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May 18, 2010
DEMOCRAT Senate Candidate Richard Blumenthal FAKED His Vietnam War Service
Dem Senate Candidate Richard Blumenthal faked his Vietnam War service and lied about being the captain of the Harvard Swim Team.
Richard Blumenthal in 2008 lying about serving in Vietnam
Report: Blumenthal lied about military service
Did attorney general and senate hopeful Richard Blumenthal ever serve in Vietnam? Well, no. But according to The New York Times, Blumenthal is suggesting the opposite.
Blumenthal also claims he served as the Captain of the Harvard swim team, despite records at the college showing that he was never on the team.
“We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam,” Blumenthal said to a group gathered in Norwalk in March 2008. But Blumehthal according to the Times, obtained five military deferments from 1965 to 1970 and took steps to avoid going to war.
“In 1970, with his last deferment in jeopardy, he enlisted in the Marine Reserve, landing a coveted spot in a unit in Washington, D.C., which virtually guaranteed that he would not be sent to Vietnam. The unit conducted part-time drills and other exercises and focused on local projects, like fixing a campground and organizing a Toys for Tots drive,” The Times report says.
The paper asked the attorney general about the contrast, and Blumenthal reportedly responded that he had misspoken.
“My intention has always been to be completely clear and accurate and straightforward, out of respect to the veterans who served in Vietnam,” he told the paper in an interview.
But The Times goes on to list several speeches during which it suggests Blumenthal misled his audience about his military career.
At a rally in Bridgeport in 2003, Blumenthal was quoted as saying, “When we returned, we saw nothing like this,”
In 2008, in Shelton, Blumenthal spoke at a veterans’ memorial dedication saying, “I served during the Vietnam era. … I remember the taunts, the insults, sometimes even physical abuse.”
“As a veteran myself, anyone who lies about their service should be ashamed of themselves,” City Councilor Rick Dalla Valle, himself a veteran said. “People give their lives every day, and anyone that lies about their service should be ashamed.”
Bob Hunter, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9086, and a Navy Veteran beleives that anyone that may have lied about their service should do whatever is necessary to make it right.
“I take issue with anyone that might lie about their service, it is up to the person to make ammends,” Hunter said. Hunter served in the navy from 1980 to 1984.
Blumenthal came out later today and blamed Republicans for his lies. He will appear at a press conference today with Connecticut veterans.
Vietnam allegations threaten frontrunning Blumenthal in CT-Senate (blames Republicans for his lies)
The New York Times' story detailing Connecticut Attorney General Dick Blumenthal's (D) misstatements about his service in Vietnam -- he received five deferments and never served in the country, according to the paper -- has the potential to fundamentally reshape the Nutmeg State Senate race.
Writes Raymond Hernandez: "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." Oomph.
Blumenthal campaign manager Mindy Myers released a statement late Monday night describing the Times story as "an outrageous distortion" although she did not deny the fact that the candidate had misled people about the nature of his service. Myers noted that Blumenthal will appear at a press conference tomorrow with Connecticut veterans.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee communications director Eric Schultz put the blame for the story on Republicans and, in particular, former World Wrestling Entertainment executive Linda McMahon who is running for the GOP nod.
"Its no surprise Republicans would want to smear Dick Blumenthal, considering all of the debauchery at [WWE] under Linda McMahon's watch," said Schultz.
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Wild Thing's comment..........
What a despicable thing to claim. Purposely avoiding service and then trying to lump himself in with the true heroes who actually did sacrifice is flat out unforgivable!
Every time the POS democrats LIE and get caught they say they " misspoke". I say " misspoke" is BS a lie is a lie. Go to hell you POS!
Posted by Wild Thing at May 18, 2010 05:55 AM
Comments
He got 5 deferments ? How is that possible, he really must've known somebody with a lot of clout. Yet today he's using it to feather his own nest on the back of people who did serve.
Ok Bad enough, but now blame somebody else for his lies, the Republicans didn't make up the lies for him he did that all on his own. The people will see through this charade and cut him off at the knees, which is what he deserves.
Posted by: Mark at May 18, 2010 07:34 AM
This is despicable! Goes hand-in-hand with the smoke and mirror liars that currently run rampant in the WH and DC. Tangential approval. Well....we.will.remember.november.
