Richard Blumenthal: “I did not serve in Vietnam”

[sabra]

Source: the daily inquirer

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is under fire for claims that he served in Vietnam.

A video was released with Blumenthal clearly saying that he did not serve in Vietnam. Here’s what Blumenthal said in the video:

“Although I did not serve in Vietnam, I have seen firsthand the effects of military action, and no one wants it to be the first resort, nor do we want to mortgage the country’s future with a deficit that is ballooning out of control.”




Read more: http://www.thedailyinquirer.net/richard-blumenthal-i-did-not-serve-in-vietnam/0514597

---

Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEZm_Gc8-Xw&feature=player_embedded

[BeyondGeography]

1. Few will care

Nice try, though, NY Times.

[Rebubula]

14. Yeah...

...because it is no big deal when people in power lie about their involvement in a war in order to gain more prestige and power.

:eyes:



Sorry...There are 10s of thousands of people that WILL care. Even though I never served, it pisses me off when people like this asshole make a mockery of those that did.

It IS a big deal....sorry you cannot seem to understand that.

[saigon68]

17. Another Lying 5 deferrment POS War Hawk

“We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam,” Mr. Blumenthal said to the group gathered in Norwalk in March 2008. “And you exemplify it. Whatever we think about the war, whatever we call it — Afghanistan or Iraq — we owe our military men and women unconditional support.”

There was one problem: Mr. Blumenthal, a Democrat now running for the United States Senate, never served in Vietnam. He obtained at least five military deferments from 1965 to 1970 and took repeated steps that enabled him to avoid going to war, according to records.

[BrklynLiberal]

23. WAR HAWK? 5 deferment? What the hell are you talking about?

[saigon68]

27. Read the NY Times sporty

Midterm Madness: Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut attorney general and Democratic candidate for Senate, served in the Marine Reserves and received at least five deferments during the Vietnam War. But he has at times implied or outright declared that he served in Vietnam.

As The Times’s Raymond Hernandez writes, “what is striking about Mr. Blumenthal’s record is the contrast between the many steps he took that allowed him to avoid Vietnam, and the misleading way he often speaks about that period of his life now, especially when he is speaking at veterans’ ceremonies or other patriotic events.”

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/the-early-word-pivotal-primaries/

Another Dan Quayle look alike

[BrklynLiberal]

30. Raymond Hernandez and the NYTimes were fed the story by the McMahon campaign..sporty..

Not exactly confidence inspiring for either the Times for Hernandez..who categorically denied getting the story from McMahon in an interview this morning on the radio...


http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37398.html#ixzz0oIQuKEbd

[saigon68]

34. No problem he'll lose

[BrklynLiberal]

36. buh-bye

[saigon68]

39. 10 years of

fighting for Joe Lieberman's sloppy seconds.

http://www.slate.com/?id=89649

LOL-- I'll bet he likes a lot of Joementum's views

Like as in "Iran here we come" !!!!!

[CTyankee]

62. This is a very old article.

His accomplishments of the past 10 years, including what he has done for vets, are not in it.

In 2000 we here in CT felt very differently about Joe Lieberman than 6 years later when I and many other Dems got busy and threw Joe out of the Dem party in CT, based in large part on his support for the Iraq War. When this article was published, there was no Iraq War.

I worked for Planned Parenthood of CT in 2000. Dick Blumenthal was our tireless defender and that of a woman's right to choose. So I can vouch for his progressive credentials personally.

Veterans in CT love Dick for what he has done for them and the way he has gone to bat for them and their families. He obviously had a great deal of admiration and sympathy for them, because he stood by them and never failed them. Even you cannot make that case.

Dick has taken on many powerful interests on behalf of the consumer in our state. He has been a friend of the little guy.

You do his record a great disservice.

BTW, where do YOU live in CT?

[BrklynLiberal]

63. ----crickets------

[CTyankee]

66. That's interesting...

[No Elephants]

48. Regardless of who fed the NYT the story, Blumenthal said what he said.

He's been caught trying to having it every which way about Vietnam.

I never have had any use for that war. I admire the war protestors. I have absolutely no condemnation for the so-called draft dodgers.

BUT, to say that you served in Vietnam, that you risked your life, your sanity and your limbs and the emotions of your loved ones, when you didn't risk squat is lower than whale crap.

Republican or Democrat, he does not deserve to remain Connecticut AG, let alone become a Senator of the United States.

[CTyankee]

67. Hey, what part of CT are you in?

[Lagomorph]

47. And here...

"In 1963, he entered Harvard College, where he met Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who served on the faculty there and guided Mr. Blumenthal’s senior thesis on the failure of government poverty programs.

