Former Air Force chief backs Dean candidacy

[depakid]

Retired Gen. Merrill "Tony" McPeak of Lake Oswego helps bolster the presidential hopeful's military credentials.

Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian

Retired Gen. Merrill "Tony" McPeak, the former Air Force chief of staff who endorsed George W. Bush in 2000, has left the Republican fold and is backing Democrat Howard Dean in the 2004 race for president.

McPeak, who lives in Lake Oswego, joins a small but growing list of top military veterans who have parted ways with the president at least partly because of the war in Iraq. McPeak's decision could be an important boost for Dean because critics have accused the former Vermont governor of lacking the experience and knowledge needed to be the nation's commander-in-chief.

On Monday, Dean also picked up the endorsement of U.S. Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., during an event sponsored by the Asian American Action Fund, a Democratic political action committee.

McPeak, who headed the Air Force during the Persian Gulf War in 1991, criticized the Bush administration's policy toward Iraq before the invasion in March. He also said he has become disenchanted with the president's economic policies.

<snip>

Dick Klass, a retired Air Force colonel from Virginia who is working with Dean's campaign to attract former military officers, said endorsements from McPeak and other veterans could play an important role in the race.

"This is basically an exercise to let people know that Dean isn't a wild, lefty, antimilitary" person, said Klass, adding that he wouldn't be surprised to face such attacks from Republicans if Dean becomes the Democratic nominee.

Klass also said the endorsement might help in the primary, since retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, the former military commander of NATO, has become one of the nine candidates in the Democratic race

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[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Oh this is telling folsk

General and Flag officers shoping this early... and giving the
rank and file permision to do such

Yep the miliary vote is now fully IN PLAY.

Oh and changed his registration from Republican to Independent... that is very telling

[TLM]

2. Sweet.... great way for Dean to get military support

without having to try to out militarize the right wingers.