Blog Bits
May 27th, 2008 at 3:00 pm by David FarrarTony Milne links to a CNN piece of possible Vice-Presidential candidates.
On the Republican side I think Minnesota Governor Tim Rawlenty would be a good pick. He is a popular Republican Governor in a Democrat leaning state. The convention is in Minnesota
Not PC has a very comprehensive round-up of the work done by Trevor Loudon on Barack Obama. He describes Obama as “Keith Locke with charisma” 
Bernard Hickey has graphs of petrol pump prices, and how much goes to the producers, the local oil companies and the Government. The local company margin is currently close to 20c – a three year low.
Phil U at Whoar finds Jeremy Clarkson’s best and worst cars.
The worst is the Tata Nano and the best is the Nissan GT-R.
Tags: Barack Obama, Bernard Hickey, Jeremy Clarkson, Peter Creswell, petrol prices, Tony Milne, Trevor Loudon, Whoar
May 27th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
So Loudens “scoop” is that very young Obama knew a poet in the USA who may, or may have not been, a member of the US Communist party in the 1940′s?
Let that be a lesson to all you 12 year olds out there, make sure anyone you ever speak to has not been in a left-wing political organisation ever, perhaps you should carry around a questionaire to give to any friends of your family?
If not, Trev will get you!
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
In Trevor’s redbaiter-like hyper-paranoid McCarthiest fantasy world, everyone’s a communist. The truth is that Obama’s no-more left wing in his policy detail than the Labour-Lite National Party. But hey, don’t let reality get in the way of you fantastical ravings Trev!
http://www.politicalcompass.org/usprimaries2008
[DPF: You really should learn how to read policies rather than take online quizzes as serious political analysis. Especially considering your field of study. His trade stance is to renege on NAFTA and to ban Chinese toys]
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Oh and apologies for posting off-topic, but I just have to say that Darren Hughes just destroyed the Nats in the House. Give him two or three more terms and he’ll be prime-minister material.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
It’s funny how National are described as “far right” by the left until Obama is under threat. Now National are suddenly lefter than Clark. Just call them “National Socialists” roger and sonic, we know you want to.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
DPF – the political compass team used voting record as its most highly weighted indicative variable. Certainly this is much more meaningful than picking out a couple of random, isolated statements.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Zen – I’ve never described National’s (rather limited) policy platform as “far right”. No doubt they are moderated by the reality of the electorate, but it’s the reality of their policy that matters, not what they would have in a non-existent world.
If National wins (which is looking less likely after the budget) on a centre right policy platform, and goes ahead on a far-right ideological bender they’ll only last one term in an MMP environment.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
“renege on NAFTA and to ban Chinese toys”
Which as we all know is not a meanstream Democrat position but is in fact STRAIGHT OUT OF PAGE 31 OF THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO!
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
“renege on NAFTA and to ban Chinese toys”
Which as we all know is not a mainstream Democrat position but is in fact STRAIGHT OUT OF PAGE 31 OF THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO! (if Trevor wants a copy I have one on my bookshelf, which in Trevor’s eyes probably makes me the living reincarnation of Stalin or something)
Zen, anytime you want to give us a link to me saying that National is far right I’d be happy to see it.
I’m not planning on holding my breath though.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Sorry for the double post, if someone could delete I’d be most grateful.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
If Obama is not a socialist, he sure has some strange friends and allies. If he is not an extremist, then why does he not have anything of substance to say in his speeches? And why has he not made the traditional noises presidential candidates make about “the American way” and “supporting free enterprise”?
As for the Republican’s VP slot, it pisses me off that the media always talk about how the candidate would add to the ticket. That’s not the point. You’re supposed to be picking a backup leader of the free world! And VP candidates rarely give you an electoral advantage anyway. I can’t think of one in modern times who has had a tangible effect.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
“If he is not an extremist, then why does he not have anything of substance to say in his speeches?”
So the fact he says nothing extreme in his speeches means he must be an extremist?