He received two student deferments during his undergraduate years there, the records show.

After graduating from Harvard in 1967, military records show, Mr. Blumenthal obtained another educational deferment and headed to Britain, where he filed stories for The Washington Post and attended Trinity College, Cambridge, on a graduate fellowship....snip

...That summer, Mr. Blumenthal’s draft classification changed from 2-S, an educational deferment, to 2-A, an occupational deferment — a rare exemption from military service for men who contended that it was in the “national health, safety and interest” for them to remain in their civilian jobs. At the time, he was working as a special assistant to Ms. Graham, whose son Donald he had befriended at Harvard. Half a year later, after the election of President Richard M. Nixon, Mr. Blumenthal went to work in the White House as a senior staff assistant to Mr. Moynihan, who was Nixon’s urban affairs adviser.

But at the end of that year, he became eligible for induction after he drew a low number in a draft lottery held on Dec. 1, 1969. His number was 152, and people with numbers as high as 195 could be drafted, according to the Selective Service.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/nyregion/18blumenthal.html

[Jennicut]

25. He was never a chicken hawk and does not have a history of promorting abuses of powers

to justify the ends. He has never come off like that in all the years he has been AG here in Connecticut.


"In October 2007, Blumenthal was among only four state attorneys general to lobby Congress to reject proposals to provide immunity from litigation to telecommunications firms that cooperated with the federal government's terrorist surveillance program following the September 11 attacks in 2001. While suits against telecommunications firms were favored by the American Civil Liberties Union and Moveon.org, they were opposed by both the Bush Administration and Democrats such as Diane Feinstein. In 2008 the Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed into law a new terrorist surveillance bill including the telecom immunity provisions opposed by Blumenthal." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Blumenthal

I wouldn't call that type a chicken hawk. I would say that he messed up by not correcting his record and by claiming in the past that he served in Vietnam. In the debate in March 2009 he said he did not serve in Vietnam.

[saigon68]

28. Go back in time He worked for Nixon Too

The deferments allowed Mr. Blumenthal to complete his studies at Harvard; pursue a graduate fellowship in England; serve as a special assistant to The Washington Post’s publisher, Katharine Graham; and ultimately take a job in the Nixon White House.

In 1970, with his last deferment in jeopardy, he landed a coveted spot in the Marine Reserve, which virtually guaranteed that he would not be sent to Vietnam. He joined a unit in Washington that conducted drills and other exercises and focused on local projects, like fixing a campground and organizing a Toys for Tots drive.

Many politicians have faced questions over their decisions during the Vietnam War, and Mr. Blumenthal, who is seeking the seat being vacated by Senator Christopher J. Dodd, is not alone in staying out of the war.

But what is striking about Mr. Blumenthal’s record is the contrast between the many steps he took that allowed him to avoid Vietnam, and the misleading way he often speaks about that period of his life now, especially when he is speaking at veterans’ ceremonies or other patriotic events.

[BrklynLiberal]

33. Actually..he worked for Patrick J. Moynahan...not nixon

Wikipedia...

Blumenthal had a brief career as a newspaper reporter for The Washington Post. He was hired by Benjamin C. Bradlee, editor of the Post, and worked on the Metro desk.

Blumenthal served as administrative assistant to United States Senator Abraham A. Ribicoff, as aide to Daniel P. Moynihan (who would later be a United States Senator) when Moynihan was Assistant to President Richard Nixon, and as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun. At age 31, he became United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, serving from 1977 to 1981, and as the chief federal prosecutor of that state successfully prosecuted many major cases against drug traffickers, organized crime, white collar criminals, civil rights violators, consumer frauds, and environmental polluters. From 1981 to 1986, he was a volunteer counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Yeah.. a real Dan Quayle lookalike....NOT

[Jennicut]

35. Yes, working for a Dem as an aide in Nixon's administration is such a warhawk.

Moynihan had nothing to do with Nixon's policies on Vietnam and was always a Dem.

[BrklynLiberal]

31. Don't confuse the poster with facts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[No Elephants]

51. Facts are, he got 5 deferments and a Dummya-like posting, but claimed to have served in the Vietam

War.

Jeez, even Dummya and Cheney never claimed they served in Vietnam.

[Cha]

40. Thanks for this info on Blumenthal, Jen. nt

[No Elephants]

50. Sorry, lying about your service in the Vietnam War (or any war) is crud.

Even 5 deferment Cheney never tried to get votes by claiming he served in Vietnam.

Geez.

[BeyondGeography]

26. Point to one election that was decided on a point like this and I'll take you seriously

We've spent our whole lives tearing actual chicken hawks apart and, unfortunately, it never got us anywhere. And Blumenthal is not a chicken hawk.

