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Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images
Congressional hopeful Tammy Duckworth arrives at a World War II Memorial ceremony to pay tribute to World War II veterans of the Pacific in this file photo on March 11, 2010 in Washington, DC.
There’s a proud tradition of service members and veterans of the military serving in Congress, but a new generation of political leaders, forged by tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, are poised to possibly join their ranks next year.
The 2012 elections could send as many as 20 veterans of those two wars to Washington. While they would join many other lawmakers in having a background in military service, these veterans are of a different class – both younger in age, and experienced in a new era of warfare. Two of those veterans, one soldier and one Marine, spoke to NBCPolitics.com about their journeys to the campaign trail.
“We think that citizens are looking for a new generation of leadership to take our country in a much better direction,” said Josh Mandel, a 30-year-old former Marine who was elected as Ohio’s state Treasurer in 2010.
Mandel, who served two tours in Iraq, is running for Senate against incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, and he’s viewed as one of the GOP’s rising stars. This is his first bid for national office, and has said his campaign’s main focus is on economic and job-related issues.
Jay Laprete / AP
Senate hopeful Josh Mandel, celebrates his win as the Ohio State Treasurer, in this file photo, with his wife Ilana on stage at the Ohio Republican Party celebration Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio.
But his campaign has taken every opportunity to remind voters of his two combat tours in Iraq. The campaign’s first TV ad, titled “Boots,” features multiple references to military service and includes a photograph of Mandel on duty in Iraq. At the end of the ad, Mandel is lacing a pair of combat boots while a narrator says "Washington is broken and needs new leaders. And this Marine is ready to answer the call."
Military service is just as much a part of Democrat Tammy Duckworth’s bid for a seat in Congress from Illinois.
A former combat aviator for the Army, Duckworth is a double amputee who lost both her legs and severely injured her right arm in 2004 when her helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents. She ran for Congress in 2006, but lost by less than three points to Republican Peter Roskam. Following that electoral defeat, Duckworth spent five years working for the Department of Veterans Affairs – first as director of the Illinois office, then as an assistant secretary of public and intergovernmental affairs in Washington. In 2011, she resigned to launch her campaign for the 8th congressional district in Illinois, which had been redrawn following the 2010 census.
Stan Honda / AFP/Getty Images
President Elect Barack Obama and Iraqi war veteran Tammy Duckworth, place a wreath at The Bronze Soldiers Memorial in this file photo, November 11, 2008 on the Lakefront in Chicago, Illinois.
“I would not have sought public office if I had not been wounded,” Duckworth said. She recounted meeting Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Barack Obama while she was recovering at Walter Reed Army Hospital. She said Obama, who at the time was serving on the Veterans Affairs Committee, “would come through and visit people in the hospital.” She added, “he would come through without a lot of fanfare because he was just a junior senator.” As a result of these meetings, she was urged to consider a career in politics. “It was Sen. Durbin who called and said ‘Barack and I have been talking and we really think you should consider running for office.” She said prior to being injured, she “ would not have had the bravery to do it.”
Both Mandel and Duckworth have enjoyed the support of influential figures in their respective parties. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Arizona Sen. John McCain, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio have either endorsed or campaigned for Mandel.
Recommended: GOP infighting gives Democrats hope of picking up Indiana Senate seat
Duckworth has attracted national attention since her entrance into politics and time spent at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Obama political organization strongly supported her during her primary battle this spring.
Combat veterans who exit the military and seek to enter the world of public service are afforded the unique opportunity to highlight their experience not only with other veterans, but also with other voters who might look toward candidates with a proven ability to lead under fire. It’s a quality of great political value as voters become hungry for leaders to help break through the partisan gridlock in Congress.
Both Mandel and Duckworth spoke about the maturity instilled by their experiences.
Mandel describes his deployments as a “maturing and eye-opening experience,” and added that they gave him a “renewed confidence in the next generation” of citizens. “By serving with so many young people with intelligence and talents far beyond my own I came home with a great optimism about where our country is going,” he said.
And Duckworth contends that her background primes her to work with other veterans in Congress, regardless of their party affiliation. “We’ve got to find something to reach out to one another, and if I can do it through BS-ing with someone about what a jerk my drill sergeant was, then that’s what I’m gonna do,” Duckworth said. “Or talking about not showering for weeks or what our favorite MREs [meals ready to eat] were and then talk about what we can do together and maybe co-author a bill.”
She added, “It’s probably sacrilegious of me to say that I want some Republicans to win, but I want some Republican Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to win. I’d like to win and I want to see them in Washington, and I want for us to work together just as that post-World War II [generation] worked together to try and do something.”
Both of them said they feel especially motivated to tackle issues like veterans’ health, but Duckworth and Mandel each acknowledged that the top issue for them – and most other campaigns this fall – is the economy.
Their experience allows them to speak with a degree of credibility on issues of importance to the military community, and also provides them with some political insulation, too.