If our Trevor is ever looking for an apprentice Blair you should pop in an application form.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
His trade stance is to renege on NAFTA and to ban Chinese toys
We should take everything said on the primary stump with more than a grain of salt, after all for the last 3 months he has been trying to woo exclusively Mr/Mrs sonic-r.nome-gww America. For that crowd he got easy points for attacking NAFTA taking jobs and most importantly he could blame it all on a Clinton, it was one perfect vehicle for his primary contest.
The primary contest is now pretty much over and he will start appealing to middle America to take on McCain. There is more than a good chance NAFTA, free trade and all that will take a back seat to be never mentioned again. He might even change his stance, for it ain’t likely any of those committed Dems are going to vote GOP.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I LOVE Trevor Loudon!! I love conspiracy theorists, it is such fun fun fun!
Try this one for size guys!
…What people don’t know is David Farrar’s surprising links with far-right neo-fascist organisations like Kerry Bolton’s fascist party. Trevor Loudon, a man he frequently approvingly quotes on his website as someone “who specialises in (exposing) links to communism…” is a member of the far right religious cult ZAP, and he is closely linked with neo-Nazi organisations. It isn’t known if Farrar has actually yet met Loudon, but the links between the two are clear. Interestingly, Farrar also has links with the far right of the US Republican Party, frequently travelling to the “Freedom Ranch” in California, a base for hard right Republican thought. David Farrar reputably has the ear of senior political and media figures in our country, and as such it hardly needs pointing out he would make an ideal spy for the CIA, especially if the extremist anti-democratic National party were to win election this year…
See? SO easy to be Trevor Loudon with google and an active case of paranoid delusion.
oh and lets talk about IAN WISHART!
Or maybe not.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
And what about Redbaiter? His name shares four letters with the name ADOLF HITLER!!! Coincidence? I’ll let the readers draw their own conclusions…
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Indeed Toms, and the fact that Mr Louden has never denied any link to a puppy strangling neo-fascist cult (that I’ve just made up) is highly significant.
Why the silence on puppy-strangling Trevor? why no denials on record or indeed any public comment from you on the morality of throttling youthful canines?
Nuff said.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
My apologies Sonic and Nome. I obviously confused you with some-one like Chris Trotter. I must remember that you two do not reflect the moderate centre-left bloggers out there.
Roger, I had misremembered your occasional “far-right” claims against DPF as applying to National.
Sonic, wouldn’t want you to hold your breath! You’d turn blue, and I suspect that colour is still too far to the right for your continued good health
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Sonic/Roger,
Obama was the most liberal senator in the US last year. Not a representative poll of the public, I know, but a reliable non-partisan study.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/31/study-obama-most-liberal-senator-last-year/
http://www.npr.org/blogs/news/2008/01/obama_ranked_most_liberal_sena_1.html
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Pawlenty is my pick as McCain’s most likely choice. My heart says Romney but my head say Pawlenty.
How liberal/left leaning is Obama? Hard to say from his IL State legislative record since he broke the record for voting ‘Present’ (168 times in one legislative session from memory). We can deduce his leanings from his pronouncements, voting record and policy positions postulated to date:
* The non-partisan National Journal rated him THE most liberal US Senator in 2007
* He supports the largest tax increase in US history (add cancelling the Bush tax cuts to almost doubling the capital gains tax and reinstating death duties)
* His blockage of the Infant Born Alive Protection Act in 2001 in IL was unprecedented. This law passed the Senate and scores of State legislatures (even Democrat controlled ones) UNANIMOUSLY.
