Tag: GI Bill

According to the latest Rasmussen poll yesterday. link to polling info These poll numbers seem a bit iffy to me considering that Noriega was only 4 points down last month. In any event, Noriega still has another few days on Active Duty this week

As we all know, bad polling numbers can really suffocated national momentum. I do question these polling numbers and I will explain why.

Although last months numbers may have been a bit too optimistic.

The poll gives this information

Cornyn is supported by 86 percent of Republicans and has a two-to-one edge among unaffiliated voters. Last month, his lead among the unaffiliateds was just four percentage points. Noreiga attracts 72 percent of Democrats, down from 81 percent a month ago.

The Democrat leads among voters under 30, reflecting a nationwide trend. He is competitive among those who earn less than $40,000 a year. However, Cornyn has the advantage among adults over 30 and those with annual incomes topping $40,000.

Incumbents who poll below 50 percent are generally considered vulnerable. Cornyn has moved slightly above that threshold, but many of his colleagues remain in challenging races

Now of course this comes from Rasmussen so I see a little bias right there. I’m not much of a conspiracy theorist except when it comes to Karl Rove, but maybe they even had bad numbers last month on purpose so they could balance them out with improved numbers this month and show the momentum was going back to Cornyn. After Cornyn voted against the New GI Bill and Rick has started receiving national attention I just do not buy these numbers. Maybe last months were out of whack, but I certainly see this as being less than 17 points. I think they can only go up.

Maybe he got some play from his crazy logic last week that the Global Climate Change bill would cost Texas 300k jobs. Mind you that gas prices have skyrocketed to over $4.00 while Cornyn and his Republican Cronies have been in Congress. That rise of gas prices certainly hasn’t cost the citizens of Texas any jobs right?

Cornyn did get some mileage out of saying that the global change bill would cost gas prices to rise immediately. scroll down to bottom of article for quote

So as gas prices rise and Democrats are increasingly spending more money for the necessities with the status quo politics of the Republican adminstration, John Cornyn’s poll numbers mysteriously rise. I’m going to do what I can to make this and other races competitive.

go to this act blue page

or click on the thermometer to make a difference now

 

I wrote a diary earlier this week. I am now re-pushing this page in light of some earlier discussions that I had. I think that it is important that we send a message to all those that voted against the GI Bill that we will take note.

I donate $20 to Noriega earlier this afternoon. Can anyone match this? I would love to give him the max, but cannot afford to do so. So therefore I am raising through blogging and friends that I have encouraged to give.

If you can spread the wealth and send these other candidates a few extra bucks it is worth it. We need to have a collective message that every Senator should be held accountable for their stance on how they treat veterans.

I have started a fund that will help those running against Senators that voted against the GI Bill race last week.

This fund will not only help such races as Noriega in Texas, but also bring attention to places like Alabama and Tennessee.

Join me in supporting candidates that actually support our Veterans through such mechanisms as increased funding for GI education and increased funding for mental health care.

We should not give up races in Alabama and Tenn and South Carolina because the polls and the pundits tell us a Democrat cannot win there.

see http://actblue.com/page/gibill

Breaking down some of these races

Alabama – I am very much active in trying to raise awareness for this issue because of the poor record of Jeff Sessions. We have an excellent candidate in Vivian Figures and I ask that you visit her website.

http://www.figures2008.com

Sessions never served in the military and is voted amongst the worst by veterans groups in terms of support.

Tennessee – Bob Tuke is a Vietnam Veteran. Lamar Alexander also never served in the Military. Voted against the GI Bill. Alexander among the top ten enemies of Veterans.  This is a longshot race also but any support will help but this in the public.

Read this Washington Post article for more on this issue.

Veteran having trouble with benefits.

Texas – Rick Noriega is running against John Cornyn. Noriega is perhaps the most well known of this bunch. Noriega is running hard on improving benefits for veterans. Cornyn recieved awful rating from Veterans organizations and is perhaps one of the most prolific in the GI Bill debate with the argument that it would cause retention problems. Help Noriega as much as you can but also help others.

South Carolina – Lindsey Graham consistently voted against health care benefits for Veterans. His voting record shows consistency in voting against improvements in veterans health care and this will cause more issues with high amount of PTS and mental health issues on the rise. Do what you can to help support the Democratic nominee.

While Memorial Day weekend is recognized as the unofficial start of the summer season with the first family picnics and backyard barbeques, we must take time to remember the true meaning of the Memorial Day holiday.  First and foremost, Memorial Day is to remember and honor those who accepted the call into military service to protect our country.  I always take a few moments while visiting local cemeteries on Memorial Day weekend to notice the flags marking the graves of deceased veterans.

This year, at Calvary Cemetery in Clearfield, there is a flag in place for the first time marking the grave of my recently deceased father, a World War II veteran.  My father was always proud of being a World War II veteran and the sad fact is the number of World War II vets is dwindling with each passing year.  They were called the “Greatest Generation” for their efforts to win the war against two powerful enemies on two different fronts.  Then, they came home and became the working force behind a strong economy, the expansion of our national infrastructure and they were the parents of the baby boom generation.

Back in the days following World War II, our nation and our leaders recognized the debt owed to the brave men and women who served during World War II.  Our government provided for their return to civilian life with the GI Bill to provide funding for education and financial assistance to purchase homes.

It was encouraging this past Thursday when the US Senate overwhelmingly passed the 21st Century post-9/11 GI Bill that was proposed by Virginia Senator Jim Webb.  The post-9/11 GI Bill passed the house the proceeding week and will provide veterans of the War in Iraq and Afghanistan with the opportunity for comprehensive educational benefits when they return home.  This was the right thing to do for our service men and woman and I congratulate Senator Webb and his colleagues for taking action on this important legislation.

Blossburg Coal Festival:  On Saturday, Kelly, Amanda and I traveled to Tioga County for the annual Blossburg Coal Festival.  We took part in the parade through Blossburg on Saturday morning.  The plan was for Kelly and Amanda to ride in our vehicle with the “McCracken for Congress” signs on display while I walked tossing candy.  When it was time for the parade to start, Amanda announced that she wanted to walk the parade route with me and help toss the candy.  I wasn’t sure how far her 5 year old legs would take her but I figured if she got tired I would put her in the car.  Well, Amanda must have a future in politics because she walked the whole parade route and had a smile on her face the entire time.

After the parade, we stayed at the festival for several hours where I worked at the Tioga County Democratic Party booth while Kelly and Amanda enjoyed the food, games and rides.  While was standing at the booth, I spoke with a number of people about many issues of concern in Tioga County.

Not surprisingly, people wanted to talk about the price of gas, the rising price of food and the war in Iraq.  I also was asked where I stood on Second Amendment rights and my support for alternative fuels including corn based ethanol.  The overwhelming majority of the people I spoke with were in agreement with the opinions and ideas I shared with them.  Tioga County is a wonderful place and the people there are very interested in our campaign.  I look forward to many more trips to Tioga County during the coming months of the campaign.

In closing, Kelly, Amanda and I wish everyone a safe and fun filled Memorial Day weekend.

Mark B. McCracken

Your Candidate For Congress

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This diary is cross-posted at McCracken’s campaign blog, PA’s Blue Fifth

Mark McCracken for Congress

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