Iraq War vet Tammy Duckworth is running against Tea Party Republican Joe Walsh in Illinois, She talks about the 2012 race, President Obama and the Republican party.
Duckworth’s Republican opponent in November, Rep. Joe Walsh, faced a serious backlash after questioning her military service. “What else has she done? Female, wounded veteran … ehhh, she is nothing more than a handpicked Washington bureaucrat,” Walsh was quoted as saying by POLITICO.
She said the comments are more than simply a personal attack. “I think he’s really dismissed the service of the 24 million veterans in this nation, and that’s a really disturbing thing for a sitting congressman to say. Anybody who has served their country in uniform, whether or not they gave their legs, has done a whole hell of a lot for their country.”
Mandel’s time as a Marine has also helped him fend off Democratic attacks about his relative inexperience in political office. “We think the code and the experience and integrity of veterans is something that Americans want in their leaders,” he said.
Duckworth echoed that sentiment, “Our men and women in uniform have guaranteed the quality of their work with their lives … . When my crew chief looked at me and said ‘Tammy I did the maintenance on this helicopter, and I did everything I was supposed to do’ and he handed me the keys … he guaranteed the quality of his work with his life.”
Leave a Comment:
Meet who will be my new representative come November!
Tammy Duckworth will handily defeat the deadbeat baby daddy Joe Walsh.
Which will leave more free time for ol' Joe to take his girlfriend on lavish exotic vacations, while neglecting his responsibilities as a father by not paying child support!
As per a discussion in the last article...
I wonder, does 'putting stock' = 'increasing defense spending but cutting VA medical spending'?
Tammy Duckworth yep she would be great, so would many honorable veterans.....
Anyone who listened to Limbaugh on Armed Forces Radio or draft dodging Nugent should be disqualified from any government service ---- Their minds have been twisted & it would take some serious psychological deprogramming to straighten those folks out & republicans are slashing veterans funding by 11 billion
Tammy Duckworth - 100% all the way.
Hey Feisty, The fact that I am too embarrassed to tell you who my Rep is, how did you get stuck with that @!$%#-wad, "Walsh"?
Tammy Duckworth - 2012 """Go Tammy"""
Actually he only become my rep due to redistricting. Prior to that Peter Roskam was my rep who barely beat Tammy in 2006. 51% vesus 49% in supposedly solid red DuPage county.
Another thing ol' Joe likes to crow about is; he was sent to Congress by a landslide when he only won by 296 votes against Melissa Bean in 2010.
Awww! Come on... spill the beans!
Feisty - The honoable, Trent Franks..LOL..I can hear you now, LYAO!!!
Have a drink on me at the"Dew Drop Inn"
Wow, Jim, do you want to say to hell with the entire constitution, or just the 1st Amendment? Limbaugh annually raises and contributes millions to the military and their families....what have you done for them lately?
Will all her voters be as classless as you?
I am having a hard time getting past the quote by Tammy Duckworth that she wouldn't have considered running for political office had she not been wounded in service......without explanation that would seem to indicate that government service is the choice of last resort when somebody hasn't any other prospects to consider. That seems just a sad way of going about it. Perhaps the article didn't give fair context to the quote, but based upon it, it really doesn't speak of high motivation to represent and make a difference.
Leave it to you to be negative!
Sue, maybe you should have read the whole article. Tammy says that her injuries gave her courage that she did not have before. This makes perfect sense - once people learn that they can survive and overcome situations that seem impossible, nothing seems that difficult.
Wow Feisty I had to vote you up on that! You go girl!! Go Tammy!! See I can go both ways ;) I firmly believe since we're still in war zones who better to lead than vets?
Go Tammy. I can't vote for you (don't live in Illinois) but you have my support.
Honest answer? Yes. My personal opinion we can cut military spending all day long (mind you there IS a difference between military spending and defense spending) but what usually happens, is they cut spending for the troops themselves, they'll never stop making bullets or aircraft. (military spending = troops, defense spending bullets) Which one gets cut the most? Democrat or Republican they screw our troops before they stop the industrial military complex.
Me too! lol
Thanks Fitz - Tammy is truly a hero in my eyes! This women has given so much to her country, I think she will make an excellent representative for America!
On the flipside - I have NO idea what Joe Walsh has ever sacrificed for this country!
PS: Voted for you & TDub as well!
Joe Walsh is not playing with a full deck. . . .just the jokers. I wonder how he missed insulting her heritage as a Native American?
He not only launches verbal assault on the competition, he goes after voters in the 8th. Read about this whacko in the Northwest Herald.
Sue missed the part where she said she would have been too scared to run prior to her wounds. Sue, like most Republicans, only sees what fits her agenda.
