HUGE SENATE DEFEAT FOR McCAIN AND BUSH-- BIPARTISAN GI BILL PASSES

Looks like someone gave McCain some really bad advise again

We've been writing about the bipartisan efforts, led by Jim Webb (D-VA) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE), to modernize the GI Bill, a bill that helped make the American middle class into the most powerful economic engine in the history of the entire world. A small bunch of reactionary Republicans, led by Mitch McConnell, John McCain and John Cornyn, have fought it every step of the way. McCain threatened his colleagues and begged them not to vote for the bill, which he says will offer incentives to young men and women who have served their terms to not re-enlist. And since McCain's entire run for the presidency is based on endless wars, he doesn't want to incentivize anyone to not re-enlist. It came as something of a shock this morning when most Republicans joined all Democrats to support the bill.

It was a solid taste of the failure of the McCain leadership as he failed to rally those who know him best, Republicans in the Senate. The bill passed 75-22 and, of course. Bush vows to support McCain's war plans by vetoing it. McCain is so furious-- in California kissing up to big donors today, so not even bothering to vote-- that all the lobbyists on the bus are hiding from him and his uncontrollable temper tantrums. Today's Time Magazine has a powerful article on why more and more military vets want to see McCain lose the election.

Many Republicans, once they saw that cloture would win against McConnell's filibuster, abandoned McCain and Bush and joined with the Democrats to pass the bill. Under intense pressure from Andrew Rice, for example, serial flip-flopper, Jim Inhofe (R-OK), once a sponsor, then an opponent, actually flip-flopped again today and voted with the Democrats. Same happened with Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. Mark Begich had just put too much pressure on him and he buckled and voted with the Democrats. Among the die-hard worst rubber stamp anti-veterans Republicans sticking with Bush and McCain to the bitter end were:

John Cornyn (R-TX)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
the 2 corporate whores from Wyoming, Enzi and Barrasso
Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Miss McConnell, of course, who has his own special reason for hating the military .

Every other Republican up for re-election in November abandoned Bush and McCain and voted for the vets.


UPDATE: RICK NORIEGA STANDS UP FOR VETERANS WHILE CORNYN STANDS UP FOR BUSH

Rick Noriega, the Blue America-endorsed candidate for the Texas seat help by John Cornyn, reacted angrily to Cornyn's failed attempt to filibuster the GI Bill today. "Senator Cornyn's vote is an insult to our troops who have sacrificed so much to serve our country. Texas families deserve better. Supporting our troops is about more than photo opportunities and speeches. Our brave men and women give their all on the battlefield and they deserve our full support when they return home. But today John Cornyn voted against a GI bill that would ensure our veterans receive the same sort of education benefit that their grandparents received after World War II. Worse yet, Cornyn urged President Bush to veto the benefits, which would rob a large and deserving group of veterans of the tools they need to succeed in civilian life after serving our nation. In my ten years serving in the Texas State House I fought for our veterans and I would continue to fight to ensure our troops and veterans get the support they deserve in the U.S. Senate."