Subject: [big campaign] TV Ad Blasts Bush Allies on GI Bill
From: "Brad Woodhouse" <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 17:27:11 -0400
List-Id: <bigcampaign.googlegroups.com>

www.americansunitedforchange.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          CONTACT: Jeremy Funk,
202.470.5878

DATE: May 22, 2008

Americans United for Change, As Part of its Bush Legacy Project
<http://www.bushlegacytour.com/bushlegacy> , Announces Latest TV Ad
Campaign Blasting Bush's Allies in Congress for Voting Against 21st
Century G.I. Bill

U.S. Reps. Bachmann, Chabot, Feeney, Kuhl Held Accountable for Standing
in the Way of Quality College Education for Troops Returning Home from
Iraq and Afghanistan

 

Click Here to Watch AUFC's Latest Ad 'Lip Service'
<http://www.americansunitedforchange.org/blog/entries/new_ads_target_tho
se_turning_their_backs_on_the_troops/> 

*Note - This is a Pre-Production Version of the Ad - Final Cut of All
Four Versions Forthcoming*

Washington D.C. - Americans United for Change, the non-profit
progressive issue advocacy group that recently launched its Bush Legacy
Project <http://www.presidentbushlegacy.com/bushlegacy> , announced its
latest TV ad campaign calling to the carpet U.S. Reps. Michele Bachmann
(MN-6), Steve Chabot (OH-1), Tom Feeney (FL-24), John "Randy" Kuhl
(NY-29) for voting against meaningful legislation to establish and fund
a 21st century G.I. Bill that ensures our fighting men and women
returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan no longer have to worry about
paying for a quality college education.  The spot entitled 'Lip Service'
will air over the Memorial week recess on a mix of cable and broadcast
television targeting Kuhl in Buffalo, Rochester, and Elmira, NY; Chabot
in Cincinnati, OH; Bachmann in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; and Feeney in
Orlando. The goal of the Bush Legacy Project
<http://www.presidentbushlegacy.com/bushlegacy>  is to cement into
history how two terms of failed conservative policies - supported by
Bush and his allies in Congress including Sen. John McCain - have
weakened America's security abroad while neglecting and undermining
important priorities here at home. *See sample script below.  

With no help from these Bush clones in Congress, the U.S. House recently
passed an amendment <http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll330.xml>  to an
Iraq/Afghanistan/Domestic priories supplemental appropriations bill that
restores full, four-year college scholarships and makes the veterans of
Iraq and Afghanistan part of an American economic recovery, just like
the veterans of World War II were. The U.S. Senate followed suit today
overwhelmingly passing similar legislation by a 75-22 margin
<http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cf
m.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00137> , despite President Bush's
repeated veto threats
<http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-now-webbgi.m22,0,5797943.story> .

            "For all the lip service these Representative pay back home
to the sacrifices our troops are making overseas in Iraq and
Afghanistan, they sure have a funny way of showing their support in
Washington," said Jeremy Funk, spokesman for Americans United for
Change. "They stood with President Bush and opposed a 21st century G.I.
Bill that reflects the needs of a struggling economy and skyrocketing
tuition costs.  That these Members can vigorously support spending of
$12 billion a month to continue this President's failed Iraq war
policies but not a fraction that amount on these brave soldiers'
education when they return home signals just how radically skewed their
priorities really are. In fact, the first two years of the new GI bill
would cost what we spend in just two days in Iraq.  For all these Bush
apologists' rhetoric about supporting the troops, when faced with a
simple choice of voting for 'em or against 'em -- they vote against
'em." 

"The original GI Bill launched millions of families on a course to
achieving the American dream - and set the American economy on the right
course after a draining war.  It returned $7 to the economy for every $1
spent on it," added Funk.  "Current GI educational benefits pay only
about 60 percent of a public college education and 30 percent of a
private college education.  That's simply not enough, especially in an
economy slipping further and further towards a full scale recession.
Ensuring that these men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan
don't have to worry about how they're going to afford a quality
education is the very least we can do to truly show our appreciation and
support.  But, for whatever reason, these Representatives just said 'no.
It's a real question of priorities, and theirs are all mixed up.'" 

-30-

"Lip Service" - Bachmann

Ad Back-Up

Americans United For Change

TV (:30)

SCRIPT

FACTS

ANNCR:  "When they came home, America gave them more than a parade." 

"We gave them opportunity, a chance to go to college. The GI Bill." 

"Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have earned the same chance." 

