Common Sense

Liberals don’t speak for him. Really, that’s the subject line in the press release email. I wanted a debate about Iraq, and I got one.

Dear Nate,
You may know that I am Veteran and, in fact, the only Republican Iraq Veteran on the ballot this November.  It is an honor and I’m humbled by the responsibility.  Especially as our team takes arrow after arrow from a biased anti-war media and those who claim to be military experts.

Yet last week was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

When John Murtha, the Democrats self-proclaimed Iraq critic, claimed our “American presence in Iraq is more dangerous to world peace than nuclear threats from North Korea or Iran…”, I knew I had to speak up.

Good for you, Van. It’s those extremists like Murtha that are hurting the war effort. How dare he say America is more dangerous than nuclear threats from Iran or North Korea. That’s just silly. Luckily, we’ve got the likes of Brit Hume and Bill O’Reilly on our side. I mean, those guys and I have to agree on something at some point, right? Law of averages and all.

Correction: An article in Sunday’s editions misinterpreted a comment from U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., at a town hall meeting in North Miami on Saturday. In his speech, Murtha said U.S. credibility was suffering because of continued U.S. military presence in Iraq ,and the perception that the U.S. is an occupying force. Murtha was citing a recent poll, by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, that indicates a greater percentage of people in 10 of 14 foreign countries consider the U.S. in Iraq a greater danger to world peace than any threats posed by Iran or North Korea.

Oops. It turns out he really didn’t say that after all. It’s kind of embarrassing since Brit Hume had to make an on-air correction (though, curiously, the online version of his story has not been amended to reflect this). So Van is mad at Murtha for something he didn’t actually say. The Miami Sun-Sentinel misquoted him and no one checked the quote (sounds like bloggers have taken over, doesn’t it?) before running with it.

That poll, by the way, is something many of us anti-war crazies have been worried about since this whole thing started. It turns out that yes, the world does in fact hate us because of the Iraq War.

I’m not ready to sew a Candian flag onto my backpack for international trips (like I would actually travel more than 100 miles from my house), but I can’t help but wonder at the damage to America’s pride and prestige from this misadventure in Iraq.

It’s just outrageous Murtha would blame America.  Unfortunately, most folks tend to want to believe what they read in the newspaper.

Unfortunate, indeed. Full release after the jump.

Dear Nate,

You may know that I am Veteran and, in fact, the only Republican Iraq Veteran on the ballot this November.  It is an honor and I’m humbled by the responsibility.  Especially as our team takes arrow after arrow from a biased anti-war media and those who claim to be military experts.

Yet last week was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

When John Murtha, the Democrats self-proclaimed Iraq critic, claimed our “American presence in Iraq is more dangerous to world peace than nuclear threats from North Korea or Iran…”, I knew I had to speak up.

Why should John Murtha get to “speak” for veterans?

My answer is — he doesn’t and I could use your help to put a stop to it right now.

It’s just outrageous Murtha would blame America.  Unfortunately, most folks tend to want to believe what they read in the newspaper.  We need a stronger voice who’ll s peak up and go toe-to-toe with the Murtha’s, Pelosi’s, Clinton’s and Kerry’s. People need to know we have a plan to win the War on Terror.  And they need to hear confidence from men and women who’ve served and fought to protect our country.

I am running for Congress to represent the <17th District of Texas> [link to VT website] in a manner which will honor our Veterans and honor people who want to reassert our core conservative values.  My opponent is a career politician who is beholden to National Democrats like Murtha and Pelosi.  

I need your help to  build on our momentum and grow our team.  With only 72 hours left until thenext financial filing deadline, I am asking for your personal help.

Will you please help me make this report strong with a one-time special gift of $1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50, or $25 ­ or an amount you can afford today?

Will you help me “Beat the Clock” and reach this critical fundraising goal by clicking here now and following this secure link?

In our race for Congress, I commit to you that no one will work harder than me. I am traveling to each corner and county in the 17th District, listening to our neighbor s, recruiting supporters, and asking for votes.  But running a campaign across our big District is expensive.

We have put together a talented team and developed a long-term strategy to win.  Our first step is reaching this quarter¹s important fundraising goal.

That’s why I hope you¹ll help me “Beat the Clock” today with your most generous one-time gift.

Please say “yes” now. There¹s no time to waste. Your action today is critical to the success of my campaign.

I appreciate your friendship and know campaigns are won one supporter and one vote at a time.  Please help me “Beat the Clock” today.

Sincerely,

Van Taylor