Is Richard Blumenthal's Vietnam Problem That Big of a Deal?

[erpowers]

My question is not about whether Blumenthal can win after the New York Times story about his having at least mislead people about his military service during Vietnam. My question is about whether or not the New York Times really needed to write the story or should have written the story. I am not asking this because Blumenthal is a Democrat. I am asking the question because Blumenthal, two years ago, in 2008, had already stated that he had not been stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Yesterday, I saw a video that seemed to show Blumenthal in 2008 saying he had not been in Vietnam. This morning I saw that the New York Times article acknowledged that Blumenthal, earlier this year made the statement, "Although I did not serve in Vietnam".

So what is the point of writing a story stating that a candidate did not fight in Vietnam when he had already admitted as much possibly two years before? He also admitted the same thing about two months ago. Was there any reason to write a stroy about a guy who had already admitted what the story was stating?

[WI_DEM]

1. No

He doesn't have a pattern of lying about it. Tweety is irrational on this matter.

[joeybee12]

Agreed, there is no pattern...the NY Times is shit...when a person

is in the public eye speaks a lot, he or she will mis-speak...it's no big deal because Bluemnthal at times clearly tried to set the record straight.

[Renew Deal]

2. You make a good point

What Blumenthal did was shout the lie and whisper the correction. I can see how people could have been misled. Claiming that he was in Vietnam is a pretty significant lie.

[hlthe2b]

5. I know some of the Vietnam vets have rallied behind him...

though I don't know what the consensus might be from Veterans. I'd certainly defer to their feelings on the matter. But, yes, he certainly under-emphasized the truth, letting the misperception/deception speak volumes.

[sharp_stick]

6. The only one that "shouted the lie"

was the Linda McMahon campaign to the NY Times. The speech that she forwarded was not on the National stage or even widely seen in the State. The "whisper of truth" was spoken out on at least as broad of a platform.

This is manufactured outrage by the party of manufactured outrage and it's already dying in the press. By the time Blumenthal gets some advertising up nobody is even going to remember it.

[erpowers]

11. At the Debate

According to the New York Times his statement about not having been in Vietnam was made at a Senate Debate. I do not think that is whispering the correction.

[pinboy3niner]

25. Two of his many statements about NOT serving in VN . . .

. . . that are on video were a statement on the floor of the House (not the Senate), and another at a political campaign debate.

[Jennicut]

3. No, it was McMahon trying to create something. She caught him one time

misspeaking. It reminds me frankly of what Dukakis's campaign operative John Sasso did to Joe Biden back in 1988...caught him misspeaking one time when on other occasions he did give reference to a story he was using.

[pinboy3niner]

13. I hope this backfires on her bigtime

Her dishing dirt to NYT--and then being foolish enough to brag about it--has got to do at least some damage to her campaign. The prospect of her bringing the spectacle of the WWWhatever to the United States Senate gives me the shudders.

But, to be fair, this wasn't something that only happened once. Blumenthal himself admitted to mis-speaking on "a few occasions." At the same time, on many more occasions--including on the House floor and in a campaign debate--he stated clearly that he did NOT serve in Vietnam. So he doesn't fit the pattern of the typical Rambo Wannabe who consistently lies about VN service.

[ddeclue]

4. Yes.. he did it multiple times and the intent was to mislead.

I don't want politicians who do this sort of thing whether it is about Vietnam or their college transcript or whatever.

[xultar]

10. No kidding. I wonder about this place sometimes.

[xultar]

7. Yes it is. If a wingnut was doing it we'd be all over them calling them a liar

and a hypocrite.

Quit being two-faced DU.

[erpowers]

16. Not Being Two-Faced

I am not being two-faced. As I said it my original post the question was not raised because Blumenthal was a Democrat. It was raised because Blumenthal has already admitted that he had not been in Vietnam. If he had not already admitted not having been in Vietnam I would see the point of writting the story. However, Blumenthal, without being forced, admitted that he was not in Vietnam. In addition, he admitted not being in Vietnam at a Senate Debate.

