Mon 25 Jul 2005
A Slap In The Face: Schmidt Advisor Questions Hackett’s Service
Posted by Editor under Hackett[83] Comments
On her recent appearance on the Speaking Frankly radio show Jean Schmidt stated that Eric Minamyer was advising her campaign. Given Mr. Minamyer’s recent habit of indirectly questioning Paul Hackett’s service in Iraq this site must ask the question does Eric Minamyer speak for the Schmidt campaign?
I understand that Hackett did not participate in combat at all. It is still dangerous over there as I can personally attest. Let’s just not act as though we led marines in combat if we did not, okay…
I have asked the question time and again, what role did he actually play?
Given all the opportunities he has had to say “I served in combat” one fair conclusion is that he did not.
Did Mr. Minamyer really ask the question to Paul Hackett? Somehow I doubt that he’s talked to anyone on the Hackett campaign on this issue since if he did he would have heard some very interesting things. When I called last night I talked to someone working on the campaign who had actually served with Hackett in Iraq. He told an interesting story of them almost being killed on a trip to Baghdad. To get further clarification I asked Hackett’s campaign manager about Hackett combat ribbons:
I am not a military guy, but from what I understand he is slated to receive at least 2, but has not been sent them yet.
He does not want to tout his military ribbons for the campaign.
CCW on her blog has this to say about Mr. Minamyer’s comments on Mr. Hackett:
Every attack he makes feels like a slap in the face to those who have friends and family in Iraq. I’m sure that was not his intent, but belittling a service members’ function, seems an attempt to downplay the seriousness of the events in Iraq. My brother-in-law spent a little more than a year in Iraq. He was part of a public affairs unit. Public affairs is also considered a non-combat role and my brother’s unit was in a “secure” area. Did this keep them out of danger? Of course not. Did this keep us from worrying day and night about his safety? Absolutely not. I know with 100% certainty that my brother would have been safer sitting in his living room than being anywhere in Iraq.
Let’s get down to brass tacks: Mr. Minamyer’s attacks on Paul Hackett’s service to our country are nothing more than disgusting partisan attempt to score points against someone who risked his life to follow the orders of our President. Emphasis on OUR President Mr. Minamyer. This site for one would advise the Schmidt campaign to tighten the leash of their advisor Eric Minamyer. He’s not doing her campaign any good by peddling this swill.
As for you, Mr. Minamyer: if you have any questions for Paul Hackett about his service, I suggest that you ask him to his face. He’s easy enough to find these days.
I am asking the questions about Hackett’s duties because his ad on tv implies that he led marines in combat. Civil Affairs Officers attached to marine division do not normally do that. I am not attacking his service, just trying to discover exactly what it was.
Being a Civil Affairs Officer is a noble thing and carried the same dangers we all faced in the Middle East. If one’s role was not command or combat, however, one should not imply that it was.
I would not have mentioned ribbons except it raised by a Hackett supporter. The whole ribbons thing came up because one blogger said that the ribbons proved Hackett had been in combat. This is not accurate, however.
Ribbons are given for participating in a campaign. They are not just for combat. Everyone in the theatre gets one. There are insignia that go on the ribbon depending on the exact details.
I offer this as factual background so non-military folks can understand that ribbons do not equal combat. Two ribbons were authorized for the global war on terror and I am sure that he earned those as did all who were over there. There is also one for service in SW Asia and one for being in an expeditionary force no matter where it is. That’s four, same as everyone over there.
I would not have raised the questions about his exact duties except you guys were congratulating yourselves on what a splendid commercial Hackett put together. This glee included the fact that it did a splendid job of disguising his party affiliation and using the president’s image.
I noted also the vague and unusual words used to describe his military service. I still do not know what “follow my marines” means. I had never heard a marine officer said it that way and it made me curious.
When I have spoken of my role in the war I have said I was the inspector general and this is what my duties were.
I guess to some asking a direct question they don’t want to answer is an “attack.” I do not see questions as “attacks”.
Similarly, it is no “attack” to say a person was not in combat, unless there have been claims or implications that the person has.
I am not disparaging his service or anyone else’s. I just want to know what it was. Nothing in the above post by the editor answers that question.
The article is another example of the straw man argument. The article sets out a distorted version of what I have said and then shoves it over like a straw man. The only trouble is I never attacked Hackett’s service. I asked questions that the above post still does not answer.
Did Hackett lead marines in combat? Did Hackett command marines at all, if so who? Was he a member of division staff? This all I am asking. Note that the source listed is a marine who served with, not under the command of, Major Hackett.
I reiterate that I speak here for myself alone. I am a voter in OH2. Advising Jean Schmidt and speaking for her are two different things. I do not speak for her.
I just sent the following to Hackett’s campaign email:
“Did Paul Hackett lead marines in combat?
Did Paul Hackett command marines at all, if so who?
Was Paul Hackett in combat?
What were Paul Hackett’s duties in Iraq?
Was he part of Division Staff and to whom did he report?
What does “follow my marines” in the tv ad mean?
A written reply please.”
I will post the reply, if I get one.
What is it about Republicans and their constant disrespect for our men and women in uniform? You may risk your life to serve our country, but when you come home the Republican slime machine will spit on you.
Minamyer’s behavior is disgraceful. Why does he show so much disrespect to our troops? Does he support smearing the service records of veterans who happen to be Democrats? What is the litmus test for an “acceptable” veteran? A registered Republican?
Mr. Minamyer, you are lying. You have been doing backhanded questioning of Hackett’s service on your blog for over three weeks now… long before any TV commercial went on their air. From your blog July 2nd:
If you were serious about wanting to know you would have asked him. You didn’t.
Have you ever heard of a push poll, Mr. Minimyer? It’s when you ask a question that is designed to lead someone into assuming something negative about another person. That is exactly what you are doing on your blog. You are trying to suggest doubt in your readers minds as to the true nature of Hackett’s service in Iraq.
My Minamyer, we aren’t playing that game here. We aren’t letting you pull a Rove on Hackett like they did on John McCain and Max Cleland. When you ask leading questions that raise doubts about the character of someone that is an attack, and it’s a low down, below the belt, cowardly type of attack.
We sat by and watched how the game was played here in the primary. The rumors… the backhanded characterizations… we aren’t going to let you get away with what they did to Pat DeWine. When you bring it we answer and we make sure that you remember our answer and think twice about bringing it again.
If you’ve got something to say, SAY IT. If you’ve got a question for Paul Hackett, ask him.
I’m a independent from PA., I have no dog in this fight. But I do now that I see Republicans smearing another veteran. I’ll be sending Mr. Hackett a little something as soon as I’m done here, thanks to Eric. (Why are Republicans so anxious to trash our veterans and troops?)
