Those who support Kerry...
Posted on 05/18/2004 10:10:32 PM PDT by writer33
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said Thursday he offers more to military veterans than "wrapping yourself in the flag," pledging to mandate funding for veterans health care in response to what he said were broken promises by President Bush.
Kerry said that while Bush talks tough about patriotism and honor, he shortchanges veterans by cutting their programs. Concluding a four-day campaign focus on health care, the Massachusetts senator proposed a series of cost-cutting measures to assist veterans and their families.
"I will see to it that the first definition of patriotism is not talking about it, not wrapping yourself in the flag," he said. "It is keeping faith with those who have worn the uniform."
Kerry said Bush is quick to send soldiers in harm's way but slow to offer them help when they return.
"Here we are with an administration that is busy creating a whole new generation of veterans," he said. "They don't seem to understand that today's soldiers are tomorrow's veterans."
Speaking at a care center for the aging that is affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Kerry drew a receptive audience. "It feels great to have somebody who has been to Vietnam, who has been to war," said David Smith, a veteran. "I've never had that before."
Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a fellow Vietnam veteran and once a rival for the Democratic nomination, contrasted Kerry's decorated Navy service with Bush's service in the National Guard as they campaigned in his hometown.
"John Kerry has been in the company of heroes his whole life. He saw real action, he was in combat virtually every day. When you've done this, you don't have to go around saying you're a leader," Clark said.
In another reference to Bush, Clark said Kerry "could have chosen an easy life. Some people who went to Yale did." Both Bush and Kerry graduated from Yale University during the Vietnam era.
When asked whether he would choose Clark as his running mate, Kerry praised the former NATO commander but declined to commit himself.
"I have huge respect for General Clark. I have affection for him," Kerry said. "I have promised I'm not going to discuss publicly the how, why, where. I'm going to pick somebody before the convention."
The Bush campaign said the president has nothing to apologize for regarding veterans funding and noted that former Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas and 49 Medal of Honor recipients had endorsed Bush "because of his steady leadership and winning the war on terror."
"John Kerry's attack on the president's strong record of providing for our nation's veterans is at odds with reality," Bush spokesman Steve Schmidt said. "While the president has increased the VA health care budget by over 40 percent since taking office, John Kerry offers nothing but personal attacks."
Kerry told television affiliate KTHB in Little Rock he had spoken to the father of Nicholas Berg, an American civilian who was beheaded in Iraq, but he declined to discuss details of the conversation with reporters.
"I know as a father how I would feel if it were one of my daughters or my stepson," Kerry said.
Berg traveled to Iraq looking for work as a civilian contractor and was captured by militants who said killing him was retribution for the U.S. abuse of Iraqi prisoners. His headless body was found Saturday in western Baghdad. Three days later, a videotape posted on an al-Qaida-related Web site showed him decapitated by hooded, armed men.
Kerry said he welcomed Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's trip to Baghdad, but that it didn't change his fundamental view that Rumsfeld should resign.
"I'm glad the secretary of defense went there. The troop morale needs, I think, that kind of visit," Kerry said in an interview of Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" program. "I don't think it changes the dynamics of of what America still needs to do to get to the bottom of this."
More what Sen Kerry? You have had plenty of time in the senate and have failed to address Veterans issues, while the President has increased VA spending at the fastest rate in history.
Is he offering me (a vet) more from his pocket or more from my pocket?
What a load of tripe. If Bu//sh/t was a dime a pound, Kerry would be independently wealthy and wouldn't have to suck up to rich widows.
On local tv news today, there were reporters covering the "crisis" at a Ventura County, California Veterans clinic. The administrator said that, because of Federal cuts in veterans funds, they are short of money by 1/4 of what they previously received.
This was reported, of course, by NBC or CBS...can't remember which.
Kerry says he offers veterans MOORE (Michael).
Free passes to all of Michael Moore's movies with every furlough.
This statement is as stupid as his I voted for the $87B, before I voted against it.
"Is he offering me (a vet) more from his pocket or more from my pocket?"
You know what he'll do. In order to raise money, he'll probably charge veterans more of a copay at the VA in order to keep all of them open. In short, it'll be your pocket money first.
Yeah, like by not calling them war criminals, huh, John?
Strange he's waited until now to befriend the vets. Could it be that most of us don't much care for him, and he thinks he can buy us off?
"Could it be that most of us don't much care for him, and he thinks he can buy us off?"
Of course. Whatever it takes to get your vote. That's all that counts. Once he's in, you can go to you know where.
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