[CTyankee]

17. AND, he has a record of supporting vets in CT in his office as Attorney General.

That is why the vets love him.

Why don't you also look at what Dick Blumenthal DID and what he proposes to do if he is elected to the Senate? He has a track record. You can look it up.

PEople on this board have to think about what Senator Linda McMahon would do to the state of CT and to the United States, if they want to cheer on Blumenthal's political demise.

[xultar]

20. So, lets see. If a Republican had lied about his service but served vets well

it'd be o.k. You'd be on DU defending him saying oh but he did so much for the vets.


RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT.

[CTyankee]

31. So, let's see. So you want to throw Dick B. under the bus, with all of his

excellent work on behalf of the people of CT (not just vets)and with all the good he can bring to the state and to the nation as a U.S. Senator. That is somehow a comparable with your hypothetical Republican, really?

I'd like to see that "Republican."

But for now, let's just say that I live in CT and I know Dick Blumenthal and he is a good guy. This blemish on his character does not cancel out all of his good service and the potential he has as a U.S. Senator.

Sorry.

[Jennicut]

32. We are not saying it is okay, we are looking at reality. There is no one to

magically come in and save the race for us, Blumenthal is probably it. What is my choice as a CT voter? I am not letting Linda McMahon be my Senator. Sorry. If I vote for Merrick Alpert and not too many others do, I get Linda McMahon as my Senator. Way, way worse then a moderate with a decent track record of taking on big corps like Blumenthal.

[pinboy3niner]

33. McMahon bringing WWE spectacle to the United States Senate

What a revolting thought! If I were in CT, I'd have no problem voting for Blumenthal--twice! (Okay, the "twice" thing was thrown in for humor only--no voter fraud seriously intended.) :)

[Dawson Leery]

35. Same here.

[MadHound]

8. Dude, he lied about his service in Vietnam,

We can't damn the 'Pugs for hypocrisy if we practice it ourselves.

[xultar]

22. NO SHIT!!!!

[nykym]

9. Well if we want to

I am sure we can dig up some salacious dirt on the darling of the WWE. By the way if you look at the principals behind the WWE it looks and sounds like Westboro.

[ShortnFiery]

12. As a veteran who has an older brother who almost didn't return from the Vietnam War ...

I quote our VP: This is a big fucking deal! :grr:

Not unlike Jane Fonda going to North Vietnam, MIS-REPRESENTING yourself after 5 deferments is inexcusable.

[KharmaTrain]

14. Yes And No...

Yesterday I was defending AG Blumenthal based on the preliminary reports. Some were critical about his misrepresentation of his service as a major character flaw (if he lies about this what else will he lie about) or from some Vietnam era vets who were rightfully offended by exagerating his service.

Having seen the video and read further, these folks are correct as it seems he deliberately tried to build himself up. It is an offense to those who did serve and I very much agree with their outrage.

That said, is this a reason he should be disqualified for serving in the US Senate? This is a question the folks of Connecticutt will decide and do so based on his many years of experience in state government and his overall abilities to represent the state. Politicians are very self serving and ambitious...you have to be to dare to walk into that snakepit...and we see many who have lied or misrepresented themselves or made a personal gaffe...but it has to be judged in proportion. If this issue becomes a major campaign issue and diversion, then it will be a major drag that may just cost him the election.

[DefenseLawyer]

15. He's not Nick Nolte in "Tropic Thunder"

He obviously never lied about being in combat. He actually did served "during Vietnam" and said "in Vietnam" in a speech and at least once referred to treatment of soldiers when "we came back from Vietnam", although as the Dude would point out, it may have been the royal we. People also made a big deal about Al Gore saying he was a Vietnam Vet, even though he actually was, because he was in a rear unit and for a short time and was never actually in combat. I think if the guy was getting up and talking about seeing his buddies die face down in mud and how he had looked death in the face or bragging about medals it's a much bigger deal. A helluva lot of people served in a lot of ways and it seems by and large he was pretty clear about what he did. I think the Times went hunting for bear and bagged a chipmunk here.

