Cindy McCain has accused her husband’s presidential rival of putting at risk the life of her son who fought in Iraq by not supporting a troop funding bill.
Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, had voted against the bill in the senate last year, but later supported a version of the legislation that included a timetable to withdraw troops from the Middle Eastern state.
Until recently Mrs McCain and her husband, the Republican presidential candidate John McCain, have refused to discuss their two sons serving in the US military.
However, all that changed at a rally on Wednesday night in the swing state of Pennsylvania.
“The day that Sen Obama decided to cast a vote to not fund my son when he was serving sent a cold chill through my body,” she said. “I would suggest that Sen Obama change shoes with me for just one day and see what it means… to have a loved one serving in the armed forces and more importantly, serving in harm’s way.”
Mr McCain’s running mate Sarah Palin has a son now serving in Iraq, as does the Democratic vice presidential nominee.
Mrs McCain later sought to contest accusations that her husband’s election team has been unduly negative by saying Mr Obama had waged “the dirtiest campaign in American history”.
Michelle Obama, the Democratic senator’s wife, said her counterpart’s comments were unfair.
“I know that Barack has the utmost respect for Sen McCain,” she said on television. “He said so on so many occasions. You know, I think this has been a long, tough fight. And politics sometimes leads to things said between the candidates.”
October 10, 2008 at 11:32 am
Cindy is an amazing woman in her own right. It’s been kind of sad watching other so called “progressive” women attack her.
She suffered a back injury, an addiction, a stroke, and has still managed to travel the world trying to make people’s lives better. She also made McCain sign a pre-nuptial aggreement which always makes me laugh.
Listen to her words on Rwanda which she’s visited several times:
“It is a humbling experience to be in the presence of those who have such a capacity for forgiveness and care. It is also instructive. If wealthy nations want their assistance programs to be effective, they should look to the women who form the backbone of every society. With some education, training, basic rights and empowerment, women will transform a society — and the world…..Through their bold and courageous actions, these women should inspire not only their fellow Africans, but all individuals — men and women — across the globe.”
October 11, 2008 at 1:30 am
Obama voted against that single funding bill because it didn’t have a timeline for withdrawal. McCain has also voted against troop funding, based on his objections to other provisions in a bill. He’s also voted against support for returning vets.