Bush And McCain Try To Steal Credit For Webb’s GI Bill That They Consistently Worked To Defeat
Bush And McCain Try To Steal Credit For Webb’s GI Bill That They Consistently Worked To Defeat
Yesterday, House leaders in both parties struck a deal on a war supplemental bill that includes expanded college benefits for veterans. The GI Bill is Sen. Jim Webb’s (D-VA) version, as well as a provision allowing troops to transfer the benefits to family members. President Bush has promised to sign the legislation.
Now, however, Bush and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) — the two most vocal opponents of Webb’s bill — are trying to take credit for it. They are claiming that they always supported the generous benefits — their main concern was just ensuring the benefits’ transferability:
McCain: That has always been my primary concern with respect to the Webb bill. … With the addition of the transferability provisions sought by Senators Graham, Burr, myself and others to give service members the right to transfer earned G.I. Bill benefits to spouses and children, we will have achieved in offering vastly improved educational benefit.
Bush: Throughout the past five months, President Bush and members of his Administration have worked hard to ensure that an expansion of GI benefits includes transferability. … The President is pleased that Congress answered his call.
Webb said that he had been considering changing his bill to include a transferability option. But instead of working with him, McCain and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) went ahead and introduced an opposing bill. While it did have transferability, it also had less generous educational benefits.
This was never the real reason Bush and McCain opposed the legislation. Their constant complaint was that Webb’s version was too generous and would lead to a drop in military retention:
McCain: “I want to make sure that we have incentives for people to remain in the military as well as for people to join the military.”
Bush administration: “The last thing we want to do is provide a benefit — or the last thing we want to do is create a situation in which we are losing our men and women who we have worked so hard to train.”
As the CBO concluded, these claims about retention were inaccurate. The Pentagon also argued that it was too generous to confer benefits on troops after “only” two years of service, and legislation offered by McCain and his Senate allies would have reserved the most generous benefits for those who have served at least 12 years, excluding most servicemembers.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Don’t these guys realize that their prior comments and opinions are recorded?
June 19th, 2008 at 5:28 pmNo surprise, Obama should make sure to let the MsM know that McSame opposed Webbs Bill though.
The DNC doesn’t do bumper sticker politics but they’re getting better at it.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:29 pmLying pieces of Crap!! McInsane and Chimpy know how to do nothing else. Same old, Same old shit.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:29 pmMcCain has recently said he doesn’t know how to use a computer and most likely doesn’t know that his words are easily accessible from anywhere.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:30 pmAt this rate McCain will be against it again by the weekend.
Then he won’t bother to show up for the vote.
But he’s for the troops, honest.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:34 pmThat’s such BullShit. McIIIrd was against it because it would ‘hurt retention’ unfu*kingquote.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:34 pmWould SOMEONE in the FU*KING MSM please CALL this lying old fart on this LIE?
Bush administration: “The last thing we want to do is provide a benefit ”
That’s all we need to know…
June 19th, 2008 at 5:36 pmstealing credit is a mcbush family tradition!
June 19th, 2008 at 5:42 pmAnd don’t forget, Johnny Boy is an Aviation Ace, he has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft.
All belonging to the US Navy.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:44 pmBut we will fail to see this raised as an issue in the right wing controlled media. These people deserve to be stoned in public.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:46 pmjmohr, isn’t the chymp stoned in public most of the time he’s talking in front of a podium?
June 19th, 2008 at 5:48 pmpeople are ready for a change.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:48 pmI know Webb…. This will not be pretty!
June 19th, 2008 at 5:51 pmSo, so much lying. But who can blame them? They are talking to people who STILL believe Obama’s name was originally “Barry” and that Saddam moved his weapons to Syria despite there being zero evidence of this. They also believe the surge is completely successful, but yet we need 150K troops in Iraq indefinitely.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:52 pmToo late, boys. All those military and veteran organizations that have been supporting Webb’s version of the GI Bill know exactly what Bush and McCain really said about it and they’re unlikely to forget anytime soon. Only the dumbest of our trolls will believe a word of this.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:55 pm“… try to steal credit…”
nooo! REALLY??? whodduthunkit…
June 19th, 2008 at 6:02 pmRUCerious Says:
That’s such BullShit. McIIIrd was against it because it would ‘hurt retention’ unfu*kingquote.
Would SOMEONE in the FU*KING MSM please CALL this lying old fart on this LIE?
MSM call them on this? MSM are complaisant in this entire neocon family. I will bet they too were part of Cheney’s energy meetings when this entire 8 year rob America and grab the oil scenario was planned out.
Just as we saw with National Press Club inviting a nut job such as Sinclair to smear Obama, the corporate media will continue to embrace the lies of Bush/McCain.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:06 pmWe should also give Bush credit for single handedly keeping Texas and Alabama Viet Cong free during his days in the Texas ANG.
