Organizing for America | Maryland Veterans for Obama

Maryland Veterans for Obama

MD Veterans for Obama support Senator Obama because he understands the one unifying principle that all soldiers respect a Commander in Chief that understands that spilling American blood on foreign soil must be made with calculation and reticence. He is the only candidate that has the ability to re-build a global coalition of more than just the willing, but true Allies that respect no only the military might of the United States, but their ability to use that might with precision, foresight, and input from world leaders. The War on Terrorism deserves a leader that realizes this, and can re-focus this global battle. We need more than just a coalition of the marginally committed; we need a coalition builder; Barack Obama is that man. We appreciate your support in my effort to energize other veterans, and other friends and families of active duty personnel and veterans who support Barack Obama and his vision for a synergized and re-energized United States Military, as well as a responsible Veterans Administration.

Looking for Real Leadership ... AGAIN!!

By Veterans For Obama - Volunteer Outreach Director - Oct 1st, 2008 at 3:55 pm EDT

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After serving in Iraq, one of the reasons I left Active Duty was because of the lack of accountability, and dearth of leadership willing to make the right choice. People willing to speak truth to power, and not tow the party line at the expense of so many of our best and brightest ... as a Veteran, today, I am here again.I just read that a handfull of former commanders of the VFW and American Legion endorsed Senator McCain, it could not possibly be for his voting record on Veterans issues. I have a question for these men - are they wiling to set aside their adoration of John McCain as one of them, in order to do the right thing for the next generation of Veterans? Are they willing to ignore the record of the man, and risk supporting a Candidate who so woefully supported their own Veterans Organizations legislative initiatives, and thus the health and welfare of those whom they once represented? These former leaders owe the next generation of Veterans the BEST, not a person who is promising to do better, but has no record to support it. Flag waving and War stories aside, these leaders have a sacred trust to ensure the next President of the United States will NOT vote like John McCain did for the past 20 years - Barack Obama is that man hands down. Are these gentlemen selling us out for a person who can swap War stories, and then strafe Veterans legislation on the floor of the Senate in favor of big buisness?If you are still asking why Senator McCain struggles with his abysmal voting record on Pro-Veterans legislation, let me suggest an answer – Senator McCain is no different than any other George Bush economic policy protégé in the past eight years, he proudly proclaims that “I voted with the president over 90 percent of the time, higher than a lot of my even Republican colleagues.” So Senator McCain confidently gets a legislative “A” from George Bush, an “F” from the Disabled American Veterans and a “D” from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Senator Obama has been a Veterans advocate since before he came to the U.S Senate, has a consistent, and strong voting record in favor of Veterans, and has volunteered to serve on the US Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. Why are not having this debate?Hopefully, by now, Americans have learned that largest increase in Veterans educational benefits was introduced by Senator Webb of Virginia was immediately supported by Senator Obama, and that Senator McCain and President Bush opposed the New GI Bill because they felt it was too generous and would hurt retention in spite of the fact that the Congressional Budget Office found that it would also help retention. When Senator McCain then inexplicably reverses position when he sees that the bill will pass even with his opposition, you begin to question the man’s heart. When Senator McCain fails to show on the Senate floor for the vote to pass the new GI Bill and attends a fundraiser instead, Veterans should begin to see the true picture of the man – laurels and all. When questioned on his non-support and absence from this historic vote, John McCain did not explain his opposition, he simply lashed out that he would not be lectured by a man that never served. I don't know any Veteran that would so readily wield their military service as a weapon to simultaneously deflect and then attack a legitimate question. Perhaps Senator McCain would have accepted lectures from the other 92 Senators who did show up to support the bill, or perhaps he would have accepted lectures from the Veterans of Foreign Wars who demanded the passage before McCain's attempt to back into supporting the bill.Senator McCain places his vote where the money is, and shamefully (or unabashedly as the case appears) leaves his fellow Veterans in the lurch. If Senator McCain truly puts his County First, then why has he Voted at least fifteen times to prioritize tax cuts and tax loopholes for Americas wealthiest over funding for Veterans? Since his election to the Senate in 1987, McCain has voted at least 15 times in favor of keeping tax cuts and various tax loopholes for America's top earners, instead of providing valuable funding for United States veterans. [2006 Senate Votes #7, 15, 41, 63, 67; 2005 Senate Vote #343; 2004 Senate Votes #40, 48; 2003 Senate Votes #74, 81, 83; 1996 Senate Vote #115; 1995 Senate Votes #226, 465, 466]. Why has this decorated combat Veteran not placed us first? The answer is simple, John McCain puts “Country First” when waving the flag suits his political interest to do so, but he puts the interest of wealthy Corporations, Wall Street, and the richest Americans first whenever possible. Perhaps John McCain knows that all he needs to do is stand on a stage behind photographs of his heroic return home from unimaginable imprisonment in the Hanoi Hilton, and Veterans will forget what he has failed to do for us since he was given a great trust in serving in the United States Senate. Perhaps it is those Countrymen making up to five million dollars a year that McCain is talking about putting first, I don’t know about you, but not too many Veterans I know fit that category, and I don’t know any that can’t count how many houses they own. I don’t know why John McCain has abandoned Veterans budget needs on the legislative floor, perhaps it is that Senator McCain just doesn’t understand the economics of the country, or his inexplicable position of allowing Iraqis to retain a $79 billion Oil surplus, while my fellow men and women in arms not only fight for their freedom on foreign soil, but then pay for it as well here at home. What I do know is that enough is enough. How about we start telling the truth about the candidates' Veterans voting record, and how about we start putting this Country’s Veterans First, not multimillionaires or Wall Street tycoons that leave the economy in shambles and our Nations Finest wondering who really has their back.