* He sat in the pews of a church whose preacher hails from the far left, called him his spiritual mentor and allowed him to baptise and marry him before the political heat got too much and he threw him under the bus . Trinity’s magazine “Trumpet” is chockablock full of Wright’s ranting mirroring the sermons seen on TV recently. Obama appeared on the cover of this publication 3 times (but of course he never read what was inside)
* He chose to launch his political career inside the home of radical anti-capitalist Marxist leaning terrorists who believe to this day they didn’t do enough and were on the public record as saying such
* He opposes an FTA with Columbia and wants to modify NAFTA
* He posted a peaceniks anti-nuclear dream policy platform on YouTube
* Left leaning leaders from Hamas to Cavez are on the public record saying they hope he is elected
* His foreign policy stances are a carbon coby of the leftest leaning President in recent memory – Jimmy Carter
* He is very pro-gun control
* He said Americans use too many SUVs, use too much power and eat too much – all things he believes the nanny state should sort out
This all based on what we know TODAY. Given that he is so gaffe prone, one wonders what more evidence of his left leaning views will stumble out between now and November
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
So to sum up KIA, he is pro-choice, against the Bush tax cuts and has some associations with people on the left.
If we used the same logic against McCain, not only does he know communists, he made 31 propaganda broadcasts on behalf on the North Vietnamese government. Indeed this has led to some of your fellow Republicans calling him the Manchurian candidate
http://www.usvetdsp.com/mar08/mccain_manchurian.htm
You guys really have to be careful about using the Swift Boat tactics this time, you are not up against Kerry, Obama and his people have survived a Clinton assault.
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Some more for you KIA,
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/cin_hacker_2.htm
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I dont think the Republicans have even started
-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUbUBTlmAiA&feature=related
-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prhnc2fxAzg&feature=related
Vote:May 27th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Obama’s platform is near-identical to Hillary’s in terms of policy. The “X is the most Liberal…” is a tired old talking point the Republicans use every single time. And, if a recent election result in Mississippi is anything to judge by, it is one that is increasingly losing its effectiveness (the Republican campaign tried to tie the local Democratic candidate to Obama and Nancy Pelosi. It didn’t work: the GOP lost a district Bush won by 25% in 2004).
Anyway, if I were McCain, I’d pick Florida Governor Crist as VP. A popular and reasonably bipartisan Governor from the mother of all swing states. The downside is the gay rumours, which would be a killer for the Republican Base.
Pawlenty is unlikely. He is not liked in Minnesota (he won a very narrow re-election in 2006 against an appallingly bad opponent), has the “bridge” thing associated with him, and has been increasingly reduced to irrelevance by the near veto-proof majority the DFL (the Minnesota Democrats) enjoy in the state legislature. Minnesota is also, of course, the only state that never voted for Reagan. It will not vote Republican in 2008.
The problem with Romney is that McCain hates him. The South does too, and they aren’t overly keen on McCain either. Huckabee might be a better bet … if it weren’t for the fact that the Republican Establishment hate him. Then you’ve got George Allen, which would certainly solidify the redneck vote, but would bring too much baggage (McCain/Macaca!).
Ultra-popular Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin would have been an interesting choice too, but she’s probably out since she’s facing the formidable demands of raising her newborn down-syndrome child.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 3:05 am
decadentmeerkat
“The “X is the most Liberal…is a tired old talking point the Republicans use every single time” Hmm.. well lets see. McGovern was an uber liberal, Republicans described him as such and he lost 49-1. Dukakis came from the same mould – Bush 1 came from 17 points behind to beat him once the GOP put his liberalism into a real world easy to grasp way (the overly generous MA furlough programme). Kerry again was a picture child liberal – the GOP got more mileage out of his flipflopping and his anti war activities gave traction to the Swift Boat ads. It even worked with Gore who lost the unlosable election. Call it tired all you want but it works and it works because America is essentially centre-right at its core and any candidate too far from that centre loses – its really that simple. Carter and Clinton won because they campaigned as centrist Democrats although Carter had a huge post-Watergate tail wind and Clinton had Perot to siphon off 8% of the right vote as his tail wind. I note you make no atttempt to deny my catalogue of Obama’s liberalism – just utter the fond hope that this time (fingers crossed) America wont notice and the GOP attempts to paint him for what he is won’t work. Good luck.
