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"It is a great accomplishment," Clinton said of Palin's selection as the Republicans' first female running mate choice. But Clinton told a rally of 500 that the election will be decided on issues, not the historical significance of the candidates, and that Obama and Biden bring more to the table than the Republican ticket.

My name i'ld like to keep anynomous. I'm 19. I'm an independent, once undecided, moderate. I live in a liberal Maryland, one of my role model's is Martin King Jr., and though I used to be excited about Obama, I just can't think of ever putting him into a mayor office anymore. This may sound like a wierd oxymoron to some, but it's true. I wanted someone to hear my message. Everyone wants to know what the undecided voters wanted, and what effected their choices, well here's my story. My great grandparents came to this country in poverty, due to...

WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain announced his support Monday for legislation protecting the identity of confidential news sources. The Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting coupled his announcement with a challenge to the media to acknowledge its errors "beyond the small print on a corrections page." Appearing at the annual meeting of The Associated Press, McCain also said he believes the economy is in a recession, a statement that Bush administration officials have declined to make. "The important factor here is that Americans are hurting," he said. In addition to a formal speech, McCain answered questions in a more relaxed setting designed to...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2008 – Servicemembers from the Tar Heel state who face financial burdens can turn to a newly established fund for assistance. The North Carolina Heroes’ Fund was established to provide support to military men and women from North Carolina or stationed at one of North Carolina’s many military bases, said Scott Stone, the fund’s chairman. “This support is primarily centered on hardships which these men and women, or their families, may have endured due to their service overseas,” he said. The assistance is provided through various methods, including direct payments or coordinating volunteer efforts. Family members...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2007 – The regime in Iran actively supports terrorism and is directly involved in efforts to disrupt U.S. and allied efforts to stabilize Iraq, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said during a speech yesterday. The Quds Force, a branch of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, is trying to establish a terrorist organization within Iraq that’s dedicated to destabilizing the Iraqi government, Cheney told members of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy at a gathering in Leesburg, Va. “Operating largely in the shadows, Iran attempts to hide its hands through the use of militants who target and...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2007 – As part of its continued commitment to honoring troops and their families, software giant Microsoft Corp. announced today that it has become a corporate supporter of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program. The America Supports You program connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. “As the demands of service continue to challenge and strain America’s armed forces, domestic efforts to support soldiers and their families grow increasingly important,” said Curt Kolcun, vice president of Microsoft’s Federal Division. “Joining America Supports You is a key part of...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2007 – Coalition forces are finding more evidence that Iran is directly supporting insurgents in Iraq, a U.S. military officer said today. “We know that they do have official involvement,” Air Force Col. Donald Bacon explained during a conference call from Baghdad. “When you actually have captured Quds Force operatives and leaders in country and you know that they’re involved in it, … there is no doubt that there’s official involvement.” Bacon is chief of strategy and plans for Multinational Force Iraq. He spoke with online journalists and “bloggers” shortly after the command announced the detention of...

WASHINGTON, April 6, 2007 – Members of a troop-support group are using their experience as parents of servicemembers to offer support to other military families in Ohio. The Marine Corps Family Support Community began two years ago when a group of parents in Columbus, Ohio, came together for mutual support as their children left for Marine boot camp around the same time. “We were bursting with pride, but scared to death at the same time,” said Michele Gire, current secretary of the organization. “We didn’t know anything about the military.” Since Marine bases are located primarily near the East...

