Sen. McCain's voting record re veterans is a personal, as well as public, disgrace. This is especially evident considering his POW status.

My family is comprised of several generations of vets, including two WW II POWs (my dad and an uncle who, like McCain, was shot down). We've had combat and non-combat members in all the regular armed forces and the National Guard. We've been stationed all over the world, having served in every war and almost every conflict since WW II. The brother with the longest career devoted over 25 years and saw his fair share of ugliness. Our youngest vet served with the USMC in Iraq and lost his best friend his first day in country. He's still serving.

I can't think of a single warrior in my family who'd choose conflict, given a real option of peace. But, our leaders don't always make good decisions for us, so we "war" where we must and have peace wherever we can find it. Unfortunately, it is impossible to survive war – wounded physically or not – without being forever changed. From many of those changes spring new – sometimes initially relatively invisible – wounds. But, real wounds just the same….

So, Sen. McCain, why have you forsaken our wounded ones? Whatever their wounds, every man and woman who has been wounded in the service of our country deserves better.

Si se puede! Obama 2008!

John Mccain has been in the Senate for 20+ years. John Mccain wants to Privatise the VA, HOW IS THAT TAKING CARE OF VETERANS?
Let us not forget it was BARACK OBAMA who blow the whistle on Walter Reed, so for 3 years he did allot, where was JOHN MCCAIN.
John Mccain in an opportunist, who hide in the HILTON Hotel drinking coffee and sakki while everyone else fight the WAR.
G. W. Bush was correct in 2000, when he said MCCAIN isn't no real HERO! I can't wait for OBAMA to resuse all the ADDS that G.W. used against MCCAIN, no need to create new ones, use the old ones that G.W. use, it was good enough in 2000, it is relevant today. If G.W. had so much to say about MCCAIN then, then obviously he still believe it today.

Mccain is not a champion of Veterans rights, he is a Johnny come later!

Blake you are right. As a Senator, Mc Cain didn't do anything to help veterans. His voting record doesn't lie.

And yes, Sen. Obama has been pushing to help the veterans (and our troops now serving) for a long time.

I used to think Sen. Clinton would be a good candidate, but lately, I don't know. I'm leaning toward Sen. Obama.

HELP OUR VETERANS NOW..TOMORROW MAY NEVER COME FOR MANY VETS…HISTORY IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS TODAY….SO.. START TODAY TO CHANGE THE FUTURE. PROVE THAT THE LEADERS OF THE USA CAN AND WILL ENSURE AID TO ALL OF OUR VETERANS, NOT JUST THE RICH AND FAMOUS.

McCain's son has been to Iraq unlike most politicians sons and daughters aren't in the service. If Hillary doesn't get the nomination my vote will be for McCain, a true patriot!!

I will bet Mccain has been triple dipping with the Veterans admin service connected disability[which he rightfully earned and deserves] But he should be honest enough to ensure other deserving vets get there due. I will bet that another Mccain will somehow find that he somehow will be eligible for the same if he earned it[he deserves it ] but with the powers to help get it sooner than most other deserving persons who do not have a connection to get to the head of the line.

Obama SPONSORED the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act of 2007.

Didnt McCain refuse to sign the new GI Bill?

He apparently doesn't want veterans to get a college education either. Hey! Then they have to reenlist to get decent pay and medical care. Right?

He is absolutely right! and why after spending his life in politics has he not done something about this problem???

America has been jacking around our honored veterans for decades. This is nothing new, and does not help Mr. McCain. He is too wealthy to care about anything but himself.

A justified war is one you would you would send your son to. Would you send your son to fight in Iraq, John? Thought not!

The troops serving in Iraq don't support McCain. Why would anyone want to have McCain as Commander in Chief when U.S. military don't want him.

Wilfred April 7th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

Just reverse all the democratic comments about John McCain and you will have the truth. Democrat is synonomus for liar.

Perhaps you would care to explain McCain's voting record?
Republican is synonomous for hypocrite

McCain talking about taking care of veterans? Pfft someone please read up on this opportunist's background. He is going to be swiftboated in the general election.

What have YOU been doing McCain? You've been in a position to take care of the Vets. What have you been doing???

Will somebody please show John McCain how to properly use both teleprompters so he can stop looking only to his left?

