Three Facts About John McCain’s Extreme Record on Rural Issues

Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, listen up!

1. McCain repeatedly voted against America’s farmers, opposing the 2008 Farm Bill and disaster assistance bills. Source: Des Moines Register Vote 271, 12/5/06; Vote 439, 9/18/95; Vote 240, 8/4/93; Vote 237, 8/4/93; Vote 238, 8/4/93
2. McCain said ethanol has “absolutely no value whatsoever,” and opposes plans that would allow America’s farmers to help solve our national energy crisis. Source: Vote 139, 6/15/05; Vote 138, 6/15/05; Vote 73, 4/29/04; Vote 203, 6/3/03; Roll Call, 5/2/04; FactCheck.org, 8/8/08
3. McCain has helped large companies instead of small family farmers, opposing country of origin labeling and capped farm subsidies that would help family farms survive against large multinational corporations. Source: Des Moines Register; 12/15/01; Vote 367, 12/13/01; Vote 15; 2/6/02; Vote 15, 2/7/96; Vote 443, 11/6/03; Vote 307; 8/2/07; CNN, 10/3/07

JohnMcCainRecord.com

McCain is no “maverick”

If he ever was (and that’s debatable), he certainly isn’t now.

McCain’s voting record against the troops

Veteran’s sites are saying that “McCain is not a friend of the military.”

What? How is this possible? Everyone knows that McCain is a military hero. He talks about his love for the troops all the time.

… John McCain skipped close to a dozen votes on Iraq, and on at least another 10 occasions, he voted against arming and equipping the troops, providing adequate rest for the troops between deployments and for health care or other benefits for veterans…

Yes, McCain talks pro-trooops, but words are cheap. What counts is how the wannabe president actually voted on bills that would, in real life, help troops, veterans and their families. Unfortunately, when McCain’s voting record is examined, it becomes clear that McCain has little regard for the troops, their safety, their post-war health and well-being, much less the fulfillment of the promises this country made to them in exchange for their service.

September, 2007: McCain voted against the Webb amendment that would have provided all troops in Iraq have at least as much time home and in training as in theater. (S.Amdt 2909, 2910, 2910; 9/19/2007, 5:30 pm)

May, 2006: McCain voted against an amendment that would have provided the VA with an additional $20 million for healthcare facilities. (S.Amdt 3704; 5/4/2006, 11:34 am)

April, 2006: McCain was one of 13 Republicans to vote against $430 million for VA outpatient care and facilities. (S.Amdt 3642; 4/26/2006, 5:55 pm)

March, 2006: McCain voted against increasing VA medical services funding. (S.Amdt 3007 to S.Con.Res 83; 3/14/2006, 4:22 pm)

March, 2004: McCain voted against establishing a VA reserve fund to treat veterans. (S.Amdt 2745 to S.Con.Res 95; 3/10/2004, 9:34 pm)

October, 2003: McCain voted to table an amendment that called for an additional $322 million in safety equipment for soldiers in Iraq. (S.Amdt. 1817 to S. 1689; 10/2/2003, 7:36 pm)

April, 2003: McCain voted to table a senate vote to provide more than $1 billion for National Guard and Reserve equipment in Iraq. (S.Amdt 452 to S. 762; 4/2/2003, 5:35 pm)

August, 2001: McCain voted against increasing the amount available for medical care for veterans by $650 million. (S.Amdt. 1218 to S.Amdt. 1214; 8/1/2001, 6:02 pm)