for the guy.

But to you folks it's a reason NOT to vote for him.

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

You are truly a sick individual. Seek help! Consider the feedback you receive here a high tech intervention.

[luvobama]

That was a disturbing post. You may need meds. Seriously.

[rooks]

You are out there, aren't you. One more time, what is winning? Define it. No one can. Personally.
I think winning would be to admit we were wrong and incompetent as well as engaging the rest of the world to help us fix what we destroyed.

[lordraiden]

dude. seriously.

[HumeSkeptic]

OK. Now you can return to the cesspool where you reside, FilthyPerson.

[pie8ter]

Given McCain's low ranking status in the Navy Academy and him receiving favoritism because his father and grandfather were admirals, I think democrat's version of swift boating is about to start.

[helonias]

JMc graduated in the bottom 2% and the NA and got into flight school,

Cause his daddy's an admiral, nothing more.

[SouthFloridaDem]

Thanks, O, for being a class act and not making a huge photo op out of your visit to Walter Reed Hospital.

[abby4ever]

Amen.

[Melissa]

If it was so quiet,. why do we know about it?

[awcbuddy8]

Now lets go fill some more sand bags in Iowa?

[vincie]

really, its all over the news, quitely, what a joke.

[Krikkit]

Let's see if McWhatever has the courage to face the people he was ready to shaft.

Did you hear McWhatever is now trying to take the credit for the passage of the vet bill that he opposed on the grounds that "It would encourage soldiers to enlist for only one term"?

[Obama08Supporter]

Yep, same ole same ole rethug ways! Not this time.

[FilthyPerson]

So they told Denzel to go to a military hospital and he did.
They told him he'd better go to Iraq too. Looks like he's going to do that as well.
In fact, they already have the 1st draft of the speech he'll deliver to tell of his findings.
It'll be a clever speech filled with lovely words that will mean whatever you want them to mean.
Just like everything thing else he's ever said.

[findingthetruth]

Do you think they will be synonomous to the LIES McCain told after his 8 visits?

[Krikkit]

You sound bitter. Is that why you chose such a name?

[Vige]

LOL, your name is so fitting.

[AvgPseudoIntellectual]

Filthy, you seem to be projecting your own image onto the candidate, so I see where you're getting that.

Watch how the spin goes, everyone. If Obama goes to Iraq, they'll say he's pandering and they'll try to set up a flip-flop claim. If he did not make the trip, they'd say he was shirking his duty. If he goes to Walter Reed, it's pandering; if he doesn't, it's lack of sincere concern for the troops. If he helps sandbag a levee, he's pandering; if he doesn't visit the disaster site at all -- or doesn't do it in some secretly prescribed manner -- he's neglectful.

IT'S ALL SPIN! None of this has anything to do with environmental policy, the supreme court, economic solutions or anything of substance.

[Wary]

He's not only going to Iraq, but Afghanistan as well AND to visit European countries as well. This is going to be a grand tour of fact finding and establishing relationships for the future. It will be a wonderful tour and event!

[Heaphy]

Some people enjoy being obnoxious rather than constructive. FilthyPerson seems to be a perfect example.
- Jim Heaphy

[RoSull]

I understand how important it is for us to have a strong military: however, who cares if a solidier decides to leave after one enlistement (4 years). They have served their time and their country and regardless for how long they have served, we should honor them. They fight and protect without question whether they want to or not. They do what they are told and I for one would be proud to pay higher taxes in order to make sure they receive superior healthcare, college education, and benefits for their families.

[lainey]

I completely agree RoSull. Thanks for the post.

[Krikkit]

Exactly! McWhatever should be MORE concerned that a tour or two or three or four in Iraq is enough to make that decision fairly easy for those veterans.

[moda31]

stop it, you're making too much sense. common sense probably doesn't enter into the equation when you're already dreaming up your next couple of wars.

[Obama08Supporter]

Amen! Amen!

[helonias]

Well the guy with 7 houses and a private jet and $100 mil and also who collects gov pensions thinks that would be a waste of money.

Its all about consistency you see.

[eden4barack08]

These are just the kinds of honest things he does as a good citizen, without seeking publicity or photo ops. The other sunday, again without wanting media, he was down in the mud filling sand bags to help flood victims. It barely got a mention in the news.

[BethinIllinois]

QUIETLY? You are insane. It was all over the news. In fact, one paper/outlet did a comparison -- I believe BHO did not do so well. He was there a whole 45 mintues -- not quietly, not at all. He was there for a photo op. He didn't do it as a good citizen, he did it as a politician. Wake up.

[Sabreen60]

It was QUIET. You wake up. I live not far from Walter Reed. It was as quiet as it could be given the Secret Service and the DC police were on 16th Street and every side street off 16th in a 1/2 mile of Walter Reed. It was not publicized as it would have been if it had been pre-announced as being on his schedule. There was no fan fare. There were no crowds of people as there are when he announces he's going to appear somewhere. Get it?

