During the Oct. 13 Democratic debates, the presidential candidates took on topics like health care reform and guns laws. One of the more hot button subjects covered was veterans' issues. Former Marine and Vietnam veteran Jim Webb and Bernie Sanders were especially focused on this area.
Debate moderator Anderson Cooper questioned Sanders on his avoidance of military service during the Vietnam War, but Sanders was quick to respond. According to Stars and Stripes, the candidate once worked with John McCain as chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee where the pair drafted the Veterans Choice, Access and Accountability Act of 2014. Sanders argued that his act had the most effect on improving veterans' health care than any act before it.
Webb worked hard to outshine Sanders in terms of veterans issues.
"In government service, I've fought and bled for our country in Vietnam as a Marine," Webb said. "I spent years as assistant secretary of defense, secretary of the Navy – in the Reagan administration."
Stars and Stripes also reported that Webb was one of the government officials responsible for resurrecting the GI Bill. While Webb and Sanders pushed to connect with veteran voters, other candidates remained silent on the issue. For example, Hillary Clinton never said the word "veteran" during the entire debate, according to The Washington Free Beacon.