Graham: If Republicans Vote Against The 21st Century GI Bill, ‘We Will Get Rewarded In The Next Election’
Graham: If Republicans Vote Against The 21st Century GI Bill, ‘We Will Get Rewarded In The Next Election’
Just over an hour ago, the Senate voted overwhelmingly — a veto-proof 75-22 — to approve Sen. Jim Webb’s (D-VA) 21st Century GI Bill, which would expand educational benefits for veterans who joined the service after Sept. 11, 2001.
Before the vote, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who introduced his own watered-down, paltry version of the GI bill, exhorted President Bush to veto the measure, as he has indicated he will. Graham also insisted that his Republican colleagues would “get rewarded in the next election” if they vote against GI benefits:
This is a defining moment for the Senate, for the Republicans, and this war. I can tell you if we leave the generals alone and support our troops, they will win this war. And to my Republican colleagues, if we’ll stand firm for a fair procedure and a sensible solution to the veterans’ problems, we will get rewarded in the next election, not punished. If we give into this, we don’t deserve to be here.
Watch it:
It’s an odd proposition. A recent poll documented Americans’ overwhelming support for dramatically increased educational benefits of the kind Webb’s bill provides:
- 81 percent of Americans say that veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan are not getting enough support in transitioning back to civilian life.
- 91 percent of Americans support providing these veterans with a funded college education for their service.
- More than 8 of 10 Americans support a comprehensive 21st Century GI Bill.
- 83 percent of Americans believe that a new 21st Century GI Bill will benefit America.
Graham claimed today, “If we just leave the generals alone and support the troops, they will win this war.” But the nation’s most respected veterans organizations are joining average veterans to clamor for this bill. Just yesterday, the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars joined the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and the American Legion in support of the bill.
As Webb said last Sunday, “The Republican party is on the block here, to clearly demonstrate that they value military service or suffer the consequences of losing the support of people who’ve served.” Citing Orwellian “support” for the troops, Graham appears willing to sell them out for partisan gain.
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Stupid chunky little bastard.
_AIO_
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:57 pmRepublicans will receive their due reward anyway, from thinking Americans. What the hell have they done to this country since Ronnie Reagan but destroy the middle class and shift wealth to those who are too wealthy to even realize it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:57 pmNow THAT’s the kind of change we deserve…
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:57 pmGraham is a moron!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:04 pmMany of the right-wing Republicans have been drinking the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld Koolaid so long that they actually have come to believe in their own propaganda… The Republican party is going to be effectively put out of business in the November Election. “Chains that you deserve” is what McCain and the GOP are offering the American people.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:04 pmLet’s get this straight… the Republican Party (at least the leadership) thinks that by turning your back on veterans and using them as political cover for your presidential candidate is a way to honor them?
nice
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:04 pmHmm… a veto-proof Democratic majority in the Senate? Joe Lieberman utterly reduced to irrelevance?
Yeah, I guess that’s a reward for the way the Republicans have run the people’s business these last seven years…
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:07 pm“Graham: If Republicans Vote Against The 21st Century GI Bill, ‘We Will Get Rewarded In The Next Election’”
Yup. You will be rewarded with “spending more time with your family.”
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:09 pmQuite interesting that Johnnie Boy was too busy to vote in this, probably his most important issue (according to him). Maybe he didn’t want to be counted as “being for it before he was against it”.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:09 pmAs much as I would like to see the Republicans outed for there disregard of our veterans, my desire is to see this GI Bill get passed.
These fine men and women have waited long enough for Congress and the President to back them up. To show them that their sacrifice was appreciated. Give these men and women something tangible that they desperately need, not hollow platitudes. They have given so much already of themselves it is the least the country can give them back.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:10 pmI am curious as to what size bra Lindsey wears when he gets together with his intimate friends?
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:11 pmgrahamcracker,
take it easy with the airplane glue.
it’s unfortunate that medical science has not yet identified the genetic mutation that results in republicanism. it’s such a horrible disease!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:14 pmLindsey Graham is one of the GOP closet homosexuals - not that there is anything wrong with that! BTW, why isn’t he fighting the war to end all wars? Maybe it’s too noisy?
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:14 pmupside99 Says:
You had better quit pointing out what a hypocrite McSame is when it comes to veterans.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 pmYou’re going to piss the old coot off.