- Koby J. Langley

Fmr CPT, 82d Airborne Division

Operation Iraqi Freedom I

Veteran

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Why this election is important (w/ video)

By Chuck Cook - Aug 11th, 2008 at 10:19 am EDT

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As a nation, we stand at a precipice. With one candidate we back away from ledge... with the other we jump.

This election is far too important for you to be univolved or to "hope" that Obama wins. We need to work together to get out the message or we will be stuck with this man....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdJUCU1UH2w&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/10/153314/656/229/565225

Everyone needs to see this video. There is too much on the line. Please forward it to everyone you know, until America truly realizes how reckless and irresponsible the Republican candidate is. America can't afford to have John McCain as our next President. The stakes are too high for another war monger.

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Centre County PA Resident, Lifelong Republican and Desert Storm Veteran Supports Barack

By Veterans For Obama - Volunteer Outreach Director - Apr 10th, 2008 at 9:03 am EDT

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I hear it all the time, “Bad news, somebody stuck an Obama sticker on your pickup truck.” My friends are puzzled. Why would an ex-Navy, small business owners, defense contractors, hard line, former lifelong Republican, support Barack Obama? Shouldn’t I be supporting John McCain?

No I should not.

As a former Naval Officer and co-owner of a very small defense contracting company, the issue closest to my heart is the military. John McCain’s Republican policies are ruining our military. Specifically, we are pinned to a losing position in Iraq, contractors and lobbyists run the military for corporate profit and top down leadership is corrupting our military culture. Iraq: A huge mistake. Our troops are pinned down and wasting away. Today we can still leave on our terms and stop the hemorrhage. If we wait until the inevitable next theater, next battle or next upheaval in Iraq, we will leave on very unfavorable terms and will emerge with greatly reduced military capability. Iraq is a keystone issue for Barack Obama. Nobody doubts his position and judgment on Iraq. I might have supported him based on just that position alone, but problems with today’s military go far deeper.
Contractors and lobbyists: Since 9/11 American’s have stopped questioning our huge investment in military programs, it’s not considered patriotic. But where is all that money going? Where are the new ship classes, tanks, aircraft, anti-ballistic missiles, and advanced surveillance satellites?   These programs are all over budget and delayed. What’s gone wrong?

Lobbyists have convinced Republicans to outsource the military. The largest defense contractors now do much more than just build weapons systems. Their lobbyist’s write the legislation that determines how we spend our military budget, and their managers run the acquisition programs. They run the programs to maximize shareholder profit – not to deliver military capability. Meanwhile, uniformed military, who presumably know the most about what the military actually needs, are pushed to the sidelines and relegated to the role of powerless spectators and contract administrators.   “The fox is in charge of the hen house” and the military pays. All of this is happening under the noses of both presidential candidates on the Senate Armed Services Committee, yet neither Hillary Clinton nor John McCain challenge these trends. Barack Obama will end the days of corporations and lobbyists running our government. His actions speak louder than words.   He rejects lobbyists and special interest groups by refusing their political contributions, not staffing his campaign with top lobbyists and releasing his earmark lists.

