Deployed Troops Give to Obama Six Times as Much as McCain

This seems rather significant:

According to an analysis of campaign contributions by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, Democrat Barack Obama has received nearly six times as much money from troops deployed overseas at the time of their contributions than has Republican John McCain, and the fiercely anti-war Ron Paul, though he suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination months ago, has received more than four times McCain's haul.

Despite McCain's status as a decorated veteran and a historically Republican bent among the military, members of the armed services overall -- whether stationed overseas or at home -- are also favoring Obama with their campaign contributions in 2008, by a $55,000 margin. Although 59 percent of federal contributions by military personnel has gone to Republicans this cycle, of money from the military to the presumed presidential nominees, 57 percent has gone to Obama.

Update. Graphed here:
Information for the graph courtesy of Opensecrets.org. Designed by yours truly.

Slaughter's Statement on Sexual Assault

Rep. Louise Slaughter writes on HuffPo about the lack of cooperation from the DoD on sexual assault in the military:

Kaye Whitley, director of the Department's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, had been subpoenaed to testify at Thursday's hearing, but apparently Department of Defense officials instructed her to stay away from the hearing.

I am very disturbed by the DoD's resistance to Congressional oversight on sexual assault. The DoD's decision to keep Dr. Whitley from testifying undermines the progress the Pentagon has made in addressing sexual assault by suggesting that there is something to hide.

I reported on the hearing for RH Reality Check here.

Asking About 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Today the House Armed Services committee is taking the time to discuss 'don't ask, don't tell.' The policy that was enacted under Clinton has become less and less popular over the last 15 years. I have a piece up at Comment is Free about it today. Check it out.