Iraq Veterans for Congress

Infobox Non-profit
Non-profit_name = Iraq Veterans for Congress
Non-profit_
founded_date = 2008
area_served = United States
focus = War in Iraq Global War on Terrorism
homepage = [http://www.iraqvetsforcongress.org iraqvetsforcongress.org]

Iraq Veterans for Congress is a grass-roots political organization consisting of military veterans who are Republican candidates for the United States House of Representatives.

Overview

The candidates have all served during combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom, which they state forged them leaders who are "fearless, tested and ready to lead." [" [http://www.foxbusiness.com/article/wall-street-journal-reuters-television-cover-iraq-vets-congress-dc_559115_1.html 'Wall Street Journal' and 'Reuters Television' Cover Iraq Vets for Congress in DC] ". "Fox Business". April 11 2008.] A main objective of the organization is to counter what they feel is the "often misleading and biased reporting" on Iraq." [http://kml2008.com/Iraq_Vets_for_Congress_denounce_Soros.htm Iraq Vets for Congress Denounces George Soros' Attacks] ". Press Release. " [http://www.iraqvetsforcongress.com Iraq Veterans for Congress] ". January 23 2007.]

A prominent member of the organization is Duncan Duane Hunter, the son of Congressman and former presidential candidate Duncan Hunter of California. [" [http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/02/26/members_of_iraq_veterans_for_congress/ Members of Iraq Veterans for Congress] ". "Associated Press". February 26, 2008.] Roughly a quarter of the 110th United States Congress has military service on its resume, down from nearly 50 percent in 1991. According to a recent study by Duke University, veterans are under-represented in Congress compared to the population as a whole for the first time in U.S. history.James, Alexa. " [http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080320/NEWS/803200310/-1/NEWS Returning vets form a political surge] ". "Times-Herald Record". March 20 2008.] The organization is closely allied to the Veterans for Freedom organization, which was founded by one of its members. [Andersen, Ericka. " [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=25928 Vets for Freedom Revitalizes Support for Victory] ". "Human Events". April 9 2008.]

Philosophy

Iraq Veterans for Congress was founded by Marine Corporal Kieran Lalor. [" [http://iraqvetsforcongress.org Iraq Vets for Congress] ". Retrieved April 14 2008.] The organizations pledges to restore "leadership and honor" in Washington, D.C., and perceives itself as a counterweight to "the alliance of the Democratic leadership with the antiwar Left, abetted by a compliant news media."Lalor, Kieran. " [http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/03/iraq_vets_for_congress.html Iraq Vets for Congress] ". "American Thinker". March 17 2008.] The organization has positioned itself in stark contrast to anti-war veterans groups such as Veterans for a Secure America, and The Veterans' Alliance for Security and Democracy. [Smyth, Julie Carr. " [http://www.ohio.com/news/ap?articleID=446816&c=y Veterans scramble for campaign cash, anti-war group's backing] ". "Associated Press". March 18 2008.] The organization's platform includes victory in Iraq, staying on the offensive in the war on terror, and taking care of all veterans. [Smyth, Julie Carr. " [http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_candidate_veterans_022608/ Pro-war vets running for Congress team up] ". "Associated Press". February 27 2008.]

The organization also supports the claims of President George W. Bush that the administration's goal in the invasion was to bring democracy to countries in the Middle East and to oppose "islamofascism". [cite episode
title = IVC, Lalor, and Breazeale on FOX News
url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVq_9x_FNLE
series = Fox News Watch
credits = Shannon Bream
network = "Fox News"
airdate = 2008-03-14] While the organization typically avoids discussing the justifications leading up to the war, it points to American successes in Iraq, including establishing democracy and the countless successful reconstruction operations from Civil Affairs units, which are not well-covered by major media outlets. [" [http://www.iraqvetsforcongress.com/IVC-Vets-for-Freedom.htm IVC Standing with Vets for Freedom] ". Press Release. " [http://www.iraqvetsforcongress.com Iraq Veterans for Congress] ". March 26 2008.] [Botti, David. " [http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/soldiershome/archive/2008/03/05/interview-an-iraq-vet-runs-for-congress.aspx Interview: An Iraq Vet Runs for Congress] ". "Newsweek". March 5 2008.] Candidates strongly favor the Iraq War troop surge of 2007, and disparage opponents as defeatists who are inexperienced or unrealistic. They insist that by fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq, the United States is made more secure. Also, they believe that having American military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan offers strategic advantages in a potential conflict with Iran. Massachusetts candidate Nathan Bech served in both wars.

