Little Rock - Clark Communications Director Matt Bennett issued the following statement in response to the Edwards Campaign:

"With his vote against protecting veterans' benefits and now with his campaign's flailing response, John Edwards has proven yet again that he is the product of Washington - a place where you can make bad decisions one day and run away from them later.

"But now John Edwards is seeking the presidency - a job that demands real accountability. In this race, Senator Edwards can run, but he can't hide from his earlier refusal to protect veterans. The facts are clear: every other Senate Democrat voted to stop cuts to veterans' programs by closing corporate loopholes. (See quotes below.)

"Clearly, John Edwards believed across the board cuts were preferable to closing corporate loopholes. Now he and his campaign should take responsibility for his actions instead of peddling the same old Washington excuses."

On October 6, 1999, John Edwards Was the Only Democrat to Vote Against Closing Corporate Loopholes to Prevent VA Cuts. Here's what some other Democrats had to say about the 1999 vote:

The sponsor of the amendment, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), said the amendment was necessary to prevent "a meat ax approach to governing," and underlying legislation that "cut indiscriminately." He also said: "We all know the military is having a problem recruiting new members and getting new recruits to join branches. Would we want to discourage that effort even though we are having a problem filling those important positions that we must have to protect ourselves? I think not."

Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) said the amendment was necessary to "provide for the basics of this country - the national defense, to make sure the men and women in uniform are treated humanely and they have not only good assignments but are adequately compensated for the service they give to our country.... I sincerely hope this idea of an across-the-board cut is rejected."