A few months ago, Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) downplayed the military service and sacrifices made by his Democratic challenger, Tammy Duckworth, who lost two legs and part of an arm while serving in Iraq. "What else has she done?" Walsh asked. "Female, wounded veteran ... ehhh."
Walsh later walked that back a little, but the angrily unhinged congressman shared some additional thoughts on the subject over the weekend.
For those who can't watch clips online, here's what Walsh told his constituents:
"Understand something about John McCain. His political advisers, day after day, had to take him and almost throw him against a wall and hit him against the head and say, "Senator, you have to let people know you served! You have to talk about what you did!" He didn't want to do it, wouldn't do it. Day after day they had to convince him. Finally, he talked a little bit about it, but it was very uncomfortable for him. That's what's so noble about our heroes.
"Now I'm running against a woman who, I mean my God, that's all she talks about. Our true heroes, 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."
Oh my.
First, I would hope that sane politicians would know better than to argue, during a time of war, about a double-amputee, that veterans should just shut up about their decorated service to their country. If Republicans were held to sensible rhetorical standards, this little incident would go in the "career ender" category.
Second, it's not up to Joe Walsh, who's never worn a military uniform, to decide who qualifies or doesn't qualify as a "true hero." [Update: In a press statement, Walsh conceded that Duckworth "is a hero," but again complained that she talks too much about it.]
And third, Walsh's memory about John McCain's rhetoric is very, very wrong.
Long time readers may recall a piece I wrote ages ago, but this myth that McCain was reluctant to talk about his military service has no basis in reality. On the contrary, McCain routinely exploited his service record as some kind of political “trump card.”
Whether he’s deflecting criticism over his health-care plan or mocking a tribute to the Woodstock music festival, Senator John McCain has a trump card: the Hanoi Hilton.
That’s the nickname for the site where he spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, a past that McCain regularly recalls on the campaign trail to fend off policy attacks, score political points and give voters a glimpse of his sentimental side. He campaigns with squadrons of POWs and made a video to mark the 35th anniversary of his release from prison.
When Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Senator John Edwards, rebuked McCain’s medical-care proposal and noted that he’d always enjoyed government health benefits, McCain responded that he knows what it’s like to get inadequate care — “from another government.” During an October debate, while knocking a Hillary Clinton plan to help fund a museum celebrating Woodstock, McCain said he missed the 1969 festival because he was “tied up at the time.” Even his rivals applauded.
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.”
McCain didn't want to talk about his service during his presidential campaign? Of course he did. Remarkably, by Joe Walsh's standards, I guess that means McCain's not a "true hero"?
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Walsh is in Illinois. And we are embarrassed that he was elected.
I know Walsh is here representing Illinois, so I am confused why this story starts out saying Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Fla.)?? Somebody made a booboo or what?
Silly proof readers let that one get by!
The only thing this worthless politician has to offer is that the young lady he is attempting to down play has and had more balls then he ever thought of having.
This REMF (REAL ECHELON MF) has never worn a uniform, fought any wars except the last one that he was ellected in against another REMF) to even be in the same world with this woman. (REMF) is a Viet Nam term for a person who Talks the Talk but does not Walk the Walk and Walsh fits the term in all way.
I live in his new district. This is one vote he can't count on!
Who in the hell votes for idiots like this? What has he done for the people in your district aside from focusing attention on himself with his numerous occasions of mean-spirited blathering? Look at this video...I can't believe there wasn't a veteran in this audience who would stand up and give this clown the sharp rebuke he deserves. You people sure weren't shy about expressing your opinions in those town halls about health care, now you just sit squirming in your seats as your little tea party turd maligns a woman who sacrificed so much to protect the freedoms of people like him. Shut up and pay your child support Joey.
perrocaliente,
People as malicious as he is vote for him. There are more of those people in the US than you might think.
I've always given the people of Illinois credit for wisdom and common sense. Let's hope they demonstrate those qualities this November and THROW THIS BUM OUT.
It's amazing how low these repug candidates go when running against vets. Reminds me of Max Cleland losing his senate seat to that douche nozzle Saxby Chambliss. One of his ads showed Cleland morphing into Osama bin Laden.
...hard enough to bounce.
Typical wingnut cowards. I remember when I was an anti-war Vietnam vet, I would speak at a campus and the local YAF "patriots" would come heckle me. I'd ask the leader of the pack of jackals when he was going to follow his father's example, drop out of college, join the Army, volunteer for the infantry and volunteer to go to Vietnam. They always shut up then. Walsh has to downplay Tammy Duckworth's since he has none. I never can figure out all the vets I know who vote Republican when the guy they're voting for is some dodger, and who wants to gut (privatize) the VA. But they're the "patriots."