[truthinreporting]

Maybe if you had met the man, attended any of his visits to cities, read or watched any of his speeches, you would have a different opinion of the man. There is a reason he appeals to so many and that is because his integrity shines brightly. Not one of us is perfect. He is trying to win this general election in order to attempt to reverse the downward spiral our country is in. We cannot afford any more of this "war" or any other of the policies that have been enacted by the current administration. The future of our country is at stake.

[rinpochet]

And if he hadn't gone he would have been accused of ignoring the situation.

Those who hate him will criticize him no matter he does so better to just ignore them.

His trip to Iraq, Afghanistan and Europe will be great for him. The reception will be light years from that given Bush.

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

The man is running for President which means wherever he goes he must be accompanied by a squad of Secret Service and he is being followed by the media 24/7. There is no way you can truly be this dumb!

[Yuma]

You got to be kidding?

[riverhouse]

Polls show he's winning with active military and with their families.

[ErnestineBass]

That's not surprising.

Our troops want to come home, and when they finally do, they should be honored and rewarded for their service to OUR country.

Anything less would simply be unAmerican.

[findingthetruth]

So ALL those troops should be qualified to run for president.

[jupitor]

I have a problem with Mccain running for President on his war record! I am sorry, while I respect john mccains war record , I just cant see where Wrecking three of our Planes, graduateing at the bottom of your military class, and then getting shot down over viet nam, and spending the next Five and half years as a POW------------- As Great experience to lead our country at war time! If any thing this shows how weak mr. Mccain is! While he graduates at the bottom of his class, Obama graduated at the top of his law class. While he's in a enemy camp not doing any thing but getting tortured(makes me feel sad). Obama out their doing community service, and appearing in court and reviewing case ofter case, and learning daily. While john came home to a easy life of money. Mr. Obama was scraping to make a liveing and pay back his student loans. While John was leaveing his disabled wife for a rich beer hieress, Mr. Obama was being faithful to the same lady he married in his early twenty's. while Mr. Obama is of this age and era and has ran a History makeing financial campagne, Mr Mccain finds himself in trouble again with the FCC for bad campagne practice's. Must I reallly go on?

[LiberalBuzz]

Please do go on. You are making a hellovan argument for Obama.

Tiptoeing around McCain's actually less than stellar record because he was indeed a tortured POW makes bringing up his real record a very touchy difficult thing.

What is really troubling is that if McCain had been a democrat with the EXACT same record the Thug party would have no such qualms about going after him. Much in the same way they went after Kerry and constantly distorted and lied about his military career and did so with the complete and willing complicity of the MSM.

So go for it. Tell us more.

[Krikkit]

Polls mean exactly next to nothing. Gamblers, you may be shocked to learn, have historically outpredicted all the polls and pundits consistently. They (the gambler) have been downgrading McWhatever's chances, and they never gave him more than 33% odds in the first place.

[Sabreen60]

I disagree with you and agree with C.huck T.odd. The individual state polls tend to be more accurate and can give a feel for how a cand.idate's is running in a given state at a particular time.

[riverhouse]

It's despicable that the mainstream media makes no note of M*Cain's and G*WB's self serving objection to the GI BIll. Both routinely and consistently stand against GI issues, from pay to support for dependents to on ground support to disability benefits to this educational benefit yet M*Cain is allowed to portray himself as the soldier on these issues.

[OhioJan]

Kudos to Barry for stopping by the Reed to visit & thank our Vets/Soldiers for all of their bravery & sacrifices for ALL of us, even you candycane!

Judging by everyone's comments to you, I just HAD to check out your profile: What kind of "I-hate-EVERYONE" bug crawled up YOUR nose? Oh, sorry...the SAME "I-hate AMERICA-AND-everyone-but-LOVE-O'Reilly-Fox-&-CNN's-new-rightwing-neoCON-owned-&-operated-biasedr@cist-'news'-&-BIG-corporations" bug! Too bad none of you republiCONs ever tried practicing little things the rest of us like to call "virtue & integrity"! You should try it sometime - you may not feel such an overwhelming need to be so confrontational, combative & negative all the time.

[candycane]

My husband is a doctor at a VA Hospital in a large city. I am an RN. there. We spend most of our time with the wounded Vets. I haven't read all of your posts ,however, I can see that calling Obama a dumb jerk set off a fire storm. My comment had nothing to do with the Vets. I don't like Obama. I don't think anything he does is sincere.
I love my work. I love these men and women. They are heros.
I am taking all of these comments into work tomorrow and show the staff and patients what was said here today. I will take my profile and some of the profiles of those who posted here.
About 98% of the patients are McCain supporters,however, I know they will treat your comments with a great deal of respect.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

"I work with seniors" from your profile. Make up your mind. Vets, or seniors?

You're a stu.pid lying Olbermann obsessed tro//.

[Krikkit]

Obama is a "dumb jerk"? The man has a 168 i.q. How's yours stack up to that?

You are entitled to your own opinion. However, you aren't entitled to your own set of facts.

Are you going to print this comment and take it in to work, too?

[ebethgay]

If they are vets over the age of 60, then I imagine they are McCain supporters. There is an overwhelming age gap between the supporters of Senator McCain and Senator Obama. Active servicepeople in the Iraqi Occupation want to come home without any more brain injuries, lost limbs, and PTSD. And better still, they want to steer clear of body bags -- body bags that go to cemetaries instead of the VA.

