Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan go on record to condemn McCain's sleazy campaign tactics

[jefferson_dem]

Last Chance For A Slow Dance
By: Spencer Ackerman Wednesday July 23, 2008 12:24 pm

Michael "DJ Tittsworth" Goldfarb, McCain's blogger, has finally come up with a strategy to deal with the fact that his boss doesn't understand the basic chronology of the Anbar Awakening and the surge: pretend that correcting McCain's ignorance is a slander of U.S. troops. Well done -- a pathetic non sequitur that's also a classy smear! But let's see what VoteVets -- you know, actual dudes who have fought the Iraq war that McCain wants to continue forever and the Afghanistan war he doesn't care about -- has to say about that charming line of attack.

To suggest that Senator Obama wants to "lose" in Iraq is outlandish, thought I can't help but notice that Senator McCain has no problem with the fact that we continue to lose ground every day in Afghanistan--the real War on Terror.

Brian McGough
Ashburn, VA
Iraq and Afghanistan veteran
Army
2001-02 and 2003

And:

Senator McCain's comments represent the radical anti-troop, anti-veteran rhetoric his campaign has become known for. I went to combat, and I saw first-hand the damage the failed policies of George W. Bush and John McCain have caused to our American troops. I wonder if this eye-witness knowledge means that I want to lose as well.

Richard Smith
Huntsville, AL
Afghanistan veteran
Army
2007-08

And:

Leaving aside for a moment the fact that Senator McCain has yet to clearly define what victory in Iraq looks like for the United States, it is extremely discouraging to hear such divisive rhetoric coming out of what Senator McCain promised would be a campaign "on the issues." During my time as a soldier and now as a civilian, I have never doubted that anyone on either side of the political spectrum has wanted anything less than the complete success for our troops. It is so unfortunate to see Senator McCain adapt the old tactic of baselessly calling a political opponent's patriotism into question as a campaign tool.

Neil Riley
Ashburn, VA
Iraq and Afghanistan veteran
Army
2002-03 and 2004-05

http://attackerman.firedoglake.com/2008/07/23/ohgoldiestopdigging/