VFW rescinds Boxer, Ron Klein endorsements

[Pirate Smile]

VFW rescinds Boxer, Ron Klein endorsementsDomenico Montanaro writes: It's not everyday this happens.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars have rescinded their endorsements of incumbent Democrats Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) because of outrage among its members for endorsing them.

Here's the VFW's spokesman: "This election cycle, I don't even think 'divisive' is a good word for it. It's not strong enough," Newberry said. "It stands to reason if that's the climate in the country, it's going to apply in this case."

AP:

Endorsements from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee have so enraged many VFW members that
its elected leaders have asked the PAC to immediately rescind all endorsements for next month's election. The PAC operates separately from the veterans group and bases its endorsements on how lawmakers voted on issues of importance to veterans and members of the military.

But hundreds of VFW members have been calling the national headquarters in recent days to complain, particularly about two races -- both featuring Democratic incumbents.

In one race, Sen. Barbara Boxer of California got the PAC's endorsement over Republican Carly Fiorina. In the other, Rep. Ron Klein of Florida got the endorsement over Republican and Iraq war veteran Allen West.

In calling on the PAC to rescind its endorsements, the VFW's commander in chief, Richard L. Eubank, and two other officers said that the endorsement process "unintentionally provided favoritism to the incumbents."

"It is now evident it was unfairly skewed," Eubank wrote in a letter published on the organization's website.

The VFW has about 1.2 million members, and the endorsement from its PAC is usually widely advertised by the candidates.

Jerry Newberry, the VFW's director of communications, said Wednesday that the group's national headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., receives complaints about endorsements every election. However, this year's outcry has been the strongest, said Newberry, because of the rising use of technology as well as growing partisanship.

"This election cycle, I don't even think 'divisive' is a good word for it. It's not strong enough," Newberry said. "It stands to reason if that's the climate in the country, it's going to apply in this case."

The PAC's criteria for endorsements require senators to vote in favor of the VFW's position on seven of nine measures that were approved in 2008 and 2009. Its criteria for House members require votes in favor of the VFW's position on 10 of 13.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/10/13/5285020-vfw-rescinds-boxer-ron-klein-endorsements

[Dawson Leery]

1. The VFW and "American" Legion are tools of the political right wing.

That is all they have ever been and all they will ever be.

[bluestateguy]

2. How courageous of them

I'm amused by these people who think that the NRA and VFW should just be functioning arms of the Republican Party, even when the Democrat in office is voting in accordance with what the group favors 90-100% of the time.

[atreides1]

4. That's the problem

The NRA, American Legion, and now the VFW are at the national level, nothing more then functioning arms of the Republican Party.

[kelly1mm]

9. The NRA endorsed over 50 house Democrats this election cycle. NT

[atreides1]

3. That's funny

I applauded that decision and i'm a Life Time member of the VFW. As far as I can see both the candidates met the standards.

A group with 1.2 million members, and "hundreds" of calls force them to rescind the endorsement?

[RockaFowler]

5. Such Crap

So they were for them before they were against them. I hate flip-floppers

[leftynyc]

6. Cowards

I'd call them something else if I was looking to insult cats.

[UTUSN]

7. K&R #4 for jerks. n/t

[glitch]

8. Too late! :)

We already know who you really really like. :P