IF anybody believes that McCain supports Veterans then they must have a bolt loose.

Wilfred April 7th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

Just reverse all the democratic comments about John McCain and you will have the truth. Democrat is synonomus for liar.

Open your eyes, Wilfred. You've been duped by the GOP – Since 1972, The Party Of Liars.

Nixon Lied.
Ford Lied.
Reagan Lied.
Poppy Bush Lied.
Dubya Lied and 4,000 Died.

Anc McCain is following the party line – so he must be a liar, too.

The disgrace is lying to send our troops into an illegal war. McCain won't sign the new G.I. Bill, why?

AND AS A VETERAN, I THINK MCCAIN NOT SUPPORTING THE GI

BILL IS A DISGRACE AS WELL!!!!

Everything about McCain that's objected to here reflects his background as a conservative Arizonan. We have the cheapest, and I mean stingiest, legislators in America, I think. Except of course when it comes to their agenda, no problem with things like giving away public school money in the form of school vouchers and things like that. You can be sure money will not be wasted on frivolities if an Arizona Republican is in charge.

I JUST saw one of McSames Ads and peoplelet me tell you it is DISTURBING on MULTIPLE LEVELS. Here are just 2

1) He actually is using film form the 60s' when he got back after being a POW ( How Guilianni is THAT) If that is all he is after 40 years in Politics then HE IS NOT THE MAN!

2) AGAIN the ad was 90% Based on his being a POW. If this guy is still obsessed with that image and with his famous temper to boot. DO YOU WANT SOME GUY BLINDED BY PAYBACK with the launch codes that could end the world?? At best he has only 10 years or so left so why would he care???

Running for president can bring a change in ones life as evident in the life of McCain. At least, McCain has become a "born-again" republican. He is now sorry for voting against MLK holiday bill and has promised to take care of the vets as never before; though he has constantly voted against it. Running for election has made him repented; so, lets forgive and vote for him.

Keeping our current troops in a nonsense war is an even bigger disgrace you blind fool! BRING THE BOYS BACK HOME!!

This should be a full fledged attack on McCain regarding veterans .There is voting record to prove it. McCain is a veteran himself which makes this an uttermost disgrace, and shows he can talk the tallk but can't walk the walk.

Wow, he really stuck his neck out by saying what everyone has already been saying for longer than this campaign. Very edgy stuff, don't you think?

yep this is why we all need to be voting for Barack Obama, he will make sure that we are all taken care off, im not saying that the government will solve all our problems im just saying, that we will all have universal healthcare and that the veterans will be taken care of

Obama 08-16

Just look at McCain's voting records concerning the Vets………that IS DISGRACEFUL. We are to believe his words now??? I was always taught that your actions speak volumes over your words. I would also like to add that our country should also look at how they have made all these trade agreements, and the manufacturing jobs, now aerospace jobs, and whatever else jobs have been shipped out of this country. We need to elect those Politicians that WILL STAND UP FOR OUR CITIZENS AND OUR COUNTRY PERIOD!!!! None of these candidates get it!!!!

It IS the most important job of the Military and our Government.
I completely agree.

And, because of that, the person elected needs to have been VERY clear and consistent in their forceful support of the troops' needs no matter what the cost- both in the war zone and upon return.

And you, sir, have NOT.

It APPEARS you would be very happy to continue to destroy troops' lives- physically and mentally and emotionally- because it furthers your vision of what America represents and should do abroad.

Thus, you will not have my vote.

As an American I greatly respect and admire McCain for his service to this country and as a vet myself I can understand where he comes from at times. However, I cannot agree with his policies nor his Patton style of fight till there is no one left to fight ideas. I think it takes greater courage to admit to failures and to change the course not "stay the course". Now I am not for up and running out of Iraq because I know for a fact that such a strategy is fool hardy. I, however, do agree with the overall goals of the democratic candidates and I am not naive enough to think that they will actually get us completely out of Iraq in only a year’s time. As for veteran’s rights and bringing up Walter Reed, I am a little baffled. I would have thought that someone who prides himself with "straight talk" and military service, oh and a guy who "hates war" and torture would have been aware of what was occurring and would have done something long before the public and our brave vets had to deal with it.

