Diverse News 2008®

NEWS FEEDS
McCain, Obama to Address VFW National Convention
    WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The two presumptive presidential
candidates have accepted invitations to speak next week to the 109th
national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., which
starts tomorrow at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The
event is not open to the public.

    Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is scheduled to speak on Monday, followed by
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on Tuesday.

    The appearance of both presidential candidates continues a long
standing VFW tradition to provide a platform for those seeking the nation's
highest office to address America's oldest major veterans' organization,
even though the VFW is prohibited from offering endorsements.

    "For the candidates, this is their opportunity to address the national
convention of America's oldest major veterans' organization and the
nation's largest organization of combat veterans," said VFW National
Commander George J. Lisicki, a Vietnam veteran from Carteret, N.J.

    "What the VFW membership wants to know is how each candidate would
prosecute the war on terrorism and protect America through strong national
defense and homeland security programs. We also want to know how they would
enhance military and veteran healthcare programs, benefits, and Quality of
Life initiatives."

    The opportunity also permits the VFW delegates - thousands of combat
veterans of every American conflict from World War II through Iraq and
Afghanistan - to evaluate each candidate in one setting.

    Known as an organization strong on national defense and veterans' and
military family rights, Lisicki said the VFW's 1.6 million members are also
as diverse politically as they are individually, which tracks with national
polls taken during the 2004 presidential race.

    According to three USA Today/CNN/Gallup polls, America's veterans
identified themselves politically as 47 percent Republican, 42 percent
Democrat and 11 percent Independent. Ideologically, moderates and
conservatives accounted for 43 percent each, with 16 percent of those
surveyed calling themselves liberal. More important, according to the U.S.
Census Bureau, is that 74 percent of America's (then) 23.7 million veteran
population voted in the 2004 presidential election, compared to only 63
percent of the general population.

    "Including 2.2 million military service personnel and all of our
spouses and adult-age children brings the nation's veteran family to well
over 50 million Americans," said Lisicki. "A fifth of the nation's adult
population is a voting bloc that absolutely cannot be ignored by any
politician at any level, regardless of political party."

    Lisicki wants both candidates to leave knowing that "Veterans matter,
veterans care, and veterans vote."

    Approximately 10,000 VFW and Ladies Auxiliary delegates will represent
the total organization membership of 2.2 million at the weeklong
convention. Their mission is to approve new national priorities to guide
the VFW as it lobbies Congress on issues important to the nation's
veterans, servicemembers and their families.

    Convention delegates will elect a new VFW national commander and
recognize prominent individuals for their support of veterans and military
personnel, to include Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), hall of fame entertainers
Ann-Margret and Mickey Rooney, and retired Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace,
the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

    Also addressing the delegates will be Veterans Affairs Secretary James
Peake, acting Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, and Army Chief of Staff
Gen. George Casey, among many others.

    The 2.2 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its
Auxiliaries is a nonprofit veterans' service organization founded in 1899
and chartered by Congress in 1936. The VFW is the nation's oldest major
veterans' organization, and the largest organization of combat veterans in
the country. The VFW is dedicated to "Honoring the dead by helping the
living." For more information or to join, visit the organization's Web site
at http://www.vfw.org .
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