Posted by: jan at May 18, 2010 09:14 AM
He may be a Vietnam Era Veteran but he didn't serve in Vietnam. There's a difference between serving during a war and actually having your boots on the ground in-country.
Misspoke? Funny how he misspoke for years.
Posted by: BobF at May 18, 2010 10:45 AM
I am glad that Mr. Blumenthal was caught in his lies, exaggerations and misstatements and I am amazed that the New York Times actually reported his party in the 3rd paragraph (usually, they avoid ever mentioning party when a Democrat is caught, while even the smallest Republican faux pas will be identifed "REPUBLICAN' in the first sentence).
However, there *is* a larger truth in Mr. Blumenthal's misstatements. The Left was well known for disrespecting military personnel, whether they came back from Vietnam, Germany, Korea or were entirely stateside. My older cousins serving at the time always changed into civvies as soon as they could to avoid hassles.
Posted by: Curmudgeon at May 18, 2010 12:33 PM
And this was true well into the 1970's, and arguably is true in some places today. Although since every base in the San Fransicko area is now closed, perhaps the point is moot.
Posted by: Curmudgeon at May 18, 2010 12:41 PM
Yup, he says "... the days I served in Viet Nam... " sure enough (the rat).
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2010 03:10 PM
Mark, I agree, I hope he loses badly, big time. What he did and then to blame anyone else. sheesh. I hope this is all over the internet at least some of the population will find out about it.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 18, 2010 05:39 PM
Jan, it sure does it goes right along with it. I agree too we will remember in November. People are paying attention now more then they did before. Not everyone but a lot more then used to.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 18, 2010 05:41 PM
BobF., yes good one....he "misspoke" for years.
I agree too there is a difference in those that served during the Vietnam War Era and those that served in Vietnam.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 18, 2010 05:47 PM
Curmudgeon, no I don't think your point is moot at all. Thank you for pointing out about how those serving, so many of them did do exactly that. I heard too about how a lot of Vets were told they could not attend some of the Univ. and Colleges back them they were told it might be disruptive. GRRRRRRR When I heard about that my blood boiled with anger.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 18, 2010 05:51 PM
Anonymous, thanks, don't you just love the way the left is playing it down today, trying to ignore it too. They tick me off so much.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 18, 2010 05:55 PM
Scumbag liar.
Posted by: Greg at May 19, 2010 12:13 AM
The man is despicable. I speak as a Korean Vet who was still in training school when it ended but my best friend died there at 17 an his sacrifice is with me constantly.
Having said that, I don't agree that this is a Republican or democrat failing. I have seen many examples of it in my 77 years and they come from all political persuasions - and are pathetic.
BTW - we Korean era vets were not shunned, or were those of who served at that same time by patrolling the East/West border in Germany. When I returned from Germany in 1955, I came home proudly wearing my uniform for a week or so until I got my civilian life together. My employer welcomed me back with a serious promotion and pay raise. More important,we had a great GI Bill that I think is the due of all vets.
As much as I deplore the way Vietnam vets were treated, I cannot say that any others were so badly treated.
Posted by: JoeHark at May 19, 2010 12:49 AM
Yep, it's bad enough with all the deferments but to say he didn't have help getting into a Marine reserve company stretches even my small imagination, this was at a time when the U.S Marines were having to draft some of it's replacements, then to outright steal a combat Marine's valor by lying, shame on you Richard, I know JFK and LBJ set some seedy examples in the party but Tsk Tsk.
Posted by: Jack at May 19, 2010 01:06 AM
BTW - we Korean era vets were not shunned, or were those of who served at that same time by patrolling the East/West border in Germany. When I returned from Germany in 1955, I came home proudly wearing my uniform for a week or so until I got my civilian life together. My employer welcomed me back with a serious promotion and pay raise. More important,we had a great GI Bill that I think is the due of all vets.
Sorry for the misunderstanding JoeHark, what I meant to say was that during the Vietnam era (and well into the 1970's after it), it was common for the Left to disrespect military personnel in uniform, wherever they were serving or came from. 1955 was still a military friendly time.
Posted by: Curmudgeon at May 19, 2010 10:48 AM
