McCain hits back at Obama's lack of Military Service - Wait, we care about this in 2008 now?

http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/McCain_and_Obama_battle_over_milita_05222008.html

McCain and Obama battle over military service


Steve Holland
Reuters US Online Report Top News

May 22, 2008 20:22 EST

UNION CITY, California (Reuters) - Republican John McCain took aim at presidential rival Barack Obama's lack of military service on Thursday, drawing a rebuke from the Democratic front-runner for his "endless diatribes and schoolyard taunts."

McCain's opposition to Senate legislation that would expand educational benefits for military veterans ignited a heated cross-fire between the two White House contenders as they gear up for November's presidential election campaign.

McCain, a former Navy pilot and prisoner of war in Vietnam, reacted sharply after Obama criticized him for opposing the legislation. The Arizona senator did not return to the Senate to vote on the measure, which passed easily.

"I take a backseat to no one in my affection, respect and devotion to veterans," McCain said. "And I will not accept from Senator Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did."

Obama, a Harvard-trained lawyer who did not serve in the military, drew McCain's ire by saying on the Senate floor: "I can't understand why he (McCain) would line up behind the president in opposition to this GI bill. I can't believe why he believes it is too generous to our veterans."