Official GOP TALKING POINTS to debunk!

[AZBlue]

August 20, 2008 - OBAMA'S RECORD SHOWS THAT HE HAS NOT LED ON VETERANS' ISSUES



OBAMA'S TROOPS AND VETERANS FUNDING FAILURE

Obama Voted Against Critical Funding For Veterans And Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan:

Obama Voted Against An Emergency Defense Spending Bill. (H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Passed 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama Voted Nay)

The Bill Provided Nearly $1.8 Billion For Veterans' Medical Care, Including:

• $595 million for medical facilities
  
• $10 million for additional transition caseworkers to work with separating veterans and their families.
  
• $100 million for enhancements to mental health services (H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Passed 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama Voted Nay; House And Senate Committees On Appropriations, "Summary Of The Fiscal 2007 Supplemental Funding Legislation," Press Release, 5/24/07)

OBAMA'S EXAGGERATIONS ON HIS VETERANS RECORD

In A Campaign Ad, Obama Claimed To Have "Extended Health Care For Wounded Troops":

Obama: "That's why I ... extended health care for wounded troops who had been neglected." (Obama For America Website, www.barackobama.com, Accessed 6/19/08)

But Non-Partisan Fact Check Groups And Media Outlets Said That Obama Overstated His Role In Extending Health Care Benefits For Veterans:

The Non-Partisan Group Politifact.Com Said That Obama Took More Credit Than He Deserved For Legislation Increasing Benefits For Veterans. "We looked into the legislative history of the bill and found that Obama and McCaskill can at least take some credit for developing the list of requirements. It's not a major extension of benefits, however. ... If Obama had said he had helped extend health care for wounded veterans who'd been neglected, we would have given him a better rating. But he phrased his accomplishment to take more of the credit than that. Missing the vote on the 2008 bill does not help his case." (St. Petersburg Times/CQ Politifact Website, www.politifact.com, Accessed 7/2/08)

CBS's Dean Reynolds: "Obama made the assertion in a new ad running in 18 states, including usually Republican Indiana, Alaska, and Georgia. And critics are calling it a stretch because, as was quickly pointed out, Obama had a small hand in the measures, both in the Illinois and US Senate, and didn't even vote on one he cited." (CBS's "Evening News," 6/20/08)




OBAMA'S LACK OF LEADERSHIP ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS

Obama Has A Thin Record On Veterans Legislation Despite Membership On Veterans' Affairs Committee:

Obama Has Introduced 120 Bills As A U.S. Senator. (Library Of Congress Website, www.thomas.gov, Accessed 8/18/08)

• Only 10 Of These Bills Pertain To Veterans' Issues And None Have Been Signed Into Law

When Informed That Texas Veterans Often Have To Travel Long Distances To Go To A VA Hospital, Obama Seemed Surprised And Said He Wants "To Fully Investigate This":
Question: "When you go to the Rio Grande Valley, you will face questions because the area has a great many veterans for whom the Veterans Administration is their only health care. Yet the closest VA hospitals are here in San Antonio. They have to travel upwards of 200 miles to get care." ("Q&A With Sen. Barack Obama," San Antonio Express-News, 2/19/08)

• Obama: "If they have to drive five or six hours for full care I am glad I have learned about it because I want to fully investigate this." ("Q&A With Sen. Barack Obama," San Antonio Express-News, 2/19/08)

But Two Of The Committees Obama Serves On Have Been Briefed On This Issue:

• Maj. Ladda "Tammy" Duckworth, Director of Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, briefed both the US Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs (11/6/07) and the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (11/8/07) on the situation in Illinois where veterans are required to travel long distances to the Danville VA hospital in central Illinois, wait hours to see a medical professional and more hours for pharmacy services, often having to spend three or four nights away from home for a single doctor's visit. (U.S. Senate, Testimony, 11/6/07 and 11/8/07)

Click here for the complete archive of Weekly Talking Points.



This Week's Note From Jo Ann:

This week's Talking Points set the record straight on Obama's record on veterans' issues. We believe veterans, members of their families and all who value the courage and dedication of our men and women who have and are serving their country should be aware of Obama's record.

Only 76 days before election day - we need all of your help in carrying the message, making the calls, knocking on the doors and attending the town hall meetings and rallies. I know we can count on you. You can make a difference!

[AZBlue]

1. This sank awfully fast. Are you joking? Does no one get it here on DU?

So, let me get this straight...placing bets on a time and date for the VP announcement is a good use of our time but debunking and fighting the lies and smears the GOP is widely spreading about our candidate is not?

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME???

[Qutzupalotl]

2. Check here

http://www.truthfightsback.com/site/smear_archive/
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshome

If you can't find them there, report them.