Hackworth's robocall targets Young's record on veterans

Days before the election, the Bob Hackworth campaign is robocalling voters with a message that attacks his opponent, U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young. Hackworth, the mayor of Dunedin, is challenging the 38-year incumbent for his seat in Congressional District 10, which includes most of Pinellas County.

Here is the transcript of the call:

"Hi, my name is Bob Hackworth. I'm the Democratic mayor of Dunedin and your Democratic candidate for Congress.

My opponent Bill Young says he supports veterans, but he voted to raise his own salary three times and then voted against giving the men and women fighting in Iraq a $1,500 bonus. He even voted to cut veterans' healthcare programs by $13 billion. Pay raises for himself and cuts for veterans. I'm Bob Hackworth and I approve this message because our veterans deserve better. Please vote for me on Nov. 4."

--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[Sybil]

Gotta hand it to those pesky Pinellas Republicans - they really know how to "attack" Susan Smith. LOL

Susan is out knocking on doors in Hillsborough County for proud Democratic candidates, and when I called to share your "views" - she thanks you for the laugh.

Go ahead, keep blogging as Susan is making a real difference, while you are "chatting" to yourself.

Funny. thanx for the giggle, on my way out the door - knocking on doors too ....

[Inside track]

I heard that Young's folks did some internal polling and were on the floor when they got the results: MOE was 3.5% with Hackworth leading by 8%.

[Bev, is that you????]

Is that Bev attacking private citizens again? LMAO....

[Hey Repugs....]

Looks like the chickens are coming home to roost.

[Financial Planner]

I want everyone to call their brokers, banks, insurance companies, 401k administrators, accountants, pension plans, etc. and check their balances tomorrow.

Then tell me that you will vote republican. Numbers don't lie.

[Sybil]

Drats - forgot to add my .02

Bev - you'd do your husband more good knocking on doors too

Bill - I'm sorry, but you should have been more aware of the atrocities happening at Walter Reed - the mold, mildew, leaky roofs, dirty bed linens, shortage of medical care, rodents and bugs surrounding out proud Soldiers were just a tipping point. Our troops had better care in other nations than here at home.

But the fact that you were unaware that our proud, honest, patriotic and wounded soldiers were being charged for their calls home to talk to their Momma's and Dads, their wife, husband and/or their children - to feel a moment of peace and love - the fact that you didn't know many couldn't afford to call home - that YOU, as a Congressman allowed them to be charged is disgusting.

And yes, you are responsible for every single vote you ever made. I hold you accountable and responsible.

You failed our Vets - many more than you ever "saved" by "visiting" or inviting to your home for a dinner your wife/family cooked. What did you do?

What about those meals those proud soldiers were being charged for while undergoing treatment at Walter Reed!? YOU voted for those budget cuts, while at the same time voted FOR tax cuts for the richest in this nation. Where'd you think the money was going to come from? You? or maybe you thought Opie Putnam might throw in some of the millions he raised for his personal checking account while "serving" his constituents. Nope.

Bill Young is no real representative. You failed to represent our soldiers who had given so much in an invasion you voted for.

How do you sleep at night? How do you face the parents, children, spouses, siblings of those soldiers who come home .... in a casket? Or half of what they were before YOU sent them to "protect America"?

How do you sleep? How do you look at yourself in a mirror?
Goodbye Bill.

It refers to an amendment by Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan, which would have given the troops such a bonus. The measure failed by the narrowest possible margin on a mostly party-line vote Oct. 17, 2003.

Use the link below to see the vote.

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll554.xml

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll072.xml

Young voted against this bill.

It contained:
- $25,423,250,000 for medical services for veterans
- 3,558,150,000 for medical facilities for veterans

[AJS]

Sybil,

It's sad that you choose to comment on something you obviously know nothing about. You should do some research on the reason that Soldiers no longer have to pay for the meals you mentioned above.

Have you ever seen what happens when a member of Congress (or any other VIP) comes for a visit to any military facility or base? They take you to see what they want you to see and that is all.