Oh and as for the MS special election – the GOP faced a blue dog Democrat candidate who actually was well known for being anti-abortion, pro-gun and againt tax increases AND kept maximum distance between him and Obama. The MS GOP tried to tar him as a liberal when the people knew he wasn’t and it backfired. The Republican candidate also came from the northern part of the state from the Memphis suburbs and was not seen as a true blue Mississipian like his Dem rival. These things count in the deep south and so the Dems tapped into and won the ‘Bubba’ vote. Now that is not a strategy that is going to work for Obama in the General Election at all.
McCain likes Crist and owes him a big one but is winning FL without him. He is quite popular but is seen as another conservative lite. I agree about the bad blood between McCain and Romney. People I know in the AZ GOP say Romney’s joint appearances and tireless fundraising behind the scenes on McCain’s behalf has blunted that somewhat – that said, I don’t see him being picked. Romney would deliver MI (home state) and NV (heavy Mormon population) but would not be much of a plus in the south as you say.
Palin has just had a baby as you said and has said she won’t do it. Pawlenty is not as unpopular as you state but I agree that turning MN is a big ask. I wouldn’t rule out a real surprise with Lieberman who has strongly endorsed McCain and is actually campaigning for him. Mark Sanford from SC is still a possibility although there is bad blood there since the 2000 race.
Sonic – that anti McCain dog won’t hunt I’m afraid. Jim Hacker is seen as an embarrassment to the Democrats and they spent the 2006 cycle running away from him after he melted down on a cable TV interview. Being pro-choice is one thing – to be the ONLY politician in America to oppose a law that required abortion providers to resuscitate an infant that survives a partial birth abortion when even Planned Parenthood refused to lobby in support of the IBAPA, now that is way out in left field. He didn’t vote ‘present’ to avoid an ideological footprint – he actually used his power as Committee Chairman to block any vote from every taking place. The law passed the IL legislatures AFTER he departed for the US Senate.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 7:38 am
This latest development gives us an idea of the coming battle and McCain’s strategies re Obama. On the backs of media reports that violence in Iraq is at a 4 year low and the Iraqi Army’s successful expulsion of Muqtada Sadr’s militias from Mosul and Sadr City ( and on the heals of their similar success in pacifying Basra – left in disarray by retreating British troops), McCain challenged Obama to go to Iraq with him to be briefed on the ground by CENTCOM Commander General Petraeus. McCain makes similar visits to Iraq every 2-3 months so is very much up to speed with the detail of progress on the ground there. Obama of course hasn’t been to Iraq for 2 years and not since the surge that he has so vehemently opposed and condemned.
McCain has trapped Obama into a classic ‘damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t’ situation. If Obama agrees to visit with McCain, he will be confronted with the reality of the greatly improved conditions in Iraq. Note that every Democrat (except Pelosi) has returned from recent visits to Iraq stating (sometimes through gritted teeth and rarely reported in the MSM) that conditions have greatly improved. After the visit, Obama must either agree with what is plain as the nose on his face which then shows up the folly of his ‘retreat now’ policy not to mention annoying his rabid anti-war nutroots OR he will defy the facts and basically lie about the reality to maintain faith with the left and provide cover, however flimsy, for an immediate troop withdrawal. That plays right into McCain’s hand as he will cite not only the facts but the reports of Obama’s own colleagues that will contradict his partisan and slanted views.
If Obama refuses to go then McCain’s runs two devastatingly simple lines. “Is Senator Obama too afraid to go” and the other line virually writes the ad in the General Election – “Senator Obama wants to meet with Iran’s dictator but wouldn’t meet the US Commander in Iraq”.
The MSM media silence on matters Iraq usually means good news that, God forbid, might enhance McCain’s chances and hurt Obama. Sooner or later even the NTY and others can’t deny the trend and begin to report at least SOME good news. The bottom line – growing success in Iraq reduces the GOP headwind on this issue to calm windless conditions. McCain’s support for the successful surge and Obama’s strident pacificism (a la George McGovern v Nixon on the Vietnam war in the 72 election) will make for a strong and easily definable contrast. Obama’s likely refusal to go to Iraq with McCain will merely reinforce the image the GOP will easily paint of him as weak, out of his depth and not to be trusted as Commander in Chief.