I have immense respect for those who serve in the military, however, that service does not automatically mean they would make for a good member of Congress or the Senate. Many of these younger vets still have a very limited world view and lack the experience and wisdom needed to be a good legislator. This article and the comments above make it sound like it is sacrilege to question the fitness of a vet to serve in public office. This is an absurd notion. Just because someone served two tours as a Marine in Iraq or Afghanistan does not mean that they are automatically well qualified for public office. After all, isn't members of that same military that took pictures of themselves urinating on dead Taliban or posing with a company banner that used Nazi style SS runes for their unit insignia. While most in the military serve with honor, and these incidents may not represent the typical member of the military, military service is also not an automatic indicator that the person will make a good legislator. Members of the military represent a cross section of levels of intelligence, different political views, different aptitudes, etc. that you find in society. While having been in the military demonstrates a commitment to this country, it does not automatically demonstrate an ability to lead it. I do not really know anything about either of the candidates mentioned in this article, they may actually be good choice, but please do not try and tell me that the reason for this is only because they served their country in the military.
I like the ladies spunk. She has the right attitude, get the politics out of it and join with fellow veterans to make some real things happen. Fiesty may not be happy with some and I may not be happy with others but if it is progress (instead of congress), we will maybe start to become the same people again.
Jim, you made comment about Limbaugh but I share the same concern about Ms. Duckworth and Ed Schultz. What's the difference other than they each look in different directions, but they both talk out their backsides. I can't take either, too much wind.
Here to hoping the new recruits a less partisan than their predecessors.
JS this is my favorite quote from the article
Even though they're young, the experience of a war zone ages you immensely, I think both these people would be a wonderful change that our houses need.
Feisty- one of our young soldiers came home last night and surprised us, I was bawling like a baby when I saw him (we always adopt at least two soldiers for every deployment one girl one boy) It was a great night though I'm paying for it today (it's always the next day when I remember why I don't drink lol)
That is awesome news!
I don't care how many times I see the clips of Dad's coming home & surprising their kids - they never grow old & always turn on the tears!
LOL - We sure don't bounce back as quickly as we used to!
I actually have a video on youtube of my husband surprising our daughter, it even made it on the "coming home" show on TLC, it was SO hard for me to play it out without crying, I had to pretend my daughter was in trouble until she came to the door, I nodded in dad's direction and Kamryn lost it completely, no matter the fact I've bee the one that was there for everything Kamryn will always be daddy's girl, I'm including the video:
youtube.com/watch?v=N3HXjgwK_kI
I fully agree we do not bounce back like we did when we were younger! It hurts now.
OMG Fitz!
That is FANTASTIC & got me all misty!!!
It drives home just how much of a sacrifice the ENTIRE family makes for this country.
PS: Your daughter is beautiful & the hubby is not bad either! ☺
Lots of water, some Advil & a good nights sleep, you should be feeling good as new tomorrow!
I'm with JS on this one. I too have enormous respect for those who serve in the military, but what we need in a leader is someone with a broad background, who can consider all sides and make the best decision for the country. I think that having only military service does not prepare you for that. If there is other background there, then that could change that. My profession is finding people jobs. One of the biggest problems I have, is that most that come out of the military, as much as I'd like to help them, only have military experience and lack "real world experience." The military trains in a very specific way that the rest of the world doesn't train in, and the systems don't match. Life hopefully in this country is about more than fighting wars, although we certainly couldn't show that lately. We get so fixated on this "one saviour" thing. Having said that, we also need diversity in congress. God knows we don't have that now, or at least not in any meaningful way. However, it would be very challenging for me to vote with any confidence with someone who just had military experience.
I just hope that the new crop of honorable vets along with their first hand experience of how horrible war is can put an end to endless wars. I hope. Please do your best not to send the next generations and don't allow the industry lobby to change your honorable history.
JSinSD, wizzing on a dead Taliban, yeh, a bit much. The banner you speak of, Nazi sysbol, does not exist in the army. It was made up (special), it's a calling card. It'e the idea of PHYSIC your enamy out. It's like this, your squad met some enamy forces, there is a fire fight, the enamy soon leaves. they leave dead bodies behind and your groupe leaves an Ace of Spades on every dead body. They soon learn when they see the cards over time your the Bad A** they don't want to meet. Don't read anything into what the so called news media says. War is Hell end that is part of cambat.
Is Walsh playing with a full deck? Why would anyone attack a woman and a wounded veteran all in one breath?
Right out of Karl Rove's playbook...Swift Boat, anyone?
I agree that was a bad case of mouth diarrhea on his part.
One thing you should never attack in this country is our soldiers doing their jobs. I don't care if you opposed the war or not, that is a problem to take to the politicians. They are the ones that decide what wars we fight, not the soldiers. The soldiers serve with honor and integrity and should be respected for that at all times.
Hmmmmmm Was that always the opinion of democrat's ! I seem to remember otherwise.
Uh... NOPE!