I could say something more about that, but it would all come out looking like this - @#%^$@#@!$^&$# - with the site's no-swearing softwear.
I have always wondered why military people support the politicians who have never been in the service and are usually the people most eager to go to war. My best guess is that the military like clueless politicians who talk tough. I knew a lot of Vietnam vets in college and they were the biggest radicals against the war.
Total myth about military people preferring the most hawkish politicians. Military voting matches up with civilian voting patterns pretty closely. And Obama is actually pretty popular with a wide swath of the officer corp.
The military has always had its share of right wing extremist loons--been that way since at least the Civil War, and they can sometimes wedge themselves into peculiar nooks, like we've seen at the Air Force Academy. But portraying them all that way is the same kind of stereotyping we spend a lot of time decrying when Republicans do it.
TC, thanks for your service.
I wonder if another way to put Walsh on the spot is ask him if he can tell us all for the record when it's talking enough about one's military credentials and when it's too much? I'm SURE that an expert like him would be happy to explain to all those uninformed women who know *nothing* about military issues how the cow ate the cabbage!
I wonder about the gender component, too. In spite of the fact that Tammy Duckworth not only served in the military and lost her legs at a time when women were still not supposed to serve in combat positions, one of her first post-recovery jobs was working in the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs. You'd think with that kind of resume that she would want to mention veterans' issues-- not just as a matter of personal preference/experience, but also as a matter on which she has built up a substantial record of expertise. But to GOP traditionalists, asking a woman about veterans' issues would be about like asking a member of his own party about gay rights.
One need look no farther than Joe Walsh to see the perfect example of the dysfunctional GOP
Deadbeat dad vs. a military hero? If this stands, we are truly doomed in this country.
This guy makes me want to stuff something in his mouth so he will shut the hell up! I am not prone to violent reactions, but in his case…
He's out there saying all kinds of disgusting things about a military vet, when he has refused to help his own children. THAT torques me off to the edge! Here it is July 4th, and he continues to slither and hiss like the snake he is.
The fireworks show I saw last night with a band and soldiers was a fundraiser for Wounded Warriors Project, so this guy not only heckles the CIC, but in that nasal whiny tone of his, disses a wounded vet. I puke on him.
Can we force him to change his name? I can't stand the fact that this douche shares a name with a guitarist I like.
TY I have the same problem. The REAL Joe Walsh came out in support of Duckworth tho!
I wish there were "like" buttons for all these comments...
"Joe Walsh endorses Duckworth" Now That would make a killer campaign commercial for Duckworth.
Not only is the real Joe Walsh in support of Duckworth he's doing a fundraiser concert for her. How cool is that!
How do we contribute to the Duckworth campaign? That woman needs our support.
You can support Tammy via www.actblue.com. Do so today. Joe Walsh is a national embarassment.
I would also go to her website at http://www.tammyduckworth.com/ if you want to donate.
In the interests of fairness, if you wish to make a contribution to Joe Walsh please visit any convenient toilet.
"On the contrary, McCain routinely exploited his service record as some kind of political “trump card.”
Two things, McCain routinely touts his "service record" even as he votes against veterans and the troops!
and
If Joe Walsh wants to be a hero - why doesn't he attempt to pay his back child support, he may never be a hero to his kids, but at least he can try and take care of them, loser!
Wait a minute
I seem to recall GOP OUTRAGE when Chris Hayes objected to calling all soldiers heroes a while back. To them everyone who served was a 'hero.'
Except for a sweet woman who lost both her legs overseas while serving her country.
Those on the right are nothing if not hypocritical.
If a Republican is citing a historical anecdote, rest assured they are rewriting history. It's just what they do. It's an autonomic reflex for Republicans. Most folks call it lying, which it is. Repubs. lie all the time about everything.
It is way past time that most people realized that.
Joe Walsh must have cojones the size of dumptrucks considering his own character deffects to speak about her this way. He should hide in a dark place and keep his mouth shut because every time he opens it he shows his true heart to those who can see. Public service isn't in his nature.
isn't Walsh from Illinois?
As referred to him everytime I did a comment somewhere in 2008 "straight talkin' maverick war hero John McPow (he was tortured for his country you know, but don't ask him about it because he hates talking about it)."
I can't even watch the video. I just know that I'd be too riled up to get any work done.
So Joe "I Don't Have to Pay My Court Ordered Childsupport" Walsh is saying a female double-amputee war hero vet is no hero? I know which of the two I'd rather my kids look up to.
our real heroes are the ones who put on the uniform not the chicken hawks who can't even pay their child support.
