Democrat Presidential Candidate Clark Visits Tucson (re: Veteran Benefits)

[DoveTurnedHawk]

Democrat presidential candidate Wesley Clark had plenty of criticism for the Bush administration during a visit to Tucson Monday.

Clark visited the VA hospital in Tucson. Clark, a former four star-general and NATO supreme commander, calls the present situation in Iraq a failed strategy. He says more troops are needed, not less like the Pentagon is planning.

He also says thousands of veterans are waiting up to six months for medical treatment, even though Republicans say President Bush has increased spending for the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

"What's true is the VA system right now is struggling and doesn't have the resources it needs to meet our requirement," Clark said. "What's true is there are elements inside this system which are trying to exclude certain categories of veterans from treatment."

Clark says he would fully fund veterans health care and eliminate the disabled veterans tax.

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=1519611&nav=14RTJ2W6

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE VETERANS' HEALTH CARE PLAN, PLEASE SEE:

http://www.clark04.com/story/15/

AND:

http://www.clark04.com/downloads/pdf/brief_veterans.pdf

DTH

[IndianaGreen]

1. "Democrat"?

That tells you a lot about the source for this story. Pukes prefer "Democrat" over the correct "Democratic" because "Democrat" ends in RAT.

I guess we can agree that Wes Clark is one of the leading Democratic candidates. Good bye Kerry!

[DoveTurnedHawk]

3. That Raised My Eyebrows as Well

But since front-page news from candidates' websites is no longer permitted in LBN, I'll take whatever coverage I can get to help spread the word.

DTH

[eileen_d]

2. I hope Clark gets a huge media bounce from Veterans Day

He looks good to me.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

6. Me Too

Sadly, I haven't seen a lot of Veterans' Day coverage of Clark's campaign. I think the media is continuing their pattern of trying to ignore him, lately.

DTH

[havocmom]

4. Great location for Veterans Day appearance

Tucson area is a strange and interesting place. More liberal than most of Arizona yet lots of conservative, flag waving retirees who 'got theirs' in other states then moved to the sun belt to build retirement communities that disallowe anyone under a certain age So they don't have to collect taxes for the likes of public education.

Nice to have a chap like Clark go there to talk up the betrayal of the American Veteran! Give those kneejerk conservative some truth to chew on about their poster boy in DC. Give the local libs a bit of a pep rally to keep up spirits. Give the local medical establishment some backing; they know how much medical resources are lacking.

Tucson also gets a plenty of visuals of homeless vets in need of care every year about this time. It's warmer there for the veterans who stand on street corners with their cardboard signs, begging for the help the VA can't seem to give them. Is a sad contrast to the lavish gated communities there. Great choice to make Clark's points! Clark's people are getting good at this PR thing. It is bound to draw attention that is sorely needed to the real plight of our nation's vets.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

7. The Way This Country Treats Vets Is Shameful

I hope all of our candidates highlight this issue (although Clark and Kerry will have particular gravitas when doing so).

DTH

[Donna Zen]

5. Two points

I am very glad that Clark wants to tackle the problem of the homeless vets. Has anyone else addressing this problem? I didn't see it in their talking points.

But most of all, Clark doesn't shot from the hip. The vets will understand that he means what he says, and that a President Clark will actually make their issues a priority rather than a 9 month pander.

I know many vets from my era, some of them fixed in their anit-Democratic stance, but many more pinning their hopes on that party. A party that does more than repubs. but in such a timid way as to have affect.

Now, I spent my life opposing their stupid wars, but it does not negate the responsibility we have to the people--just the people--who got dragged into them. When will they ever learn?