Joe was running around town yammering how scared Tammy was to meet with him & constituents one Sunday, knowing full well she on duty with the National Guard.
He's a real piece of work that Joe is...
Remember, Dead-beat Dad Joe Walsh's screaming rant at patrons in a bar/restaurant? The guy has some serious anger issues not to mention that he's just a disrespectful, jerkwad.
Who can ever forget it?
Joe then tried to crab-walk it back that he had too much coffee - everytime he's on cable the spit is flying off his lips!
No, Joe is NOT playing with a full deck. He is an angry halfwit.
Ursula, I'm gonna tell you what you know. Some people are dumb.
No, Joe is NOT playing with a full deck. He is an angry halfwit
Kinda like Feisty. Tow that partisan line girl. I've seen many of your posts and you are a hard lefty that wouldn't know any other candidate unless a "D" is attached. Throw the hard right in the same boat as the rest of the halfwits.
Joe walsh is a nut job and was a serial child support dodger. He settled in the past month-admitting guilt.
Tax dodgers and child support dodgers-Republican Party 2012.
realist -
You forgot draft dodgers:
George W. Bush - daddy got him a posting with Texas Air National Guard during Viet Nam. He didn't even serve full term.
Dick Cheney - "I had other priorities in the '60s than military service."
Mitt Romney - although he organized against war protestors, he was just a "chicken Hawk", sitting out the Viet Nam war in a palace in France on a missionary assignment for the Mormon church.
How soon you forget...Charlie Rangel, Timothy Geitner, Warren Buffett - all tax dodgers!
Bill Clinton - CONVICTED draft dodger (received governor's pardon);
As far as Walsh/Duckworth are concerned, I have no dog in that hunt but I can tell you as a fellow veteran of the war in Iraq - she doesn't impress me one bit!
And how many of them started wars that killed thousands of American citizens?
Face it, the current crop of Republicans are all "chicken hawks": real willing to start a war that someone else will serve in but never having the balls to actually serve themselves!
Bush screwed up when he said mission accomplished after Saddam was ousted and continued to occupy Iraq and left office with a 22% approval rating. The deficit spending didn't help. A year after Bin Laden after was killed and mission accomplished, we are still occupying Afghanistan and the body bags continues to come home. And the deficit spending continues. I say the Obama experiment has failed.
Boy is that the understatement of the century.
They both screwed up and both deserve to be former presidents.
As much as I would like to see us out of Afghanistan right this moment. It is not as simple as picking up your ball and walking off the court. We have to find a way to leave the war that doesn't make it look like we are leaving with our tail between you legs. It has to at least look like we are leaving on our terms and not the enemies.
Amen! Road Warrior, Amen!
Iowa Guy, well said! It's not like packing a suitcase and heading out the door. We broke it, the least we can do is try to leave it somewhat stable. That said, being out of Afghanistan completely can't come soon enough.
Under Obama the military has killed far more senior Al-Q members than bush's full two terms. Including Bin Laden. The problem is that we shouldn't have gone into Iraq and stayed focused on the war in Afghanistan.
Ever hear of divide and conquer? Well, sadly, we did it to ourselves. We jeopardized the mission in Afghan, and still might fail because of an under thoughtful (putting it mildly) president pushing for Iraq and splitting our available resources. If we had spent what we have on Iraq on Afghan, things would be very different.
Like a Iowa said, we can't just pick up and leave. That would give a huge boost to our enemies around the world. It has to be on our terms, and the President is working to that goal.
Don't compare Afghanistan to South Korea.
South Korea is a huge global market force today. Afghanistan is a tribal nation that grows opium.
There are similarities between Korea, Viet Nam, and the present actions in the Middle East. The main focus was to have been establishing and maintaining a political stability which in turn would result in economic stability which would enhance everyone....In all cases, the economic aspect of these actions were cloaked in rhetoric about freedom and democracy, stopping communism, or dictatorship, human rights....and after an extended period, when it became apparent that these laudable causes were not being achieved, the American people became disallusioned with the program. That disallusionment, in turn, becomes easily converted into increased frustration with the government powers perceived to be pulling the strings, and therefore becomes a political club for the opposing party to bash the opponents with. Suddenly, the mood of the people is anti-war, anti-military, because the desired lofty goals are not happening despite the money and manpower being allotted. I don't know if the outcomes would have been different if the stated goals had been more pragmatic....like "we are protecting our markets and trading rights in this part of the world which means more GNP and more jobs for Americans" or if that could simply be spun out into American greed by the opposition party come election time when they claim to have the human rights of the world as their agenda. Guess it could go either way.
The problem is Sue, is that people in S Vietnam and S Korea were actually fighting for a democracy they wanted. The Afghans were at least content enough to not revolt against the Taliban.
Freedom earned is a lot sweeter than freedom given.