[pscot]

27. Word

I think you got it right. But the Times is now invested in the story so they may keep it alive rather than admit they over reached. Guys of a certain age, who cherished their deferments at the time, now suffer from war envy. Matthews was wetting his pants over it yesterday. Contemptible, really.

[brendan120678]

18. I guess that's up to the Democratic voters of...

the State of Connecticut.

I being one of them.

I understand that many Veterans may be offended by Blumenthal's misrepresentation of his service records. However I am not a veteran, nor have I ever been in any branch of the Armed Forces, so I can't pretend to know exactly how they feel.

I would prefer if my elected leaders were 100% honest with the electorate 100% of the time, but hell - that is never going to happen. Every single politician, be they Democrat or Republican, will tell a lie now and then if it is politically beneficial. We'll have to see how this plays out in the conventions and the primaries, I suppose.

I do like Blumenthal's opponent, Merrick Alpert. I was an early supporter of Alpert, going back to when he was challenging Chris Dodd for the nomination.

[brendan120678]

19. Now I see that there is controversy over his choice of venue...

for his statement yesterday:

From Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37455.html#ixzz0oLITlYhV">VFW leader rips Blumenthal

[cherokeeprogressive]

21. When he brags about being a Marine Veteran, he should also brag about his FIVE deferments. n/t

[xultar]

23. +1

[pinboy3niner]

28. Unlike the chickenhawks who evaded service, he was anti-war

Chickenhawks are the ones who advocated for war, for sending other mothers' sons to suffer and sacrifice, while they exploited deferments and used their privilege and connections to remain comfortably at home. Blumenthal was not a war advocate, and I can't fault anyone who wasn't for the war using deferments to avoid it. And you certainly didn't need to pull strings to join the MARINE Reserves LOL. For those looking to avoid hardship and sacrifice, Marine boot camp was not a serious option.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

24. It is a big deal. He lied about his service and then he lied about what he said about his service.

All caught on tape.

[Winterblues]

26. How well do you remember the story about Hillary under fire?

It seems that "lie" didn't gain all that much momentum and neither will this one.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

29. He lied

and his press conference was not convincing to me at all. I am sorry that he is the Democrat in the CT senate race but he lied and came up with a lame excuse for it. He gets no pass from me.

[asjr]

30. If the NY Times had taken this route when

Dan Rather had tooted the horn about GWB and the guard I might forgive them. But they didn't. I remember when they bought the WMD line from Judith Miller hook, line and sinker. This time I think they were bought with money.I have no trust in the MSM at all.

[LLStarks]

34. No. But it won't go away. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

36. Assuming he misled people on purpose

and I have not enough evidence to make this case, (Hatchet job and all), there is this little known act called the Stolen Valor Act. It could be a big deal... One misstatement does not a legal case make though... he's said he served during the Nam Era.

That said if this was a Republican you'd never see this.

But if there is a pattern... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_Valor_Act_of_2005

Look it up, and I am willing to bet that not even the idiots at GOP Central are willing to file charges.

[LaydeeBug]

37. Did Bush ever say he was a Viet Nam Veteran? Someone might know this off the top of their head...

and I can't STAND to think of that name in my cache. Ewwwww.

[Spirochete]

39. I think Bush once compared

serving in a war to raising twins, and claimed he had done both...

[TheKentuckian]

38. I don't know how Connecticut voters will react but it would seem he

would have some serious credibility built up over many years of laudable service to withstand an issue stemming from a time older than many voters.

[marshall]

40. It's only a big deal if you think the truth is important...

And let's face it---who expects that from politicians these days?

[county worker]

41. To some of us that were in Vietnam it is a deal maybe not a big deal.

I don't like what he said. There are a limited number of us who experienced that war first hand and if anyone can just say they did when they didn't it takes something away from us by diminishing just a tad what we had to go through.