Typical Republican thinking: the way to retain your NCOs is by trying to make sure they have no opportunity for advancement in civilian life. I wonder what this pudgy right wing ba$tard expects the men and women who were discharged for medical reasons to do. I wonder how many new recruits he expects to sign on knowing that the master class wants them only if they are willing to serve forever. Graham’s seeming belief that careerists will only stay in the service because of economic deprivation and will leave if they can make a dollar more in the private sector is sad and perhaps reveals his own mindset. The claim that the voters want to screw the troops is simply too bizarre for comment.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 pmPeople who are stuck fighting a needless war, destroying a nation and spawning terrorism as a consequence, are rewarded by this thoughtless, aimless Administration by being stop-lossed And having their benefits cut! Wow, that’s some remarkable support for the troops! Add to that McInsane’s caring about his brothers and sisters in arms and that sums up what Republican Values really stand for.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:16 pmImpeach Cheney and Bush and Save the Constitution.
Abu Ben Hussein Leporello.
“Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), who withdrew his name from the list of co-sponsors for the Webb bill in April, ended up voting in favor of it today.”
what a bunch of fu(king clowns!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 pmStrat_92117,
As I was reminded a couple of months ago, Lindsey DID serve in the JAG during the cold war and it would be improper to call him a chickenhawk. Unless you don’t consider a courtroom the front lines, and don’t count ‘fighting’ in court to be the equivalent of combat, like a Rethuglican would.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:19 pmAs if we needed even one more example of how out of touch the Republican party and it’s leadership and members are.
But, here we have another example of just that.
And tell me again about how much you support the troops, Lindsey.
Idiots. Hypocrites. All of them.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:21 pmSo, Graham just wants to have those little metal yellow ribbons they have around here on bumpers for the troops instead of really helping vets in a tangible way.
I am sure the Repugs will be justly compensated for this lapse in judgement come November.
As, W. would say, they are all hat, no cattle.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:21 pmToo little, too late for the GOP.
remember Lindsay-
THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:22 pmWhy does Liberace —er, I mean LINDSAY - hate the troops????
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:24 pmThe GOP just doesn’t get it. Americans are tired of their petty crap, which emanates from the WH and board rooms. The internet has provide sufficient evidence of their pettiness and lack of concern for 98% of Americans, and we are tired of it.
My guess is that Lindsey Graham won’t survive his next election because of his partisanship and pettiness.
There is a reason he has a girls name. I just wish he had the good sense of most women.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:24 pmIf we [Republicans] Vote Against The 21st Century GI Bill, then We Will Get Rewarded In The Next Election.
As always, Huckleberry is only half right.
If Republicans Vote Against The 21st Century GI Bill, then We (the People) Will Get Rewarded In The Next Election, i.e. there will be fewer Republicans in office AFTER the next election.
Please, Republicans, please do everything you can to get yourselves voted out of office in the next election. Please.
Not only is it the right thing to do; it’s the patriotic thing to do. Trust me.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pmGraham is right. Anyone who votes against this will be rewarded. With unemployment benefits, when they’re all booted out of office.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pmDear Reich-Wingers,
Welcome to permanent minority status.
Population. You.
Sincerely,
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:28 pmAmerica
Oh cut Lindsey Graham some slack. He just really really really wants to catch Osama and Zawahiri.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:28 pmTap Tap Graham need not worry the Republicans will be in office for another 4 years to stay the course. Obama can only draw in the voters he go and McCain will slip in as the winner. As for our troops the White House, Generals and Law Makers have shown they really don’t care about them as the White House get’s ready to illegally bomb Iran. At lease the truth has come out that the 9/11 attack was a US/Saudi plan that back fired. Democrats don’t have the back bone to stand up and most are looking for their own greed. US gas is 4 dollars per gallon, Russia’s gas is $1.45 per gallon and the country that uses the most gas China’s price is $1.54 per gallon. The joke is always on the American people who continue to believe the same lies ever year. While the White House and Law Makers were busy committing crimes, stealing and causing chaos around the World. Other World Leaders were making oil deals to help their citizens. As those who vote and make decisions in Washington have oil shares it makes since they want the price to go up as much as possible. Americans sit back and wait for those hand out rebate checks. Even Pelosi is willing to continue giving rebates rather then do her job and stop sucking up to the Criminal White House.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:29 pmI am sure that Graham was misunderstood. After all, while speaking from under the bus it is hard to make oneself clear.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:29 pmAnd America’s biggest troop lover Grampy McLame SKIPPED the vote today….?