And we should give McIIIrd credit for single handedly tying up all those prison guards who would have otherwise been deployed in South VietNam fighting our troops.
Geez.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:09 pmtotallynext Says:
I know Webb…. This will not be pretty!
Yea, we have one Combat Marine Officer vs. a poor Naval Aviator and an AWOL ANG draft dodger.
Like watching 2 baby chicks against a bald eagle
June 19th, 2008 at 6:09 pmhad enuf ~ you’re right there, hence my use of the adjectival word for coitus.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:10 pmI should say that I am ecstatic that the GI Bill is going to become law, in spite of McBush’s attempt to take credit. It really is spectacular news.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:11 pmSo many lies…so little time.
*eyes rolling*
June 19th, 2008 at 6:14 pmFor what possible reason could Bush and/or McCain suspect that either of them would ever be called on anything at this point?
June 19th, 2008 at 6:31 pmFor what possible reason could Bush and/or McCain suspect that either of them would ever be called on anything at this point?
Meant to add: other than by slanderers of America, I mean.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:34 pmupside99 Says:
——————————————————————————–
And don’t forget, Johnny Boy is an Aviation Ace, he has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft.
All belonging to the US Navy
Johnny boy served… did you? I’m sick of idiots trying to use someones military service against them… especially from turds who never got closer to a recruiting station than a anti-military rally. When you contribute to a conversation, make it pertinent to the topic.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:38 pmRE 26: Though that will be the only reason you’ll ever catch me defending McSame!
June 19th, 2008 at 6:39 pmWhere is Bush’s left hand in this photo? Is he gettin’ some?
June 19th, 2008 at 6:44 pmre lateshiftbeefcake:
The time to make this point was about 4 years ago. when your buddy the deserter in chief was smearing Senator Kerry. Whining about it now just shows your bias. If you really are against the republican policies and politicians then you should be aware that playing nice with these people only loses elections.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:49 pmAny sense of honor and decency have long left the Chimpfck. Born into the lap of luxury, he has done nothing good in his life and will die hated by the whole world.
As a father of two sons, I am proud of their acts and their way of thinking.
I am not a fan of George Bush the elder but I feel for the man. What would it be like to have that POS as a son? What a disappointment and embarassment. And Jeb, he must want to cut W into little tiny pieces and feed him to the crabs, the petulant punk has stained and defiled the Bush name and ruined his chance of being something bigger tha governor of Florida.
Babs? She created the monster. Not only genetically, but her pissy attitude is reflected in the cripple she whelped. Fck Babs and W.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:52 pmHave they ever lied to you before? If they open their mouths, you should believe the opposite. Republicans lie, if they told the truth they would never be in office.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:56 pmbeefcake,
Not me, I was never faced with the choice with high lottery numbers, but there are several Vietnam vets who are regulars here and post strong arguments. This race is not going to be split by serve/didn’t serve lines, but by a choice of a rejection for Bush’s policies or an ambrace of them.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:57 pmSomebody tell those two to get a room!
June 19th, 2008 at 6:57 pmMcGramps was against this bill before he was for it.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:57 pmRE 29:
June 19th, 2008 at 6:58 pmI agree wholeheartedly… I tried to make that point 4 years ago. Ironically, I’m glad I didn’t because if Kerry won, we wouldn’t have Barack right now ;-)
upside99 Says:
——————————————————————————–
And don’t forget, Johnny Boy is an Aviation Ace, he has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft.
All belonging to the US Navy
Johnny boy served… did you? I’m sick of idiots trying to use someones military service against them… especially from turds who never got closer to a recruiting station than a anti-military rally. When you contribute to a conversation, make it pertinent to the topic.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:00 pm————————————————————
I served and so did millions of others. That doesn’t give us a free ride to destroy what we were trying to uphold in the constitution. Did Dubya and Cheney and the thugs in the crime family ever serve? John has no more brownie points for serving than the next stiff who had to put up with the military. I rest my case.
Johnny get angry/Johnny get mad/Johnny get senile/Johnny get sad
June 19th, 2008 at 7:05 pmRe 36: Of course John has no more brownie points… because he doesn’t think like you. I believe that McCain has the utmost integity when it comes what he would want to do for the military and it members. That is not to say in any way that I believe Obama is any different. for the 1st time in a long time, we have 2 candidates that care about our armed services… (to a point). What I am speaking out against is someone who uses ones honorable military service as a weapon against them. It takes more integrity to stick to the issue at hand…
June 19th, 2008 at 7:06 pmlateshiftbefcaake,
Why do you believe that McCain has integrity when it comes to the military? He opposed Webb’s bill because it was too generous to veterans. Fact. I agree that a person’s past service or not is not a litmus test, and in no way is it a negative, but your defense of McCain rings hollow to these ears.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:15 pm#YouCantHandleDaTruth Says:
McCain has recently said he doesn’t know how to use a computer and most likely doesn’t know that his words are easily accessible from anywhere.