Activities

The organization has had spots on "Fox News", "Newsweek" and major metropolitan papers, and members were invited to the National Republican Campaign Committees annual Washington, D.C. dinner in March 2008. [" [http://www.iraqvetsforcongress.com/IVC-recognized-NRCC.htm Lalor and Iraq Veterans for Congress Recognized at National GOP Dinner] ". Press Release. " [http://www.iraqvetsforcongress.com Iraq Veterans for Congress] ". March 13 2007.] The organization has endorsed veteran John McCain for President of the United States, and urged Republicans to unite behind him as nominee. They hope that his presidential bid can help candidates for Congress achieve victory on his coattails. [Millman, Joel and Farnam, T.W. " [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120761362590096605.html Republican Iraq Vets Seek 17 House Seats] ". "The Wall Street Journal". April 8 2008.]

The organization also serves as a media watch dog. In one instance it discovered the Center for Public Integrity, which it calls a "front group" for billionaire George Soros, published a study about the security threat posed by Iraq, but misreported the facts. Stories by the "Associated Press" and "The New York Times" about the study did not report the inaccuracies, or the center's connection with Soros.

The organization has also drawn attention to the attacks by MoveOn.org on Gen. David Petraeus, calling the group devoted to "defeat in Iraq" [Lalor, Kieran. " [http://americanthinker.com/2007/09/general_petraeus_congressman.html General Petraeus' Congressman] ". "American Thinker". September 15 2007.] after MoveOn ran an ad full of factual inaccuracies [" [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2007/09/general_betray_us.html General Betray Us? - Fact Checker] ". "Washington Post". September 2007.] in "The New York Times" referring to him as "General Betray Us", which was widely criticized by the media and both Republicans and Democrats. [" [http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/10/petraeus.moveon/index.html GOP calls on top Senate Dem to condemn anti-Petraeus ad] ". "CNN". September 10 2007.]

List of candidates

The array of candidates put forward by the group includes soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marine officers and enlisted personnel who served in the war in Iraq. While most are running against incumbent Democrats or running in a primary for an open seat, a few are running against Republican incumbents in primaries. All of the candidates have pledged to run as a "united front" in support of each other, and the group will provide fund raising and volunteers to its candidates. [Seminara, Jim. " [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=26039 Troop Surge in Congress?] ". "Human Events". April 16 2008.]

*Nathan Bech, Massachusetts's 1st congressional district
*David Bellavia, New York's 26th congressional district
*Will Breazeale, North Carolina's 7th congressional district
*Mike Coffman, Colorado's 6th congressional district
*Wayne E. Harmon, Indiana's 7th congressional district
*Duncan D. Hunter, California's 52nd congressional district
*Kieran Lalor, New York's 19th congressional district
*Tom Manion, Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district
*Vince Micco, New Jersey's 9th congressional district
*Bentley Rayburn, Colorado's 5th congressional district
*Tom Roughneen, New Jersey's 7th congressional district
*William Russell, Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district
*Matt Salisbury, Idaho's 1st congressional district
*Duane Sand, North Dakota's At-large congressional district
*Steve Stivers, Ohio's 15th congressional district
*Charlie Summers, Maine's 1st congressional district
*Allen West, Florida's 22nd congressional district
*Lee Zeldin, New York's 1st congressional district

References

External links

* [http://iraqvetsforcongress.org Iraq Veterans for Congress]