Six Democratic War Vets Seek House Seats - Guardian/AP

[rndmprsn]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5319984,00.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - 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...

..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.''

[Stinky The Clown]

1. The military image plays well these days.

The average voter doesn't know the issues. They know impressions.

A former military person - who looks and acts it - leaves a particular impression.

Imagine the power of a military guy with a populist message. Look at Paul Hackett's campaign. In your face against the Republicans and won (but got cheated) a race in a Republican stronghold.

There's a reason that happened.

Image and impressions.