Military Culture: For the last seven years, our real military experts, our uniformed military staff, have been completely subjugated to civilian leadership with little or no military service or experience. This vacuum extends through top management of the Pentagon, State Department and National Security Council. Our appointed leadership is almost completely devoid of uniformed military service experience. (General Powell was the exception, but he clearly had little influence.)

Lack of experience should induce top leadership to seek out and cherish the advice of uniformed military personnel, but in the current administration this is not the case. Instead a top-down management philosophy prevails. Civilian leadership disregards contrary advice, fires or marginalizes people who disagree, and cherishes personal loyalty above all other traits.   The effect in the ranks is devastating and viral. Our military culture is becoming resistant to contrary advice, divergent opinions and new ideas. At every level information gets transformed to support leadership opinions and bad news is spun into good as it travels up the chain of command to support the egos at the top. In this corrosive environment, the culture of honor, integrity and courage we so carefully foster at our nation’s service academies slowly decays. Barack Obama offers a completely different management style. He believes good ideas start at the bottom and work their way to the top. This is not some pie-in-the-sky liberal philosophy. This is military leadership 101 taught to me by the Naval legend, now retired Vice Admiral “Al” Konetzni. This is the management strategy behind Barack Obama’s come-from-nowhere success against the top-down managed Clinton camp. Barack Obama’s campaign ideas come from the bottom-up, and leaders at every level are empowered to “take command.” As a result, ideas get field tested and improved hundreds of times on their way to the top. Today, every level of the Barack Obama campaign is staffed with take charge, intelligent and imaginative leaders who ”made it” based on merit. In fact, Barack Obama’s campaign staff resembles nothing more than a crack Army unit with Barack Obama in command. Isn’t this exactly what we want from our military and Commander-in-Chief? Barack Obama will listen to our military commanders. All evidence from his campaign proves it. My friends supporting Barack Obama have other reasons in line with their personal expertise and heartfelt concerns – healthcare, energy, the environment… At the core of our reasons, however, are the same basic Barack Obama tenets. US foreign policy should be based on diplomacy and we need to leave Iraq. Government should be of the people and for the people, not of the lobbyists and for large corporations. Good ideas and leadership come from the bottom and work their way to the top. These ideals transcend the labels of liberal or conservative and explain why I support Barack Obama.

Robert L. Ceres Jr.

Boalsburg, Pennsylvania

Short bio:

Robert graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1986. Robert served as a naval officer on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), USS Mississippi (CGN-40) during Operation Desert Storm, and USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7). Robert is a member of the Pennsylvania Veterans Steering Committee for Barack Obama.

I hope you will join Senator Obama's campaign and help strengthen our commitment to honoring our nations brave Veterans. If you would like to become involved in the campaign please contact Manuel Arevalo, Volunteer Deputy Director, PA Veterans for Obama: arevalo.veterans@gmail.com, Koby Langley at (724) 871-7417 or contact Steven Dunwoody, PA Veterans Outreach Coordinator at: SDunwoody@barackobama.com to find out how you can get involved.

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Why a Pennsylvania Two Tour Iraq Vets Supports Obama

By Veterans For Obama - Volunteer Outreach Director - Apr 8th, 2008 at 3:19 pm EDT

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Why I Support Senator Obama

Presented by Michael Kotyk, 2 Tour Iraq War Veteran

Arcadia University 04/03/08 Good afternoon. My name is Michael Kotyk, and I'm a recently retired veteran of the

U.S. Navy. I've been invited to share with you my reasons for supporting Senator Barack Obama for President.

I support Senator Obama because I feel that our nation needs a serious change in direction. We have entered the fifth year of the Iraq War and still there is little effective management or strategy to guide it. The war has become, as Senator Obama stated in 2002, “ a dumb war ... a rash war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle but on politics”. This combination of passion and politics has cost our country the lives of over 4,000 Americans. It has created a struggling economy and has seriously strained relationships with our allies overseas. Because of our current policies, we are an isolated nation fighting a war, seemingly, on our own. I believe that if we really are to win the war on terrorism, we must change not only how we view the world, but also how we function in it. We need to have leadership from Washington that is based upon good, solid judgment; not on rash decisions or faulty intelligence. We need someone who can bridge the gap between enemy and friend.
In the service, we have a saying, “no man left behind”. But when you consider how poorly veterans have been treated, how our soldiers have been left to fight with what they have rather than what they need, I believe that the current administration has, without a doubt, left us behind. We deserve better than that. We need a leader in Washington who values us as human beings rather than some statistic on a daily report. Real leaders take care of their people. I believe that Senator Obama will do this as President.