You would think that someone would tell him, wouldn’t you. I am beginning to think that the Republicans are intentionally throwing this election. I suspect that they don’t want to be the ones to have to clean up the mess that they created. They probably think that a Democrat is going to have to do some pretty tough things to get this country back on track (like raising taxes) and then in 2012 when things are back on track the Republicans will come back and say “look at them, we told you they would raise your taxes”. The thing is, I don’t think it will work. I’m pretty sure that the American public knows what they did to us and it’s going to be a long time before they will ever trust the Republicans again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:19 pmRE39:
June 19th, 2008 at 7:21 pmI know that if you haven’t been to war… you have no idea what it is. I’m not well read enough on McCain’s oppositon to the bill to comment on why. I do know that people can change and misquote anything they want to make it say whatever they want (just look at the Bible). I can tell you that if you’ve ever even visited a combat zone, your respect for the combatants changes. There’s a love and respect for those fighting on your side that nothing you will ever see in a Scorcese movie can compare to. Politicans hide stuff in bills. When something is hidden in there, and it’s the reason you voted against it, the other side is always thirsty to point out that you are against the part you were sctually for. If that makes any sense… I have a tendency to ramble
#lateshiftbeefcake Says:
Re 36: Of course John has no more brownie points… because he doesn’t think like you. I believe that McCain has the utmost integity when it comes what he would want to do for the military and it members.
Have you bothered to read up on McCain’s history of votes when it comes to the Military? He has consistently voted against benefits for our soldiers from health care to time off to educational benefits. If you are interested in McCain’s record on veteran issues, go here:
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/9559
But, I doubt you are really interested, otherwise you would have checked out his record by now.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:22 pmlateshiftbeefcake Says:
I know that if you haven’t been to war… you have no idea what it is. I’m not well read enough on McCain’s oppositon to the bill to comment on why.
Then how about you educate yourself. There’s this thing called The Google you can use to find out McCain’s views on Veteran’s issues and I can tell you, it ain’t pretty. No one has “misquoted” McCain. His words are well recorded. You can also go to YouTube and do a search for “McCain Veterans”. Then you can hear from his mouth what he had to say about why he didn’t support the veterans bill.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:24 pmMy problem is with those who seem to give McPander Bear a pass because of his military service. He has a long political career which, under scrutiny, reveals many disturbing things which have not, as yet, made it to the Nightly News.
His academic underachieving, plane crashing, and uninspiring career progression are part of his military record. Despite being a returned POW and an Admiral’s son, the Navy chose not to retain his talents. That too is public record and, as such, fair game for discussion.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:30 pmlateshiftbeefcake,
I can only imagine, you are right. I have had and lost a lot of friends in Vietnam and have talked to my son’s friends from Iraq and I know that the bond between soldiers is probably one of the stongest ever. One friend was only one of 3 in his platoon who survived a raid in Nam and as soon as he was patched up he volunteered to go back. Because of his buddies. I have never been tested like that and admire the shit out of those who were. And are.
I just see McCain as being another Bush, but with some balls. He is still a privileged prick who will favor the rich while pissing on our veterans. Look at his record, he is NOT a friend of veterans.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:32 pmRE 43: Okay cool… I checked out your link… very nice. At the same time I googled Obama’s record with “voting for the troops”. Good luck Bilbo. I take it you only educate yourself in ways that smear whoever you perceive to be the “bad guy”. So now I’ve managed to read how BOTH Obama and McSame have voted against the military… but I’ll bet that’s a suprise to you.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:33 pmRE 45:
June 19th, 2008 at 7:36 pmThat was my point… If you want to hate on McCain for his voting record, his marriage record, heck even his stubby arms, I won’t care. But when you berate the service of an American hero (ANY OF THEM), well I just can’t let that pass.
As far as his politics, I’m sure he’s very much the Bush type conservative… which is good for nobody that makes less than 100 million a year.
John McCain suffered a lot in Viet Nam. He’s done some heroic things. But he’s not very bright, not very stable, and not always very moral. Not good presidential material.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:38 pmPoint taken lateshiftbeefcake.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:52 pmMy God Bush & McCain are such liars. They deserve each other. How can anyone even think aboiut voting for McCain- he lies, flip-flops, curses his wife….
June 19th, 2008 at 7:54 pmYeah, he’s pretty creepy, but I forget about all of that when I think about how tasty his barbecue must be.
June 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pmWhat do you think, a .50 cal would make it through both of those melons?
June 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pmThey have to steal the accomplishments of others, they have none of their own.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
June 19th, 2008 at 10:36 pm.
And THEY(sic) claim they aren’t even alike…
.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:49 amAh, Mcflipper at his best with the SHRUB`S arm around him,
June 20th, 2008 at 1:03 amdispicible isn`t it…….