Posted on 08/22/2007 3:10:24 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The U.S. must rebuild its military to fight global terrorism because leaders "took a holiday" in the 1990s after the end of the Cold War, undeclared presidential candidate Fred Thompson told war veterans Tuesday.
"Some people in this country think if we can pull out of Iraq, our problems will be over," Thompson told the Veterans of Foreign Wars. "You and I know better than that."
"Now we're stretched too thin, and our equipment is wearing out," said Thompson, the former Tennessee senator who is expected to announce a decision soon on whether to seek the Republican presidential nomination.
Like Sen. John McCain, who is seeking the nomination and spoke to the vets on Monday, Thompson said the United States should not pull out of Iraq.
After his speech, several VFW members urged Thompson to run.
"We're putting it together," he said. "It takes a little time."
Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton also spoke to the group Monday, and President Bush will address the veterans on Wednesday.
While some of the speakers' comments have focused on the war in Iraq, VFW members also are concerned with such issues as health care.
Democrat Barack Obama, in his remarks released before he spoke to the VFW convention on Tuesday, said he would make care for vets a top issue as president.
"When I am president, building a 21st century VA to serve our veterans will be an equal priority to building a 21st century military to fight our wars," Obama said in an advance copy of his speech released Tuesday to The Associated Press.
"My secretary of veterans affairs will be just as important as my secretary of defense. No more shortfalls; it's time to fully fund the VA medical center. No more delays; it's time to pass on-time VA budgets each and every year. No more means testing; it's time to allow all veterans back into the VA."
Thompson, too, touched on that subject.
"Our obligation to our veterans doesn't end when they leave the battlefield," he said. "It's not just the right thing to do. It's the smart thing to do."
The hall in which the VFW is meeting seats almost 6,000. It has been half full for the candidates' speeches.
i’m tired of waiting.
i would relish seeing fred confront hillary in a national debate.
September 5th is the date we’re hearing.
good.
it’s going to take a humongous effort to engage voters.
the white house and the republican party have ignored the electorate.
and there’s the corrupt republicans that have tarnished the party.
Ping!
Run, FRed, Run!! I really, really want to see the RINOs knocked out and see the debate between the conservatives.
The truth is: they really don't care. We are the same "loathsome baby killers and war mongers" as before.
But, they see an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone:
1. Criticize Bush as not doing enough for the VA and veterans
2. Cynically use war veterans and the VA in order to get their fat noses under the tent and lobby for socialized medicine for everyone, including illegal aliens.
“The U.S. must rebuild its military to fight global terrorism because leaders “took a holiday” in the 1990s after the end of the Cold War”
Score!
I am liking that statement. Keep talking Fred, we’re listening.
"My secretary of veterans affairs will be just as important as my secretary of defense. No more shortfalls; it's time to fully fund the VA medical center. No more delays; it's time to pass on-time VA budgets each and every year. No more means testing; it's time to allow all veterans back into the VA."
I don't realize if enough media will pick up on what an incredible blunder that statement by him was. No means testing!
The VA accomplished a means test to see if your finances are such (coupled with your other health care coverage) to see if you qualify for any medical assistance.
Usually, the vets who qualify to use the hospitals for full time care need it due to their finances.
He wants to open it up to 'everybody' - as I told you for socialized medicine to all (even illegals). Of course, any thinking person realizes this will quickly destroy the system.
But since Obama Hussein has started the "means testing" debate, does that mean he now favors means testing for this?
Of course he will try to say no, but believe me, no Democrat ever wants to discuss means testing and Social Security. He will start sweating like an iceberg at the equator.
Ahh, the Clintonian "Peace Dividend". I wonder if this country will ever live down all the mistakes of 8 years of the Clintonistas? And to think that there are a significant number of people in this country who can't wait to elect her thyness......
You don't find the sudden concern for the VA on the part of the Republicans to be mildly suspicious as well? Thompson talks about the need to fully fund the VA. Well if it hasn't been fully funded for the last 7 years then who's fault was that? The fact is that politicians on both sides will say what the VFW wants to hear. For the GOP candidates it's just been lip service to a base that they expect to be solidly in their camp regardless.
Run Fred Run!
True, but Thompson is too nice with the Clintonistas. He should hit these lowlifes hard for the damage they did to the military.
On the other hand over the last 6 years of war the Bush administration as done next to nothing to increase the size and capabilities of the military to meet the increased demands. The time to start rebuilding and increasing the size of the military was in 2002, not 2009.
I agree, it will be very good when Fred is in.
“it’s going to take a humongous effort to engage voters.”
No, he is engaging them on a huge scale now. While well over 70 million dollars (read it on Fox News site) have been spent by Republican candidates to date, Fred is running even or ahead of them... having spent very little.
“the white house and the republican party have ignored the electorate.”
Some certainly did, but WE defeated AMNESTY and Fred can pledge to change the ear at the Whitehouse... with His!
“and there’s the corrupt republicans that have tarnished the party.”
More corrupt dims exist than Republicans (always have). dims are at an all time low in approval... dims are losing party members... dims worry about the unelectability of hildebeast... osama is imploding... william jefferson goes to trial before the election... and a huge scandal will soon break on a dim Senator that is "all mobbed up"... but you must know something that no one else here does.
LLS
Spending at the VA has increased exponentially under Bush. Was it enough? I do not know... but you make it sound like Bush did nothing... your usual MO.
LLS
I am 100% positive the Democrats hold all of us in contempt.
I do agree with you, however, when you ask who is to blame for the system falling into budget difficulties and being stressed these last 7 years. The VA, and also the military health care system as a whole is broken.
Active duty troops who were promised full medical coverage years ago for themselves and their families have had that promise broken. The dental care for active duty dependents is almost non-existent anymore.
TRICARE is a nightmare for many.
The mistreatment of some OIF and OEF vets is a national disgrace.
But, have no fear. Maj Jill Metzger (remember her?) got a 100% Disability retirement for PTSD, and she was never even in combat.
Leave of absence for major who disappeared (Bizzare Case of Maj Jill Metzger) The System works - for some I guess.
That’s very near what we were told by Fred’s people at the Iowa State Fair. He was impressive.
It is like waiting for a train to arrive at the station, you wait and wait and wait (more like planes in this day in time).
Now that [Tommy] Thompson is out, do we still need []’s around [Fred]?..................
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