Shouldn't this have been addressed in '94, oh yeah the republicans doing something for the common man…… yeah right

I am concerned that he may have early onset Alzheimers, he didn't know the difference between a Shiite and a Sunni and doesn't seem to absorb economic policy even with the aide of a teleprompter
.
I am not showing ageism but this is a legitimate concern.
Our economy is in a recession and we need an agile mind in the white house.
I hear people already calling him McAncient and McWar in the blog sphere.

I like John McCain. He's an American hero. I just hope he turns out to be more conservative than the press has portrayed him. He's definitly a strong American. It would be great if he turned out to be the second President Reagan.

Sorry to say, McCain is POLITICS AS USUAL.
He says one thing about supporting vets; and then turn around and voted against vets care.

McCain has done the same about turn on the Bush voodoo economics tax cut for those who do not need them.
Those national monies are gambled away in the financial and interest rate markets to kill off the US economy.

Now that John McCain is running for the Presidency, he's gone back on his words.

John McCain shows a flip flopping lack of integrity, an IMPORTANT quality NO GOOD leader can be without.

Vote AGAINST him!!! He's heartless!
An empty hull.

Well, great … but where are you going to get the money to take care of the veterans?

More tax-cuts? Extend the war?

I think some Americans are walking around with a blind mask over the eyes and are really closing their eyes to the facts and that is why the United States has gone to hell. Why on earth would anyone want to give McCain a vote? Do your homework people… Military Issues – votesmart.org

I think enough comments here show McCain's voting record on veterans. I must say I'm shocked that a POW would vote against anything that helps our veterans. Especially with the war in Iraq. While the number of fatalities is far less than Vietnam and previous wars, the casualites are not. We have thousands of troops severely injured (but still alive) retuning home after their tours. The VA needs to be top notch as these vets will need medical care for years to come, some for the rest of their lives. As a veteran and has visited some VA facilities, I've seen 1st hand how these hospitals look. I'm glad I have private medical insurance. I would not want to be cared for by some of these facilities. Don't get me wrong, the staff are top notch, but the management of these facilities need to be looked at. Let's take care of our own and support ALL our veterans AND their families.

John, it was under your watch and the Presidents. You have never been for Veterans, because you are too busy being a War Hero.

The Men I know take care of their friends, they don't leave them . You deserted our Veterans when they needed you.

You know that 15 months in a combat zone is too long. Making these people go back two and three time you know better.

You and the President should say "your sorry "for what you did to these great and honorable soldiers bothin combat and when they come home for help and healthcare.

You are a Senator with a Military background John you should lead not follow, shame on you and the rest of Congress.

If anyone thinks that the guy that sat there with his young children while his pastor roared God Da– America will somehow be for the vets,they must be smoking something stronger than what Obama did in his teens.Hillary,McCain or no one else.

McCain is even a bigger fraud than Hillary Clinton. He is another war waiting to happen. Get him outta here for our country's sake. He has voted against veterans several times. Check his voting record people.

This is a travesty!!! This man did not stand up for these Veterans
when they needed Him the most. What a liar. This is disgusting the
way politicians lie while trying to win a vote.

Obama 2008

Wow, how about we take a look at his record:

NO on increasing VA funding by $1.5 billion by closing corporate loopholes.

NO on providing $430 million to the VA for outpatient care and treatment for veterans.

NO on a $650 million increase in veterans’ medical care funding.

NO on increasing VA funding by $1.8 billion by ending abusive tax loopholes.

NO on an amendment providing $20 billion to the VA’s medical facilities.

——-

And with that, I'd like to thank CNN for doing this fantastic research on his voting record. Great work guys, really holding Sen. McCain accountable for his actions in the Senate, and not just buying everything he says into the mic at any given time.

Really, you guys are too good.

Best Political Team on TV. Yup.

John McCain is a disgrace to real vets everywhere. Only when he seeks the presidency does he care to speak for veterans. John ( my wife has millions of dollars to pay for the best health care in the universe) McCain does not care for real veterans. He is a warmonger.

McCain has one partially right here. We should be taking better care of our infirm and mentally incompetent veterans.

We can start by institutionalizing HIM!

Google "Green Zone Follies".

McCan't, put up or shut up- Support the new GI Bill.

Too little, too late. He shouldn't have kept quiet these last 8 years.

… if it is such a disgrace, how come you didn't care until you began running for president????