McCain is playing very smart politics with this offer.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 8:20 am
KIA you just cannot help making stuff up can you!
” the Iraqi Army’s successful expulsion of Muqtada Sadr’s militias from Mosul and Sadr City”
The Iraqi army failed to do either and after getting its ass kicked in both places signed a ceasefire with Sadr.
Thats the whole story of your sad little war in Iraq, believing your own lies.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Another day – another Obama gaffe. It keeps getting better and better.
After confusing Memorial Day (when America venerates its war DEAD) with Veterans Day (where live veterans are celebrated), he tells the audience in Las Cruces, NM that his uncle helped liberate Auschwitz!! What – did his uncle enlist in the Red Army suddenly because that’s who liberated the Polish concentration camp. If his uncle was serving in the European theatre as a foot soldier, at the time the Red Army liberated Auschwitz, Patton’s Army was fighting the Battle of the Bulge in France. And he wants to be Commander in Chief? Of course the MSM are Mum. Had Bush or McCain uttered this howler, it would be front and centre for DAYS!
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Grasping at straws again KIA, why not stand on Bush’s golden record?
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Nice try Sonic – HuffPo talking points on cue
This from McClatchey Washington Bureau (the feed for many US daily newspapers)
” Followers of rebel cleric Muqtada al Sadr agreed late Friday to allow Iraqi security forces to enter all of Baghdad’s Sadr City and to arrest anyone found with heavy weapons in a surprising capitulation that seemed likely to be hailed as a major victory for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki.
In return, Sadr’s Mahdi Army supporters won the Iraqi government’s agreement not to arrest Mahdi Army members without warrants, unless they were in possession of “medium and heavy weaponry.”
The agreement would end six weeks of fighting in the vast Shiite Muslim area that’s home to more than 2 million residents and would mark the first time that the area would be under government control since Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003. On Friday, 15 people were killed and 112 were injured in fighting, officials at the neighborhoods two major hospitals said.
It also would be a startling turnaround in fortunes for Maliki, who’d been widely criticized for picking a fight with Sadr’s forces, first in the southern port city of Basra and then in Sadr City.
Members of Maliki’s Dawa Party and the powerful Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq met with Sadr officials on Thursday and Friday to come up with a 14-point agreement to end the weeks of fighting, which has hindered the flow of food and water into Sadr City. The agreement was then passed to Sadr and Maliki for final approval, said Baha al Araji, a Sadrist legislator.
Hundreds of people have been killed and hundreds have been wounded in the fighting, which included frequent U.S. airstrikes. At least 8,500 people have been driven from their homes, and thousands of others have been forced to stay inside, too frightened to flee.
A government supporter said the Sadrists were brought to the table by the anger of Sadr City residents. On Thursday, the Iraqi military ordered Sadr City residents to evacuate in apparent preparation for a major offensive push.
“It is not the government who pressured the Sadrists into entering this agreement,” said Ali al Adeeb, a leading member of the Dawa party. “It is the pressure from the people inside Sadr City and from their own people that will make them act more responsibly.”
Like many things in Iraq, the precise effect of the agreement won’t be known immediately. Sadr officials long have claimed that their militia has no heavy weaponry, and Sadr has condemned those with such munitions.
Sadr supporter Araji, however, said the agreement specifically barred American forces from entering Sadr City.
“The Iraqi forces, not the American forces, can come into Sadr City and search for weapons,” Araji said. “We don’t have big weapons, and we want this to stop.”
The Mahdi Army, and the Sadr movement in general, has been losing support in the past two months in the face of a government offensive intended to force the militia from its controlling positions in Basra and Sadr City.
In Basra, a city known for culture and music, Shiite extremists had taken control in late 2005 and began shutting down music stories and forcing women to cover themselves.
But after initially resisting Maliki’s offensive, the Sadrists ceded their areas, and the change in atmosphere has been palpable. An annual poetry festival, al Mirbed, resumed for the first time in three years, with male and female folk dancers performing in public and poets spouting their verses.
