Originally Posted by RWE

tadpole you forgot

"The White House parries the charge by pointing to pay raises for the troops of more than 15 percent under Bush, privatizing of troops' housing, and large increases in defense spending -- all resulting in record retention rates in the military. Bush aides also counter that the president proposed the largest-ever increase in discretionary spending for the Veterans Administration in his 2004 budget.

"The commander in chief has restored respect, pride, pay, training and the quality of life for our active-duty military and veterans," said Trent Duffy, spokesman for Bush's Office of Management and Budget. "His special bond with our troops only grows stronger by shallow attempts to weaken it." "

from your source ("Support for Troops Questioned," Washington Post, June 17, 2003)

also what about clinton? "Over eight years, OMB's Duffy said, the Clinton administration proposed cutting a total of $100 million in such funds"