In addition, look at Iraq for example. We leave, and they just resume the tribal bloodsheds that have gone on for generations. We're going to see the same thing in Afghanistan. It's not our job to play 'World Police' and institute a way of life that the people clearly are not evolved enough for.
South Korea modernized in seemingly no time and is now an economic powerhouse. They wanted this way of life and they fought for it (with us). If we just handed it to them and they weren't ready, they would have deteriorated into North Korea (South).
IMO, South Korea could stand up to a full North onslaught. I served there 2 tours and have seen their (South) infrastructure grow.
What is needed is to put China's feet to the fire and have them stop supporting the North's totalitarian regime. They would have colapsed long ago without China's ongoing support.
Getting back to the original article, military or civil service should be a requirement for public office. All too often politicians don't have a clue what it is to struggle to make ends meet.
I'm sad Road warrior, there is no good candidate running for POTUS. It's Romney or Obama now. Two sides of the same coin, no matter how you spin it.
I agree with you, I really do. I'll have to split hairs to choose who to vote for and won't feel good about it either way.
Thankfully we have some good choices on the bottom of the ticket. :)
Oh no it really is that easy we marched in we can march right back out, I agree with you as far as the tail between our legs comment, but really who cares? A lot of us already feel as if our troops have died in vain, and I personally wouldn't have any less respect for them, I'm just tired of seeing our kids come home in flag draped coffins.
Ruken- the taliban isn't really the problem I mean they ARE but if they were occupying our house I'd be pissed and want them to leave too, Al-Queida is the problem, I think far too many people confuse the two as being one in the same.
@1sgfirz, what you say about AQ and Taliban is true, but when they are shooting at you, you don't see the difference. I also would like to add that when we leave Afganistan, they will be back in country and will take it over again. The whole idea is when we leave we leave for good. They are not ready yet. This is a hard pill to swallow but Americans just can't anything past 3-4 yrs. To these people 50 yrs is a short time. This will end up as another case of America only got the job half done again as usual. So condem me if you want, but it is true.
Interesting article. Our veterans deserve respect and who better to serve in Congress when the winds of war blow than those who have been there, who understand that such decisions should not be made lightly and who would be less likely to engage in "dumb wars".
It was also revealing to read Tammy Duckworth's comments about a junior Senator named Barack Obama who was visiting the wounded on a regular basis without fanfare and without notice by the media. I've read that VP Cheney never once went to Dover AFB to meet with the families of the dead soldiers who arrived home in caskets; it's my understand President Bush only went once; President Obama has been to Dover AFB often.
The GOP likes to claim patriotic superiority, tout their support for the military yet it has always been democrats and democratic presidents who pass and sign legislation to provide for our veterans. The GOP supports massive military and defense department spending but cuts benefits for the wounded warriors they so easily send to fight. We should not just value them for risking their lives, for fighting our wars, we must value and care for those who come home less than whole. That's the true measure of "supporting our troops", it has nothing to do with flag pins or stickers on cars.
So were you one of the people who thought that "Fahrenheit 911" was the best documentary ever? The film totally made many of OUR troops look stupid, unless they said something bad about the war. It made me cringe to see Mr. Moore treat our troops that way.
Just read the comments by the left and any reasonable person will see that the Republicans are patriotic and superior to the democrats. No Republican I ever met wanted to weaken the Country or the Defense of this country.
Gee, Atticus, I suggest you actually read what I wrote. Where did I say anything about Fahrenheit 911? Where did I disrespect our military? Bush and Cheney lied us into a "dumb war" but that statement does not mean I disrespect our troops or in any way disrespect their sacrifice. What I do not respect are politicians like Bush, Cheney, and friends who have so little regard for our military or for their sacrifice. If they did, they would have finished the Afghan war before heading off to start another. I also have no respect for people like you who try to change my comment into something it was not.
rukidding, then you know nothing of our history prior to Ronald Reagan.
Great post Jody,Iowa: Respect our veterans in all ways and help them when they get home. I am a proud democrat with a son who served in Dessert Storm, he too is a democrat. I hope more veterans who are qualified run for office, having said that, I will only vote democrat until the right wing knuckleheads are gone. I, nor my family will, sit back and let the rich old white man club take this country back to when women had no rights and blacks had to sit at the back of the bus. Hell No!!!! And this congress saying they want to help students but on the backs of there mom's is Shameful!
dlb98, well said and thank you. I feel the same about our troops and I also have no intention of ever voting for another republican and neither will anyone in my family.
As for BooYah, his comment to me sums up his character which is worth about a penny.
BooYah-We remember 11/2/10 and will not assume that nutjobs are harmless, ever again. We will turn out this time and end the Tea Bagger's short 2 year site seeing tour of Washington D.C.
Turn Out in '12.
So true, Jody.
