MyDD :: How Republicans Treat Vets, How Democrats Treat Vets

How Republicans Treat Vets, How Democrats Treat Vets

by Jonathan Singer, Sat Nov 19, 2005 at 01:55:05 PM EST

Yesterday, during the House debate over whether to immediately withdraw from Iraq (which though billed as the "Murtha amendment" was notably not), Republicans offered an indication of their true feelings about the American military and its veterans.

The topic of the debate, and the short shrift it was given, were themselves indicative of the callousness with which the GOP treats the military. If Republicans actually wanted to shut down the real Murtha amendment, they would have held extended hearings featuring military experts and scheduled sufficient debate on the House floor to explain why its necessary to continue the war indefinitely. Instead, they offered minimal debate over a sham of a bill in an effort to reap short term partisan gain rather than improve American policy towards Iraq.

Just as Republicans' true motives about Iraq came to the fore yesterday, so too did the Republicans' real feelings about veterans. And no one better exemplified the malevolence that certain elements of the GOP has for veterans of the military than the most junior member of the House, Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH).

In the waning moments of the House debate yesterday, Schmidt reprised some of the tactics she used this summer in her special election against Paul Hackett. Think Progress has both the transcript and video of her comments, which were later withdrawn from the record.

Yesterday I stood at Arlington National Cemetery attending the funeral of a young marine in my district. He believed in what we were doing is the right thing and had the courage to lay his life on the line to do it. A few minutes ago I received a call from Colonel Danny Bubp, Ohio Representative from the 88th district in the House of Representatives. He asked me to send Congress a message: Stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message, that cowards cut and run, Marines never do. Danny and the rest of America and the world want the assurance from this body - that we will see this through. [emphasis original]

While some Republicans are willing to call a decorated Marine veteran like John Murtha a "coward," the Democrats have a different idea of how veterans should be treated: supporting their runs for Congress.

From today's House Race Hotline: "DCCC Exec Dir. John Lapp, in a chat 11/17, lists all the declared Dem candidates who are military veterans. They are:

Chris Carney (PA 10): LtComm in the U.S. Naval Reserve; from '03 to 8/04, served as Special Advisor to the Ass't Sec/Def for Special Ops; activated for Operation Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle
Andrew Duck (MD 06): Intel. Liaison Officer and Intel Staff Officer in Iraq; one of 17 children
Tim Dunn (NC 08): in U.S. Marine Corps Reserves; in '95, established his own law firm
Jay Fawcett (CO 05): Awarded Bronze Star after serving in first Gulf War
Steve Filson (CA 11): retired from Navy in '94
David Harris (TX 06): Deployed to Iraq in 2/03, spending 14 months there as a Logistics Officer. Now Ass't Prof. of Military Science at UT-Arlington.
Bryan Lentz (PA 07): commanded a civil affairs unit in Iraq responsible for reconstruction in Mosul
Eric Massa (NY 29): Served in Desert Storm, and as Spec. Ass't to Gen. Wesley Clark, served as staff on Armed Services Cmte.
Patrick Murphy (PA 08): Served in Iraq, awarded Bronze Star in 2/04
Joe Sulzer (OH 18): Vietnam veteran, and later mayor of Chillicothe, OH
Tim Walz (MN 01): A Command Sergeant; served overseas in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom
Mike Weaver (KY 02): Joined Navy at age of 17, served for 4 years

Already, 12 veterans have chosen to run for Congress on the Democratic ticket, not to mention the vast number of incumbent House members who defended their country in the military prior to their service in Congress. What's more, the party is trumpeting each of these candidates, regardless of their position towards the Iraq War. What a contrast to the Republicans' treatment of veterans.

Tags: House 2006 (all tags)

Permalink :: 12 Comments :: Post a Comment

Amen! (3.00 / 1)

Not one war was won by taking our troops and giving them the short end of the stick!

Best post of the day!

by turnerbroadcasting on Sat Nov 19, 2005 at 02:19:19 PM EST

Soldiers are not pawns (none / 0)

In some political game. They show tremendous courage and deserve equal respect. This administration just does not get it.

by leftofcenter on Sat Nov 19, 2005 at 04:24:52 PM EST

Re: Soldiers are not pawns (3.00 / 1)

Of course they don't get it. Just look at bush, who served his time in a bar, and the second in line-Mr. DICK "Deferment" Chaney. No, it's not necessary for a person to have military service to be a great leader. But, it's obvious from how these two numbskulls "participated" in seving their country, of their utter disdain for the military.

Memo to neocons: I respect your right to have an opinion, but I just don't want to hear it anymore.

by blogus on Sat Nov 19, 2005 at 05:58:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Soldiers are not pawns (none / 0)

So true. I must confess: I feel that my first reaction would be to try and dodge the draft too - I don't blame them for that.

But to turn around and send troops into battle, knowing that you were too chicken to go yourself, is totally inexcusable.

by leftofcenter on Sat Nov 19, 2005 at 10:11:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Add one more (none / 0)

Add Tom Kovach, (PA-18) to this list as he served in the Navy as a nuclear machinist mate in his youth, and is damn proud of his service on the USS Nimitz.

We have already spoken with the DCCC to have them include Tom on future Fighting Dem press events; it was an incidental oversight on their part.

by KovachforCongress on Sun Nov 20, 2005 at 10:22:52 AM EST

it's a lot more than 12 (3.00 / 1)

see this post.

Visit us at TexasKAOS, where we're taking Texas back!

by annatopia on Sun Nov 20, 2005 at 10:53:14 AM EST

Sadly, if the DCCC has already decided to support (none / 0)

THESE candidates, then they may be undercutting the local parties. In at least one instance that I know of.

You should probably mention that there are other challengers in some of these districts. In the case I know of, the person on your list has some issues, and they entered the race long after the established local candidate (who is very progressive) had announced. So, it is not all sweetness and light, what the DCCC is doing.

That said, overall they are probably doing a good thing. I guess you have to break some eggs if you want to make an omelot. I just don't like what I see breaking in this case. Oh well.

by MH in PA on Sun Nov 20, 2005 at 05:55:22 PM EST

Re: Sadly, if the DCCC has already decided to supp (none / 0)

Cutting through the code words...

Bryan Lentz is a much stronger candidate than Paul Scoles. Paul's a good guy, and a true progressive.

He also WAAAAAAAAAAAY underperformed the ticket last year.

I know he got 41%, but that's still embarassingly low when Kerry got 55% district-wide. 41% is below the Dem floor in that district.

by Blue Goose on Mon Nov 21, 2005 at 05:24:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Ha ha ha (1.00 / 1)

Do you even KNow who John Murtha is He is the most Conservative Democrat you would ever meet. HE is pro-life and Pro-Gun he's not a Blue dog Dem he's a Red Dog Dem. This is just so funny. This is they type of Democrat you scream at me for supporting. The only reason he holds this seat is because he is a red Dog Democrat.

by orin76 on Sun Nov 20, 2005 at 08:21:54 PM EST

Re: Ha ha ha (none / 0)

Murtha's a good Dem. A little conservative on some of the issues (more so than I'd like).

Endorsed Dean
Called for Iraq withdrawal.

Solid D.

by Blue Goose on Mon Nov 21, 2005 at 05:22:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ha ha ha (1.00 / 1)

yep complete hypocrisy

by orin76 on Mon Nov 21, 2005 at 10:33:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

So's Tim Dunn (none / 0)

Pro-war and PRO-LIFE. At least that's what Dunn told the Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County (before never being heard from again).

This is a disaster in the making. What moron recruited this republican to run as a democrat?

by RANT on Sun Dec 11, 2005 at 03:11:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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