Another McCain myth bites the dust--Troops deployed abroad give to Obama 6:1

The John McCain Campaign's constant drumbeat of his military experience as a POW is meant to make you believe that he is a friend of the military and veterans.

I have made many posts discussing how that is not true and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America have verified it as well.

It seems that deployed U.S. soldiers have also figured that out:

During World War II, soldiers crouching in foxholes penned letters assuring their sweethearts that they'd be home soon. Now, between firefights in the Iraqi desert, some infantrymen have been sending a different kind of mail stateside: two or three hundred dollars -- or whatever they can spare -- towards a presidential election that could very well determine just how soon they come home.

According to an analysis of campaign contributions by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, Democrat Barack Obama has received nearly six times as much money from troops deployed overseas at the time of their contributions than has Republican John McCain, and the fiercely anti-war Ron Paul, though he suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination months ago, has received more than four times McCain's haul.

Despite McCain's status as a decorated veteran and a historically Republican bent among the military, members of the armed services overall -- whether stationed overseas or at home -- are also favoring Obama with their campaign contributions in 2008, by a $55,000 margin. Although 59 percent of federal contributions by military personnel has gone to Republicans this cycle, of money from the military to the presumed presidential nominees, 57 percent has gone to Obama.

While the totals are much closer, Obama is still significantly ahead among all military personnel:

Obama, Barack--------------------------$335,536 859
McCain, John---------------------------$280,513 558
Paul, Ron------------------------------$232,411 537
Clinton, Hillary-----------------------$167,050 376
Republican National Cmte---------------$135,902 219
Huckabee, Mike-------------------------$66,751 127
Thompson, Fred-------------------------$46,400 93
Romney, Mitt---------------------------$43,307 96
Giuliani, Rudolph W--------------------$22,050 47
National Republican Senatorial Cmte----$21,885 26
DNC Services Corp----------------------$16,873 53

I don't think Hillary Clinton's or Ron Paul's donors will be going to John McCain.

The McCain camp needs to realize the military is wise to where he really stands on the issues.

Anchorage First Lady Deborah Bonito honored for her work with military families

Anchorage First Lady Deborah Bonito, wife of U.S. Senate candidate and Mayor Mark Begich, was recognized in Washington, D.C. today for her work with military families in Alaska. The Anchorage First Lady Military & Family Support Initiative received the Raytheon Program Achievement Award for “Best Use of Volunteers.”

The award was one of just three given nationally by the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) recognizing outstanding programs that benefit young enlisted men and women and military families. It comes with a $4,500 grant to the Alaska chapter of the ASYMCA.

“I am proud to see Deborah’s work recognized on the national level,” Begich said. “As military families deal with multiple tours of duty, single-parent households, and other issues, we’ll continue to support them and look for ways to make their lives a little easier.”

Mayor Begich has taken Deborah's idea to the United States Conference of Mayors through his ground-breaking "Community/Military Relations Task Force." The hope is for other U.S. Mayors to spread this program in cities around the country, helping countless military men, women and their families through difficult times.

(Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Anchorage)