Jody I agree with most of your post other than I feel the need to clarify that former President Clinton decimated our military when he was in office, so it's not just Republicans. Though I will say McCain has done the most damage when it comes to our vets and you'd think him being one would've created the opposite, I recent'y read an amazing book called "American Patriot: The life and wars of Colonel Bud Day" Colonel Day is from Iowa and was in the POW camp with McCain, Mr. Day has done amazing things to help our vets, even after McCain turned his back on him. I highly recommend the book.
How long has he had that "Big Stick"? And I agree (gasp) Rep. Walsh should be called on his callous remarks about an american hero. However as a divorced father (3 times) yea yea! I know that what it looks like to people on the outside of a support legal fight does not always reflect what battle is going on in court. Not saying he is right, just that there are two sides to every argument. In a court argument that I won, which made me look bad until that decision. I was paying in 1982 $1550 a month (child support) and your kids are in tattered torn clothes or just diapers a disagreement is reality. The best court appearance (Hartford Ct) was where we were arguing spousal support and my ex was weeping after it was proved she was spending the money on items that were not legal.....She blurted out....."what am I going to do"? The judge looked at her and said. " Mrs. _____— I suggest you find a job". YES!
Another dead-beat dad glad to get out of his responsibilities I see. Typical Republican.
Jolly-this post reveals so much about you. I'm sure the divorces were not your fault. The non-payment of support to your children was also your ex's fault.
You know better. You have to live with your mistakes. Learn from them.
Um Jolly obviously was not trying to get out of paying child support did y'all even read what he wrote?
Jolly my husband is going through the same thing right now, he pays his ex-wife 1356.00 a month for child support, (that she's not using for the kids) and now she's suing him for half of his military retirement (or at least for an E-7 at 20 years) which is another 1000.00 that will basically take more than half of his retirement, so he's asking the judge that if she gets half his retirement to lower his child support. I don't see it happening but at least he is trying.
Left or right, as long as they realize they are representing we the people, well then, I hope we replace all the extremists with these wonderful people who have given so much of their lives to the protection of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A injection of reality, here: our nation's lawmakers should, above all, be lawyers. Why? Because for the past 30 years, lobbyists, not Congress itself, have been writing all the laws-- which is why they're long, difficult, and so full of loopholes as to be meaningless.
I'd like to see legislation mandating that all members of Congress be admitted to the practice of law as a prerequisite to holding congressional office.
Our capable vets should be given free funding to attend law school before running for office--we owe them the education they need to serve at this high level.
Unfortunately, the Republican Party is trying to take away veterans' benefits, not increase them!
It's because of them all being lawyers that we have so many stupid laws that work against us. Lawyers are the arm pit of society.
I'm all for it. Veterans, Republicans or Democrats are courageous people who are public servants to start with. They have appreciation for the value of life and are well rounded individuals, most with a selfless attitude. Hopefully they are not angry traumatized individuals with PTSD, that would be my only concern.
The REPUBLICAN PARTY now has a bill before the REPUBLICAN Congress to destroy Veteran Benefits.
I am thinking that Veteran's benefits need to be completely evaluated and re-written. Alot of veteran's hospitals seem like second class facilities compared to their private and public funded neighbors. That is certainly not proper repayment for service given, lives lost, bodies damaged. I have visited folks in VA hospitals and while I am struck by the dedication of the staff, overall....it also seems that these facilities are dated, crowded, lacking in equipment and technology. Perhaps, instead of duplicating services in a Veteran's only hospital, veterans could receive a benefits card which would be usable at the hospital of their choice, near family and home (many veterans have to use facilities that are hours away from family and friends)...If we can give free, "state of the art" medical treatment to illegal aliens, then we should be able to manage the same quality at minimum for veterans.
Sue - You have no idea what you're spouting - my husband had eye surgery three months ago at Madigan - WA
Six opthamologists on staff and all wonderful
Madigan services 180,000 service men and women a year from all over the Pacific West
Walter Reed services 190,000 service men and women a year
There is even professional services for the children of currently serving members of the Armed Services at Madigan
And get off the "illegal alliens" BS before you post
And as far as State of the Art equipment none is finer than what I have witnessed
And one final note Susie - do you know what a paragragh is?
GOP rising stars are as temporary as a North Korean rocket launch.
Affinity that was excellent lol. I don't see how any vetrean can vote republican when they constantly talk about cutting benifits and services. I myself am a vet never saw combat was in navy did shore side US and served on cruiser in Japan so I'm not a combat vet but I've seen the way government contractors handle contracts and disrespect the government and the people I have no use for a political party that wants to privatize more of our military. So it hurts to see a vetrean a combat one at that who runs as a republican. I can't understand that at all given the way the republicans treat the military.
Great! as long as it is new blood kicking the current cheats and lairs to the curb regardless of party. How long could you keep your job if you could not produce a budget? Heck there should be a rule in place that cuts the budget by 10% across the board any time they fail to produce a budget which should get their attention.
