AFL-CIO ad criticizes McCain on war, veterans (union $ go to war)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.sacbee.com/838/story/1071037.html

By JIM KUHNHENN - Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 12:00 pm PDT Wednesday, July 9, 2008

WASHINGTON -- The AFL-CIO plans to begin airing an ad in six presidential battleground states on Thursday that features a Vietnam combat veteran criticizing John McCain's stance on the war in Iraq and on veterans issues.

The ad is part of a new union political effort to reach the 2.1 million military veterans or active-duty personnel who are members of the AFL-CIO.

"Every vet respects John McCain's war record," Navy veteran Jim Wasser says in the ad. "It's his record in the Senate that I have a problem with."

Wasser, an electrician from Illinois, served with John Kerry aboard Navy Swift Boats in Vietnam and helped the Massachusetts senator rebut attacks on his war record during the 2004 presidential campaign.

In the ad, Wasser says McCain "wants us to keep spending $10 billion a month in Iraq. Just like Bush."

"That's money we could use to build schools and roads and create needed jobs here at home," Wasser says. "He even took sides with Bush against increasing health care benefits for veterans. People should let John McCain know. His agenda is not what we need. Not now."

FULL story at link.