If the young vets are your heroes, then why aren't you supporting the candidate that wants to give them better benefits and wants to bring them home as soon as possible? Or are you stuck in better wars gone by? I've only lost one friend in Iraq, but that was one friend too many. And I know that my friend who did her tour in Iraq in 2004 never dreamed that her husband would be deployed in 2008, 2 weeks after their first child was born. She's firmly an Obama supporter, and as a mother trying to raise her son alone, she's my hero.

[faithfully]

Aren't our tax dollars paying you to take care of our veterans (nursing)-not bringing politics into your work-As another nurse, I would say that is not professional and you should be careful not to use these veterans to support your own agenda. Think about it.

[truthinreporting]

Well, take this comment in. I have compassion for all military service people because what they have to go through must be extremely difficult. And, I abhor the injuries the ones you minister to have sustained.

As for your dislike of Obama: have you ever met him? Have you read or watched his speeches? Have you ever had the opportunity to see him in any city that he visited? There is a reason so many people in this country got behind his candicacy early and have worked for his election and that is because his integrity shines brightly. I'm surprised you can't see this. Or maybe you just like the idea of tending to more grievously wounded soldiers.

[AbbieXHoffman]

Has anyone else noticed that BO suddenly has gray hair? Do you think that's planned to make him look more mature next to GrampiMcSame?

[kellygrrrl]

no, it's real. this campaign is certainly taking a toll

imagine how much he'll age in the WH trying to clean up the mess from the Thugs

[kevenhusseinseven]

Jimmy Carter aged 20 years in one term.

A 46 year-old going gray is not so remarkable.

[drkazmd65]

No kidding,... I'm "only" 43,... and I've been going grey for at least 10 years.

Note,... pretty much nobody publically commented on Ronnie Raygun's dark, dark, hair at age 70+. Another double standard in the making?

[kellygrrrl]

I feel like I've aged 20 years in the last 7.

the clean-up detail on this NeoThug mess is not going to be a stroll through the park either

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

Maybe he is a normal man who was graying early and started to dye them plus ....Gray hair doesn't equate to maturity, wisdom brings about maturity and some people can be wise well beyond their years, Then their are some who have a head full of gray hairs that have allowed themselves to become a parrot for a C- student w/ daddy issues ,whose daddy bought him everything he couldn't achieve on his own including that includes a election then preceeded started a unfounded war to prove to daddy he could start his own war too. See gray hairs doesn't always equals maturity. Obama 08


TXHUSSEINOBAMAGIRL73

[Truye]

I am 23 and I have many a grey hair. The campaign trail is hard and stressful. And then the greys start.

[eden4barack08]

It's called stress.

[castlerider]

SO WHAT if a veteran wants to leave after one term of enlistment duty and go to college?????

This is the way you help people with what they feel is the best for them, and the way they feel they can best serve their country.
You get a lot more people wanting to serve this way, and it actually eases a lot of the cost McSame complains about by increasing the satisfaction of folks who want to do well for themselves, and this nation. But McSame can't see that, because he's blind to how important it is to really help people. ESPECIALLY his fellow veterans.
And he's absolutely a moron to be on the wrong side of this issue.
It's already costing him, in a major way. Of course, not for any help from the media, though... they'll let him skate on this one, too..... of course !!!!

[ErnestineBass]

What McCrackers and his ilk ignore is the fact that a veteran could sign on with Blackwater and "earn" four to ten times the amount of money either bill offered.

His argument is hogwash.

[kellygrrrl]

there are plenty of military family members on this site who are none too pleased

this news is going to spread like a Malibu fire in the Santa Ana winds

... of course, as you mention, no thanks to the MSM

[rinpochet]

They found that it was actually pretty balanced. The new GI bill would attract as men as it would cause to leave. Anyway, there is no excuse for treating them well. To McCain and Bush, supporting the troops means sending them on endless rotations to Iraq and letting them return to inadequate care and support. The pair of them are disgusting.

[ChezMJ]

Suuuuure it was a quiet visit. SOMEHOW, though, word ALWAYS leaks out to the press...

[GingerB]

"On his way in and out, he did not speak to the small group of reporters who follow him, and the visit wasn't on his public schedule."

Do you not get that there are always reporters with presidential candidates? He can't go to the bathroom without reporters knowing it.

[jOke]

Wow.. ChezMj.. your an idiot.

[Kynn]

You do know that the press follows him around, right?

There's press everywhere he goes.

[vernonbc]

It didn't LEAK out to the press. The press dog his every footstep so of course they know he went. The big difference is he didn't make a big deal about it or issue a press release or hold a news conference like McCain does every time he goes somewhere trying to curry favor. Barack has gone to Walter Reed many many times and has ardently introduced and supported many bills to improve conditions there. It's one of his pet issues. He walks the walk.

[kellygrrrl]

now run on back to freeper and get some new talking points

[kevenhusseinseven]

Go to the Devil.

[ErnestineBass]

ChezMJ...so is that what neo calls the kitchen in her trailer? guffaw