McCain and Cleland making Veterans Day visits to Minnesota

11/11/2005

Mark Brunswick,
Star Tribune
Last update: November 10, 2005 at 10:44 PM

Two of America’s most famous and politically influential veterans arrive in Minnesota today, and it may be no coincidence that both are here at a time of growing political clout of veterans and their causes on both sides of the political divide.

Disabled vet and former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia will endorse Tim Walz, a veteran who is a Democratic candidate for Congress in the First District against six-term Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht, who is not a veteran.

This evening, Sen. John McCain, a former prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, will speak in Minneapolis at a benefit for a fund started to aid military members and their families.

Walz, of Mankato, a former command sergeant major in the Army National Guard, is one of at least eight veterans of military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan running for U.S. House seats as Democrats in 2006.

It comes as no surprise that Cleland would endorse fellow Democrat Walz. The two met while campaigning for presidential candidate John Kerry. But while Walz has said his military experience is only one piece of his character, Cleland’s comments on Walz’s years of military service reflect a strategy to make the most of it. In an interview, Cleland talked about such things as the benefits of someone who has “borne the battle” and “served in war.”

“His experience in the military is second to none and God knows we need that in the U.S. Congress today as we face a war with no end, with no strategy to win and no strategy to get out,” Cleland said. “We need people in Washington whom we can trust.”

Gutknecht campaign manager Nels Pierson said it is too early to talk about potential opponents, especially one who has yet to be endorsed by his own party.

“His military service is commendable, but ultimately the people of the First District will look to the leadership and action that Congressman Gutknecht has taken for all the people,” Pierson said.

Pierson also said McCain offered his services at a fundraiser and town hall meeting in the district but had to reschedule. The appearance would have piggybacked on his scheduled appearance in Minneapolis.

McCain, who is mentioned as a possible 2008 presidential candidate, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Minneapolis Hilton for the Minnesotan’s Military Appreciation Dinner, part of a fundraising initiative for Minnesotans who have served in combat since September 2001.

For his part, McCain said he didn’t think military experience was vital for governing, pointing out that presidents such as Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan had limited or no military experience.

But McCain, who said he will not make a decision about his own political future until after the 2006 mid-term elections, acknowledged that having served in the military might be helpful for members of Congress, “not so much from a national security perspective but because they would have a better appreciation for the issues that the men and women who are serving confront.”

Twenty six percent of the members of Congress have served in the military, down from a high of 77 percent in 1977 and 1978.

Some have accused Democrats of openly recruiting veterans as a way to improve the party’s image.

“Having military experience can be an asset but it’s not going to compensate for a candidate who is wrong on the issues,” said Ed Patru, a spokesman for the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee.

Democrats have denied the focus on vets but acknowledge they are looking for “out of the box” candidates.

“People who have served in Iraq and Vietnam and of all stripes have come to us and said they are interested in continuing their service. They make for great candidates,” said Bill Burton, communications director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

McCain said he believes the new group of candidates have genuine intentions, regardless of party affiliation.

“It’s more along the lines of people who have come back from combat and they say, ‘I want to continue to serve. I’m concerned about certain issues and the best way I can address them is to be elected.’ “ he said.