Are you angry at Mr. Young because he could not miraculously see the things that were going on there when he was never shown them or told about them? The few cases of mistreatment he saw he took care of in a personal, responsible way. He knew nothing of the atrocities that were taking place there....if you knew anything about the military you would know that what happened there was a failure of the leadership at Walter Reed and nothing else. Commanders, First Sergeants, and Sergeant Majors failed to look out for their Soldiers, and that is their most sacred charge. I know a little something about that charge, you obviously do not.

I also know something about Mr. Young. He faces the "parents, children, spouses, and siblings of those soldiers" as a friend and comforter. Not as a politician who is looking to score cheap points through a robo-call. He is there for them in a personal capacity because he truly cares for their well-being. This is a sign of respect that you will never know.

Bill Young has stood next to our men and women in uniform in a way you could never understand. I know what it is like to come home from the battlefield without the friends that deployed with you. I also know what it is like to have someone look you in the eyes and truly be thankful for what we all have sacrificed. To listen to you as a friend and truly care about you. I know that because Bill Young did that very thing for me.

[TRUE BLUE]

The "HACK" has shown his true self. A lying, cheating ,cheap politico. Don't vote for "PORKER BILL" write in your favorite cartoon character. It would be better than any of these two.

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll082.xml

Young voted for H. Con. Res 95 in 2003.

This was a Budget Resolution with $14 billion over 10 years cut from veterans pension, compensation, education and other benefits, $14 billion veterans health care cut over 10 years, and imposes a $250 fee for enrollment in VA health care and a doubling of the drug co-payment for category 7 and 8 veterans.

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2002/roll473.xml

H J RES 124 in 2002 - Young voted against instructions to increase veterans healthcare.

[AJS]

Republican Veteran at 11:42,

Is it just the Republicans that voted in favor of war in Iraq that you have a problem with, or all members who did so? There are a large number of Democrats in that mix as well....

I am not the type of person that thinks Democrats are evil people who will destroy the military; but to say that the Republicans have done so is one-sided and ignorant.

The most devastating thing that could happen to our military would be defeat in Iraq. Victory is in our grasp and the commanders on the ground will decide when the Iraqi security forces are trained to the task of defending their own country. Then, and only then, will we leave Iraq responsibly. Even Mr. Obama knows that to be true.....hence he has changed his tone to one of reservation on the subject and the term "responsible withdrawal" has entered his lexicon.....

Mr. Hackworth would you have run for Congress if you would have had to resign from being mayor of Duneden?

Hackworth is not running for re-election as Mayor of Dunedin. That election will be held next year (at least two people are already running), so I'm not sure what your point is.

[AJS]

Sybil,

In case you can't find it....here is a little information on the misleading statement you made above about meals at Walter Reed. Mr. and Mrs. Young were taking care of Soldiers long before Obama knew Walter Reed even existed.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/289/

Contrary to what the mainstream liberal media have been saying, I think Bush has done a good job in difficult circumstances and Young has done the right thing by standing by Bush.

His policies have turned things around in Iraq and they will turn this economy around in time to re-elect President McCain four years from now.

Obama thinks he can buy this election with all his money - people will come around and vote to keep our country on course.

the economy stupid, belongs to Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats who took over Congress 4 years ago and have done absolutely nothing. That's who has had control and thats who needs to sit on the curb.

Inside track:
Youngs people did no such polling. The lying is getting deeper and deeper.

Whoever is suggesting Bev is on a blog is way out of line again. One of her sons has a very serious illness and about to undergo major surgery. You should be ashamed that you would say something like this when her child is sick.

Sybil: You are not very informed. Those meals the soldiers were being charged while they were hospitalized was changed because of Bill Young. Only Bill Young. It took an act of Congress to change that, and guess who did it? Yeah, Bill Young. Lady, you don't have a damn clue about what you are talking or bit**ing about. So why don't you shut up until you research and know what you are saying.

Susans out knocking on doors looking for a cocktail party to attend. Wake up.

Thats not what the Stupak Ammendment said. After you learn to read, try a class in comprehension. You are way off.

Why not. The St. pete times takes pleasure in attacking Bevs sons. I am sure they will find out what is wrong with her son and and they will twist it to make it Youngs fault somehow.

I agree with 4:45 and Sybil, I hope you are not a parent or a parent with a child with a life threatening situation. Either that or your just a cold callous bich.