Iraq war vets enter US political fray (Reuters)

[Up2Late]

(I hope these guys do well.)

Iraq war vets enter US political fray

Fri Feb 3, 2006 03:17 PM ET

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats have enlisted special help in the battle for Congress from a small band of Iraq war veterans, hoping their military experience turns into campaign-trail credibility with voters. At least 10 veterans of the Iraq war are running for Congress, all but one as Democrats, in what amounts to an open challenge to both President George W. Bush's policies in Iraq and the traditional Republican advantage on national security issues.

The Iraq veterans, all political neophytes, say the call to arms in November's election is a natural extension of their military service. For many, it is also a direct result of their experiences in a war they now oppose. "The veterans who served in Iraq have a special voice and a responsibility to continue our public service," said Patrick Murphy, a lawyer and veteran of the Army's 82nd Airborne who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick in suburban Philadelphia.

"We've seen the truth and we're willing to stand up for it," Murphy told Reuters. "I have seen with my own eyes why we need a change in direction there, but when I came home I saw that it's not just about Iraq." Democrats believe the war veterans will be good messengers in an election year they hope focuses on the war in Iraq, Republican corruption scandals and sagging public confidence in Bush's leadership.

The Iraq veterans, part of a larger group of more than 50 military veterans running for Congress this year as Democrats, also could be an antidote to decades of Republican attacks on Democrats as weak on defense. "Their experience gives them instant credibility and the ability to break out and get their views heard," said Amy Walter, a House analyst with the Cook Political Report. "But it can be a double-edged sword if they get pigeonholed as one-issue candidates."

(more and page 2 at link below)

<http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=11095336&src=rss/politicsNews>

[elehhhhna]

1. Recd!!!!

[nookiemonster]

2. Outstanding! K&R

n/t

:)

[David Zephyr]

3. K&R

:thumbsup:

[drdtroit]

4. Memo from Karl Rove:

Paint them all as cowards. :sarcasm:
:patriot:

[Up2Late]

5. Anyone know who the others are? The article say...

"...more than 50 military veterans running for Congress this year as Democrats...."

And did everyone hear about the campaign in Pennsylvania? Activists are trying to completely replace the Pennsylvania House and Senate, they still need a few more candidates to run against some of the "Unopposed" candidates.

Penn. Legislators Who Granted Pay Raise Under Fire

Listen to this story...(at link above)
by Damon Boughamer

All Things Considered, January 31, 2006 · Last summer, the Pennsylvania
legislature granted itself a major pay increase. The middle-of-the-night
move spawned outrage, and eventually the raise was abolished. But the
anger that started with the raise has spawned a movement to unseat the
incumbents who approved it in the first place. Damon Boughamer of member
station WITF in Harrisburg, Penn., reports.


<http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5181073>

[BrotherBuzz]

15. 54 and Counting

http://www.bandofbrothers2006.org/candidates/

[Up2Late]

19. Thanks! Looks like a lot of great, people in that group!

Tammy Duckworth was interviewed on NPR a few months back, quite an amazing woman.

<http://www.duckworthforcongress.com/my_story.html>

An Amputee's Long Walk Back to Flight Duty

Listen to this story...(at link above)
by Joseph Shapiro

Morning Edition, March 18, 2005 · In November 2004, a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter Maj. Tammy Duckworth was piloting in Iraq. The grenade struck right near Duckworth's legs; both had to be amputated.

In civilian life, Duckworth manages programs for Rotary International and travels to Asia and around the world. When she joined the Illinois National Guard, she signed up to be a pilot because, she says, that's where a woman had the best chance to go into combat.

Despite her injury, Duckworth says she's determined to fly again.

"From the time I woke up, I knew I wanted to fly again," Duckworth says. "I knew I wanted to serve, finish my time in the military as a National Guardsman. And then also to get back in the cockpit. I want the decision to not fly or not serve to be mine and not the decision of the guy who fired the RPG at me."

But first she has to learn how to walk. NPR's Joseph Shapiro joined Duckworth in February as she took her first steps on her new prosthetic legs.

<http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4539763>

[BrotherBuzz]

21. Great group - my favorite is Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown is mounting a fight to take down Doolittle (CA4). I met him some months before he officially announced his bid and I was impressed with what he had to say. I live in a safe district near his so that's the race I'll be watching. Doolittle can be taken down!

Oh, and it will be hard to attack him on not supporting the troops because his son is wrapping up his third tour in Iraq.

[FlemingsGhost]

6. Yes ... political neophytes should bring power back to the Party.

The simply fact of having served in the military falls waaaaay short of a qualified candidate.

Shouldn't these folks be getting their feet wet in their state senates? Most, will likely lose. The winners will likely be chewed up and spit out, once in the Beltway.

[Up2Late]

7. kick n/t

:kick:

[alittlelark]

8. The first line in that article frames the debate against them.....

<snip "Democrats have enlisted special help in the battle for Congress from a small band of Iraq war veterans" >snip . They are saying that the 'evil' Dem's CONVINCED these candidates that they should run.

They are also 'saying' that <snip "Democrats believe the war veterans will be good messengers in an election year they hope focuses on the war in Iraq, Republican corruption scandals and sagging public confidence in Bush's leadership. >snip

Uhhhh, WHIch Democrat/s SAID that????


They are already framing the debate to say that these 'poor Iraq war veterans are just brainwashed dupes'.

The fact that the ones I know of came to candidacy by their own accord will be WASHED AWAY.


They are being pre-framed as 'DemocRAT Dupes'.

[alittlelark]

10. No one has said my argument against the article was right/wrong....

I see this 'pre-framing' as a big deal.


Anyone....anyone....?

[Up2Late]

14. I'm not sure what's going on, I think the Alito defeat has taken the...

...fight out of a lot of folks here. A lot of things I though would get big reactions got very little.

Personally, I think you are over reacting to what is written here, but you have the right to your own opinion.

We'll just have to wait and see.

[bvar22]

9. The Democrats WON....

The Democrats WON a World War
in less time than
the Republicans have been looking for Osama.

[Lochloosa]

11. Swift Boat these motherfuckers!

[BrotherBuzz]

16. The hell with Swiftboating - I'm with Adlai Stevenson

"I will make a bargain with the Republicans. If they will stop telling lies about Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them." -- Adlai Stevenson (1952)

[Olney Blue]

12. Welcome home, vets. We need you!

[Straight Shooter]

13. Being in a war tends to adjust one's perception of priorities.

I hope they run great campaigns and win. Too many chickenhawks are currently running the show. We need new blood, we need new ideas, we need the hope that these veterans will not be complacently taking the money and kissing a** to stay in power.

[genie_weenie]

17. Tammy Duckworth, Iraq War Vet

Tammy Duckworth is running for Congressman from Illinios 6th District. This is old Henry Hyde's District, who has stated he won't be seeking another term, it would be good to grab this seat...

http://www.duckworthforcongress.com/

[katinmn]

18. Many of these candidates seem progressive and have

a history of public service. Many denounce the elective, illegal war and call for an immediate pull-out.

With BushCo planning to put us into a permanent state of war, I think we need these men and women who know what war is really like to be calling "Game Over" on Capitol Hill.

I hope we see some coverage of their Feb. 8 conference.

[struggle4progress]

20. They better play hardball, cuz the Republicans will lie about them.

[psychopomp]

22. The race is on!

This is terrific news! Let's see the GOP'ers try to paint the Democrats with the "soft on defense" brush now!

Best of luck to all:toast: :bounce: