Organizing for America | PA Veterans for Obama: Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk

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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