WAY TO LOVE THE TROOPS, GRAMPAW!!!!
Not.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pmAll the Nays are reich-wingers…..anyone surprised?
NAYs — 22
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pmAlexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lugar (R-IN)
McConnell (R-KY)
Sessions (R-AL)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Dr. Matt - in a word?
No.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pmI think the Republicans are starting to see the handwriting on the wall. They see their future employment hanging on the will of their constituents, which is how it should be. They will ignore their constituents at their own peril.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:33 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
“All the Nays are reich-wingers…..anyone surprised?”
Well, i’m a little surprised to see Lugar on the list. Otherwise, nope!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 pmSen. John McCain (R-AZ), who frequently touts his devotion to his fellow veterans, skipped the vote today to hold a swanky fundraiser in California. By contrast, both Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) spoke on the floor in favor of the bill before voting for it.
Mark it down, Obama; save it for the general campaign.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:37 pmI can tell you if we leave the generals alone and support our troops, they will win this war.
WTF does that have to do with voting on a bill for veteran’s benefits?
I can hear this closeted pinhead now, when they have to override Bush’s veto of the Farm Bill:
“I can tell you if we continue to subsidize farmers - we will lose the war in Iraq!”
F***ing moron.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 pmLooks like 9 out of 15 Republican Senators up for re-election this year are hoping to return to Washington DC in January. The other 6 Republicans are probably considering retirement.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 pmGrahams logic is peculiar.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:40 pmThe 22 Republicans below can expect to be rewarded in the next election (Nov. 2008) by losing the majority of the military vote. Thank you McCain and Graham. Good shooting yourselves in the foot. (Some of their argument against this bill was also the cost: $52 billion over 10 years. Ok..that’s $5.2 billion PER YEAR (we spend almost that every 2 weeks in Iraq).
NAYs —22
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:40 pmAlexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lugar (R-IN)
McConnell (R-KY)
Sessions (R-AL)
Voinovich (R-OH)
I’m lazy….do you have a list of the 15?
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:40 pmCornyn is toast. Goodbye you fraud.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:40 pmYeah, let’s reward them with a permanent vacation from their taxing duties in the Senate. They’d all like to spend more time with their family, dog, mistress, you know, like good repuglycan scum.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:41 pmDo you see it? Do you feel it? Do you hear it? THE TIDE IS CHANGING.
We are seeing the change in the US electorate. They are beginning to understand just how elitist the Republicans are. We are forcing them to adopt some progressive programs. However, a certain per cent just do not get it. Fortunately, McCain is one of those.
We need Vote Vet and other such organizations to take this and run. Those voting for the bill should be thanked. McCain and his ilk should be questioned as to their support of our soldiers fighting in the middle east.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:45 pmOr being against it before he was for it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:47 pmCome on George W. Doushe! *crossfingers* VETO! VETO! VETO! Show the world your actual detest for these troops whom you feel are expendable! You can do it! Show the world!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pmWhat Senator Graham doesn’t seem to be able to see is that trying to save your political career by voting for the bill at the last minute is miles away from those who have supported the bill from the beginning and actually CARE about the troops, not votes. Once again the short sighted Right Wing pulls another boehner! (pun most definately intended)
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pmWhat does he mean: “if we just leave the generals alone” ?
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 pmHow have the Democrats limited the generals? Bush has gotten everything he wanted for the past seven years and keeps pretending that he hasn’t. You can name instances of generals being replaced or ‘retired’ by Bush if they do not do what he wants.
This is a defining moment for the Senate, for the Republicans, and this war. I can tell you if we leave the generals alone and support our troops, they will win this war. And to my Republican colleagues, if we’ll stand firm for a fair procedure and a sensible solution to the veterans’ problems, we will get rewarded in the next election, not punished. If we give into this, we don’t deserve to be here.
You’ve already proven that you don’t deserve to be there. When you start believing your own BS, it’s time to go home.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 pmNow, when this goes to Bush will he veto it, or will he sign the bill with an attached signing statement that somehow nullifies the bill?
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 pm.
Why do 22 US Senators hate (R) troops?
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lugar (R-IN)
McConnell (R-KY)
Sessions (R-AL)
Voinovich (R-OH)
A swift kick in the ass is a just reward… NO?
