Six Democratic War Vets Seek House Seats

[cal04]

Lawyer Patrick Murphy and five other veterans of the Iraq war are asking questions about President Bush's policies in Iraq as part of their broader Democratic campaigns to win congressional seats in next year's elections. Given their experience in Iraq, the six Democrats in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia say they are eminently qualified to pose the tough questions. Their reservations mirror public opinion, with an increasing number of Americans expressing concern about the mission and favoring a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops.

The most recent Associated Press-Ipsos poll showed only 37 percent of Americans approve of Bush's handling of Iraq, with 62 percent disapproving.
This summer, Democrat Paul Hackett, an Iraq war veteran, nearly defeated Republican Jean Schmidt in a special election in an Ohio district considered a GOP stronghold. Hackett focused on his wartime experience and his opposition to Bush's policies. On Monday, with support from Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and other party leaders, Hackett decided to seek a higher office, the Senate seat now held by two-term Republican Mike DeWine, said spokesman David Woodruff.

"Some guys don't think it's time to question our government, but the fact is I love my country," said Murphy, 31, who fought with the 82nd Airborne Division. "We need to have an exit strategy now." While fighting in Iraq, a private asked then-Capt. Murphy why U.S. forces were in the Persian Gulf nation and was told it didn't matter; there was a job to do and just try to return home safely. "That wasn't the time to question our government," Murphy recalled.

Murphy is challenging first-term Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, a Republican in the northern Philadelphia suburbs of the 8th District. Another Iraq war veteran, Texas Republican Van Taylor, is also running for a House seat, but he backs President Bush.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CONGRESS_WAR_VETERANS?SITE=1010WINS&SECTION=POLITICS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[rpannier]

1. If I was DeWine I'd be worried

I could see the pukes trying to de-rail Hackett in the primaries, because DeWine is a lightweight and could easily lose.

[Kolesar]

4. Paul Hackett has only run for office once. I hope he is up to the task

Ohio has such a dearth of Dem candidates that he may the the only choice, though.

[AtomicKitten]

2. Yeah, baby.

Just trying bring on the cheese, that weak-ass cheese about Dems being weak on defense. Bring it on chickenhawks. Paul Hackett will make you eat it.

[ellisonz]

3. If the DNC doesn't back these guys to the hilt...

...this party is dead.

[wakeme2008]

5. DNC is backing Hackett

:)

[ellisonz]

8. But what about these candidates?

[John Q. Citizen]

6. Oh, they will. As long as we support Dean and the DNC. Dean

definitely knows what's up and is our guy to cure the past problems with the DNC.

Welcome to DU, ellisonz ! !:-)

[ellisonz]

9. Thank you for your welcome.

I'm a proud veteran of the Dean campaign.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi ellisonz!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[ellisonz]

10. Thanks,

I'm enjoying DU already.