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* Some people play their politics by attempting to turn their opponents’ strongest attributes into their biggest liabilities. And some folks are more successful at this little game than others.
It remains to be seen whether Congressman Joe Walsh will succeed in turning Tammy Duckworth’s military heroism into a liability, but it doesn’t look likely, mainly because Walsh just isn’t all that credible on anything.
If you missed this story during my vacation, here’s how it all started…
Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.), locked in an election battle with Democrat Tammy Duckworth — who lost both legs and partial use of her arm in Iraq — said she talks too much about her military service, something “true heroes” don’t do.
Walsh’s comment — especially coming before the Fourth of July — touched off a firestorm on Tuesday that spread beyond the 8th Congressional District in the northwest suburbs, where the two are running.
“Now I’m running against a woman who, I mean, my God, that’s all she talks about. Our true heroes, the men and women who served us, it’s the last thing in the world they talk about. That’s why we’re so indebted and in awe of what they have done,” Walsh said.
Duckworth Campaign Manager Kaitlin Fahey, in a statement, said “Walsh’s comments insult those who sacrificed to make this country free. Tammy is proud of her over 20 years of service with the Army and her family’s legacy of fighting for this country. We can’t recognize our servicemen and women enough and ask that we keep them in our thoughts during this holiday week.”
Walsh issued a statement in reply on Tuesday — and did not back down on the point that he thinks Duckworth talks too much about her military service.
“Of course Tammy Duckworth is a hero,” Walsh said. “I have called her a hero hundreds of times in the past four months. Just like every man and woman who has worn the uniform, her service demands — demands — our utmost respect. That’s why I recognize our veterans at the beginning of every one of my public town halls. However, unlike most veterans I have had the honor to meet since my election to Congress, who rarely if ever talk about their service or the combat they’ve seen, that is darn near all of what Tammy Duckworth talks about.”
* Walsh also said last week that, unlike Duckworth, John McCain was very reluctant to use his military service to his own political advantage…
One of the first McCain TV ads of 2007 featured a young McCain being interviewed in a Hanoi prison.
Interviewer: How old are you?
John McCain: Thirty one.
Interviewer: What is your rank in the army?
McCain: Lt. Commander in the Navy. … hit by either missile or anti-aircraft fire, I’m not sure which. And the plane continued straight down and I ejected and broke my leg and both arms.
Interviewer: And your official number?
McCain: 624787
The viewer hears the announcer say, “One man sacrificed for his country.”
It led to another ad based on McCain’s favorite scripted debate sound-bite: “I was, I was tied up at the time.”
In mid-December 2007, McCain completely gave up on subtlety: “One night, after being mistreated as a POW, a guard loosened the ropes binding me, easing my pain. On Christmas, that same guard approached me, and without saying a word, he drew a cross in the sand. We stood wordlessly looking at the cross, remembering the true light of Christmas.”
In March 2008, the McCain campaign released its first national ad — one-fourth of which was interrogation footage taken while McCain was a prisoner of war.
And then in June 2008, in his first general-election ad, McCain told voters, “I was shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a POW. Some of the friends I served with never came home.”
* Then Walsh took heat for his subsequent CNN appearance…
When Rep. Joe Walsh looks back on his brief and inglorious career in Congress, he will have many moments to blame for his demise, but none more colorful than Thursday afternoon, when he managed to utter the word “Ashleigh” 91 times over the course of a 12-minute interview.
Oh, c’mon. He’s not gonna blame himself for anything. The guy is a professional victim…
In response to the Democratic criticism, Walsh issued a statement calling the controversy a “political ploy to distort my words and distract voters.”
And not only that, but his interviewer was as vapid as they come…
His Fox News interviewer was just as goofy…
“She’s a hero with whom you disagree,” Ingraham said helpfully. “…Most disabled people that I know just want to be treated like everybody else and they don’t want to be babied.”
Geez, I hate cable TV newsies.
* And Duckworth went over the top as well…
“He really disrespected 23 million veterans across this nation with those comments,” Duckworth told MSNBC’s Martin Bashir later on Tuesday. “Anyone who has worn the uniform of this great nation for a single day has done more for their nation than Joe Walsh has ever done.”
Oh, come on. Some guy in his first day of basic training has done more for the nation than Walsh? Look, I don’t agree with the guy and find him irritating, but, really, this “super citizen” stuff is getting outta hand here.
* And as far as military service goes, just about nobody in Illinois talks more about their service these days than Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Check out his website.
* To sum up, Walsh’s claim against Duckworth is nothing more than a phony, hyperpartisan DC issue. Duckworth’s response was way over the top. Just another day on the campaign trail.
* Related…
* Joe Walsh’s words reap big cash for Tammy Duckworth: While the email didn’t specifically ask for donations, it so far has brought in more than $85,000, this at a time when “only a couple of thousand” normally would have been expected, according to a Duckworth spokeswoman.
* Walsh, Duckworth say they’ll debate on CNN
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 12:27 pm
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Scarlett O’Hara never said “Ashleigh, Ashleigh, Ashleigh” 91 times. And that flick’s nearly four hours long.
How weird can it get by November.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 12:34 pm
I’ve never seen a movement discredit itself as fast as the tea party has. It’s approval rating is much lower than Obama’s or Romney’s. Walsh is the only candidate who embraces the tea party label and he’s going to lose miserably. Good riddance.
fyi tea partiers, politics is about a lot more than calling each other “patriots” on facebook.
Comment by too obvious Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 12:52 pm
“Some guy in his first day of basic training has done more for the nation than Walsh?”
While I agree that serving in the military does not automatically equal “Super Citizen!”, the answer to this particular question is yes.