It’s very simple. Republicans, even those who have worn the uniform, no longer respect service to this country.
Congratulations, Mr Minamyer. I just sent $50 to Mr. Hackett.
If the Rethuglican in question is talking about the add thst starts with George Bush, all Hackett says is “…to serve and fight with my marines in Iraq”
You could argue ‘my marines’ is a bit of a vague comment (but so what?), but I think it’s a big stretch to go from that to suggesting that Paul Hackett claimed to be leading a combat troup in Iraq.
Is there another ad I’m not familiar with?
Now I’m not going to let that go unanswered. Mr. Minamyer’s posts do not represent the Party, although there are many in the beltway that use the same tactics. It would be nice if they spoke up a little more, but tomorrow’s another day. As I always say, it’s never too late to start doing the right thing.
The line “Being a Civil Affairs Officer is a noble thing and carried the same dangers we all faced in the Middle East” can be rather full of it.
While a CA officer does not face the risks that a trigger-pulling infantryman who regularly goes on patrols does, CA officers — especially those in Fallujah — regular have to go out into the ‘local’ terrain. They do not generally spend all of their time sitting back in headquarters like IGs do.
And, there is a WIDE range of risk for those in the Middle East. How many have been killed at the CENTCOM command post in Qatar? Perhaps some from a heart attack, but definitely not enemy action. How many aboard a U.S. Navy ship? Again, none! Now, having been in this type of terrain (often with CA officers and enlisted), I can promise you that Civil Affairs personnel are at far greater risk than a Navy Inspector General — that not everyone serving in the “Middle East carries the same risk”.
RE Service in Fallujah — a KEY point for the U.S. Marine Corps’ operations there were efforts to have Iraqi forces involved. In spring 2004, an unmitigated disaster. In fall 2004, some success and some mediocrity … Marine Corps operations heavily involve Iraqi forces.
Minamyer — you are not just a hack in your attacks, but you are a poorly informed one as well.
Editor: The issue about the Iraqi forces in Baghdad was unrelated to asking what Hackett did in the war. I was addressing another issue altogether. Calling me a liar based on another straw man you erected, I see. In Fallujah, the marines handled the operation themselves while Major Hackett was there. That discussion was about where he was not what he was doing. It addressed only whether he had any firsthand knowledge of how well the trained Iraqi brigades were doing.
You will have to compare dates on Iraqi army operations in Fallujah with the dates Major Hackett was there, he didn’t spend his entire 7 months there. I understood from his website that it was the later part of his stay, so that would be early 2005. Early in the training process some Iraqi troops ran like jackrabbits. I wrote about that too.
Those of you who got your data on what I allegedly said in my blog solely from the misleading statements of OH2 should read my blog directly (and all of it) to see context. Our editor is a master of pushing over the strawman he tells you is someone else’s position.
Also, have you seen the ad. Remember that when you watch it now after being told that it implies combat leadership you have the advantage the normal viewer does not have of being forewarned. everyone I asked about it said they thought he was saying he was in combat. He said he “followed my marines to Iraq”. I still have no idea what that means.
To besieged by bush: Whose disparaging service now. Bahrain is an ally nation and is a secure area. Our base had lots of marine guards. I worked directly with the commander of the fifth fleet/navy central command. I have never claimed to be a combat leader or implied that I was. I was almost killed twice: once in a helicopter incident and once from a disease that stopped my heart. Our base was bombed about 30 meters from my office. One of our officers was shot in the head on the street. We regularly had demonstrations behind my flat. There were roving gangs of militant youths.
I have no idea what dangers Hackett actually faced. That is what I want to find out. And I did travel out of the office once and a while.
By the way, who got the idea that navy duty is risk free. We seize smugglers all the time. My stepsons are both assigned to the boarding parties. Anybody want to volunteer to be one of about 10 guys to go aboard the seized vessel to secure and inspect. We lost two sailors when the very old oil tanker they were trying to keep afloat suddenly sank. The guys on the USS Cole would probably differ with you too. We have cargo handlers and other ashore in Kuwait and Iraq.
Asking what role a candidate for Congress actually played in the war is not disrespect for the armed forces or for his service. I know what push polling is Mr. Editor and this isn’t it.
Also, see above. I sent an email to Hackett headquarters. No answer yet, but I am sure I will get one. I promise to share the reply without editing it. I will not, like some, quote sections out of context.
To Manteo: What disrespect? Nice knee jerk reaction there buddy. I served in uniform from 1971 to 2004 when I retired. I assume you were in the service too.
I was in Desert Storm and back again for five tours since 9/11. I am a life member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Reserve Officers Association etc. My respect for men and women in uniform leads me to question the details when someone seems to be overstating their role. The service I know Hackett did was honorable enough, why embellish?
Ask a few direct questions and the next thing you know you are no longer a veteran who served, who loves his country, who supports the troops etc. You are a hater of all that is good and decent; and worse.
I think the average voter does not really care what duties a person had while they served in a war. The average voters just looks ate whether or not a person as served in the military or not. The only people that really care about what person did while serving in a war are those that take the time to research all they can about a person running for office.
I interpret “my fellow marines” comment as serving with people who are marines. There is a saying once a marine always a marine. Wven though you might not be in active or reserve duty you are still a marine.
Luke 12:48 is the words Paul has quoted in the campaign to much is given much is to be expected. I think Paul feels that he has been give much, so he couldn’t sit in his Indian Hill home knowing his fellow marines where fighting. This lead him to reenlist.
The words Hackett used were vague. As I said earlier, who cares?
The point of the ad was that Mr. Hackett believed in serving his country and showed that he did so by going over and fighting in Iraq. He doesn’t claim to be a military hero and he doesn’t claim to have been a leader of an infantry, he doesn’t even claim that he saw combat. So, what he actually did over there is irrelevent.
If Mr. Minamyer is suggesting that a few vague words make Mr. Hackett unfit to serve office, then I would merely ask: what do years of sleazy and unethical behaviour make Jean Schmidt?
In the commercial Hackett says “that’s what led me to fight with my marines in Iraq”. If that does not imply a combat leadership role, English is not my native tonque.
A marine commander will refer to “his marines” when he commands them. It is not a vague reference to all other marines to say “my marines.” That’s not how they talk.
That is why I ask a direct question whether he did in fact command marines in combat or even “fighting” to use that term. Let’s have the facts and let everyone decide whether he exagerated his role by saying “fighting with my marines in Iraq.”
If he exagerated his role the voters have a right to know that. The issue is whether he is being truthful in his ad.
What a load of malarky.