This just makes my blood boil. Technically, he's my Congressman but I have never voted for him. I never will. I am tempted to call his office and talk to someone about the shame he is bringing his district for talking about a veteran like this. I don't know how he can live with himself when he's doing shameful acts like this.
I think we can all agree that reasoned political discourse in this country is dead. When people like Joe Walsh, Christine O'Donnell, Sharon Angle and Sarah Palin, etc. are considered candidates with enough gravitas to win their nomination and/or political office, then we can agree the days of substantive debate are over. What these new breed are aren't serious candidates, they are verbal bomb throwers. They say outrageous things because they know the OCD media will focus on that instead of the real story. Joe Walsh throws these bombs because he doesn't want people to focus on his deadbeat dad status and how truly extreme and anti-American most of his positions are. This "Limbaugh"-ing of political discourse has allowed the GOP to pull off misdirection after misdirection after misdirection. "Death panels" effectively distracted the public from the fact that the ACA was basically a GOP idea -- which they were desperate to keep a Dem president from enacting. Bachman and Angle can hint at a treasonous armed insurrection because they know it will divert attention from their radical and downright nutty agenda. The litany of these kinds of illogical and idiotic statements is legion by now. What aren't these candidates talking about? Their solutions to problems facing the country. They have none. Their goal is to enact a radically unconstitutional social agenda. Remember the GOP's "jobs, jobs, jobs" mantra (which Rachel has pointed out is really about abortion, contraception and same sex marriage and has nothing to do with jobs. You'll notice none of the media covering this story ask Mr. Walsh what his plan was to lower unemployment.
I appreciate Mr. Benen's blog post on this but I think his response misses the mark. Everyone (even those in attendance) knows his remarks were beyond the pale and wrong. Mr. Benen should focus on Mr. Walsh's refusal to actually deal with an issue instead of spewing personal attack after slander on top of inanity. Let's not fall prey to the magician's trick of misdirection. Let's keep it on Mr. Walsh's deplorable record and policy positions.
Jerk, idiot, sorry piece of work, creep, loudmouth, all fit this poor excuse for mankind.
Whatever Joe,
Not to conviencing to me.
This piece was another great take down by Steve.
However, neither progressives nor conservatives care about military service when deciding who to vote for. Bob Dole, John Kerry, John McCain, and Tammy Duckworth are all "true heroes," but their military status does not affect our votes either way.
On the other hand, such stuff seems to matter to swing (i.e., uninformed) voters, which is why the candidates and the media highlight candidates' military backgrounds beyond the point of reason.
I look forward to the day that more people vote for their representatives on how they will represent us on the issues and stop allowing themselves to be distracted by such red herrings.
In short, I agree with Joe Walsh (and Wesley Clark) that military service should not be a deciding factor. On the other hand, I don't agree with Walsh's lack of self-awareness and double standards on the issue.
I liked your post for this phrase:
I never understand why politicians pander on this ignorant block of voters. How they decide which candidate to vote for is probably just a few steps above flipping a coin.
Joe Walsh is despicable. He's ducked his child support payments, hates his wife, hates women, hates the military. He never served his country. But, puleeze, get your fact-checkers heads out of their proverbial *sses, because identifying him as a representative from Florida, in the FIRST SENTENCE of the article, was as dumb as it gets.
If this is covered in tonight's show, I'm going to be irritated if we don't see that photo of a woman at the 2004 RNC grinning with that band-aid on her cheek as the GOP cynically rolled out the Kerry's-Purple-Heat-isn't-real campaign.
There is a rule: GOP candidates who wore a uniform are heroes and cannot be questioned on any topic; Democratic candidates who wore the uniform must never say so or else they are hiding behind it for unfair advantage. They think they have intellectual property rights to anything relating to the military.
Are thew Tea Party freshmen so vulnerable and so panic stricken about their prospects of losing every seat they gained in 2010 that they are resorting to the idea of vicious attacks on the military service of a maimed and wounded war hero? This is where the Tea Party movement has hijacked the Republican Party and turned into something truly ugly and unknown to modern American politics. This is behavior beyond the pale for most Americans and completely out of bounds in the sphere of electoral politics. The GOP will get punished for this style of extremism, railing against military veterans and the poor. http://www.sunstateactivist.org
May I add: for cheering for people to just die?
These people think it's cute to do these things, well it's downright ugly. They claim a badge of honor for following a code of ugliness and teaching this to children, no less. HORRIBLE role models!
I heard one of them saying in public "if I hear one more sob story"…
Trying to teach a hatred for compassion to children.