Not as big a discrace as having an adulterer and his drug addicted stealing wife in the Whitehouse.

I am voting for my own self interest that is why I am for McCain. He is the only one I trust with our Government and our Military.

The next time our country gets attacked why don't you just talk to them and maybe they will stop. Chamberlain tried that with Hitler and it didn't work. We need a man of action not of words.

I would rather die fighting then be alive on my knees praising Allah.

I don't dislike McCain, I like him more than most Republicans… but why on earth would he bring this up now, doubtlessly drawing attention to his abysmal voting record on veterans' rights?

John McCain is a hollow person. He says he supports veterans but refuses to sign on to legislation to give GI's better benefits.. What a fake! What a liar!

How can anyone support this guy?

Veterans have heard the same b.s. before. Someday, one of the "career" politicians, will follow thru with the promises and hell will freeze over.

Mr. McCain,

If it is a disgrace not to take care of our troops, then why have you voted 10 times against troop pay increases. Also, why are you not signed up to Jim Webb's GI Bill? I know why. Because you are a fraud and a phony. It would be nice if CNN gave us the truth.

oh really? then why are you against an updated GI Bill?

McCain does't support the Vets, only war. He is hell bent not to "surrender" and be "defeated" because he can't get over not winning in Vietnam. He wants to win a fight before he dies. The poor man needs therapy not the nomination. HE IS A VERY SCARY FELLOW.

then why wont you sign on to the GI bill, johnny boy?!!?

the disgusting abuse and neglect of our soldiers here and abroad has been going on since the very first day, when we didnt send them off with adequate equipment and protection. i dont recall EVER hearing you say anything about this before now, and i find it just a tad suspicious that you are saying this now, when something really huge is going on for you—-oh yeah, YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT!!!!

you of all people should know better and be very ashamed of yourself, we dont expect decency from the other repubs, but you should have stood up for them years ago!

then why wont you sign on to the GI bill?!!? the disgusting abuse and neglect of our soldiers here and abroad has been going on since the very first day, when we didnt send them off with adequate equipment and protection. i dont recall EVER eharing you say anything about this before now, and i find it just a tad suspicious that you are saying this now, when something really huge is going on for you—-oh yeah, YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT!!!!

you of all people should be ashamed of yourself, knowing what our soldiers were are still are dealing with!!!

Actions speak louder than words Mr. McCain. You have failed your fellow veterans with your votes in the Senate. When the media starts looking at your record after the Democractic contest plays out you will be shown for your non support of the GI Bill plus other bills for veteran affairs.

Voting Record:
Health Care for Veterans Amendment McCain No
Additional Funding For Veterans Amendment McCain No
Reserve fund for veterans' medical care McCain no
Tax Rate Extension Amendment, including
Veterans Hospital Improvement Fund McCain No
Webb Amendment (allow adequate periods of rest between deployments to Iraq) McCain No
Well, I guess you can't accuse him of pandering to veterans.

Did clinton here about how McCain cares for the vets from the same people who told her about the lady in the hospital who died? As a 22 year vet of the military who served in many conflict under her husband, I trust a clinton as far as I can throw the White House. In case you don't know Gen Wesley Clark was removed from his command and forced to retire, partly becuase he didn't take care of the men and women in his command. That is what we can expect from her and her backers.

GO McCain & Rice!!!!

It's a national disgrace that Republicans have ignored for 6 years now. Why take them seriously now?

And it's a shame it has just become a disgrace during this primary.

We wouldn't have so many veterans to take care of, or so many people who are going to live their lives with crippling injuries, if it weren't for testosterone-driven war-mongers like McCain.

War, as was the case in WW II, is sometimes unavoidable. Iraq was a long, long, way from being unavoidable and has done absolutely nothing to further American security or interests. To the contrary, in fact.

I think Sen. McCain has started his own trend…making false promises in hopes to secure a vote for President. Last week he loved MLK after voting against his holiday. I hope Veterans across the country opt against believing him especially since he voted against Veterans Benefits.

We wouldn't have so many veterans to take care of, or so many people who are going to live their lives with crippling injuries, if it weren't for testosterone-driven war-mongers like McCain.

War, as was the case in WW II, is sometimes unavoidable. Iraq was a long, long, way from being unavoidable and has done absolutely doing to further American security or interests. To the contrary, in fact.

