WASHINGTON (CNN) – As speculation over the number two slot rises, presidential candidate Barack Obama and potential v.p. contender Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana joined forces Monday, signing a letter with eight other senators that urges Defense Secretary Robert Gates to increase medical coverage and care for Iraq war veterans left with serious brain injuries.
Watch: Obama pledges help for veterans
The senators point to a recent study from the RAND Corporation that estimates 320,000 troops from the two Iraq wars experienced a traumatic brain injury, or TBI.
Earlier: Obama camp launches military families working group
"We are concerned that at a time when TBI is recognized as the signature wound of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan," the senators write, "one of the most widely accepted and critical rehabilitative treatments for this injury… cognitive rehabilitation therapy, is excluded by the military's … health insurance program."
The other senators signing on to the letter include political notables Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass and Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-CT. Obama and Bayh's name are clearly perched at the top.
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I hope Obama picks Mr. Bayh. He is such an inteligent and samrt person. I heard him defend Obama's position once on MSNBC. It seem like he was the one running on those ideas. He was good that day aas I am sure he will be if picked as the V.P.
With that said a friend of mine just told me this morning that his son inlaw who served in Irag committed suicide this past weekened after an argument with the wife. This is after he used his wife's head to creat a hole on the wall eight days after giving birth. It's not only TBI that has infested these vets.It's also drug abuse and suicide. Let their health services include mental health services as a whole.
OBAMA/BAYH 08!
Obambi is busy doing damage control. People call him smart but I doubt he is. We have already made up our mind on this "Citizen Of The World"
I guess McCain was too busy trying out his new pressure guage to worry about this.
Why did Senator Obama not do all of these nice things before running for office? Curious...
It is obvious that if he wins we will spend four years listening to speeches diverting us from all of the mistakes... The USA is NOT a political training camp...
I see someone else has already noticed that while McCain is spending his time, money and efforts mocking Obama, Obama is working to actually make some corrections to 7.5+ years of conservative failures. Apparently Mr. McCain has no plans to work on issues, only criticize those that do.
169 days till the end of the Bush administration.
While Sen. Obama is being serious and trying to find solutions to help Americans.....Sen. McCain is playing games and offering people contest gimmicks, tire guage and Britney and Paris. He should be the one making these kinds of proposals....after all isn't he the so call "war hero" and the most "experienced" one running for President.....hmmm!
Go Obama, you will get my vote in November! Happy birthday Mr. Future President!
This is already in place. It was a priority with the Bush Administration.
If Senator Obama ever showed up to vote anything but "present", he'd know that.
I personally hate to see the military service of our fine young citizens being politicized in this manner by those seeking the highest office in this land. Honor and support our troops. Period.
It's becoming more and more obvious why so many Vets groups support Obama.
What is McCain doing, other than what he calls "straight talk" and mocking Obama?
Obama, McCain will mock that and will say you don't really care about the troops. The same McCain who was against the GI education bill and then tried to get the merit for it.
Obama has a brain injury because he keeps forgeting what his stances are.
It is obvious to me that Obama keeps throwing ' popular' ideas out there every time you turn around. Don't try to infer that McCain would not be good to our troops; that is ridiculous.
Also, if you value a good education for your children, you should vote for McCain because of the voucher system. The 'dumbing down' of our school system to make teachers look good (when SOME aren't) is totally unfair to all, especially those who cannot afford private schools.
Notice in the above sentence, I said 'some', as I know there are many good teachers.
I thought Obama didn't support the troops? Not. McShame attacks, Obama lays out plans. Clear choice here folks.
Obama '08
So is McCain going to mock this one with a roll of bandages for a $25 donation?
Joe Lieberman is not a Democrat.
Rich, Give McCain a break you know he can only do one thing at a time. LOL
OBAMA 08 &12
Clearly, the best way to care for people with serious brain injuries is to make them Democratic senators.
Why didn't McCain sign it as well?
Lieberman is not a Democrat
McCain needs to say why he pretends to support the troops, but was opposed to the GI Bill! Actions speak louder than words, my friend!
Obama's actions have consistently supported our men and women in uniform. This letter makes a great point, we need to get them the medical care they need when they get home!
Joe Lieberman isn't a Democrat.
Can't wait to see McCain's negative response/attack. Probably something about THE SURGE!
Who is still listening to this media myth created by Oprah?
So Sen Obama believes letting a few million barrels of oil from our strategic reserve is needed for gas price relief, yet he won't let us drill off shore. Which option offers more hope of providing true long term relief and which seems like a political play for votes??????? Sen Obama is short sighted, and guided is more guided by his advisors than President Bush is guided by the VP. Where's the change? I thought the Dems didn't want that anymore?