McCain Robocall: Obama Wants To Downsize The Military

The newest McCain campaign robocall, hitting households in Ohio, is accusing Barack Obama of wanting to cut military spending and, in the process, risk American security and jobs.

Flagged by Shaun Dakin of The National Political Do Not Contact Registry, the spot plays off of a traditional, macro-criticism of Democratic candidates - that they are weak on defense - and adds a new micro-critique as well: highlighting a statement by Rep. Barney Frank that cuts in military spending may be needed to get the budget under control.

Obama has in fact said that military spending may increase slightly as ground forces rebuild after years of wear and tear in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, keep in mind, that John McCain has said that the military budget needs to be streamlined.

Here is the script:

"Barack Obama doesn't understand what our military provides to this community. Not only does our military work tirelessly to defend America from harm. But it provides thousands of defense related jobs in this community, good paying jobs for hard working Americans. One of Obama's closest allies has already called for a 25 percent cut in military spending. What would that mean for your job?"

Comments

[GayGrandpa]

Downsize YES, we spend billions on maintaining an outdated and mostly unnecessary nuclear system while if we would have only taken five cents on a dollar and put it into our education; we would be the best in the world. It is hard for me to imagine 40% of our kids quit high school!

YES, then the draft, with no exceptions for the rich, EVERY GIRL AND BOY must serve this country for 30 months. Why not, military, peace core, teaching, some program, let's NEW DEAL our way out of this recession/­depression and let's get the rich kids and the politician's kids as part of the solution...that way there will never again be a RUSH TO WAR! I didn't see Bush's girl volunteering...if mine are drafted one day than all should be drafted without exception...LET'S GET THIS COUNTRY ON THE RIGHT TRACK...and let's do that by doing what's right and getting the control our of the hands of the 'right.'

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

We have and spend the most on military on the entire planet. That's becuse we meddle in everyone's business and start wars to make money for Bush & Co.

I would LOVE to downsize our military... and perhaps concentrate it here to protect OUR country. I hate seeing people die for greed. It's very disturbing.

[SunFresh]

Men - Say hello to a draft - fighting for a fictitious war!

[Whinger]

And John McBush want's to implement the draft to generate more cannon fodder for his furure wars!

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

And more money for his friends like Halliburton and Blackwater.

[Daw8it]

How come no fellow POW's endorsed John McCain?

http://www.mccainbetrayspows.com/

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

...I would start with and support a 50% cut in the almost $600B yearly budget (not even counting the price of the two bush occupations). No more blood & oil & banana corporate empire. We can purchase Southwest Asia's minerals far cheaper than trying to just taking them.

[watchingthings]

McC needs to make huge cuts in the BS he's pedalling. How in the world will he be able to return to the Senate after spreading so much BS and face descent people there?

[GiveUsFree]

Robocalls are a b***h a** move. Somebody calling your phone whispering vile things about the opponent. It's cowardly and I have come to expect from this bunch.

[Richardini]

Last night I received the robocall in which Hilary talks about Obama's lack of experience. I am so sick of hearing about this. What experience do any of the candidates have in the roles of president or vice-president? None. Zilch. What the hell administrative experience does John McCain have? He has behaved like an idiot throughout the campaign but his biggest mistake was naming that vicious banshee from Alaska as his running mate. She is out of hell. They both have stooped lower than low and show absolutely no dignity at all. I would not begin to tell of what people have called Obama because of them. They are both incompetent and I believe that we are going to see a landslide for Obama in this election. The sooner Obama is able to get started on cleaning up the mess left by the Republicans, the better. The whole world wants to see him win. Those who don't are the same old tired bible thumpers, bigots, racists, and rednecks..haters all. Too much religion has been injected into the national scene and I hope that that compassionate and tolerant hallelujah group which is Palin's bread and butter will go back into the woodwork. No one is stopping anyone from praying. God is not anyone's side. He is non-partisan. Or is he a he?

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

If God was paying attention, we wouldn't BE in this mess. GW Bush is proof that god isn't involved in any of our trials and tribulations.

[harriettubman]

Bush I dowsized the military so bad that that's why we can't fight in two consecutive wars right now. He offered all kinds of programs and stipulations for people to exit the military in the early 90s.

[SOFOROBAMA]

These people in the swing states must be having their phone ring off the hook. Do they actually listen to the phone calls after so many calls?

[RuthlessDictator]

I live in Ohio, the mother of all swing states. I was out of town for the weekend and my wife got zillions of phone calls, mostly from the Republican party.

Next year at this time both of us will be on a weekend trip out of town so we can be left alone!

[CharlesJ]

Can anyone tell me when will McCain start telling some truth? All I have heard from him for the past 3 months is mistruths, fabrications fo the truth, half truths, out right lies and severe underhande­d/inciting smear, fear, hate filled mongering rehtoric.
Does anyone have any idea when this will end? Will it end with the election or will it continue for the rest of his political career and beyond?

[loax]

Uh, John, I believe you said the same thing! Having trouble remembering things, are you?

[robwiii]

McCain is following the christian conservative ideology: division, fear and hate

Please read my blog
http://www.christianconservkillingamerica.blogspot.com/

[SteveMDFP]

Can anyone explain why the US has almost 50 percent of the world's total military spending?

[Richardini]

I heard Sarah Palin talk of Obama's wanting to reduce the size of our military and as she said withdraw early from a war we are winning. EARLY. We have been there almost 6 years and we are far from from victory. Yes, we are winning like we did in Vietnam, another war we had no business in getting involved with. Iraq was not the cause of 911 and now we are dealing with 2 wars. Even in peace time, something I can hardly remember, we have over 700 military bases around the world. Imagine how much money we spend on them and on the wars. Then, to top it off, our sleazy Wall Street shysters get us into the sub prime mess which has shaken the whole world. Eisenhower warned us about the industrial military complex and now that the whole thing is hitting us in the face, we still have idiots like John McKain and Sarah Palin pulling the kick ass John Wayne green beret card. We need peace and less saber rattling. Let her get back to her moose and the wilderness and let John stay home at one of the 13 and write his memoirs. We don't need either one to solve the chaos that the compassionate Republicans have wrought.

[Icantbelieveher]

It will be easy to cut the military budget!! Fire Haliburton!