The best leaders, according to Dwight D. Eisenhower, are the ones who can get someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. What has impressed me the most about Senator Obama, is his ability to bring people of diverse backgrounds together; uniting them to work actively towards a common cause.

This was demonstrated at the Convention Center in Philadelphia where Senator Obama delivered his famous speech on race relations in America. As we entered the auditorium, the words of Rev. Wright still echoed in our ears. We were a racially and culturally diverse audience. The crowd didn't seem to intermingle with each other much. However, after hearing Senator Obama speak, it was like he touched each one of us personally. I noticed how our attitudes toward one another began to change. By the end of the speech, we understood a little more about where the other person was coming from. Despite our fears, we recognized that we had much more in common than we did in difference. We discovered that we could work together. To be able to bring a room of such diversity together, speaks loudly about Senator Obama's ability to unite people of different backgrounds. Our choices are clear, Senator Obama's opponents wish to continue the same policies which have isolated us as a people and as a nation. We cannot continue the way we are going. We need change. Senator Obama, through his actions, has proven to me that he has the makings of a true leader. This nation does not need someone who throws out sound bytes for the six o'clock news, but rather someone who actually practices what he preaches. This is why I am supporting Senator Obama for President.

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The Color in the Foxhole

By Veterans For Obama - Volunteer Outreach Director - Mar 18th, 2008 at 10:24 am EDT

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So here we are. This point and time in our political debate was inevitable. This foxhole is dark, and it is deep. The fears that lie dormant within each of us now rise to challenge the positive forces that have supplied this Campaign’s fight for our humanity above our politics. In 1960, then Senator John F. Kennedy stood before his Democratic Party after a long primary and a media bludgeoning that questioned his youth, his lack of experience, his unfamiliarity with foreign policy experience at a time of war. And then there were the attacks on his religion. The fear mongering, and the accusations of affiliating President Kennedy with radicals and Communists who preached social change. He was accused of pushing America too far to fast, of reaching for the Presidency too far too fast. He was maligned for affiliating himself, and attending services with controversial Ministers who preached hope, and yes, on occasion the unacceptable hateful and hurtful speech that are borne of the scars of racism and fear JFK heard it all. Standing in the eye of a racial maelstrom, he embraced the positive messages, he looked for the common ground and he challenged America to look beyond divisive rhetoric to seek a solution. JFK preached as well, but his congregation was not a church, it was the American People. He understood that his religion, although an important part of who he was could never be used as a weapon again unifying his country. That he accepted that the American People would judge him on his deeds, and vision, that they would trust him in his own words …“To uphold the Constitution and my oath of office, to reject any kind of religious pressure or obligation that might directly or indirectly interfere with my conduct of the Presidency in the national interest. My record of fourteen years in supporting public education, supporting complete separation of Church and State and resisting pressure from sources of any kind should be clear by now to everyone.”John F. Kennedy preached about reaching beyond our history, and accepted his parties nomination as the Democratic choice as the next Commander in Chief - taking over a country in a tumultuous and divisive War with no end in sight. Soldiers across the globe stood and waited for their next Commander in Chief to speak, to remind America that there is no color line in a foxhole. That the urgency of the fight for life and liberty drown out the voices of racial divisions as if they were only a whisper on the breeze of freedom, of hope. John F. Kennedy did not call for War against his detractors, he recognized that the ountry was undergoing “[a] peaceful revolution for human rights, demanding an end to racial discrimination in all parts of our community life, has strained at the leashes imposed by a timid executive leadership.” Senator Kennedy understood the power of our possibility, and spoke of the next battlefield not only in weaponry and war, but in the social conscious of our Nation: “Have we the nerve and the will? Can we carry through in an age where we will witness not only new breakthroughs in weapons of destruction, but also a race for mastery of the sky and the rain, the ocean and the tides, the far side of space, and the inside of men's minds?” My cousin served under John F. Kennedy and he, like I, earned a Bronze Star on a foreign shore in a divisive War. He, if even for only a moment, enjoyed the vision of this great Commander in Chief that understood that color does not exist in a foxhole. Wars and Soldiers can serve as a model for the importance of moving beyond our racial divide. We have a unique perspective on the “urgency of now”, and in the irrelevancy of the shade of color of the hand that reaches into that foxhole. We must never allow those lessons learned to fall into the annuls of history as a footnote. This foxhole is dark, and it is deep, and I only trust one man to bring light and lift us up from this place. “We are not here to curse the darkness; we are here to light a candle.” John F. Kennedy 1960 Democratic National Convention Acceptance Address As former officer and paratrooper who served in Iraq under an African American Combat Commander. I relied on a White Congressman from the suburbs of Philly covering my back, and skinny first generation Mexican immigrant scanning the horizon for IEDs as we traveled down Ambush Ally together in a doorless Humvee. There are still men in Iraq, and the danger they fight in that foxhole is more than an allegory. I know what is really important in this race, and what is at stake. I hope America does as well. Barack Obama will reach out to America today, he will peer into the foxhole and offer us a way out. I will neither hesitate, nor pause, nor ponder on the color of the hand. I am ready to accept that we are one, and that our times dictate that he realize our oneness, and stride to greatness and victory. Barack Obama will be the Commander in Chief that our generation of warriors and wounded warriors need and deserve. He is our Kennedy. - Koby J. LangleyFormer CPT, USAOperation Iraqi Freedom I

