2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumJohn McCain sees vet support slipping for Romney
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/20220917john_mccain_sees_vet_support_slipping_for_romney/Right now we havent straight talk here we dont have that level of support from the veterans of New Hampshire that we need, said McCain, who is known for his independent streak that sometimes takes him off script. Unless Romney wins New Hampshire, his chances of winning the presidency are greatly diminished and we need our veterans out.
Veterans at the VFW hall later said McCain was simply rallying local vets to ensure they would vote.
More good news - I hope this is a national trend!
Also, is Romney really counting on NH? It's not exactly looking like the state is a lock for him.
all american girl
(1,788 posts)and Rmoney has all but promised a war with Iran...
Kath1
(4,309 posts)Not a shock to me that those who will have to fight the wars would support a presidential candidate who believes in peaceful solutions!
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)russspeakeasy
(6,539 posts)May I suggest Viet Nam, where you have stated "they will always be gooks to me".grr:
appleannie1
(5,067 posts)More than 2.4 million Americans from every state and every Congressional district have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. And after ten years of war, veterans and their families need and deserve support from any and all political candidates. No matter what party they come from or what community they represent, every candidate has a responsibility to ensure that veterans issues are a top platform priority. We expect more than lip service. We expect real solutions and a solid commitment.
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans come from all backgrounds and will be a powerful voting constituency in November. 90% of IAVAs members reported they are registered to vote. From Ohio to Florida to Colorado, new veteran voters have the potential to have a big impact on the November election.
Here are the top 5 things they expect to see from every single candidate in America:
1. Defend the New GI Bill:The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the best job training and education program for our countrys veterans but for the first-time its under serious threat. Eight of the top 10 recipients of New GI Bill funding are for-profit schools; yet theyre averaging dropout rates between 50 to 70 percent. Political leaders must defend the New GI Bill from predatory for-profit schools by closing the 90-10 loophole and taking the target off veterans hard earned benefits.
2. Employ the New Greatest Generation: Veterans are highly skilled, talented leaders who stand ready to use their skills in civilian jobs. Yet, the unemployment rate for new veterans averaged 12.1% in 2011, three percentage points higher than the national average. Political leaders must strengthen USERRA to protect service members jobs, and military skills must more easily translate into civilian credentials and licenses in the workforce.
3. Prevent suicide among troops and veterans: For the first time in our nations history, the suicide rate among veterans and service members has surpassed that of civilians. In July, the Army alone reported 38 suicides the highest recorded to date. Political leaders must improve oversight of mental health programs, increase the number of mental health professionals and swiftly address the stigma surrounding mental health to ensure timely access to the highest quality mental health care possible.
4. Build a truly 21st Century VA: The VA has fallen behind in serving the needs of veterans of all generations. According to the Inspector General, over 50 percent of veterans who seek a mental health evaluation at the VA must wait an average of 50 days. Meanwhile, despite record budgets, nearly one million veterans benefits claims are stuck in the VA backlog. The VA must quickly move to a paperless, electronic claims system. Our veterans cannot afford to wait years for the resources they depend on.
5. Improve Care for Female Veterans: Women are a growing part of the United States military and account for almost 12 percent of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet care and support for these women warriors has lagged behind. The VA health care system and disability claims system are still not designed to support the unique needs and experience of female veterans. While we have seen progress in reforming these systems, our leaders must be more focused on getting female veterans the care they deserve.
As our country shifts attention from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the stakes for veterans, service members and their families have never been higher. A simple thank you for your service on the campaign trail isnt enough. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans across America deserve concrete specifics from our nations leaders about how they intend to build and support this New Greatest Generation.
http://iava.org/blog/5-things-new-veterans-expect-all-candidates-2012
That was written and published in August, before any conventions. Apparently no one from the Robme Campaign read it or someone might have reminded their head NitMitt to at least mention service members and Veterans in his speech and told him not to say they were not important enough to talk about because they were a laundry list when called on him for the omission.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)lamebrained idiot,this is his legacy tour started a bit early. What a megalomaniac and sleaze bag. The symbol of and the face of the modern day GOP.
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)Booster
(10,021 posts)no way to treat our troops. You just know ins cos will deny them ins and it won't matter how much that voucher is for. Unacceptable.
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)JRLeft
(7,010 posts)julian09
(1,435 posts)They didn't forget them in convention as the Gop did. Without the slight, the Dems are doing more to get vets hired especially the wounded. They deserve the vet vote.
Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)Cha
(297,144 posts)Promises Kept For Vets..
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/subjects/veterans/
And.. Michelle and Dr Jill Biden's Work for Military Families..
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/08/22/first-lady-michelle-obama-announces-125000-veterans-military-spouses-hir