"But after all their rhetoric, Michele Bachmann and George Bush oppose
the new GI Bill. Bush say's he'll veto it - Bachmann voted against it." 

"Supporting our troops isn't about politics - it's about patriotism." 

"Tell Michele Bachmann to put the needs of our veterans first." 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CG Bachmann half: "The American soldier is the embodiment of hard work,
patriotism and service."

CG Bush half: "Our troops will come home with the honor they have
earned"

CG Bachman half: Bachmann voted "No"

CG Bush half: Bush says he'll veto

CG: Call Michele Bachmann

651-731-5400 

Tell her to support the GI Bill

PresidentBushLegacy.org/Veterans

PAID FOR BY AMERICANS UNITED FOR CHANGE 

 

FACT: GI Bill Helped 7.8 Million Troops With Education Or Vocational
Training. 

The GI Bill Helped 7.8 Million Troops With Education Or Vocational
Training. "The GI Bill was created in June 1944, when President Franklin
D. Roosevelt signed into law the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.
It was designed to help educate and train military veterans returning
from WWII. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 7.8 million
of 16 million troops who served in WWII received educational or
vocational training from the GI Bill." [CNN, 4/29/08]

FACT: Current GI Bill Only Covers About Half Of National Average College
Costs. 

The Current GI Bill Only Covers About Half Of The National Average
College Costs. "Today, the benefits from the GI Bill cover about half of
the national average cost of college including tuition, board and room.
As of October 1, 2007, under the current GI Bill, the maximum for
active-duty servicemen who were honorably discharged is $1,101 a month
for 36 months to help cover tuition, room and board, and books. For
reservists and National Guard members, the average is lower: typically
$440 a month." [CNN, 4/29/08]

FACT: Bachmann Said We Have To Support Our Veterans.

Bachmann Said We Owe It To Veterans To Honor Them. "We owe a debt of
honor and respect to all our veterans and military retirees who served
so nobly to defend our land and protect our freedoms. This debt includes
the obligation to fulfill all our promises to them as we never forget
their sacrifice and service for us." [Bachmann Congressional Campaign
Website <http://www.michelebachmann.com/article.asp?ARTICLEID=78> ]

FACT: Bush Stood Behind Military Families. 

Bush Stood Behind Military Families. During a recent ceremony, "Bush
thanked military spouses who stand behind their loved ones serving the
country during wartime. 'Whether you signed up for military life at the
recruiting station or at the altar rail, each person - each person's a
volunteer,' he said. 'And when you married your soldier, sailor, airman,
Marine or Coast Guardsman, you became more than just part of a family.
You became part of our nation's military family.'" [U.S. Army Press
Release, 5/7/08]

Kuhl Said he Supports Troops Without Question, Hesitation Or Condition.
According to an official press release, upon voting against an Iraq
resolution, Kuhl said, "I support our troops without question,
hesitation, or condition and that's why I voted against this bill."
[Kuhl Official Press Release, 2/16/07
<http://kuhl.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=58503> ]

Bush Said Troops Would Come Home With Honor They Have Earned. The
Hartford Currant quoted a speech Bush made at Elmendorf Air Force Base
in Anchorage.  According to the Currant, Bush said, "As the Iraqis stand
up, we will stand down. And when our commanders on the ground tell me
that the Iraqi forces can defend their freedom, our troops will come
home with the honor they have earned." [Hartford Currant, 11/29/05]

FACT: Bachmann Voted Against The GI Bill.

Bachmann Voted Against The War Supplemental Which Would Have Expanded
The GI Bill. Bachmann voted against the War Supplemental which would
have expanded the GI Bill. [HR 2642, Vote #330, 5/15/08; Kansas City
Star, 5/17/08]

FACT: Bush Threatened To Veto The GI Bill.

Bush Has Threatened To Veto An Expansion Of The GI Bill. President Bush
has threatened to veto the Emergency Supplemental legislation which
would expand the GI Bill. Bush has said the GI Bill expansion would be
too expensive. [White House Press Release
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/legislative/sap/110-2/saphr6049-h.pdf> ,
5/21/08; Roll Call, 5/19/08]

FACT: Bachman Said The American Soldier is the Embodiment of Hard Work,
Patriotism and Service. 

Bachman Said The American Soldier is the Embodiment of Hard Work,
Patriotism and Service. "America's greatness lies in her people, and the
American soldier is the embodiment of hard work, patriotism and service,
the finest of America's principles." 

[Bachman Congressional Press Release
<http://bachmann.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=90170> ,
Accessed 5/22/08]

 

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