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Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk – the Full Measure of a Man

By Veterans For Obama - Volunteer Outreach Director - Mar 16th, 2008 at 11:05 am EDT

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Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk – the Full Measure of a Man The rising Obama movement which has surged over the past months from an improbable bold attempt by thousands of diverse supporters ranging from the fired-up college students to Vietnam era veterans, from independents and Republican crossovers to Democrat stalwarts is nothing short of a revolution in American politics. Barack Obama is harnessing a widespread grassroots demand for change across this country and an end to machine politics and business as usual. A broad spectrum of citizens, including many senior military and national security leaders, are volunteering to assist in state primaries, joining Barack Obama’s big tent campaign to empower America from the bottom up. The next President will face tough challenges in defense and foreign policy and will need to be a skillful global leader who has the international vision to lead America forward. Barack Obama’s ability to bridge diverse groups has attracted the attention of international leaders who believe that he will be a President with whom they can work effectively. As the son of an African father and an American mother, Obama is a powerful example of the hope and leadership that the United States stands for. A couple of months ago, I watched Barack Obama confidently answer a barrage of questions from several hundred people for over an hour on a wide range of national security policy issues from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China to nuclear proliferation. Obama’s grasp of the intricate details of complex policy issues and his ability to respond clearly without notes to a broad range of topics is impressive. He is a well-read and thoughtful candidate who will make this country proud again on the international stage. Active duty military and veterans both look critically at decision-making, leadership, and character in officers, NCOs, and especially in their Commander in Chief. When Barack Obama graduated from prestigious universities, he had numerous opportunities to take high paying corporate jobs, but instead made the bold decision to serve as a church-based community organizer; leading hundreds on the tough streets of Chicago, helping families who had lost jobs, fighting poverty, and homelessness. Led by Pennsylvania Veteran pioneer, Ronald Conley, Pennsylvania has one of the most respected and successful Veteran Homeless Shelter programs in the nation, with a success rate of over 80% of reintegration. This type of personal heroism is emblematic of a much greater problem – this Administration has failed it’s Veterans. Under the last two Clinton Administrations, and the first Bush Administration, the funding for the Veterans Administration was stagnant. Costs were increasing, and funding was flat line. It was not until people like Senator Obama started pushing for legislative reform that funding to the VA was increased to meet the influx of wounded warriors. Barack Obama places Veterans issues, such as homelessness on the top of his priority list. Barack Obama authored legislation to extend and expand critically important programs to stop homelessness among American veterans. Working with Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Larry Craig (R-ID), he passed legislation to provide comprehensive services and affordable housing options to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban Development and community organizations. Obama reintroduced his Homes for Heroes Act in March 2007, which would greatly increase access to long-term, affordable housing for veterans by devoting $225 million to purchase, build or rehabilitate homes and apartments for veterans. When people said this was too much money, and that this was not a fair way to calculate the costs of the War, Barack Obama insisted that we must change our way of thinking about funding this War - the continued cost for caring for American’s Veterans must always be in any budget analysis so that the true costs of wounded warriors are included in the solemn responsibilities we have to our returning heroes. Barack Obama has demonstrated this kind of ability to think outside the box and challenge the status quo; he had the guts to stand up and oppose the rush to invade Iraq when most lawmakers were giving the Administration a blank check. In the Illinois Senate and on the US Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Obama has led many efforts to improve services for veterans including reviewing the mental health system and increasing resources for those suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and homelessness. Barack Obama’s pragmatism and international vision are providing hope for change in America and internationally. He has proven himself to be a dynamic and visionary leader who has the judgment and character to boldly lead our country and our armed forces through the national and global challenges ahead. Sincerely,Don Stanton[1]Commander USN (Ret.)2600 King St. Alexandria, VA 22301 Cell (703) 622-6475
[1] Don Stanton is a retired Naval officer who is a volunteer on the National Veterans For Obama campaign. Veterans interested in information related to the Veterans for Obama’s Campaign in Pennsylvania can contact Koby J. Langley, Director of Pennsylvania Veterans for Obama at (724) 871-7417 or via email at Koby.Langley@PAVeteransForObama.com.