It’s obvious what you are doing Mr. Minamyer. I watched you do it during the primary debates; talk about how you weren’t going to attack people and then go right around and do back handed attacks. I even made a special note of it in my campaign diary: I’m not going to point fingers, like some people here… I don’t think that what your dad does should matter…
That’s when I gave you the label of “Official Republican Fall Guy / Anti-DeWine Attack Dog“. At the time I just thought that it was funny that here you were talking about how you weren’t attacking people and all the time slamming Pat DeWine. Now I realize that it’s your modus operandi.
Again… if this was something that you really cared about you would have asked Paul or his campaign manager David, just as I did with Jean Schmidt’s campaign manager on many issues.
It wasn’t till I called you on it that you went through the farce of actually asking the Hackett campaign the questions.
You’ve already admitted to making up your mind Mr. Minamyer. There’s nothing that Hackett could have said that would convince you of anything. You are a partisan. Ms. Schmidt says that you are a partisan. You work with her helping her win this race. Don’t play all innocent with us. Any question that you have of Paul Hackett is designed to make him look bad. That’s what partisans do.
But here’s how it is: We’re not going to sit by and let you Swift Boat Paul Hackett. These Democrats don’t play that game.
A little something to change the mood: Rowboat Veteran’s for Truth:
I saw this story in the Post today. The look on that girl’s face is gut-wrenching. I don’t think she cares what he did in Iraq. Nor do I think she cares that he drowned in a tank accident and not by the enemie’s hands. This is the reason it sickens me that Mr. Minamyer insists upon details, details, details. They are irrelevant to the danger involved in being Iraq. The fact that Paul Hackett volunteered makes anything he did there more honorable – at least to me.
Oops – I can’t spell enemy’s.
I assumed that Hackett’s campaign manager reads your blog and the others like mine that address this race. The question has been out there ever since his ad appeared on the net and yet they did not answer.
Let’s just see what response they give, if any, now that they have been asked directly via email.
Will you defend his phrase “that is why I fought with my marines in Iraq” if he was never in combat and never commanded marines?
By the way, I have many modi operandi. Asking questions is one of them. And of course I have made up my mind. What does that to do with whether Hacket’s ad is true.
Is asking him if he had been in combat making him look bad? How? It is not unless he has pretended to have been and was not. See his ad and his website, both of which refer to “fighting” in Iraq.
I for one will defend his choice of words whether or not he was actually “fighting”.
Bush constantly refers to our service members as “fighting the war on terror” at home and abroad. I have never heard him qualify that with any statement such as “only those in the direct line of fire” or “just those who are literally fighting”.
As I said on my blog, I don’t care if Hackett was “fighting with his fellow marines” or “playing Tiddlywinks with his fellow marines”. There is a war going on and I just don’t see how using the word fighting is a huge misrepresentation.
Mr. Minamyer,
You are really a disgusting little man. You’re following in the footsteps of your party and using the “smear a veteran” playbook(Karl Rove approved). Don’t you see it is so blatantly obvious that your candidate is floundering, so you must delve into every little statement and parse every little word to try and smear a good man who HONORABLY served his country, unlike much of your party, including the current occupant of the White House and his sidekick Mr. 5-Deferments.
Why aren’t you so concerned about the murky military history of the President? Isn’t his job a bit more important? Have you asked directly via an email to the White House why his military records are still incomplete and don’t account for a good chunk of his obligated military service? No, of course you haven’t. Oh, I wouldn’t consider an email as directly asking a question either, maybe try picking up a phone book or two.
Paul Hackett will make an excellent early addition to the upcoming Dem majority in the House. I must also applaud you on your assistance in firing up the grass roots to send Major Hackett more money. I know I’m going to contribute just that much more because of your comments. To bad we won’t be doing the same for your candidate, I hope she has her resume updated. I hear it’s a great, vibrant economy out there, so it shouldn’t be too hard for her to find a new job.
BTW, speaking as former Army, I called the members of my unit my Brothers, so “My Marines” doesn’t sound out of line at all. Also, someone volunteering to be ANYWHERE in Iraq to do ANY job is worthy of praise and well earned RESPECT. Something you should read up on.
Let’s face it: There is absolutely nothing objectionable to Hackett’s character. Hackett doesn’t have any skeletons in the closet. I know this because, if he did, the Republicans would have come up with it by now. Consider this attempt to be further proof of how truly moral and upstanding Paul Hackett is. I also hope that Mr. Minamyer’s nitpicking strikes others as absurd given his complete dismissal of Schmidt’s ethical violations and the state investigation which they have prompted.
From the Washington Post of civil affairs in Fallujah, marines, on foot patrol.
‘Expect Snipers on All Minarets’
Patrolling Fallujah by Foot, Marines Who Sought Friendships Now Face Elusive Enemies
By Pamela Constable
Washington Post Foreign Service
Saturday, April 10, 2004; Page A01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A113-2004Apr9¬Found=t rue
It is high noon, and a handful of U.S. Marines are setting out on a foot patrol as the call to prayer begins emanating from mosques across the city. Some of the Marines on this particular patrol are from a civil affairs unit. They have read books about Iraq and taken courses on Islamic culture. Under normal circumstances, they would be chatting with residents through an interpreter, asking about their problems, trying to make friends.
Instead, today they are stalking enemy territory with M-16s at the ready, thrusting their rifles into windows and doors, crouching behind sand piles and rusted factory equipment, communicating with hand signals, turning sharply at an unseen dog’s bark.
And every time they spot another human being, they must instantly decide whether to treat the person as a potential threat or an innocent bystander. That means judging whether a glance is hostile or merely frightened, whether a bundle is more likely to contain food or ammunition.
“Be advised: A group of 20 people carrying white flags are moving behind two trucks,” comes a radio message from another patrol a few blocks away. “Eyes on, keep alert,” responds another voice.
Let’s review… patrol, M-16′s, Marines, Civil Affairs… it all adds up to..combat. Amazing how that works isn’t it. IED’s make no distinction between whether you are in a civil affairs unit or an infantry unit, marine, army or navy. Civil affairs people are regularly out in the population, working with civilians, working with the iraqi military, working period.
…
Shame on you Mr. Minamyer, you and your disgusting ilk.
To Nickster:
The only point is that in the tv ad Hackett says “that is why I fought with my marines in Iraq”. He has only one tv ad. On the website, he says he “fought alongside the Iraqis” when talking about how ineffective they are in combat.
I only asked what his service was. How is that smearing him? I just don’t get it. The only way it smears him is if he has exagerated his duty.
By the way, does calling me names make you feel better?
A writen answer by Hackett to an email is better. I can post it unedited. It is more fair to Hackett that way.
To Ann: this topic is the Hackett ad. The answer to the question did Hackett serve in combat is not, “oh yeah, but look at what Schmidt did.” But we have seen that tactic in the past. I am not attacking Hackett’s character I am questioning his ad.
