One Of Our Own Is Going to Take Down McConnell

As an Iraq war veteran, today is pretty exciting for me and all the other vets I talk with. Today, one of our own took the first step towards knocking off Senator Mitch McConnell in 2008. Iraq War Veteran Andrew Horne jumped into the race.

Andrew Horne, who had to step down as a Senior Advisor to VoteVets.org to run this race, not only has a good shot to beat McConnell, he has a tremendous shot. That's got us Iraq veterans pumped because not only will we have a voice in the Senate that comes from our own ranks, but we're also going to take down the guy who is the single most responsible person in Congress for the war in Iraq, as well as the defeat of pro-troop, pro-veteran legislation.

Let's take just a small walk through the record of Mitch McConnell (Warning: Hold your nose):

• He led the filibuster of the Webb-Hagel "Dwell Time" amendment that would have given our exhausted troops as much time at home as in the field.

• He led the all-night filibuster of legislation that would have set us on a real change of course in Iraq, that would have allowed us to give Iraqis more responsibility, while freeing U.S. forces to take on the real threat to America -- al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

• He consistently worked his side of the aisle against the same veterans he's been fighting tooth and nail to keep in Iraq, beating back amendments to ensure a funding stream for veterans' health care, increase Veterans' medical services by closing corporate tax loopholes, and guarantee full-funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• And, most recently, he callously quipped that we ought not feel too bad about those who died in Iraq, because, afterall, "remember, these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers."

Andrew Horne is going to serve Kentucky well. I've known Andrew for a couple of years now, and he's one of the brightest, toughest guys I've ever encountered. But, more importantly, he's fiercely loyal. At any point over the last couple of years, he could have broken away from the veterans movement and tried to make a name for himself. But, he didn't. He felt a profound sense of responsibility to those he was fighting alongside, something that we all feel in the military. Kentucky can trust that he's never going to abandon them and "go Washington" like Mitch McConnell.

But, more importantly for the readers on here, Andrew's candidacy represents the best shot beat the largest obstruction to veterans care and responsible use of the military that Congress has ever seen.

For all McConnell has done to hurt troops and veterans, how sweetly ironic it is that it's going to be an Iraq War Marine that sends him packing.

That's why, today, I'm truly, truly excited.

Read more about Andrew and consider making at donation at www.AndrewHorne.org

Follow Jon Soltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jonsoltz

Comments

[FogBelter]

This is great news, Jon, McConnell needs to be pink slipped and it sounds like Andrew has the tools needed to do it.

I'm sure once McConnell recognizes what he is facing in the election, he's going to revert to thumb sucking and bed wetting.

Don't hold back Andrew, kick his ass!

To Fight is to Win!!!

[zendem1]

McConnell is the typical Bush stooge:He is a liar, he is self-serving, he's dangerous, he regurgitates the vomit of Nixon and he's a twit.
Andrew: Please, oh please, kick his ass.He desperately needs it. Help rid the country of this putrid excuse for a human being.

[dragn1]

Horne looks interesting but he might want to get some positions on his website. I am not a McConnell fan for many different decisions then from what appears unpopular here and Horne might be on option.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Thanks Jon, I've been waiting for a long time for this ENEMY of OUR soldiers and veterans, mcconnell, to be kicked to the curb. EVERY veteran should want to help Horne kick mcconnell's butt in the election.

I would suggest that the contributions of this gigantic hypocrite, while in CONgress, have been of LESS service to OUR country than that of ANY, or even the least, of OUR soldiers that had boots on the ground in Iraq or Afghanistan - for even just a moment.

I'm VERY sure Andrew Horne is a good and honorable American, and that he will take his responsibility to OUR citizens and soldiers, AS WELL AS his oath to OUR Constitution, with sincerity and dedication unseen in those parts for awhile. By comparison, it SHOULD take very little time for OUR soldiers and veterans to notice a difference, compared to the current bait and switch being pulled.

Thanks again, Jon and Andrew.

[Vajara]

Thanks for the great news, Jon. Mitch Mc Creep is perhaps one of the worst human beings (and, I use the word human very generously)we've had in congress. We are going to send in a donation to help defeat him as soon as we can and am going to do all I can to support him as a vet myself.

You are the TOPS, Jon. I know you will continue to do the great work that you do to support our troops and work to bring them home soon. We are proud of your service both home and abroad!

[WillBFair]

Mr. Soltz,
How great it is to read a writer who is doing something important with his life, and a soldier with the guts to speak plainly about geo strategy. We are all in your debt.
Will
http://a-civilife.blogspot.com

[Bobby]

Good luck Andrew! Let's get rid of more scum in the Senate.

[larry278]

Mitch will enjoy much quality time with Ernie Fletcher after he leaves the Senate.

[realpolitic]

Good luck, Andrew Horne! Bring this awful war to a close.

[Terry1865]

Great news, Jon.

Shall we continue to support the "Ditch Mitch" site?

Someone said there are two birthplaces in Kentucky for Abraham Lincoln. Remember, the president of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson F. Davis, was born not too far from one of those two places.

[peonyharp]

Good luck, Andrew Horne!
Pay attention, Kentucky -- you have a golden opportunity to improve things for our veterans.

Thank you, Jon, for all your efforts. You're an amazing guy.

~Kristine

[rabun666]

Just don't forget it's Kentucky. The people there don't vote in their best interest, they don't even know what their best interest is. This is the state which claims 2 birth places for Abraham Lincoln. Mitch is a nasty man and it's got to be personal. There is plenty of issues about Mitch which are disgusting among which is that he would send the poor of Kentucky to fight wars and throw them to the wolves at the same time. He has to get nasty, real nasty.

[magen]

Yes!!!!!!!

McConnell must be very worried.

To beat him all you have to do is respond to every attack by saying-CHI­CKENHAWK!!­!!!!! BOK!! BOK!! BOK!!!

[James Boyce - Huffpost Blogger]

Soltz

great news, keep kicking ass

Good luck to you Andrew!

James

[ProgressivePartisan]

Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Kit Bond of Missouri are two of the most odious cowards to defile the Senate with their presence. To have a fellow Marine veteran replace that gutless crook from the Bluegrass State would be a joy that defies description!