Obama - McCain meeting on Monday

[paul718]

Dept of Veterans Affairs?

I never thought of this.  Seems like something McCain would be interested in, and would be a good look for Obama.

[Lief 🗽]

McCain would be horrible at Veteran's Affairs. He's consistently voted against them (or not shown up to vote for them only to claim that he did later).

[NOVA Green]

McCain would be horrible at Veteran's Affairs. He's consistently voted against them (or not shown up to vote for them only to claim that he did later).

He has on multiple occasions, but I think at this point he is looking towards the end of his career and his political legacy. I think he would do just as well, if not significantly better than the previous two appointees.

[paul718]

McCain would be horrible at Veteran's Affairs. He's consistently voted against them (or not shown up to vote for them only to claim that he did later).

Voted against what?

[NOVA Green]

McCain would be horrible at Veteran's Affairs. He's consistently voted against them (or not shown up to vote for them only to claim that he did later).

Voted against what?

Here are several sites that has compiled some of his key votes on veterans issues:

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1973

http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain_vets.cfm

[paul718]

McCain would be horrible at Veteran's Affairs. He's consistently voted against them (or not shown up to vote for them only to claim that he did later).

Voted against what?

Here are several sites that has compiled some of his key votes on veterans issues:

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1973

http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain_vets.cfm

I'm curious as to how many of the cited votes were countered by VA legislation that McCain supported.  And what legislation was attached to each of those VA bills.  Also, more fiscally conservative members of Congress tend to the get lower grades by veterans' organization, being that they're more averse to spending. 

[NOVA Green]

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America- McCain rated a "D". Founded in '04 by Iraq war vets. Criticized conduct of war and lack of body armor, stop-loss etc... controversial as "anti-war" vets group.

Disabled American Veterans- founded in 1920. Rated McCain 20% in '06. 1.2 million membership (all vets). Completely non-partisan. Main focus is advocacy for disabled vets. Partner with Dpt of Veteran Affairs.

American Legion- Rated McCain 50% in '03. Is any biography necessary?

Vietnam Veterans of America- McCain 50% in '89-90, 0% in '97-98, 46% in '01, and 100% in '03-04.  50,000 members primarily oriented around Vietnam Vet related issues )esp Agent Orange, PTSD, legal assistance to Nam era vets, etc)

I don't have the bandwidth right now to research all of individual votes, but I'm sure that a chunk of McCain's votes are for the reasons you listed.

Regardless, many of the votes were also explicitly against spending for veterans medical care and educational benefits, based on his philosophical rejection of Federal spending period, even though they were explicit votes that only effected vets.

[Brittain33]

If McCain joined the Obama Administration, he's catch hell from too many Republicans who supported him because they opposed the Democrats. (There's nothing wrong with them feeling that way, and if the shoe were on the other foot, we'd see the same thing.) It's just not worth it for him for anything but a top-level position that isn't on offer.

[??????????]

If McCain joined the Obama Administration, he's catch hell from too many Republicans who supported him because they opposed the Democrats. (There's nothing wrong with them feeling that way, and if the shoe were on the other foot, we'd see the same thing.) It's just not worth it for him for anything but a top-level position that isn't on offer.

So probably yes then, knowing his history.

[Bacon King]

So how'd this go?

[paul718]

So how'd this go?

Obama let McCain "Indian cut" him.  McCain will be VP and Biden's out.

[Zarn]

So how'd this go?

Obama let McCain "Indian cut" him.  McCain will be VP and Biden's out.

Then, Obama's going to resign.