Undecided No More

View image

When he saw my Veterans for Obama button, an irate Vietnam-era veteran shouted at me: "What are you talking about? I am going to vote for the veteran, John McCain, especially since he suffered so much in war. We veterans must stick together." It was not the first time that I encountered this "approach." I realize that McCain's shoddy voting record for veterans and the troops is largely unknown. My task is to change that and quickly. The veteran I mention above had not heard the truth about McCain's voting record.

I respect guys, like McCain, who went "downtown" as we used to say. Launch, after launch, taking off for Hanoi and other points knowing, that unless a miracle occurred, all of them were not coming back. Miracles were hard to come by in those times and that place. Yet the fighter planes went, sortie after sortie, day after day. Then to spend years in a Vietnamese prison camp enduring torture, these events certainly qualify John McCain as a warrior and a hero. I respect and honor John McCain's service. But why am I, a retired military guy and aviator no less, supporting Obama?

The answer is simply what matters for most veterans - which candidate is best for the nation and the future. Look at McCain's voting record. Veterans and the military clearly see they are and were not supported by Senator McCain.

Bill Rausch, Ohio Democratic Party, Veterans for Change, who developed the billboard above said: "The young man on the Billboard is Jason Graven (Former MP, SPC, US Army) an Ohio native who enlisted in the US Army after the attacks of September 11th. He deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and upon completing his obligation in the Army was honorably discharged. Jason is currently using the GI Bill to attend the University of Toledo. Jason is a proud supporter of Senator Obama and has been volunteering for the campaign because he knows how important this election is. He is struggling with the rest of Ohio when it comes to finding work, trying to pay the bills, and attempting to stay afloat during these unprecedented economic times. Thanks to Senator Obama, Senator Biden and many other Democratic and Republican members of Congress, Jason will better be able pay for school due to the increased benefits and improvements of the GI Bill. Senator McCain's opposition to the New GI Bill was and still is shameful. "Too generous," he said. Tell that to Jason and every other brave American who served this country in a time of war. It is the least we can do and let me just say thank you to Jason along with every American service member who has served this great country. "Too generous?" I think not.

Veterans and military see the elderly McCain pretending to support the entire military family when his record proves that he does not. We are angered. But mostly when we see the angry old war hero campaigning, we are saddened. He is a mere shade of the McCain who ran for president in 2000 and too erratic to lead.

Obama supports the military family in word and deed. Obama is fit and ready to lead this country. Obama is the best candidate for the nation and the future. I will join others touring the small towns of Pennsylvania this weekend. I will be knocking on doors and explaining why veterans support Obama. Please join me by dedicating a few hours to ensuring Obama is our next president.

Comments

[pjb755]

Hal,

I'm a fan of yours from Townhall. I love how you get them stirred up!

Thanks for your service, and keep up the good work in getting the word out about Obama!

[Hal Donahue - Huffpost Blogger]

for those who don't know I am a missionary to the dark side. I am a happy troll popping in and out as needed. You folks should try it sometime

[oldcavpilot]

I'm a 'Nam vet Scout helicopter pilot. Like most Scouts, I was shot down more than once. I'm one of the lucky ones; just wounded. But I'm Permanent & Total from injuries, wounds, and PTSD. I've followed Sen McCain's voting record carefully over the years, thinking we had a real advocate in the Senate, and nothing could be further from the truth. His total record is abysmal, and completely anti-vet.

Why the Obama race isn't talking about the DAV giving JM 'D's and the IAVA rating him at 20% and forcing him to explain his veteran voting record is beyond me...it's nuts. If the vets knew the real truth, they'd go crazy.

The word must be put out by responsible people the vets will trust. Try Gen Wes Walker.

When I tried to tell some vets on McCain's web site, they blocked my IP address and won't even let me on the site, let alone post. McCain does not want that information out.

[Hal Donahue - Huffpost Blogger]

Keep trying to tell vets. Go to American Legion and VFW sites. Go to conservative sites. Just announce to folks that you are a veteran for Obama people will come to you. I urge the Obama folks to do a vet ad having veterans speak the differences between both candidates. Today going door to door in Carbondale, a small PA town, I was stopped by a vet who said thank god you are not taking this election for granted. We must win this one; too many vets are hurting. I gave him a button and he asked for four more for his friends. That is how we must do it. I think we vets must speak up Obama and company with no military experience almost certainly are relying on us to do that job...

[Hal Donahue - Huffpost Blogger]

Folks I am off to tour northeastern Pennsylvania fopr Obama but I will try to stop back and comment occasionally. Meanwhile, refer any doubtful veterans to me...

[Hal Donahue - Huffpost Blogger]

McCain is a silver spoon guy who almost certainly would not have gotten into the academy or a coveted flight school slot without family connections. That said during the war he served well.
There is an old military saying "first the horses, then the men, then you". Like most conservatives John forgot both the equipment and the men. McCain has voted against euipment and against fully funding the VA. He still supports tax cuts for the very rich. The credo of this country is and has been working together for all to get ahead. That is how we opened the Ohio frontier in the late1700's and that is how we landed on the moon in the last century. Working together, building and growing are the real American values not conservatism's everyone for themselves - we can see where that has taken us.

[jimpwhite]

As always Hal shares the truth. I'm a service officer for a veterans group. It was hard for me not to go with John this election cycle. Its harder filing claims for veterans when the research shows how often Sen. McCain voted against processes that help our veterans.

Its true Sen Obama is not a veteran. Its also true he sits on the Veterans Affairs Committee and let me invite all of you to research the work he's accomplished for Veterans. You'll be amazed. I don't need just a Commander-in Chief as John would "only" be. I think we need more in a President today.

[JessWonderin]

McCain's G.I. Bill consist of 3 Tours back-to-back, a firm handshake, a bus ticket home, a handful of Discount Coupons for Divorce Attorneys and a xerox list of rich women seeking husbands,

Look at McCain's rejection of INCREASED VA Budget funding for health care . . . 'course a lifetime officers brat with all the perks wouldn't know about getting out and getting a real job or dealing with the VA.