On Iraq War Anniversary, First Lady Solicits Veterans to Campaign
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Chris Kleponis/Bloomberg via Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — First lady Michelle Obama, whose advocacy for veterans and their families has defined her tenure in the White House, is now appealing to the constituency for political support for a second Obama term.
In a new campaign Web video pegged to the one-year anniversary of the start of the Iraq War, Obama touts her husband’s “promises kept” to veterans and solicits new members to the group “Veterans and Military Families for Obama,” which is tasked with mobilizing voters and collecting campaign cash.
“Nine years later, we remember those who gave their lives and honor the sacrifice of all the brave women and men who served our country,” Obama says. “In 2008, Barack made a promise that as president he would bring the Iraq war to a responsible end. He kept his word.”
The first lady says President Obama has done “everything we can” to support veterans as they transition to civilian life, including boosting the Veterans Affairs budget, increasing access to health care, expanding job training programs and enacting new tax credits for businesses that hire wounded service members.
“I hope you’ll join me in standing up for all those who have served. Visit BarackObama.com/Veterans to get involved and to learn about all the ways your president is working to support veterans and military families,” she says.
Monday night the first lady will appear on Late Show with David Letterman to promote her Joining Forces initiative and her plans for its upcoming one-year anniversary in April.
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