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Mac, Obama Clash at Memorial Day Rallies

Hopefuls disagree on bill to guarantee college for 3-year vets

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted May 26, 2008 6:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama and John McCain dueled at Memorial Day rallies in New Mexico today, Bloomberg reports. Obama restated his support for a new veterans bill, while McCain said an alternate plan would better reward those who reenlist. "Our bill has a sliding scale," he said, that "increases benefits according to the veteran's length of service."

But Obama did not "understand why John McCain would side with George Bush and oppose our plan to make college more affordable for our veterans." The bill, which offers college scholarships for 3-year veterans, has passed the Senate by a 75-22 margin, and will likely reach the House after its week-long Memorial Day holiday.

Barack Obama, speaks during a Memorial Day town hall-style meeting at the Farm and Ranch Museum in Las Cruces, N.M., Monday, May 26, 2008.
Barack Obama, speaks during a Memorial Day town hall-style meeting at the Farm and Ranch Museum in Las Cruces, N.M., Monday, May 26, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Barack Obama greets Marine Corps veterans with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson at the Veteran's Memorial Park in Las Cruces, N.M., Monday, May 26, 2008.
Barack Obama greets Marine Corps veterans with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson at the Veteran's Memorial Park in Las Cruces, N.M., Monday, May 26, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial on Monday, May 26, 2008, in Albuquerque.
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial on Monday, May 26, 2008, in Albuquerque.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial on Monday, May 26, 2008, in Albuquerque.
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial on Monday, May 26, 2008, in Albuquerque.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
John McCain and Barack Obama both spoke at New Mexico rallies today.
John McCain and Barack Obama both spoke at New Mexico rallies today.   (Associated Press)
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