MyDD :: Continuing the fight...

Continuing the fight...

by Paul Hackett, Tue Feb 28, 2006 at 06:10:59 PM EST

I sent the following email out today and wanted to make sure you all had an opportunity to see it. IAVA PAC is a great organization with a great mission. I hope you'll recommend this post so others can see it.

Since I left the Senate race in Ohio I have been overwhelmed by the phone calls, e-mails, and letters of support. On behalf of myself and my entire campaign, I want to thank all of you who have passed on your thoughts and encouragement.

http://www.iavapac.org

Though I am no longer a candidate for elected office, I intend to continue in the fight I began when I returned from serving with my fellow Marines in Iraq; the fight to bring our troops home as quickly and safely as possible.

Read more after the jump...

This past week I announced that I've joined the Board of Advisors of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Political Action Committee (IAVA PAC). The PAC exists exclusively to help other Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans seeking to continue their service through elected office. It is the only PAC headed by a fellow Iraq war Veteran, Jon Soltz.

I've joined with IAVA PAC because of the hope other Iraq and Afghanistan Vets running for office represent. Currently, not one person in Congress debating this war has served in it. The result has been a total lack of credibility on the issue to challenge the President. The war in Iraq affects all aspects of American life - from the economy to energy policy to our readiness to handle disasters like Hurricane Katrina or, God forbid, another terrorist attack. Only by charting a course for victory in Iraq that includes metrics for success that are tied to eventual drawdowns can we begin to adequately address the multitude of other issues facing our nation. That simply won't happen until Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans serve in the halls of power.

http://www.iavapac.org

I hope that you too will stand and fight with these veterans and help them continue to serve their country. Please sign up today.

I learned in my campaign for the House and Senate that the transition from the military to politics isn't an easy one. First, you need money. A lot of it. Many of the candidates running were too busy fighting a war to set up the necessary donor base. Because these candidates have not had public careers, they are largely unknown, and must establish themselves as serious candidates against career politicians. We're going to help them do that.

We're going to help fill the gaps and here's how it's going to happen.

First, we are going help these candidates get the early institutional and financial support that they need to be viable.

http://www.iavapac.org

Second, we are going to take to the airwaves early, both nationally and in these candidate's districts to raise the profiles of the veterans running for Congress.

Third, we're going to talk about issues the right way, and we're going to go after those politicians who voted for the war but against the troops. We will actively take the fight to any politician who voted for the war, but against health care for Guardsmen and Reservists, against increased Veterans Affairs funding, or against pay raises for the military.

I learned a lot during my ten month foray in electoral politics. Rather than retreat in defeat, I am committed to taking those lessons learned and applying them in a positive way to help the others who are in the same shoes I was in. Join me in this fight, and together, we will win it.

http://www.iavapac.org

Rock on.

Tags: Paul Hackett, Iraq, Vets, Fighting Dems (all tags)

Permalink :: 1 Comment :: Post a Comment

Veterans PAC (none / 0)

I support your desire to see Afghanistan and Iraq War Veterans receive better representation from Congress especially if they can unseat politicians who meet the criteria in your third point:

Third, we're going to talk about issues the right way, and we're going to go after those politicians who voted for the war but against the troops. We will actively take the fight to any politician who voted for the war, but against health care for Guardsmen and Reservists, against increased Veterans Affairs funding, or against pay raises for the military.

By unbinding yourself from the Democratic Party you will have more freedom to go after politicians who talk war but want to pinch pennies when it comes to providing for those who actually serve in the war. I'd expect to find most such politicians in the Republican Party but some Democrats also have played that game.

One question most potential supporters will want answered is whether you will be helping Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans to run as Republicans. The narrowness of focus of IAVA PAC (special interest group for veterans) unfortunately means that you will sometimes work at cross-purposes with both the Democratic Party and also with progressive principles. Your diary does not mention whether you will be supporting all Iraq and Afghanistan vets to run or whether you will be restricting your support to progressive or Democratic candidates only. Looking on the IAVA PAC site for which you provided a link your criteria can be found:

-- Candidates must sign an endorsement of the PAC's list of policy objectives, which are:

Demand from the administration a victory strategy for Iraq that includes hard success metrics which trigger American troop drawdowns so our forces can safely re-deploy from theater.

Mandatory full funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Thorough investigation of the failure to provide adequate armor for our soldiers, and that those responsible are held accountable.

An increase in the size of the active component army by eight units of action (brigades) and doubling the size of our Special Forces units in order to help relieve our over-extended army. (NOTE: This is not an increase in the number of troops currently deployed in Iraq).

Guaranteeing the exhaustion of diplomacy options by the President prior to approval for military conflict.

TRICARE (health care) for all members of the National Guard and Reserve and their families. As of July 2004, 20% of National Guardsmen lacked healthcare. Currently, Guardsmen and Reservists can buy into TRICARE if they are unemployed or are not covered by their employer. IAVA PAC supports extending TRICARE coverage to all Guardsmen and Reservists.

Lowering the retirement age for members of the National Guard and Reserve from 60 to 55.

An immediate 5% pay increase for our Armed Forces.

IAVA PAC will not consider party affiliation in the endorsement process.

While I support those policy objectives I can't support your PAC at this time. We have Republicans with the Presidency, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. We have attacks by the Republican Party on many other progressive concerns beyond just the Iraq War. Republicans are using their control of Washington to indulge in personal corruption and are raiding our treasury. In ordinary times I'd have no qualms with people who would support candidates based on a single-issue such as the Iraq War but in these times I'd urge progressives and Democrats to send their money elsewhere.

I wish you luck but hope that for this election cycle that IAVA PAC focuses on electing veterans who will help to break the Republican monopoly on power in Washington.

by Curt Matlock on Wed Mar 01, 2006 at 12:36:20 PM EST

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