[No Elephants]

52. Good thing the Swiftboaters totally wasted their time and money, then.

FACT: Many war veterans have won primaries and electios, including to very high office, Clinton and Dummya being among the notable exceptions, as far as the Presidency. (Then again, the Vietnam War was not all that popular and vets from Korea and WWII were getting long in the tooth for the Presidency by then.)

FACT: Even with polls, we are never sure why people voted as they voted. Hell, sometimes, the voter isn't sure of all his or her conscious and unconscious motivations. That's why so many politicians make sure they wear flag pins--even when they profess not to believe in wearing them--and certain colors of clothing (let's face it, mostly men's ties).

FACT: whether or not any past election turned on this is not the issue. The issue is Blumenthal's character.

FACT: The articles say Blumenthal trotted out his Vietam War service on occasions like speaking to military veterans.

FACT: I can't believe anyone is defending something this despicable at all, let alone on something like "You can't prove any past election ever turned on this."

FACT: Whatever. Blumenthal is toast, so we'd better hope a decent Democrat jumps in this week.

[roguevalley]

42. veterans will care. trust me. with this war, they will care.

[No Elephants]

53. Not only veterans. For one thing, veterans had families who maybe didn't sleep for months on end..

For another thing, you don't have to have a direct connection to the military to find this revolting and intolerable.

[RamboLiberal]

15. Sorry but it is a big deal

I don't like this kind of thing from either side. If a Dem lies I'd say get out of the race.

[No Elephants]

49. Care that Blumenthal lied about his Vietam service only some of the time

You're right I don't care.

[RainMickey]

2. It's an easy thing to forget. n/t

[polichick]

3. imo people will care - it's obvious that lies come easily to this guy. nt

[old mark]

4. And this got turned around by the media into his saying he DID?

Wonder who started this shit - sounds like typical GOP dirty politics the day before a primary....


mark

[sabra]

5. here's the vid where it appears he is saying he did serve:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3KgsgRfjhQ

[RainMickey]

10. Appears? How more clear could the lie be?

...since the days that I served in VietNam. Duh.

[No Elephants]

55. Setting a fellow DUer straight on facts without snark or condescension is quite possible, and

usually preferable.

[RainMickey]

6. He's clearly implied in the past that he did serve in Nam.

Try to keep up.

[Kelvin Mace]

8. I have no use for someone who plays these type of games

and we should not allow this type of behavior to be excused.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

9. Please don't make those kind of remarks

to a fellow DU'er unless accompanied by the appropriate smilie thingy like so;
:mad:
:toast:
:sarcasm:
etc.........

[RainMickey]

7. Here's an example of one of his lies.

“We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam,” Mr. Blumenthal said to the group gathered in Norwalk in March 2008. “And you exemplify it. Whatever we think about the war, whatever we call it — Afghanistan or Iraq — we owe our military men and women unconditional support.”

[BrklynLiberal]

21. I am just shocked! SHOCKED I tell you!!!

So much more hideous that the Bush era chicken hawks who lied and anal-cysted their way out of the military, while pushing for our young men and women to be sent to Iraq.

:sarcasm: for those who did not see the obviousness.

[No Elephants]

56. Anything short of sending folks into war while getting deferments is no biggie, then?

Well, at least we know where you draw the line.

Or, would you draw even that line only with Republican so-called "draft dodgers" who are perfectly fine with deploying troops?

How about, for just one example, Democrats who voted for the Iraq War and the endless War on Terra even though they or their spouses "dodged the draft" doggedly?

And, if this same story were about a Republican, would you be trying to defending him or her, as you are trying to defend Blumenthal?

[BrklynLiberal]

22. "GOP takes credit for New York Times hit" Surprised anyone????????

Guess the only surprise would be their admitting that they put out the story....

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37398.html#ixzz0oIQuKEbd

[RainMickey]

24. I know I hate it when the truth is revealed. n/t

[No Elephants]

58. Gee, they exposed an ugly truth about a political rival and admitted their role.

Shocked, shocked, I tell you.

:eyes:

[RainMickey]

60. Setting a fellow DUer straight on facts without snark or condescension is quite possible, and

usually preferable.

[Lagomorph]

44. This video is what got them going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEl0wMmyZ2Q&feature=player_embedded#!

[BrklynLiberal]

64. Has anyone watched the ENTIRE video???????????

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/at_same_08_speech_blumenthal_more_correctly_descri.php?ref=fpb

[No Elephants]

54. No. No turning around needed. Sometimes he lied. Sometimes he didn't.

According to the stories, he seems to have lied mostly on patriotic occasions, when talking to vets, etc. Said how his experiences in the Vietnam War "taught me" XYZ. There are videos of him lying and videos of him telling the truth.