Hmm…
McCain:

Voted AGAINST an amendment providing $20 billion to the VA’s medical facilities. [5/4/06]

Voted AGAINST providing $430 million to the VA for outpatient care “and treatment for veterans,” one of only 13 senators to do so. [4/26/06]

Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.5 billion by closing corporate loopholes. [3/14/06]

Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.8 billion by ending “abusive tax loopholes.” [3/10/04]

Voted AGAINST a $650 million increase in veterans’ medical care funding. [8/1/01]

Thats why we support Obama….you have not taken the lead in this issue like you should have!

This guy is lost, really lost. Voting him in office is not only a continuation of the Bush Presidency, but also a return to the pre-civil rights days. Just look around him. And no, one or two token others just will not do it. God help America if this man is ever elected President of the USA. God help us all!

Is this guy Hillarys long lost Uncle or something??

"Just believe what I say and ignore the Facts and written ( and sometimes Videotaped) Records!!!"

Can you blame him though? People no longer want the truth. It has becone VERY evident.

Just reverse all the democratic comments about John McCain and you will have the truth. Democrat is synonomus for liar.

Yep, McCain is a Republican! That means he believes the role of government should be to support an open market and a strong defense–period, that's its. Any thing else he says is pandering. He believes government should play little or no role in the economic lives of individuals-may the best, or luckiest, business-man win. So if you're a soldier who wasn't as lucky as he was (to marry into wealth) it's pretty much too bad for you. Look, the only people who vote Republican are either rich or stupid (and that's a quote I stole from a famous Republican). Start voting for your own best interests, workers and soldiers! Vote in the Democratic Party!

We have one day where it is all McCain and no Obama/Clinton and he seems to self destruct.

What is the deal with this guy?

McCain is a good one to talk. What about the John McCain that the POW/MIA families witnessed during the 1991-93 US Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs? He has Vietnam Vets lined up to dispel his "war hero" persona.

This from a man who has consistently voted AGAINST veteran benefits. Doublespeak from the "Straight talk express" that would make Hillary pale in comparison:

– Voted AGAINST an amendment providing $20 billion to the VA’s medical facilities.

– Voted AGAINST providing $430 million to the VA for outpatient care “and treatment for veterans,” one of only 13 senators to do so.

– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.5 billion by closing corporate loopholes.

– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.8 billion by ending “abusive tax loopholes.” [

– Voted AGAINST a $650 million increase in veterans’ medical care funding. [8/1/01]

Not ot mention his resistence against the recent "GI" bill.

McCain also did vote for veterans to receive funding from the stimulous package so add that to his list of not caring about veterans. Veterans were outraged across America over this. Additionally, that last poll of those serving in Iraq, McCain was not their choice for president, shouldn't that cross some eyes.

McCain's record on helping veterans is a disgrace and failure.

Why? In the world, now? Why Now, McCain is dispicable.
He really cares about our Soldiers when he takes a trip on
taxpayer money around the world with Lieberman, and Graham
Why did not MCain use that precious time and money to contribute
"time' with the Soldiers that have lost their limbs for our Country. It
has not been a secret that they were not getting proper care. Long
time ago. As, President, McCain will insure that these soldiers will
be taken care of. It should have never been a question in the first
place and should have been uttered from all their mouths long ago.

It is too late for the theives of our land. They have robbed us.

Obama 2008
Ring in the New.

Then he agrees that the Bush Misadministration has been a national disgrace. And since he wants to continue so many Bush Misadministration policies, the McCain Misadministration would be equally disgraceful…

Hasn't Obama been pushing this issue from the get go?

Why would a President McCain vote to help Veterns when a Senator McCain would not?

August 2001
McCain votes against increasing the amount of cash available for veterans' medical care

March 2004
McCain votes against creating a reserve fund for veterans' medical care

March 2006
McCain votes against increasing veterans' medical services funding

May 2006
McCain votes against additional funding to the VA for health care facilities

September 2007
McCain votes against the Webb Amendment, which would have provided for adequate periods of rest between deployments to Iraq

I agree. The veterans of our country are TOP PRIORITY, and must be taken care of by a greatful nation.

Hollow words not backed by any real action.

Starting a preemptive war is also a disgrace and misuse of our own blood.