Civic Action Team Supports District Doctors Programs train host nation doctors, nurses, veterinarians and herdsmen. By U.S. Army Sgt. James Allen CJTF-HOA Public Affairs TADJOURA, Djibouti, Feb. 1, 2007 -- The Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Civic Action Team always performed what is considered “traditional” medical and veterinary civic action programs, but times are changing. While the goal was to build coalition and host nation relationships during these civic action programs, a system was not in place for host nation doctors and veterinarians to carry on the work when the CAC-T departed. Most of the problems...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2007 – President Bush’s pick for command of Multinational Force Iraq today supported the new strategy for Iraq, emphasizing that additional U.S. forces are essential in accomplishing the mission there. “If we are to carry out the Multinational Force Iraq mission in accordance with the new strategy, the additional forces that have been directed to move to Iraq will be essential, as will greatly increased support by our government’s other agencies, additional resources for reconstruction and economic initiatives, and a number of other actions critical to what must be a broad, comprehensive, multifaceted approach to the...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2006 -- Thirty wounded servicemembers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center enjoyed a night of professional wrestling fun Dec. 18 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Patients from Walter Reed Army Medical Center watch the action live as wrestlers from WWE duke it out in the ring during Monday Night Raw held in Washington Dec. 18. WWE invited 30 servicemembers to a pre-event reception to thank them for their military service. Defense Department photo by Carmen L. Burgess   '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. World Wrestling Entertainment honored the troops during a pre-event reception,...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2006 -- Last week, a Brewster, Mass., teen marked a milestone in his support of U.S. troops deployed overseas. Dylan DeSilva, 13, of Brewster, Mass., has sent more than 1,000 care packages to deployed U.S. troops through his organization, Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops. Photo by Sgt. Sara Wood, USA   '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Dylan DeSilva, 13, mailed off the 1,000th care package from his organization, “Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops.” The package went to a Marine first sergeant in Iraq who will distribute the various toiletries and snacks inside to...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2006 – Cardi’s Furniture Superstores in New England is one of 15 recipients of this year’s Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for outstanding support of employees in the Guard and Reserve. “Cardi's Furniture Superstores is proud to receive this incredible honor,” said Benjamin DeCastro, the company’s promotions director. Rhode Island National Guardsman Sgt. Gerald Pincins, a Cardi’s employee, nominated the company for the award. “We are proud of Sergeant Pincins for his bravery while on his tours of duty,” DeCastro said. “We’re also proud of our staff who work hard every day to ensure that...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2006 – Allianz Life Insurance, with headquarters in Minneapolis, is one of 15 recipients of this year’s Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for outstanding support of employees in the Guard and Reserve. “We take great pride in being named a recipient, but we're also very humbled,” said Jim McManus, an Allianz spokesman. “We believe this kind of honor belongs to all of the servicemen and women who serve our country.” The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Defense Department agency established in 1972, runs the Freedom Awards program. ESGR’s mission...

The Silicon Valley Young Republicans Federated would like for you to attend this event this August.This is a funraiser to help raise funds for many Pro Troop causes. SVYRF Club Socials SVYRFC Annual BBQ Location: Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga When: August 12, 2006 Registration: starts at 3pm Food: 4pm Program/Speakers: 5pm Clean-up: 8pm Confirmed Speakers: Claude Parrish, BOE member and Republican candidate for State Treasurer Mike Wasserman, Los Gatos town councilman, former Los Gatos mayor Elsie Gufler, Republican candidate for CA Assembly District 19 Larry Hileman, Republican candidate for CA Assembly District 24 Rob Smith, Republican candidate for CA...

Lt. Col Ayad Roston, commander, Military Intelligence Company, 4th Iraqi Army Division, talks with Soldiers. Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika133rd Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentTIKRIT — Home is where the heart is, and for one Iraqi military officer, his heart is with the Soldiers who are fighting for Iraq’s continued freedom. Lt. Col Ayad Roston, commander, Military Intelligence Company, 4th Iraqi Army Division, was living in the United Kingdom, and waiting for the day he could return to Iraq to help his fellow countrymen continue the fight for freedom and democracy. When the opportunity finally presented itself,...

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2006 – Man's best friend is about to become every military amputee's best friend, thanks to the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and a new pilot program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here. Deuce, a year-and-a-half-old chocolate Labrador retriever, fetches a ball tossed to him by Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Grady, an upper-extremity amputee being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Looking on is Harvey Naranjo, sports and activities coordinator in Walter Reed's Occupational Therapy Amputee Section, who is arranging a pilot program through the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind to provide...

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2006 – "Operation: S.A.M.," or Saluting All Military, is working to ease servicemembers minds about how much support they have back home. Troops stationed in Iraq display packages they received from Operation S.A.M. The packages contain hygiene, snack, comfort and entertainment items. Servicemembers' gratitude is reflected in thank you letters S.A.M. receives, a representative said. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. "Almost in all the communication we have with the troops, there seems to be an unspoken desire to know if their efforts are appreciated and supported by Americans," Penny Redmon, S.A.M.'s past president...

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2006 – A group of golf enthusiasts plans to donate golf clubs, balls, tees, mats and other golf equipment to servicemembers at Camp Taji, a military base in Iraq. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Abdul Mercado inside his living quarters at Camp Taji, Iraq. Soon Mercado and others at his base will have golf equipment donated by Golfers 4 Freedom. Courtesy photo    U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Abdul Mercado, 36, of 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery, has been playing for 13 years. For the past eight months he has been deployed to Camp Taji and hasn't been...

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2006 – With a name that sounds like a Madagascar Penguins' plan, Operation Christmas Stocking has commenced. During the 2005 Operation Christmas Stocking campaign, Operation Give shipped about 14,000 pounds of stockings stuffed with goodies. Last year the gifts went to troops in Afghanistan. This year Stars for Stripes and Operation Give, with the help of FedEx as Santa Claus, will ship their goodies to troops in Iraq. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Thanks to the efforts of Stars for Stripes and Operation Give, troops in Iraq will have Christmas stockings this holiday...