Hey Eric,
Your behavior inspired me to make another $20.02 contribution to Paul’s campaign, and I threw in a $1.00 tip to Act Blue,”The Online Clearinghouse for Grassroots Action.”
Listen, Eric, I see on the Hackett calender that there’s a Veterans Event scheduled for noon Tuesday. This would be a great opportunity for you to go and find out the answers to all your questions, right from the horse’s mouth. So whaddya say, Eric- are you gonna be there? Since you’re so keen on printed responses, you’re welcome to print your “Yes” or “No” right here for all of us to see.
To Lestadelc:
The questions are occassioned by Hackett’s tv ad. If he served in combat fine. If he led marines, fine. Where is his answer?
When he implies service in combat leading marines, it is a fair question to inquire exacly what he did in Iraq. Look at his ad and at his website.
Why is asking a question so objectionable?
Why do I get called names for asking questions?
Especially unanswered questions?
Eric I think the issue hear is that people do not care what he did in Iraq. You seem to be the only one that cares about what Hackett speciafically did in Iraq. I am not sure that people when they saw/see the ad thought or will think hmm… what did Paul to while in Iraq?
To NBacher: I’ll be at work downtown doing a deposition all day on Tuesday. So to answer directly “no.”
A writen reply is better. No chance of misquoting anyone that way.
My asking direct questions about the wording of the tv ad has inspired you?
I served in the Middle East in Desert Storm and again since 9/11. Does that inspire you also. I would not exagerate what I did or refer to sailors as my sailors unless I commanded them.
I am inspired to question overstatements by people who want to be my representative in Congress. I am still waiting for an actual answer to the questions.
By the way did you look at my blog site to see what I have been posting, instead of just accepting the Editor’s out of context straw man?
Did you view the tv ad?
To Zacilor:
I agree that it really does not matter what he did, all jobs are important and everywhere is dangerous over there. Some duty is more dangerous, but we do what our duty is regardless.
People have taken off on this like I am challenging Hackett that what he actually did is not worthy. Some say they don;t care what he did and that is okay too.
The ad is the thing. What he said was so indirect and implied leadership of marines in combat. Many of us now want to know what he did so we can see if his ad is misleading. That’s all there is to it.
If he shoveled shit and that was his duty that is important work too. But he should not imply leadership in combat if he did not do that.
From an email I received from Paul Hackett 9 January 2005:
photo of seven Marines with following caption written by Major Hackett: “A happy me with fellow Marines after we survived 2 IED’s east of Ramadi one detonating 25 meters in front of my vehicle on the way to Baghdad in a sand storm on 10/22/04″
I’m looking at a photo of Major Hackett, commanding officer, with six of his Marines after having taken enemy fire. Ask me if I care whether Paul Hackett was engaged in “combat” or just plain “fighting.”
Although he will deny it, by any fair definition, he is a hero.
And so are “his” Marines.
Minamyer is trying to weasel out of his own comments. I don’t question Minamyer’s own service; I commend him for it. As he should do when it comes to his fellow veterans. It doesn’t even matter that Hackett served in Iraq and Minamyer did not.
The fact is, Minamyer engaged in a dishonorable effort to smear the service record of a veteran. He claims it’s just about an ad, but of course it’s not. It’s a classic Karl Rove tactic: attack your opponent’s strengths. If Minamyer were not attempting to defame Hackett’s service record, then we wouldn’t even be talking about this.
Again, I think it’s disgraceful how Republicans will attack veterans for political reasons. And never mind the lack of Republican support for medical care for our veterans returning from Iraq, or the incompetence with which the Republicans have managed the war effort. They don’t just attack veterans as a whole, they attack individually as well. I think it’s a real shame.
Eric
Another thing is that is looks like you are wanting to to know specifically what Pauk did in Iraq only after you saw his campaign ad, and that before the ad you did not care what what Paul did in Iraq.
I could be wrong on this, but the is the what it looks like to me.
To Zacilor:
You are correct. My interest in this is solely about the ad. He implies leading marines in combat. Is this truthful?
I will post Hackett’s reply when I get it.
To Manteo:
I am the best sourse for what my intent is.
Also, what is this crap about Republicans attacking veterans records. Give me a break.
I will post the reply I get from Hackett as soon as I get it.
To Eric “Swiftboat Vet” Minamyer
I really dont care what Paul did in Iraq.
Fact: He WAS THERE.
Fact: He could have been killed in Iraq
Why is it such a big deal for you??? If he was in a Combat MOS????
As far as I’m concern if you are in Iraq you are FIGHTING. Fighting to survive!
This REEKS of Swift Boat Vets. You should be ashamed of yourself being used in such a disrespectful manner. I’m sending Paul a few bucks in your name. I hope he cleans her clock.
Hey Minamyer,
Nice imitation of Karl Rove. Or are you more of a Jeff Gannon-type?
Listen, Minamyer: because I’m DISGUSTED and sick to death of you Republicans smearing my fellow veterans — or anyone — who stands up to you and your constant grab for power, I just donated a good chunk of money to Hackett’s campaign.
I wouldn’t have doanted otherwise. Please know that. It’s because of YOU and your Swift Boat Liar-type smear tactics.
I’m a vet myself, and a pretty conservative Democrat. At one point I mught have been a Republican, and when there were some principled Republicans I did vote for them.
But not anymore. Not with the party of Rove, DeLay, Gannon, Dobson, noe, Blackwell, and you “Swift Boat” smear merchants.
Today’s Republican party always puts its self-interest before good of the the United States of America.
Today’s Republican party smears anyone or anything that doesn’t swear allegiance to the party.
And the Ohio Republican party have become specialists in corruption, vote fraud, stealing public money, and keeping black citizens away from the ballot box.
One last word, you immoral GOP hack:
PLEASE keep up with this usual filthy, Karl Rove-type GOP smear campaign. It only feeds our anger and stokes our energy at this point, and makes us come back at you harder and harder.
Every time you do something like this, and attempt to smear a fellow vet — and no one’s buying your mealy-mouthed excuses that it’s NOT smearing, have you noticed? — you’re just revving up the big engine that’s going to run over you VERY SOON.
You also make people like me write checks to the campaigns that will send you packing.
Your craven ways FUEL us at this point. It’s very helpful.
So keep up the good work, you sad, sick rightwing hacks. You’re doing our work for us.
If the above is not perfectly clear:
Minamyer, I BEG you, keep trying to slime Hackett with this Swift Boat tactic. It will be a great first step in ridding the state and the Congress of corrupt GOP hate merchants like yourself.
You don’t like the names I called you? Tough. Go cry to your boyfriend Rove about how mean everyone was to you.
