Martin O'Malley vows to clear military records of those discharged for being gay. [View all]
'Democratic candidate lays out most detailed plans yet for veterans, including an overhaul of the department’s health system.
Democratic presidential underdog Martin O’Malley will lay out his plan for veterans on Monday, the latest attempt by the former Maryland governor to boost his chances by emphasizing his policy bona fides.
O’Malley – who lags far behind both former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and Vermont senator Bernie Sanders in the polls – outlined plans to clear the service records of members of the US military who had been discharged for being gay, make it easier for veterans to get occupational licenses as well as to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs’ health system through technocratic computer programs that he pioneered in Maryland.
The former governor, who has emphasized his executive experience, also used the rollout to tout his accomplishments in the Old Line State, including signing legislation to give military families in-state tuition at Maryland public colleges and allowing veterans to get college credit for their service in the armed forces.
O’Malley is increasingly trying to differentiate himself from Sanders, who previously chaired the Senate committee on veterans affairs and emphasizes his commitment to veterans on the campaign trail. The former Maryland governor attacked Sanders on Friday for entertaining a primary challenge against Barack Obama in 2012.
Both Sanders and Clinton have made similar pledges to improve veterans affairs administration but O’Malley’s is the most detailed outline to come from any Democratic candidate so far this year. The Republican frontrunner Donald Trump laid out his plan for veterans in an event in Norfolk, Virginia earlier in November.'
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/09/martin-omalley-vows-to-clear-military-records-of-those-discharged-for-being-gay
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