Military Overwhelmingly Supports the Other Guy

Oh boy. We better brace for a tremendous outpouring from talk radio and such outlets of right wing ire as Instapundit, littlegreenfootballs, Powerline, and Free Republic. And I have to admit, even as an Obama partisan, I was shocked by the news that John McCain is receiving six times as much money from active duty service personnel as Barack Obama. It's hard to interpret this as anything but a profound indictment of Obama's message that our Iraq war policy is fatally flawed. Clearly the people closest to the action believe in John McCain's plan to win the war and reject Obama's cut and run foolishness. We shouldn't be surprised, I suppose, McCain is the war hero and Obama never served in the military and then there's the traditional military affinity for Republicans...

Wait a minute--ha ha, sorry about that. Turns out it's Barack Obama who is receiving six times as much in donations from active duty service personnel as John McCain! Well, never mind, can't really draw any conclusions from that at all. Just a weird factoid.

Comments

[rich3324]

As a 20 year Army vet I go back in history for my view on war:

War is sweet to those who have no experience of it. But the experienced man trembles exceedingly in his heart at its approach.
Greek poet Pindar, 518-438 BC

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

A particularly informed comment. Thank you, sir.

[Pupadup4oBama]

Wow, you SCARED me at first!

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Many apologies! Thanks for the comment.

[restoreamerica]

The ratio is actually 10.5 to one... Ron Paul ALSO opposes this war.

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Exactly right as I note below.

[marignymitch]

'They take just about anyone during these trying times. It matters not if you may have a criminal record, drug record or whatever. If they put a mirror under your nose and it smogs up, you are good to go.'

Unless the wannabe recruit is gay. The Pentagon isn't that desperate yet. Criminal yes, gay no.

Nice post. Thanks.

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for the comment. Yep, wouldn't want gay patriots fighting and dying for their country.

[johjac]

Hiya Bart! I felt compelled to read your article because I KNEW it wasn't true that active duty service personnel were giving more to Insane-McCain than Barack Obama! Darn you, ya had me worried there for a moment that they'd been a change of heart! I would love to see this story become HUGE! I mean, how sad is it for "I-know-how-to-win-wars" Insane-McCain to be outdone by a non-military baby-faced upstart named Barack Obama? I wonder how many more will come on board with Obama as the year winds down!

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hey Johjac! Thanks for reading, buddy. Sorry to get your blood pressure up. You are absolutely right, this should be a huge damn story! Liberal media my ass!

[Nana1234]

Why did the author use the words, "Just a weird factoid?" People who are knowledgeable know that Obama has drafted, and passed legislation so that wounded soldiers in VA hospitals no longer have to pay for their meals and calls home. That is major. I could not believe that was the policity. My hope is that every soldier is made aware of that. The Republicans who have no problem sending our troops in harm's way, but do not want to help them to better their lives when they come home. If it was up to them there would be no, or very limited benefits, including help with ailments that are a result of service, home ownership and education benefits. Obama often speaks about our soldiers being able to live a life of dignity.

[Gib]

Why did the author use the words, "Just a weird factoid?"

It's called irony. He was being ironical.

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks! I feel very Tropic Thunder. "Moronical?"

[byrdlegs]

As a combat Marine (1965-69) involved in the TET Offensive 1968, Khe Sahn, Hue and Phu Bai, I wouldn/t support McCain under no circumstances. The only people that support war are the armchair warriors who were never involved. I have no doubt that these stats are true and understand completely why our overseas military would be for OBAMA in the upcoming elections....For those that still support this foolishness, please run down to your recruiter and show your true colors. They take just about anyone during these trying times. It matters not if you may have a criminal record, drug record or whatever. If they put a mirror under your nose and it smogs up, you are good to go. It's a lot of fun in the 100 degree temp., lugging around 80lbs on your back conducting house to house searches. And watch out for the boobie traps. ...Let us know how you make out.

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks very much for the comment, byrdlegs, and as the cliche goes, for your service to our country. My folks and I were talking about this last night and marveling over why a veteran like McCain would be so cavalier about war. Then my dad exclaimed, "well of course! He's a flyboy!" John McCain probably had a pretty good war until he got shot down.

Your point about the war supporters who seem to have "other priorities" is absolutely correct too. Max Blumenthal's expose of the Young Republican Chickenhawks was a devastating indictment.

[gulopartisan]

Flyboy: Exactly. "Top Gun" war is fun. "Full Metal Jacket" and "Pork Chop Hill" war, not so much.

[SCVADem]

LOL... good one, Bart! I could almost hear the screaching halt sound before your "Wait a minute...."

The current admininstration treats our military like contract workers: Doing all the hard work without any benefits and it's time for that to stop.

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for the comment! Yes, absolutely right. The burden is placed on a tiny percentage of the population.

[DaOne]

Those tasked with carrying out the folly of failed foreign policy are in the best position to know its true price. I am only surprised that the ratio is only 6:1. This story deserves more coverage. The troops clearly support responsible engagement and not "shooting from the hip" responses. Mc War clearly played that card with Russia last week. Can you imagine Georgia in NATO and what that would mean? An attack on one is a attack on all. I'm sorry but we can't afford to be fighting others battles on an ad hoc basis.

Those days are done.

Obama 08

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for the comment. If you factor in the Ron Paul money, which is equally an anti-war vote, it's ten to one.

You're absolutely right, McCain has shown a desire to inflame situations instead of cooling them off. The Georgia situation is a real indictment of his potential presidency.

[charon]

Not too surprising. I am a vet, and when I was in Dems were a majority in the Army. Granted that was last century, but most recruits still come out of working class backgrounds. Also, the military tends to vote against stupid wars. Yes they think about what they are doing. If Russia was driving tanks across Canada they would gladly go fight to defend America. But fighting for oil for the rapacious oil companies? Most aren't fooled about what their mission is, and it isn't what most of them signed up to do.

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Excellent comment, thank you. Opposition to stupid wars is exactly the way that Barack put it. As retired Colonel Andrew Bacevich pointed out in an interview with Bill Moyers, we are putting the burden for this great military adventure on the backs of 0.05% of the population. If its such a great and heroic crusade, as our tone deaf President termed it, where is the sacrifice from the rest of us? Magnetic car strips don't count.

[jvarga]

haha had me fooled for a minute :P

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Just a little thought experiment!