Eric Minamyer is what groundpounders would call a Rear Echelon MF’er (REMF). Inspector General, huh? Wow, there’s a job that really puts your ass on the line…at the O club. Let’s take a look at Eric in uniform:
http://www.ericminamyer.com/sitebuilder/images/capt_m-170×261.jpg
Ah, yes, a puffy-faced dough boy. Do ya’ think Eric can handle Marine Corps PT? Ya’ right…he could handle it right up until the point where he grabbed his heart and gasped, “Corpsman! Corpsman!”
I spent 6 years in the Navy as enlisted personnel and met more than my share of the Erics of the world. They liked to boss people around and hand out orders like Moses handed out commandments. I loved going out to sea, but despised the Navy because so many of its officers were utterly ruthless pricks. Only a prick would slime the character of a man who had the courage to walk the streets of Iraq.
Oh, by the way, Eric. We’re talking about you over at Steve Gilliard’s blog. Drop on by and tell us why you’re not really a two-faced REMF.
http://stevegilliard.blogspot.com/
“If elected, I will be the first Iraqi Freedom veteran to serve in Congress. I know the Middle
East. I have fought the war on terror as a senior staff member in our navy headquarters and
at sea. I know the pain of being separated from family and of losing colleagues as
casualties of war”
http://www.ericminamyer.com/
Gee Eric, sounds like someone is implying that they saw direct armed combat, and right in print so it can’t be misquoted. You know the pain of losing colleagues as casualties of war? Exactly how many colleagues did you lose to the war on terror? Where you actually there when they received combat wounds? I just ask because you brought it up and I think it’s important to know all the facts. Why is it that you are guilty of the exact thing that you accuse Major Hackett of?
“I know too what all veterans face when we return home. Careers interrupted, a whole piece
of one’s life taken away. Our leaders must include veterans of this conflict now so we can
institute programs to help our returning service men and women.”
http://www.ericminamyer.com/
I agree Eric, that’s why Paul should get the job.
Mr. Minamyer, there are only two candidates in the race. By questioning the integrity of one, you are and supporting the other, you are implicity saying that one has more integrity than the other.
If you consider vague statements about what a person may or may not have done such an important matter, (and it seems to be coming to light that Mr. Hackett did indeed have a combat leadership role) please tell me how you can support a person who has potentially and very likely taken bribes like Ms. Schmidt has?
I think this says far more about you than it says about a fine and upstanding man like Mr. Hackett. The fact that a sleazy person like Jean Schmidt would have on her staff a sleazy person like yourself says all that anybody needs to know about Ms. Schmidt.
Just to retract one thing: “The fact that a sleazy person like Jean Schmidt would have on her staff a sleazy person like yourself says all that anybody needs to know about Ms. Schmidt.”
Ms. Schmidt does not have Mr. Minamyer on her staff and, in fact, denies that Mr. Minamyer is ,in any way, an advisor on her campaign.
It would probably be a little unfair of me to question if this is merely ‘plausible deniability’ on her part, but, if she wants no part of Mr. Minamyer’s sleazy behaviour, she would do well to fully distance herself with a full and complete statement denoucing Mr. Minamyer’s efforts and commending Mr. Hackett for his service in Iraq.
I am going to be frank here to Eric Minamyer, as someone who has served in combat myself.
you’re a scumbag.
I don’t even feel like it is even worth entering into a debate with someone like you.
not only are you showing how ignorant you are of the dangers everyone faces in Iraq, you show your true colors by simply lying.
So scumbag, i dont think anyone gives a crap about what you think of hacketts service or his ad – you are just a smearing liar – and thanks to you $200 is going straight to the hackett campaign.
Mr. Minamyer is a obvious little Karl Rove wannabe. Like Turd Blossom he believes that political power is an end in itself and any means possible should be used to achieve those ends. Once power is achieved the treasury of government is theirs to distribute as they see fit, as Coingate and Halliburton demonstrate.
The Republicans have become the party of hypocracy, greed and corruption.
For those reasons, I’m donating to Major Hackett’s campaign. Because every American has a dog in this fight if they live in Ohio or not. (And I don’t – I’m from Oklahoma.)
Texas Tuesday … Ohio Style
Well, since the only other elections we’ve got to look forward to are local elections, here’s another plug for Paul Hackett, honorary Texan and Democratic candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Ohio. A couple of things to add…
>>Gee Eric, sounds like someone is implying that they saw direct armed combat, and right in print so it can’t be misquoted.
Time to begin to take back congress
Paul Hackett is under attack from the swift boat liars of ohio. With only days left in the campaign more tv ads would be nice!…
I’m tired this morning, so I haven’t read every single line in every comment to this post. But has anyone addressed the fact that Marines who are not in leadership roles refer to their peers as “my Marines”? A friend of mine is a Marine and this is the way he speaks. So I don’t know where Minamyer get his info. And by the way, Eric, what you’re doing is smear by innuendo. Unfortunately not everyone in OH02 can see through your thinly veiled attacks.
Minameyer you seem to have taken the Fox “News” course. They should be very proud.
I can almost hear you asking “when did you stop beating your wife?”
More response here.
So, how long until Minamyer breaks out the purple heart bandaids?
What a slime.
As a former member of the US Army I feel a kinship with other members of the US Army. The thought of using the term “my fellow soldiers” is as natural as a Marine saying “my fellow Marines”.
The parsing and dicing of Hackett’s words, because he may not have been a front line grunt is at best slimy, and at worst a direct affront to the brotherhood that Marines have. It is obvious that Mr. Minamyer does not feel the same kinship to his fellow sailors, that most member of the military feel towards others who served in the same branch.
For that I pity Minamyer.
To not have the decency to show respect for a Marine who was in Iraq, as a civil affairs officer, whose job it was to go and work with the local population, to act as a liason between the Marines operating in an area and the local population.
I shouldn’t be surprised though. My experience with REMF’s attitude towards front line soldiers was no different in the Army, why should it be any different in the Navy.
On his website, Eric Minamyer refers to his “Lifetime of Service”. Mr. Minamyer, were you serving this country when you were a child? I’m not calling you a liar, I just think the slogan is misleading.
Mr. Minamyer,
As a vet, you embarrass and offend me. You should know that 70% of of our forces are “support” but they still get shot at, blown up, and killed as well as any ground pounder in today’s non-linear battle fields. What sort of officer were you if you don’t understand the concept of non-linear battle? Have you ever heard of AirLand 2000? Are you familiar with OOTW and LIC/MIC? WWI is long over.
A vet is a vet.
Would you question SOFA because they don’t wear their missions on their sleeve? In fact, you should know that in today’s battlefield, it’s alot about MP’s, Intel, CA, Psyops, SF AND Naval Boarding parties.