The city isn’t free of Sadr influences, however, though the Iraqi army seems ready to quell any resurgence. Sadrists resumed prayer services on Friday for the first time since late March, but as the imam spouted anti-government rhetoric, Iraqi soldiers converged on the mosque and the Sadrists ran, witnesses said.
Iraqi officials, including Adeeb, said that Iran, which U.S. officials have accused of supporting the Shiite militias, was “aware” and “supportive” of the agreement. Adeeb made two trips to Iran to meet with Iranian officials to stem the militia violence in Iraq.”
I wonder who is the winner in this encounter. The answer comes from this in today’s LA Times (not a great supporter of the war in Iraq):
Vote:“Four summers ago, when militiamen loyal to hard-line Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada Sadr were battling U.S. forces in the holy city of Najaf, Mohammed Lami was among them.
“I had faith. I believed in something,” Lami said of his days hoisting a gun for Sadr’s Mahdi Army militia. “Now, I will never fight with them.”
Lami is no fan of U.S. troops, but after fleeing Baghdad’s Sadr City district with his family last month, when militiamen arrived on his street to plant a bomb, he is no fan of the Mahdi Army either. Nor are many others living in Sadr City, the 32-year-old said. Weeks of fighting between militiamen and Iraqi and U.S. forces, with residents caught in the middle, has chipped away at the Sadr movement’s grass-roots popularity, Lami said.
More than 1,000 people have died in Sadr City since fighting erupted in late March, and hospital and police officials say most have been civilians. As the violence continues, public tolerance for the Mahdi Army, and by association the Sadr movement, seems to be shifting toward the same sort of resentment once reserved for U.S. and Iraqi forces.
“People are fed up with them because of their extremism and the problems they are causing,” said Rafid Majid, a merchant in central Baghdad. Like many others interviewed across the capital, he said the good deeds the group performs no longer were enough to make up for the hardships endured by ordinary Iraqis who just want to go to work and keep their families safe.”
May 28th, 2008 at 8:32 am
“HuffPo talking points on cue”
Never read the site mate.
So Sadr and his guys get to keep all of their ak47′s and RPG’s and get an assurance none of them will be arrested?
A few more victories like that and you’ll all be on your way home eh KIA.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Obama . . . tells the audience in Las Cruces, NM that his uncle helped liberate Auschwitz!!
Amusingly Reagan made a similar mistake when he was President, telling Yitzhak Shamir that he liberated Auschwitz when in fact the President spent the entire war in Hollywood making propaganda films. Maybe Obama is trying to win back those Reagan democrats.
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Of course Sonic suspending all violence and allowing proper Iraqi government control of Mosul and Sadr City (the last places in Iraq to be moved from militia or AQ in Iraq control) wasn’t quite the outcome the left was hoping for. If Sadr ever uses his weapons, he knows what’s coming. Hang on… Iraq is just one continous civil war isn’t it. Opps ..the surge worked and Sunnis and Shia now seek political solutions to their grievances which is what happens in democracies. Hang on..Arabs weren’t supposed to be ready for this crazy experiment in freedom. The Baathists would rise up and sabotage the new regime which they did for a while and then …well even they became reconciled – of course you won’t hear about it from CNN or the BBC or on the TV One News. Ah but the oil revenue sharing law has yet to be signed.. and so on and so forth.The left keeps rooting for failure and shifting the goal posts as to what constitutes success. When success becomes apparent then they just fall silent. McCain has neatly flushed this all out in the open with his offer to go to Iraq with Obama. Looks like the Messiah has chickened out. What a wierd turn of events when the hawk is trying to bait the dove into talking about the war in Iraq!
Vote:May 28th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
If Iraq is so peaceful why the need to keep US troops there for
Vote:a hundred years ?
I notice McCain has joined Bush in not wanting the Webb/Hagel
GI bill to go through.
He is saying it is too generous to those who have only spent
one enlistment fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Oh yes, and he is afraid the troops may leave the army if it goes
through.
Easy to fix, bring in a military draft, I am sure McCain could
sell that