Comment by Northsider Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 12:59 pm
We are deeply surprised that Gags Brady has not issued a release blaming Speaker Madigan for forcing DeadbeatJoe on the GOP. Perhaps Gags is out of paper.
What is nice is that this troll’s comments had just about run out of steam and now folks are back in the saddle and Capt Fax rides to the rescue.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 1:06 pm
One thing you never do as a candidate is criticize any veteran on their service; especially one who’s made the physical sacrifices Duckworth has. He was still making the same criticisms during the July 4th parade. All he did was anger other veterans who were quick to protest the squawking of a “chickenhawk” who’s never served.
He may have raised money with his usual ploy to attract media attention, but he lost any respect he may have left and quite a few votes.
Duckworth’s response was spot on.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 1:15 pm
Duckworth served for 20 years, and Walsh? Why does he seem to want to go down this alley?
Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 1:23 pm
When Walsh was first elected (and perhaps for his first year) he did a pretty good job handling televised media. He coasted right through a lot of difficult questions, and had a pretty good reputation among reporters as a pretty thoughtful–although very prevocative–interview. So what happened? I think he had reasonable control while debating issues in the abstract, but when it came to his own campaign his ability to govern the rhetoric went out the window. He might not have had a very easy campaign, but at least he had a chance to go out as a one-termer with some degree of pride in having pursued a particular vision. Now, I think he has ruined any distant chance of winning, and will go down as a goofball.
Comment by Chad Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 1:31 pm
Picking a fight during 4th of July week with a grieviously wounded female veteran over her military service has to be the stupidest move ever, and that’s obviously saying a lot in IL.
Yeah, Joe Walsh is a real Patriot.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 1:58 pm
‘Look, I don’t agree with [Joe Walsh] and find him irritating, but, really, this “super citizen” stuff is getting outta hand here.’
This veteran agrees with Rich 100%.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 1:58 pm
This is the same GOP who called Max Cleland a traitor, so it’s hardly a surprise they’d go after Duckworth.
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 2:13 pm
I feel sorry for the residents of the 8th having to decide between these two candidates to represent them in Washington. It is obvious Joe marches to the beat of his own drummer. He seems to listen to and take advice from no one. Like it or not, you always know where he stands but his grandstanding embarrasses many Repubs.
I gave her the benefit of doubt last time because I thought Tammy, as a novice pol, got some bad strategy advice in her first run. But it appears she is both getting-and taking- bad advice this time, too. Ask random people in the 8th what she stands for and what she will do for them in Washington, and they can’t tell you. That is not the voters’ fault. That is her weakness (both times) and her campaign’s fault.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 2:15 pm
Responsa, you’re right. Walsh is too full of himself to realize there really is a pretty darned good case to make against Duckworth who-and he’s right here-is basically more of a really really bad springfield and obama status quo.
It’s worth pointing out in their initial debate-the tribune and greg hinz-not exactly his biggest fans, thought he got the best of her. When you take away the axelrod packaging she’s not a very confident debater or politician.
Comment by Shore Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 2:36 pm
Is Joe Walsh listed as paid staff for the Duckworth campaign? Or is he simply a volunteer…
Comment by soccermom Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 2:43 pm
Word: Great comment. LOL
Comment by mark walker Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 2:45 pm
===Ask random people in the 8th what she stands for and what she will do for them in Washington, and they can’t tell you.===
Not sure they could answer that about most congressmen.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 2:45 pm
“Oh, come on. Some guy in his first day of basic training has done more for the nation than Walsh?”
Sorry, but let’s see.
If “Some guy in his first day of basic training…”
They already made a multi-year commitment for their country; and these days, understanding that they might be deployed and come back disabled or DOA.
Just sayin’.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 2:56 pm
Are you actually criticizing Kinzinger for talking about his military service? You’re no better than Walsh. How much time have you dedicated to serving your country?
Comment by Mike Marino Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 3:57 pm
===Are you actually criticizing Kinzinger for talking about his military service? You’re no better than Walsh. How much time have you dedicated to serving your country?
Take the specific language used above by Rich and let us who can actually read know what you think is a criticism of Kinzinger’s service. It should be an amusing exercise.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 4:57 pm
Joe’s 15 minutes of fame is over.
Comment by mokenavince Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 8:10 pm
found this on facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VeteransForJoeWalsh
Comment by Allen Skillicorn Monday, Jul 9, 12 @ 9:04 pm
It worked form some people when the GOP criticized Kerry for his service so Walsh decided he’d try it too.
Big difference Mr Walsh:
It’s more recent service;
She was brutally maimed while in service;
We are more patriotic about the current wars than we were about Viet Nam; and
Viet Nam was a long time ago.
Comment by Belle Tuesday, Jul 10, 12 @ 8:04 am
Bad move by Walsh, but I can see his issue. All they did was talk about her helicopter crash during he rinitial campaign. They seemingly failed to mention that she was an executive with Rotary, which could be useful information to know. Walsh, I get it, but this is a no win situation for you. He won’t shut up, just move along.
Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Jul 10, 12 @ 9:51 am
Walsh believes that he and his supporters are the true patriots. Please don’t confuse them with veteran’s who have given life or limb.
Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Tuesday, Jul 10, 12 @ 11:28 am
It was collossally dumb of a candidate never in the military to criticize a military member candidate who was in a war zone and sacrificed as Duckworth did. He really should stick with making the case against her being in Congress based on the issues. McCain may have been a hero, but he’s a terrible senator on many issues (and a lousy pres candidate in 08.)
Comment by Southern Peggy R Tuesday, Jul 10, 12 @ 12:53 pm