I respect your service, but that doesn’t mean you were worth a damn as a leader.
You’re myopic allegiance to a party line is traitorous to your fellow vets and traitorous to your fellow American.
well said Snag13.
I hope people who decry the ‘politics of personal destruction’ will remember who it was who started it, and for whom it is their stock in trade: The GOP. They are the first to denounce someone as insufficiently patriotic and the first to denounce our troops if they are insufficiently loyal to the party line.
Stalin would be proud of today’s GOP.
I just submitted the following comment on Captain Minamyer’s web site:
=-=- Begin Comment to http://www.ericminamyer.com/ =-=-
Dear Captain Minamyer,
I was reading your questions to Major Paul Hackett, particularly: “Was Paul Hackett in combat?” I understand that you wish to determine if Major Hackett’s claim to have “fought” in Iraq was an attempt to deceive people into believing he saw combat.
You note that if Major Hackett were not in combat, then he “exagerated his role [and] the voters have a right to know that. The issue is whether he is being truthful in his ad.”
I next turned to your own weblog, and read your claim that “I fought the war on terrorism” (http://www.ericminamyer.com/services.html — in the second paragraph under the heading “Iraq War”).
When, sir, were you in combat? If you were not, then you are at least as guilty of “exaggerating your role” as you claim Major Hackett may have done. Yet, if you were in combat, why do you not expressly say so in your biography posted on your blog?
I trust that you were actually in combat in Afghanistan or Iraq (as part of the “war on terrorism”), but have hid the fact out of modesty, for if not, you are a base hypocrite who is attacking Major Hackett for doing no more than you yourself have done.
I await your reply. You may reach me at “jimbales at hotmail dot com”.
Regards,
Jim Bales
I only asked what his service was. How is that smearing him? I just don’t get it. The only way it smears him is if he has exagerated his duty.
First off, you people got it wrong. If you know that someone’s lying, it does absolutely no good with trying to prove to them that they’re lying. Because they already know it. The secret isn’t about getting them to admit it. The secret is with using that knowledge to push ahead. Of course this Minamyer character is trying to smear Hackett; and he knows it.
And what’s worse, he’s not even good at it. Look at that quote of his I posted above. He just gave the whole game away! He says that the only way that his questions are a “smear” is if Hackett exaggerated his duty in Iraq. But he’s already stated that he does believe that Hackett has exaggerated this role; so ipso facto, he is smearing Hackett, by his own admission. The fool just contradicted everything he was trying to do! He’s aware of the rhetorical device of the smear-based question, but was too stupid to know how to hide behind it.
Not that it mattered, as his questions were always smears because we worded them so aggressively. So the real question is exactly which part of this makes him stupid: That he didn’t know how to ask an innocent-sounding smear question? Or that he thinks he’s getting away with it?
I think it’s the latter, because he obviously is trying to smear Hackett, and is too stupid to realize that he’s not fooling anyone. He would have done best to not pretend that these questions weren’t smears. This may or may not be a legitimate attack on Hackett (Minamyer clearly believes it is); but to suggest that it’s not an attack is simply an insult to our intelligence.
Mr. Minamyer
George W. Bush lied and said he had “been to war.”
Do you denounce this false claim?
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=I've_been_to_war.
[...] We learn via DailyKos that Jean Schmidt has decided to try and Swift Boat Hackett and question his military service. [...]
Some comments were pulled for going over the top. I do NOT want this site to get into anyone’s personal life. This is about Jean Schmidt and Paul Hackett.
This strikes me as an exercise in purposeful obtuseness more than a direct smear. So, Mr. Minameyer, I’ll go on record as saying that perhaps English isn’t your native tongue.
At issue, from comments, are whether Paul Hackett was being totally truthful in a campaign advertisement.
Well, total truth in any case isn’t something you can get to in a 30- or even 60-second spot. Truth is far too complicated for that.
As to your specific questions, I see no reason why the Hackett campaign should give you the time of day. Did he fight, specifically speaking, with his Marines?
Well, he certainly shared dangers that being in the middle of an insurgency would bring, as you so noted. Your question might be legitimate if, given an hour-long infomercial, he gave the appearance of leading the assault on Fallujah. On a 30-second ad, it’s an exercise in rhetoric.
As for commanding Marines, it’s the ultimate exercise in picking nits. When I was a sailor, I certainly considered myself under the command of anyone above me in the chain of command, including the fresh-faced ensign from the Academy. Here, it looks like you’re trying to separate rear-echelon leadership from battlefield command. It comes across as a hugely biased interpretation of command and leadership.
This brings me to the very good reason why the Hackett campaign shouldn’t waste any time on you. It would appear that no answer you provide would be good enough for them. Since you’ve already shown yourself quite willing to pick apart statements looking for any opening — like any lawyer would be expected to — the best approach is to ignore you altogether.
CAPT Minameyer – if were are going to be trotting out types of service and such, let’s start with you. What was your designator? Looks to me like you might have been a fearsome JAG officer. So we’ve now disposed of your combat credentials (if any).
Navy JAGSs are allowed no command of any Line Units at all. Sitting behind desks pretty much made up the bulk of your day. That NLSO (Navy Legal Services Office) command must’ve been ferocious…dueling prosecutors and defense counsels…wow! Life-threatening stuff, walking over the to the O’Club dicussing Booker rights. Goddamn, did they give you a Combat Action Ribbon for that?
Nice job with the Jr. Swift Boat hatchet job. Care to share your candidates views on oh, say…contributions by major donors? How about the current BWC/Coin scandal? By the way, has she gotten any money from Tom Noe or any of his companies?
Minamyer gets bent out of shape over Hackett’s phrase “my Marines.”
Well, Mr. Minamyer, do you love YOUR country? I love MY country. And I’m sure you, as do most American’s, say “I LOVE MY COUNTRY!” This doesn’t mean we own or command this country. It means we belong to it, and it to us.
That you fail to see this suggests that English is NOT your first language. Or, that you’re getting really, really desperate.
(The Republicans really are scraping the bottom of the barrel in Ohio, aren’t they?)
This is all very interesting compared to the Washingtonian Magazine article I just read in the August issue. It’s not on line, but it’s about Todd Bowers, a marine vet of two Iraq tours trying to get back to being a GWU student.
He was in a Civil Affairs unit in Fallujah, just like Hackett, so of course it’s absurd to think that:
Bowers was shot in the face
Bowers shot and killed two insurgents in Fallujah.
Bowers used a scope to make his two kills, a scope that his father bought him because Marines don’t give scopes to Civil Affairs units.
And, for good measure, Bowers recovered Marines killed in Fallujah so their bodies could be brought back home.