[MilesColtrane]

11. He got caught in a career-ending lie.

Now he can only try to retain a last shred of integrity and admit as much.

[No Elephants]

57. Well, he used the Nixon Era invention, "misspoke." Does that do it?

Never does it for me. Sounds as though people are claiming their mouth, tongue and vocal cords blurted out something they never thought or wanted to say. "I said something that I had no right to say and I'm sorry" would be closer to the truth. Even closer to the truth would be "I lied and my biggest regret is getting caught, and before Election Day, too!"

However, IMO, he's cooked his own goose with his lies. There's no turning back from lying to veterans about having served in Vietnam, no matter how much he tries to person up at this point.

RIP, Blumenthal's political career.

As some in Massachusetts would say, "It's ovah!"

[dipsydoodle]

12. Should be a plus for him

not a minus.

[No Elephants]

59. Getting caught in a lie about serving in Vietnam or any other war is seldom a plus.

That he lied about his service only some of the time is not going to be enough to save him. And I have no tear to shed over that.

I am sorry only that this came out this late--and that some Democrats are actually defending these lies. I don't think that is going to do them any favors in their own campaigns.

There is a very short time for another Democrat to jump in.

[elocs]

13. If Blumenthal clearly claimed in public he served in Vietnam and didn't, he is a liar.

I think his explanation is pretty lame.

[BrklynLiberal]

16. What a crock. where the hell was the NYTimes during the Bush Chicken Hawk era????

This literally turns my stomach.

[Nye Bevan]

38. Bush was a chicken hawk all right but never said "I served in Vietnam"

in a video-taped speech. The big issue here is the bald-faced lying through his teeth that disrespects the *real* veterans who served bravely.

[marshall]

61. The new term is "misplaced words"

Kids everywhere will remember that phrase the next time they are called on their lies.

[Lagomorph]

46. They were here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/20/politics/campaign/20bama.html

[CRK7376]

18. Too bad he's a Dem

but I think he should go. As one who has served for the past 32 years, his ilk makes me sick. Great he did what many others did, got deferments. But he appears to have served, just not in Vietnam. Stupid lie. Just say you served, then you are covered. Don't use combat or time in country to make yourself look like a better person. Honesty is more important. Now go away liar.

[Old Troop]

43. 32 Years of service huh? CRK7376 -- I doff my hat to you.

[notesdev]

19. Stick a fork in him

Misleading people to think you're a vet when you ain't is about as politically popular as a sex offender designation.

[RainMickey]

20. Well, he did serve....Toys for Tots Chairman or something like that....

.....just not in VietNam.

[saigon68]

29. It was in DC

[RainMickey]

32. That's a dangerous place to serve. I take back my criticism of the man.. n/t

[saigon68]

41. Too many Hookers on the streets

I wonder if Spitzer was there with him?

[Nye Bevan]

37. The Repukes are desperately hoping that Blumenthal stays in the race

so that this video can be repeated ad nauseam in the run up to the election:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/05/17/ct-sen_blumenthal_touts_vietnam_service_in_2008.html


"We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam," Mr. Blumenthal said to the group gathered in Norwalk in March 2008. "And you exemplify it. Whatever we think about the war, whatever we call it, Afghanistan or Iraq -- we owe our military men and women unconditional support."

This is a Bob Toricelli situation and we need a Frank Lautenberg to step in as our candidate.

[Lagomorph]

45. As opposed to this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEl0wMmyZ2Q&feature=player_embedded#!

[BrklynLiberal]

65. Anyone bother to watch the ENTIRE video?..or just the part the repukes pointed to?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/at_same_08_speech_blumenthal_more_correctly_descri.php?ref=fpb


The repuke planted NYTimes story was a hit piece..plain and simple.

[pinboy3niner]

68. This harms Hernandez's rep and--more importantly--McMahon's

The prospect of her cheapening the United States Senate with WWE-style theatrics and spectacle nauseates me. Hernandez clearly was selective in his reporting and spun the facts.

Thanks for your contributions here, BrklynLiberal. I also learned some new things from Jennicut's info. :thumbsup:

:hi:

[BrklynLiberal]

69. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

:thumbsup: :hi:

[pinboy3niner]

70. It's been a busy day

I posted in some of the other Blumenthal threads, and elsewhere. With so much going on today, I think I already set a personal "most" for daily posts. :)

[BrklynLiberal]

71. You haven't been here during the BIG primaries..and the elections for national office.

It is like a superhighway at rush hour. Almost impossible to keep up...if one wants to still live one's life off the puter.