Bowles Trying To Woo Veterans Away From Republicans

680 WPTF Radio.com ^ | 6/8/04 | AP

[mykdsmom]

(Raleigh-AP) -- US Senate hopeful Erskine Bowles is among the North Carolina Democrats who are crossing into enemy territory, trying to woo veterans who typically vote Republican.

In recent campaign stops, Bowles has called for reform in the way veterans benefits are administered to those who've fought for the United States and their families.

Bowles touted his veterans plan in Greensboro today. He was joined by US Representative Mel Watt, a Democrat who was one of just three members of North Carolina's House delegation to vote against the 2002 resolution that authorized President Bush to use military force in Iraq.

Bowles also has introduced a plan to bolster benefits for National Guard and reserve troops.

Tim Vercellotti, an assistant professor of political science at Elon University, says those are typical G-O-P issues. He says it's interesting to see Democrats take it on.

Then this from the NC GOP website:

Erskine Bowles Can Run, But He Can’t Hide

(RALEIGH) – After suffering a ten-point loss to Elizabeth Dole in the 2002 U.S. Senate election, Erskine Bowles must have finally figured out that his ideas do not work for North Carolina. In fact, Clinton’s former chief of staff is in Greensboro today glossing over his record as he introduces a new four-step plan to improve the health care, benefits and quality of life for military veterans.

“This is just another example of Erskine Bowles glossing over his past,” said NCGOP Chairman Ferrell Blount. “Not only has Erskine flip-flopped on issues like tobacco and taxes, he now wants to paint himself as military friendly.”

But the facts still remain, and Erskine has some explaining to do. From 1995 to 1998, the Defense budget outlays shrank from $271 billion in 1995 to $268.4 billion in 1998. The military’s budget declined in constant dollars from $329.1 billion in 1995 to $304.8 billion in 1998, meaning the military’s money bought less equipment, fewer updated weapons systems, and had lower pay for servicemen.

The average annual rate of decline in military funding during Bowles’ tenure in the White House was a negative 3%. Clinton-Bowles military cuts also include:

(Sorry, I can't html tables)

1995

Military Personnel - $70.8 billion

Procurement - $54.3 billion

Military Construction - $6.8 billion

1998

Military Personnel - $69.0 billion

Procurement - $48.2 billion

Military Construction - $6.0 billion

“It’s no wonder Erskine is desperate to re-invent himself after failing to buy a Senate seat for himself in 2002,” added Blount. “But I’m confident that North Carolina voters will recognize Erskine for what he is – a failed politician who will say anything to get elected.”

**(Source: Stephen Daggett and Amy Belasco, “Defense Budget for FY2003: Data Summary,” CRS Report for Congress, March 29, 2002).

[mykdsmom]

I stongly hope you are right.

MKM