Posted on 10/17/2008 8:41:41 PM PDT by Maelstorm
Former Gov. Jim Gilmore picked up the endorsements of two veterans groups today.
Vets for Freedom and Iraqi Veterans Group said they are backing Gilmore's U.S. Senate campaign because of his military background and experience in fighting terrorism.
Appearing with veterans at a news conference at the General Assembly Building, Gilmore said he supports the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military until their behavior becomes overt.
Gilmore, a Republican, is running against Democrat Mark R. Warner, also a former governor, for the seat of Sen. John W. Warner, a Republican, who is retiring.
Rusty McGuire, a Republican who met with Mark Warner last week, said he asked the "don't ask, don't tell" question of Warner and Warner said he would have to talk to military leaders before reaching a decision. The policy is up for review next year.
"There are three kinds of leaders: leaders who make decisions and they are good decisions, leaders who make bad decisions and those who don't make any decisions at all," McGuire said.
Both of the veterans organizations are small. McGuire said the Iraqi Veterans Group, which consists primarily of wounded veterans, has 250 to 300 members in Virginia. He is its chairman.
Coby Dillard, Virginia State Captain of the Vets for Freedom, said his group has about 600 members in Virginia and 25,000 nationwide.
Republican Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who presided over the news conference, said Gilmore's military background - he served in military intelligence - and chairmanship of an anti-terrorism commission, which came to be known as the Gilmore Commission, make him qualified to serve in the Senate at a time when there is unrest in many parts of the world.
Warner did not serve in the military.
Gilmore noted that he was appointed chairman of the commission in 1999 by William Cohen, who was Secretary of Defense in President Bill Clinton's administration.
Warner announced formation of Veterans for Warner last week.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.
A bump for Gov. Gilmore to further close the gap!
Warner did not serve in the military.
I guess the veterans weren't interested in forming a group like that themselves. Well, maybe he can get some "associate members" and a few posers to help build up the membership.
Thanks!
We have such a battle in so many states.
New Mexico - Steve Pearce
Colorado - Bob Shaffer
There are some silver linings. Louisiana is starting to look competitive again!
We need to come together throughout this nation and talk to our friends and family and make the case for our candidates.
Warner has been playing this kind of game. He is shameless. It will be a sad day for the nation if he wins this election. He is a Bill Clinton Democrat in more ways than many know.
Sorry, but Warner will win easily, IMO. There are many people who normally vote Republican who just don’t like Gilmore. However, McCain will win Virginia, also IMO.
Why is that? Why don’t you get out there and talk to some of these Republicans about the Supreme Court and other issues? Warner’s a bold face liar and all you have been doing is talking about how much people don’t like Gilmore. I tire of Republicans like you. Always pointing out why we can’t win or won’t win but doing nothing to win. Jim Gilmore should win and on election day when Warner wins by less than 10 points you will be faced with the reality that we could’ve won. I may be wrong but I at least know I fought for the better of two men. A an honest man in politics is a rarity and Jim Gilmore, sharp elbows and all, is an honest man with integrity.
What a neat billboard. I would love to see Wolfe give Rockefeller a run for his money. Serve him right supporting Obama/Biden who don’t like American coal.
I thought Obama was closing in West Virginia. :-) I’d love an upset on election day. God speed to Jay Wolfe and other good men running.
Rockefeller’s instance is yet another timeless showing that money doesn’t determine character. And usually ruins it.
That is a true statement — You are so right as Rockefeller has all the money but he cannot buy character. On the issue of character I believe the man to be bankrupt.
Very well said.
I'm pinging a few WV folks to reiterate my above comment:
Word on the street is that Obama is doing so poorly in West Virginia that he's actually starting to be a drag on Jay Rockefeller. I'm not saying Jay Wolfe is ready to defeat him yet, but he's definitely had positive movement in the polls.
BTTT
I don’t like Warner but I also don’t care for Gilmore at all. An honest man? He keeps telling us he cut our taxes when in fact in the end he did no such thing. The car tax cut plan he agreed to was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. I will NOT be campaigning for Gilmore simply because he’s the Republican. He will get creamed, which is why the national party isn’t helping.
Mason Dixon today says Warner remains 25 points ahead and is winning in every region.
http://www.roanoke.com/politics/wb/181555
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.