MUST READ: McCain Must Lead The Charge For GI Bill
April 10, 2008
In an op-ed in today's Los Angeles Times, General Wesley Clark and VoteVets chairman Jon Soltz point out that John McCain is "casting doubt on his own commitment to the newest generation of American heroes" by "hedging" his support for a 21st Century GI Bill. They point out that while McCain "has made it a point to remind audiences that service to one's nation is bigger than one's self," he claims he has yet to even read a key bill that would show our country's appreciation to those who have served in our armed forces by updating the GI Bill.
The following are excerpts of today's article:
McCain must lead the charge
A new GI Bill needs his support, yet the war-hero candidate appears reluctant.
By Wesley K. Clark and Jon Soltz
Los Angeles Times
April 10, 2008
"Sen. John McCain served his nation with honor in Vietnam, and he is right to be proud of his service. But by hedging on whether he will support a "GI Bill for the 21st Century," he is casting doubt on his own commitment to the newest generation of American heroes…
"The Post-9/11 Veterans Act, which has an estimated cost between $2.5 billion and $4 billion, is common-sense legislation. With 51 cosponsors, including nine Republicans, the three other Vietnam War veterans in the Senate and former Secretary of the Navy John Warner, the bill simply updates what the late historian Stephen Ambrose called "the best piece of legislation ever passed by the U.S. Congress." Yet, faced with unprecedented filibusters, it needs 60 cosponsors. As de facto leader of the party, McCain could signal to other Republicans to sign on to the bill and assure passage.
"Instead, McCain has said he hasn't had time to read the bill and isn't sure if he could support it. It's hard to believe that neither he nor anyone on his staff has had time to read such an important bill, which has been around since before he started running for president. But, even if true, McCain must do the right thing now, when his leadership is needed."
For the full article, click here: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-clark10apr10,0,1791314.story