No, Minniemyer and Rove are right: Civil Affairs units and liberals in uniform are just a bunch of pussies.
I like how Minamyer digitally altered the photo on his campaign site to make his face less fat.
On the website Minamyer appears “thin” and “not a fat lard”. If that doesn’t imply decent physical fitness then I am blind.
That is why I ask a direct question whether he is in fact slim or even “not completely chunky” to use that photo. Let’s have the facts and let everyone decide whether he lied about his appearance by displaying an out of proportion picture on his website.
If he misrepresented his fat-assedness the voters have a right to know that. The issue is whether he is being truthful on his website.
OK. As a fat guy now you’re going to make me defend Eric Minamyer. Watch it with the fat cracks
Okay — Distortions continue — going up the thread;
Minamyer: “To besieged by bush: Whose disparaging service now.”
Excuse, how did I “disparage service” in any way?
What I wrote: “And, there is a WIDE range of risk for those in the Middle East. How many have been killed at the CENTCOM command post in Qatar? Perhaps some from a heart attack, but definitely not enemy action. How many aboard a U.S. Navy ship? Again, none! Now, having been in this type of terrain (often with CA officers and enlisted), I can promise you that Civil Affairs personnel are at far greater risk than a Navy Inspector General — that not everyone serving in the “Middle East carries the same risk”.”
Okay, so I would be disparaging service somehow to say that an Air Force doctor serving in a hospital in the United States faces less risk from enemy action than an Army or Marine rifleman patrolling in Iraq?
For biographical purposes, I have spent many years of my life deployed in hazardous duty zones. I have been exposed to hostile fire, been in multiple helicopter “hard landings”, been on helicopters that returned with holes in them from enemy fire, been treated for exotic diseases, had meals interrupted with grenades exploding a few feet away, been on ships operating in mine infested waters, been present during a SCUD attack, etc … I write that list KNOWING that these risks were nothing compared to what many of my fellow citizens (both military and civilian) face almost constantly in Afghanistan and Iraq. I know I volunteered for ‘going into harm’s way’ on more than one occasion and served my nation for long periods of time in multiple hazardous duty zones. On the other hand, what I did seems like vacation compared to what others going through. In other words, I recognize that willingness to put one’s actions where one’s words are (not be a Chicken Hawk) is meriting respect. But, we should also recognize that there are differing levels of risk. Mr Minamyr — Do you really equate your service in the FIFTHFLEET HQ building with that of personnel on the ground in Iraq?
To set the record straight, I certainly do not believe that Navy life is without risk. I have had breakfast with people aboard a ship who were dead before dinner. But, again, there is a large difference between the risked faced by acook aboard an aircraft carrier or a Petty Officer working in the CIC (Combat Information Center) aboard an Aegis cruiser and those sailors serving on Patrol Craft boarding suspect vessels with a shot gun in their hand. I’ve been involved in training for boarding parties — this is a serious mission with serious risk for those involved. What is impressive is that there have been 10s of thousands of boardings with so few casualties.
Mr. Minamyr — Thank you for your service to this nation in uniform. It is disrespectful of that service to be using as a tool for unsubstantiated partisan attacks — no matter how you try to spin it, that is what you are doing.
Well, lmeade says he has a photo of then Major Hackett with the text “A happy me with fellow Marines after we survived 2 IED’s east of Ramadi one detonating 25 meters in front of my vehicle on the way to Baghdad in a sand storm on 10/22/04.
I’d like to hear Mr. Minamyer’s response to that. Does it count?
lmeade: Was Major Hackett ranking officer in the photo or was there a Colonel or General in the picture? Just wondering.
Editor-
I’m not disparaging fat guys. I would never disparage fat guys. I AM a fat guy. I just think that it’s crucial that we be truthful!
wysiwyg: yes, I was hoping Mr. Minamyer would respond to my comment too. Major Hackett is the ranking officer in the photo. He sent me other photos where he is pictured with generals and one in which he is with Secretary Rumsfeld but in this particular photo, he is the ranking officer.
From personal conversations with Paul Hackett this is what I understand: He was the commanding officer of a unit of 20+ Marines. His unit included Iraqi trainees. While he did not participate in the combat operation to liberate Fallujah in November 2004, he led his unit in numerous missions in Ramadi, Fallujah, and elsewhere in the Sunni Triangle in which his unit was attacked and returned fire.
For the record, I don’t think Mr. Minamyer’s questions are unfair or smearing. I am, however, very interested in Mr. Minamyer’s reactions to the answers.
Thank you, Mr. President
Iraq war veteran Paul Hackett is running in Ohio’s staunchly Republican 2nd District against incumbent Jean Schmidt. From atrios: Hackett’s opponent, the awful Schmidt, thinks the way to support the troops is to “stand with the president.” I always…
Mr. Minamyer-
First…
SORE LOOSER!
Second…
Thanks to your bullshit, the Hackett campaign is having a good fundraising day.
Third…
I was in the military and I support Hackett fully. I can’t believe that you have the nerve to question someone’s military service.
Yes he comannded troops. The reason he said someone (Pettit) served with him instead of under him is that true leaders don’t pull rank. They lead by example. Hackett never asked anyone to do things he wouldn’t do.
I think you can take a lesson or two from Hackett.
Thanks for the fundraising.
I am still waiting for the answers from Hackett. I will post them unedited. I will respond to those answers. The post will be with no personal attacks on Hackett. I will not call him names or make fun of his last name or his appearance or disparage his service. I will discuss his answers as related to his tv ad.
I have been working all day. I will post tonight on the topic of my own service and what duty in the navy during this time involves. I also have two stepsons at sea now in the Persian Gulf.
This chain has gotten far afield of the original posting by me asking about the tv ad. Look to my blog for responses to anything in this chain.
“…make fun of his last name…”
???
[...] Eric Minamyer has been targeted by Atrios and some other local lefty’s (or all of them). [...]
I am spreading the word in the Liberal Blogosphere to help Paul’s campaign financially and with volunteers. I am glad to support Paul from Maryland. I can spare $25 now, and maybe more next pay day. I hope others will join me from around the country and send what they can to do all we can to get Paul Hackett elected. If you are in Ohio and have the time, please help volunteer for his campaign. Young Dems. Paul needs you to help turn Ohio around and bring back real integrity to Ohio government.
Lie and Attack
A couple of posts below, I responded to Will Marshall’s critique of liberals who aren’t hawkish enough. The problem isn’t that Democrats and liberals haven’t taken terrorism and al Qaeda seriously, are reticent to use military force. The problem is…
I did not speak as a surrogate for Jean Schmidt at any time. I speak only for me.
As I said in my blog, I am signing off blogging until after the election. That way no one can blame Jean for anything I said. It seems the only way.
