Some Veterans Standing By Blumenthal

[sabra]

Source: Hartford Courant

The commander of Connecticut's Veterans of Foreign Wars called Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's claims to have served in Vietnam "outrageous." But most rank-and-file veterans across the state said Tuesday that they are standing behind a politician who has made appearances at military events a bulwark of his career.

"Up until now, I know he has been a good friend of veterans," said Larry Santamaria, a Vietnam veteran who is commander of the Edward A. Norton Post in Guilford.

And Larry Riley of Middletown, who served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam, said that he continues to support Blumenthal, attributing Tuesday's dust-up to the bruising environment of a political campaign.

"Out of all the candidates, he probably the best," Riley said. "I want to know what the man's going to do when he gets into office."

Many other veterans who said that they would continue to support Blumenthal alluded to the favorable impressions he has created over the years by supporting veterans groups. During appearances, these veterans said, the attorney general had usually been careful to point out that he served during Vietnam and was not a combatant in the war itself.

Alfred "Rusty" Meek and Jerry Blonigen, Vietnam veterans from Eastern Connecticut and leaders in the state's Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, both said they had heard Blumenthal speak several times. They said Blumenthal was always careful to say he was in the Reserves and did not go overseas.


Read more: http://www.courant.com/news/breaking/hc-hc-blumenthal-popular-reax-0519may19,0,293452.story

[SkyDaddy7]

1. I have no idea exactly what all was said...

But the only clip I have seen was him saying he served in Vietnam one time...If that is the case I am willing for it to be just a slip of the toungue. Especially considering what he has said in the past and the support he has given the veterans!

...To be honest I can't stand when politicians claim military service especially when it involves combat. However, I can see how he could have slipped up and said "served in Vietnam" when he meant "...while in Vietnam".

Seriously, the Republicans do this and more! They act and say they are for the Veterans but as we all saw from 2001 to 2006 the Republicans will throw our military into any conflict they can while cutting the budget for VA and sending them into combat without the proper protection! HUGE DIFFERENCE!

And still somehow the Republicans are still seen as freindly to the military?? WTF?

[OllieLotte]

2. People that are in a war remember it.

It was no slip. He was expecting to earn brownie points for serving in Viet Nam and was caught. The question is. Is important that he lied about serving in Viet Nam?

[Liberation Angel]

6. Yeah, he lied and active duty service members and veterans VOTE in Connecticut

The guy trying to primary against him is a VET and he opposes the Afghanistan war.

Merrit Alpert has a shot but he needs help. He could use some DU support on the boards and love.

www.merritforachange.com

[SkyDaddy7]

8. Well, if that is the case...

I wish we could replace him with another candidate...But from what I read that is a long shot.

[BonnieJW]

3. The lie was unforgivable; however,

Linda McMahon is the alternative and I think dems in CT would rather go to hell than have her as their senator. If that is Blumenthal's only defect, I say climb over it and get him to Washington. He's smart and one of us.

[Liberation Angel]

5. Alpert is viable candidate - a certified veteran, and anti-war activist

see my post and link below.

Alpert can win.

AND he is a veteran of the Bosnian conflict (he was a peacekeeper there)

[Liberation Angel]

4. Support Merrick Alpert to Primary (Al Gore staffer.antiwar Dem candidate)

He needs 15% of the delegates to force a primary.

With the backlash on Blumenthal the Lieberman protege is toast.

But Dems need the backbone to enact change. DUers can help:

http://merrickforachange.com/

[howaboutme]

7. It was a slip of the tongue by an elitist

who unlike 99% of Americans has never worked a day in his life at a real job making, planting or building something. His lifelong job has always been about being royalty and going to universities that are far too expensive for most Americans. I can't stand those who think America has become a country of the elite, the poor and a few middle class. He lied about an important aspect of America that many have truly sacrificed for, that those of his ilk rarely ever participate in. Few of these elite and neocons like Cheney, have ever been exposed to combat, but they want the political aura it provides. Fuck him whether he is Democrat or Republican.

[saigon68]

9. His lifelong job has always been about being royalty

well put