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Speaking Out for Senator Obama as the Only Choice for Commander in Chief

By Veterans For Obama - Volunteer Outreach Director - Mar 7th, 2008 at 7:31 pm EST

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“I stood up and I said I agree with Senator Obama when he said we should pull out of Iraq. I think it’s time for the Iraqis to stand up and take charge of their own country,” retired Sgt. Maj. John Estrada on Feb. 25, 2008 interview with the Military Times. Estrada, 52, was the highest-ranking enlisted Marine for nearly four years before retiring in June 2007 after 34 years. Retired Sgt. Maj Estrada formally endorsed the Illinois senator for president of the United States during a rally at a high school gymnasium in Beaufort, S.C., on Jan. 24. “Senator Obama has a unifying force. I see him uniting our country more so than the others. Old, young, across all ethnicities,” Estrada said. Retired Sgt. Maj. Estrada said that one of the reasons that he endorsed Senator Obama was due to his strong understanding of the health care issues related to Iraq War, his position was superior to any other candidate. In 2005, the VA announced it would contact veterans with severe PTSD and ask them to prove that they deserved their disability payments. This review of disability claims was highly disruptive to veterans still suffering serious health effects from their military service. Barack Obama fought this review and along with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), passed legislation to limit it and helped publicly pressure the agency to finally abandon the effort in November of 2005. Obama also worked with Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) to pass an amendment ensuring that all service members returning from Iraq are properly screened for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI is being called the signature injury of the Iraq war. Senator Obama gets it. Retired Senior Military Leadership gets it. Standing silent is not an option. It is time to stand up, and do the right thing or our troops returning home. Will you join us? We have a leadership position on this campaign with your name on it! Email, or call me to find out how you can help! Koby LangleyFormer CPT, US ArmyOperation Iraqi Freedom I82d ABN DIV, Task Force FalconField Director - PA Veterans for Obama Dir – 240-515-7307

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Senator Obama Speaks to Veterans and Military Families for an Hour in Houston

By Veterans For Obama - Volunteer Outreach Director - Mar 1st, 2008 at 10:24 am EST

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Video Clip:http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou080229_tj_obamadesel.d363168.html Not all Obama rallies are like rock concerts 12:13 AM CST on Saturday, March 1, 2008By Jeremy Desel / 11 News The meeting location was no Toyota Center. There were no screaming masses whipped into a political frenzy. Just a few dozen people quietly waiting. There was a Korean War veteran, more from the Vietnam era and John Witterschein and his family. And, oh yeah, Barack Obama. John Witterschein had a question for the presidential candidate. "My question is about family support,” he said. But before any answer, came introductions and the candidate got to know a family on a first name basis. Then back to answering questions. For nearly an hour, Obama listened and answered about veteran's affairs and the conflicts they fight. "War should not be the first resort. It should not be done lightly. It should not be based on politics,” said Obama. The audience was more than receptive to the message. "I just like his honesty to be honest with you. That's what I like most,” said Witterschein. "It brought tears to my eyes. It's just, when he spoke, I feel like he meant it,” said Sandra Witterschein. “Everything he says, I truly believe that he is going to do what he says.” But this is a political campaign and politics that at times demands answers too. The latest, a Hillary Clinton TV ad that aired Friday. Called “3 A.M.” it depicts a call to the White House in the early morning hours about a crisis somewhere in the world. It is meant to highlight Clinton’s experience. Obama shot back, calling the ad a scare tactic by the Clinton camp. "I will never use the threat of terror to scare up votes. Because it is a threat that should rally the country around our common enemy,” said Obama. “That is the judgment that we need at 3 a.m.”

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