Obama to Visit Walter Reed

With John McCain now blatantly trying to claim credit for the new GI Bill, Obama needs to outline what he will do for Veterans, not just on the first day of his administration if he wins, but what he will build to take care of them for the next twenty years--like, hospitals, counseling centers and service centers.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is scheduled to pay a solemn visit to wounded Iraq veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington on Saturday, Politico has learned.

The visit will be Obama’s third.

Obama’s staff is keeping his trip low key. It is not on his public schedule, and his campaign would not confirm it. A pool of reporters will go with him, but will not accompany him inside.

Obama will be in Washington to speak to the annual conference of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. His opponent for president, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), will also address the group.

McCain occasionally visits soldiers at Walter Reed on weekends when he is in Washington, most recently May 31.

McCain’s visits are usually unannounced to the press, and sometimes he shows up without even giving the hospital notice. He tells friends it gives him a sense of peace and feeds his soul.

As usual, McCain is probably sincere in his appreciation, not so sincere when it comes to actually doing anything to help Veterans.

Not only has he refused to support the 21st Century GI Bill, which the Veterans of Foreign Wars endorsed last June, he has consistently voted against increasing funding for the Veterans’ Administration, which oversees all medical care for veterans:

– Voted AGAINST an amendment providing $20 billion to the VA’s medical facilities. [5/4/06]

– Voted AGAINST providing $430 million to the VA for outpatient care “and treatment for veterans,” one of only 13 senators to do so. [4/26/06]

– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.5 billion by closing corporate loopholes. [3/14/06]

– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.8 billion by ending “abusive tax loopholes.” [3/10/04]

Typical straight talk express to oblivion--tell enough hazy, patriotic, loving stories, cozy up to the media, and hide from your voting record. And McCain couldn't even bother to show up and vote for legislation he's already flip-flopped on. That's the John McCain way of screwing Veterans. And Obama needs to point this out, every single day.

--WS