Jeff,
Look at what you just wrote in post #12. Think about it and who that actually hurts............
Another piece in the plan put into place. No doubt the our corrupt two party one agenda system wants the military to become involved in their ugly plan. Look at s1867 hr347 and hr 645. These shiny new faces that show hope and fortitude will be pawns in the New World Order agenda. Good people who will be used to control Americans. I hope I am wrong
Walsh is a pig
These Veterans should become part of a third political Party that doesn't represent the corrupt Washington Establishment or their Elite financial supporters. A nice start for them would be pulling the plug on the Industrial Military Complex and the recalling all US military back to the USA.
Our military should not have to defend themselves in unwarranted wars from oppressive or tyrannical regimes...especially ones with 'Made in America' stamped on their foreheads.
OOORAH!!!!
Dem or Rep- it is more of the same with fresh faces- BFD. A 3rd party where new agendas can be made, is the way to go- and also a 4th and 5th parties. You can't trust the problem causers to fix the problem they created on purpose.
I agree they should run as Libertarians I think we're the only ones who can get along with both sides, we're against unconstitutional wars (democrats) and for fiscal spending (republicans) of course there's many more examples but a 3rd party would definitely make things better.
1SGFitzs: Instead of adopting a party that already exists (which, rightly or wrongly leaves a bad taste in the mouths of some folks), it would probably be better if it were a completely separate party.
There's no such thing as a non-party Annie, so until we have one it is what it is.
Wow, it was only a few years ago, the liberal left was saying that returning combat veterans were potential terrorists. Maybe if we had more combat vets in office, we would be in fewer wars around the globe. Nobody, knows better than they, the true cost of war. Good luck and god speed to all of the vets running for office.
...it was only a few years ago, the liberal left was saying that returning combat veterans were potential terrorists...
proof, please!
Pigotry
If this site does not allow the link, google what Napolitano had to say on homeland security about retruning combat veterans.
http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20100429210618160
Pigotry
Another link for you from a differant source. She did eventually apologize, but it was only because of the heat she took from the press and I imagine her superiors. None the less, she spoke her true feelings to begin with.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/16/napolitano-stands-rightwing-extremism/
A 30 year old senator? No thanks. Veteran or not, that is too young. Get some more life experience and try again when you're older.
Beer Mug
Older does not relate to smarter or more experience. Take for example a young college graduate from Harvard, who became a senator, who mostly voted present for his term and then became president. Now just what life experience did he have that made him so qualified.
a veteran who has seen combat more than once don't you think a war zone would age you immensely? We are now at a time in our country where we need younger fresher eyes, and not the same old status quo that has ruined us.
HOO-RAH! The times they are a changing! Yeah! Now, if we can just keep them from morphing into politicians. Let us pray, hard. Finally, good news. Hoo-rah!
Pigotry - government by pigs (in the majority of the US House)...
We need to replace that.
I'm wondering if Mandel was in a combat unit. Just by being in Iraq (doesn't matter how many tours) shouldn't be a door opener to neither Congress or Senate. There are many soldiers, very good ones, who served longer. Why wouldn't they be nominated?
So, I would put Mandel to debate Kissinger, who said that soldiers are like animals, and they don't deserve more attention. It would be interesting to see what the outcome of that debate would be.
Honestly, 2 tours in Iraq and 30 years of age make one be mature enough to lead a country??? I would say he can get a higher rank in the military and start teaching or training other soldiers on how to keep their limbs attached to their bodies (as he luckily did, and unfortunately Duckworth didn't).
What is the experience of this young guy? Where would be the more-value that he would bring into Congress?
Senate or Congress need very smart people, not just patriots. People with a lot of experience in economy, not just pulling triggers.
LM-2418400
I would welcome their experience over the experience that most in office have now and that is being experienced in turning their backs on the needs of the american people. I don't believe you are nominated to run for office, you have to be willing to step up and do that on your own. Whether the party backs you is another story. You say we don't need shooters, but before that wanted to know whether Mandel was in combat? Which is it that you do want? The willingness to volunteer for duty in a combat zone says a lot about a persons integrity. I would say personal integrity is something sorely needed in Washington these days. There are no front lines and rear areas these days, the whole country is a warzone. Maybe you never thought about it in these terms, but the military has every type of job, that civilian life has, they just don't wear three piece suits to work. They get a vast amount of job experience in the military and many these days are getting college degree's while in the military. It take both intelligence and motivation to do that and work through deployments too. When it comes to someone covering my six, I will choose a veteran everytime.
The article also says he was Secretary of the Treasury in Ohio. So he does have some experience with the economy. Personally I think Congress needs more young people in it. Maybe it would make the air around Capital Hill less stale.
I find it amusing when people bring up age, so you think these two people are too young, and Ron Paul is too old, what exactly is the "right age" ?
I have never in my life seen a bigger punk,who is in more dire need of a severe ass kicking,pollute the halls of Congress than Deadbeat Dad Joe Walsh.