I appears Mr. Minamyer has decided not to post anything on his blog after all.
“I speak only for me and I am signing off until August 3″.
He never did address lmeade’s photograph. Perhaps he decided the issue wasn’t working to his advantage. I wonder if he received a reply to his request for an explanation.
Going over Minameyer’s site, he has some interesting things listed in his “resume” of his military service:
five tours in Iraq since 2001 (five tours in three (2001-2004) years, hmmm.
“weapons trained” in the Navy… ah, yeah. All those ferocious JAGs need to have that service revolver to fend off evil-doers. Methinks someone has been watching too much TeeVee.
one of the “highest ranking” members of the Navy’s Central Command. A Captain. A JAG Captain. The coffee came out of my nose after reading that. Sorry CAPT, that dog don’t hunt. Senior to what, a surface qualified LTJG? You might have been as you put on your site “same as an Army Colonel”, but we who know the truth know that a Staff Corps Captain gets to command one thing: A Desk and a Shore Unit made up of other Staff Corps lifeforms.
USFJ Duty in Diego Garcia? Bwahahahaha. More Staff Corps weenism. Dude, some of us were there before they had more than six building and the road was made with crushed coral.
Fighting JAGs. Dude, you so sound good on paper…but like most staff corps officers you’re just a wannbe. If you’d a been a Marine JAG, perhaps you could run your face like you do, because they are not just lawyers but qualified to command a combat unit, having been to the same training as every other Marine Officer, regardless of branch.
How about that timeline for us there slick? Five tours in three years? Oh, and you have yourself “in uniform” from 1971 to 2004, but you left the Point in and graduated from some civilian college in 1975. Were you in the reserves from the time you left West Point until you got commissioned? I sort of have to sound the bullshit detector on the 1971-2004 thing, it’s right up there with your “five tours in three years” thing.
Paul Hacket is a Marine. Every Marine is a Rifleman.
Eric Minameyer is(was) a Navy Staff Corps Judge Advocate General. Every Navy JAG is just a Lawyer.
As a 9 year vet of the Army Reserves (airborne infantry and combat engineers), it disgusts me that a vet questions whether a guy who served in a Civil Affairs unit in Fallujah has seen combat. My god! Fallujah is one of the most dangerous areas in Iraq! Still! And the CA guys are walking around trying to win hearts and minds — not patrolling through, locked and cocked and supported by heavy weapons.
Your own website ad said, “I have fought the war on terror as a senior staff member in our navy headquarters and at sea. I know the pain of being separated from family and of losing colleagues as casualties of war” Wow! Sounds like you were winning hearts and minds alongside Hackett in Fallujah instead of driving a desk in the IG!
Your July 2nd attack on Hackett makes it sound like you were there with him. “Also, on the score of his having served there and therefore being more informed, I suggest that folks consult a map of Iraq. The Iraqi forces have been operating in the Baghdad areas. Major Hackett was in a different region where the US Marines were fighting independently of the Iraqis. He would have had no opportunity to see an Iraqi brigade in combat.”
Here’s what David Hackworth, America’s most decorated soldier in Korea and Vietnam had to say about a guy like you, who wasn’t within a thousand miles of the events in question, attacking another vet’s service record: “…John O’Neill and his Swiftboat snipers – who didn’t sail on his boat but served anywhere from 100 meters to 300 miles away – are now coming off like eyewitnesses when in fact not one of their testimonies would hold up in a court of law. A judge would call these men liars and disallow their biased statements… this type of behavior insults every vet who’s served America in peace and war.”
OH-2: GOP candidate/blogger lying about association?
The blogosphere has been all over the attempts to swift boat Major Paul Hackett in the Ohio 2nd Congressional District special election. Blogger Eric Minamyer (a Republican) shamed himself by his disgusting questioning of Hackett’s service in Iraq. Mi…
Eric Minamyer is registered with the Ohio Supreme Court as an attorney with Buckley King in Cincinnati. A quick view of Buckley’s website doesn’t have him listed as a member of its firm. Either Eric did not change his registration with the Ohio Supreme Court, as required by law, or his alleged employers don’t want to acknowledge him. Regardless, we sure are giving a lot of attention to someone who couldn’t muster 5% in a primary.
[...] Reprinted from the OH02 blog: A Slap In The Face: Schmidt Advisor Questions Hackett’s ServicePosted by Editor under Hackett On her recent appearance on the Speaking Frankly radio show Jean Schmidt stated that Eric Minamyer was advising her campaign. Given Mr. Minamyer’s recent habit of indirectly questioning Paul Hackett’s service in Iraq this site must ask the question does Eric Minamyer speak for the Schmidt campaign? I understand that Hackett did not participate in combat at all. It is still dangerous over there as I can personally attest. Let’s just not act as though we led marines in combat if we did not, okay? I have asked the question time and again, what role did he actually play? Given all the opportunities he has had to say ‘I served in combat’ one fair conclusion is that he did not. Did Mr. Minamyer really ask the question to Paul Hackett? Somehow I doubt that he’s talked to anyone on the Hackett campaign on this issue since if he did he would have heard some very interesting things. When I called last night I talked to someone working on the campaign who had actually served with Hackett in Iraq. He told an interesting story of them almost being killed on a trip to Baghdad. To get further clarification I asked Hackett’s campaign manager about Hackett combat ribbons: I am not a military guy, but from what I understand he is slated to receive at least 2, but has not been sent them yet. He does not want to tout his military ribbons for the campaign. CCW on her blog has this to say about Mr. Minamyer’s comments on Mr. Hackett: Every attack he makes feels like a slap in the face to those who have friends and family in Iraq. I’m sure that was not his intent, but belittling a service members’ function, seems an attempt to downplay the seriousness of the events in Iraq. My brother-in-law spent a little more than a year in Iraq. He was part of a public affairs unit. Public affairs is also considered a non-combat role and my brother’s unit was in a ’secure’ area. Did this keep them out of danger? Of course not. Did this keep us from worrying day and night about his safety? Absolutely not. I know with 100% certainty that my brother would have been safer sitting in his living room than being anywhere in Iraq. Let’s get down to brass tacks: Mr. Minamyer’s attacks on Paul Hackett’s service to our country are nothing more than disgusting partisan attempt to score points against someone who risked his life to follow the orders of our President. Emphasis on OUR President Mr. Minamyer. This site for one would advise the Schmidt campaign to tighten the leash of their advisor Eric Minamyer. He’s not doing her campaign any good by peddling this swill. [...]
[...] So what will the GOP do? Swiftboating seems likely. I’m eager to find out whether they have the cajones cojones to try it thirty-six times. [...]
[...] In Ohio last year, candidate Paul Hackett had his military service come into question by someone who never served at all. [...]