Obama, McCain backers compete over veterans, gun control

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Obama, McCain backers compete over veterans, gun control
By PETER ROPER
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

The White House race between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain came back to Colorado this week as Democratic veterans credited Obama with supporting broad increases in veteran benefits while Republicans countered that McCain was the best man on gun-owner rights and Western issues.

Colorado is viewed as one of the key "swing" states in the November election, which is why the television channels are full of Obama and McCain advertising. Obama's campaign pulled together a conference call of veterans backing the Illinois senator Wednesday, while the GOP got Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard and Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., to tell reporters about McCain's and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's record on gun rights and the West.

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jim Smith, and reserve Army Col. Joe Rice, were joined by former Army Capts. Jason Crowe and Phil Carter in spelling out their support for Obama. They credited Obama with consistently voting for veterans programs, and unlike McCain, backed the new GI Bill which Congress passed this summer over objections from the White House. It gives new veterans much greater financial aid for college tuition.

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