Don't worry Joe...after your sorry ass is voted out come November I'm sure that Rush will be willing to take you on as his new fluff boy.
I'm all for vets in office. But I wouldn't vote for Mandel for all the tea in China. He's a self-serving, egomaniac who would sell his mother for a vote. He is a poor representative -- the exact opposite -- of what most vets stand for: truth, honesty, and service to others.
Why? Because he's a Republican? I would like to see both of these people voted in, our country needs younger faces, aren't we tired of the status quo yet?
DRWTSN-thank you for your insightful view of what Tammy Duckworth actually said.Rather than what someone else wanted it to say.
Jollyoldsoul-I'm a Democrat and have been for 41yrs.Served in Nam.Didn't like that war.I didn't like that war because it got too political.Things were done that weren't right but you do what you're told.Then we come home and were dishonored.That should never happen,we did what we thought was right at the time,for our country and brothers.That is all that should matter; fight for your country and your brothers.You don't know what you have until you see what life is like without it.
1 billion % agreed sir, I would like to take this opportunity (even though it should've come sooner) to say Thank you for your service, I wasn't born until August of 1975, but had I been old enough when y'all were returning home, I would've been in jail a lot for kicking the crap out of people who dared spit on/look down on/ and all the other @!$%#ty things people did to y'all.
These are the people that really deserve to sit in those seats in congress. Those who will not be persuaded by the greed of money, but by honor and sense of purpose from how far they have come, and those they have left behind who will never be forgotton.
I'd like to think you're right, but your feelings were only half-true with JFK, a vet, and they're not at all true for John Kerry, another vet. Kerry is motivated by unmitigated greed and personal ambition. He decries his own service to his country. I sincerely wish it were otherwise, but I'm afraid you might be too optimistic, Otto.
Considering that you don't know either of the individuals you mentioned,.. commenting on their "motivations", is a bit much...
Oh,.. the cubs have to be the biggest loser organization in pro sports... Any sport..
Just sayin'
Was that necessary?
CubsFan isn't completely wrong we saw it happen with John McCain too.
I have long had a problem with politician who found ways not to serve in the armed forces, obtaining Hi office, from senator to president. Then who were more than will to send our countrymen and women into harms way. Then take credit for their success and quickly jumping on the band wagon with condemnation when mistakes were made. Being a Veteran should be part of the new stander for hi office
So wrong Tex. Nothing against Vets but being one doesn't mean you are qualified to lead in a civilian environment. There are many ways of being a good citizen. In fact what really needs to be emphasized is the concept of citizenship. Vets deserve respect and care for thier service but they chose to do that, it doesn't mean that thier opinions or knowledge is better than anyone elses. And it is clear that the founding fathers intended our government to be a civilian one with civilian values not military ones. The military and the civilian government are two very different things, and rightfully so. Simply following orders doesn't cut in the real world, you have to question things, nothing is sacred. Having everyone marching to the same music is necessary in the military, but in politics it smacks of fascism. Eisenhower warned us against undue influence by the military. He knew it's values were not same as the democracy that it was fighting for.
We are a Marine Corp family, I love my husbands "brothers' they are noble, honorable and brave but there are very few I would consider voting for. We need a leader with diverse skills including finance and foreign policy . I personally would like to see someone run that has an agenda of supporting the right to privacy for the Average American citizen. I find that would be a difficult concept coming from the military wing. No more unauthorized wire taps, no more patriot act, no use of drones over U.S. soil. It needs to be beyond difficult to get phone, email and facebook records of a citizen. Our government is starting to work against us....when it should be a government BY the people and for the people.
I for one agree with you Tex, Mike most politicians aren't "civilians" anyway at least not in the way that you and I are civilians. The military are the true 1%'s
Kallie I can see where you're coming from but I have to disagree, what better person than a vet to lead based on the Constitution than one who swore to defend it? I know that our representatives now are supposed to be following that oath, and sadly they are not, but the few that are vets are the ONLY ones who actually do, with a few exceptions.
I am an Army veteran and also a veteran of tens years serving in my state's House of Representatives. Folks, we are talking about two different worlds!
I was pleased to have been called an effective legislator. What made me effective, if I was, was having served on my city's local planning commission and the City Council. I learned how to disagree without being disagreeable. I also learned that my opponent's position on an issue deserved the same respect from me as I expected from him.
But most importantly, I learned that I and my party leadership were not as smart as we sometimes believed. Listening, and I mean really listening, to the other side was almost always instructive.
Finally, I learned that members of the other party were not demons. We would often debate a bill on the floor of the House with all of our strength, and after the vote was taken, we would have lunch together. Too bad today's partisanship prevents one side from really getting to know the other side.
I wish all those veterans and non-veterans who are seeking public office good luck and hope you enjoy the learning experience as much as I did.