
Jul 21, 2008 12:33 pm US/Mountain
Veterans For Obama, McCain Disagree On Help
DENVER (AP) ―
Colorado veterans were involved in the presidential campaigns Monday, rallying to support both Barack Obama and John McCain.
A small group of veterans gathered at the Colorado Veterans Monument to show support Obama and speak out against McCain's latest ad attacking Obama's record of supporting troops.
The veterans called Obama courageous for speaking out against the war while honoring McCain's service and experience.
"I've got people on my staff who came back and it took six months to get their veterans' benefits," said Ken Bidlack, an Obama supporter. "That's not taking care of veterans, that's a bumper sticker."
Veterans for McCain rallied in Colorado Springs at the noon hour. His campaign has claimed Obama voted against funding troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. McCain's Web site said Obama later explained his vote by saying he thought he was doing the right thing at the time. McCain's supporters said that doesn't excuse Obama's actions.
"I feel that John McCain would never do anything that wasn't right for a veteran," said John Luhmans, a McCain supporter.
Obama's supporters said McCain's service doesn't qualify him to decide what's best for veterans. They also don't feel McCain and properly secure funding for VA programs.
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