.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:53 pmInfo on the 2008 Senate races is here.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:57 pmMethinks that on Graham’s next stop in Baghdad to get another great deal on carpets, he will get HIS just reward…..a fragging party.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:57 pmDr Matt - I don’t have the list. I was just referencing the Update to the thread.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 pmThanks for the link, Walt the Man
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:02 pmi wonder what reward they are expecting?
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pmA little o/t but does anyone know what the address is for seeing how members in the House of Representatives voted on something?
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 pmActually, Graham is correct. Republicans WILL be rewarded for this effort to short change the troops. They’ll be rewarded with high-paying jobs as defense industry lobbyists in the private sector after they lose their elections.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 pmMcMIA is missing in action again, eh?
Lindsay, you’re a sweetheart. No go find Jeff Gannon and blow…
off some steam.
Thank you, Senator Webb. Not only will our troops benefit, but the American public just got a look at the real terrorists.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:12 pmHmmm…Lindsay ‘The Bionic Woman” Graham…has a ring to it….
But they just can’t do it–spend money to help the non-rich. No-bid contracts for war profiteers? Sure~! Immunity from prosecution for everybody from defense contractors to big telecoms? We’re at war! College educations for veterans? Uhhh…
You want to know why there won’t be martial law in the United States? This is one reason why.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 pmPoor Senators. They’re stuck between Iraq and a headcase.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:34 pmI don’t know where the term gobbledegook came from but I recognize it when I hear it
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:35 pm“This is a defining moment for the Senate, for the Republicans, and this war. I can tell you if we leave the generals alone and support our troops, they will win this war. And to my Republican colleagues, if we’ll stand firm for a fair procedure and a sensible solution to the veterans’ problems, “
If the war were a cause I believed in, I would enlist in a heartbeat. Perhaps the administration should read between the lines: no one is joining the army because no one believes in this pointless war. So many deaths for no good reason. WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE???
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:42 pmGraham is a walking example of a mysterious and dreadful occurrence within the repug party. They have collectively lost their minds, their ethics, their integrity, their common sense and their judgment. They blindly follow their leader over the cliff without a second thought.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:21 pmMany of those who are up for reelection this fall decided to vote for their political lives, but the others are implacable, remain true to the moronic loser in the white house, continue to make fools of themselves for him like Graham. He and Lieberman make a good team - they should go off to shop in Iraq, holding hands, and leave government.
In the Republican’s Washington Wonderland, everything is through the looking glass. The opposite of what it should be.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:41 pmVerdict first. Trial later.
…we will get rewarded in the next election…
Nice to know they are thinking about the troops.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:55 pmWE will get REWARDED in the next ELECTION…
Hmmmm. How can we tell that this was spoke by a Republican?
Oh yeah. Being all about “Me, Me, Me”!
Putting yourself above the troops.
Caring more about the next term than providing education to the brave men and women fighting YOUR war!
Republicanism. It’s never about the world. It’s about YOU!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:08 pmWhen was the last time McShame voted in the Senate? It seems every vote has him absent while Obama and Clinton make it back to vote. The people of Arizona should quit paying him.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:28 pmSupport the Troops!…but only by OUR rules. Screw Lindsey, former Serviceman.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:39 pmAnd shell-shocked McCain couldn’t/Wouldn’t show for the vote?
Another former Serviceman, and current pussy.
I’M NOW CONVINCED. Senator Graham is being blackmailed with the threat of outing him as a homosexual.
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:32 pmI can’t see any other reason why he would make such ridiculous statements.
C’mon Lindsey just come out of the closet for God’s sake, enough is enough!
What’s curious is why wouldn’t the GOP support this bill.
It’s cost is just a fraction of what is being squandered in Iraq, so it can’t be just about the money.
I’ve gotta suspect that the GOP,their corporate masters and the “have’s and have mores” that sponsor them really don’t want a strong viable, free middle class that is not under their control. They just want people who can serve as cannon fodder for profitable wars.
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:39 pmIf the regular military gives out decent benefits to the veterans they won’t be desperate enough to go work for those murdering mercenaries, Blackwater.
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:54 pmI’ll bet Bush vetoes it anyway just to make Congress vote all over again. Methinks Lynnsey is suffering from dementia. Voinovich of Ohio votes “no”. To be repaid in two years, Mr. V, you can count on it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm