Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Politics

VFW backs rival of disabled Iraq vet

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published November 4, 2006

CHICAGO - The Veterans of Foreign Wars' political action committee Friday endorsed a Republican congressional candidate with no military experience over a Democrat who lost her legs in combat in Iraq.

The endorsement of GOP state Sen. Peter Roskam over Tammy Duckworth angered some Illinois veterans, as well as national figures such as former Sen. Bob Kerrey, a veteran who lost a leg in Vietnam.

"They should be ashamed of themselves," he said. "They have some explaining to do to their members."

Duckworth is a former Black Hawk helicopter pilot with the Army who lost her legs when her aircraft was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Roskam's support for veterans, national security, defense and military personnel issues led to the endorsement, the PAC's national director, Salvatore Capirchio, wrote in a letter to the candidate.

Flanked by about 20 veterans at a news conference, Duckworth said she was never contacted by the organization or asked to fill out a questionnaire, as typically happens when organizations are deciding which candidates to endorse. "I think it's unfortunate they did this," she said.

[Last modified November 4, 2006, 01:21:29]