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

[Jamchinadian]

Excellent post. " 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."

What a poor excuse for a human being. How disgustingly low can these people get?! That's akin to Shrub's little parlor game where he was pretending to search for WMDs "don't see any here, ... none over here, ... heheheheheh". Such a pathetic creature dragging down the country in the incredulous eyes of the world!

[MelCraig]

~

Just like James Webb took down old what's his name (Geo. Allen) in Virginia, Andrew Horne is going to take down McConnell.

We voted for change in 2006. Mitch, with his 60-vote fillibuster threat is thwarting the will of the people and carrying water for the most pathetic people to occupy Washington, D.C.

The American people realize that Mitch is the main obstruction to the choices we voted for.

Just now the Senate voted down the energy bill -- because it repeals billions in tax credits to the oil industry. It's absolutely @#$% incredible how pathetic the current situation is.

I just contributed to Mr. Horne's campaign. Just $40 but every little bit counts.

~

[StreetBeat]

As a veteran of the Vietnam-era and among the first to join the All Volunteer Army (1973) I can state, without doubt, that I am not a hero.

Medal of Honor winner, Lt. Joe Hooper, my executive officer in basic training, Ft. Polk, La.,was, without doubt,a hero. He was the highest and most decorated U.S. soldier of the Vietnam War.

His life was cut short and ended tragically, as is the case for many heroes.

Joe was both a hero and a patriot. As for myself--and the million other Americans who have worn a uniform--it is a great enough honor to be thought of as a patriotic American.

McConnell and the "chicken hawks" of his and my generation are neither. The highest positions of honor and respect in our government and our country have been usurped by false prophets--and worse.

Thanks Jon and thanks Andrew Horne. You're the guys that we soldiers of another era look to with honor, respect and hope for the future of our country--and the future for our grandchildren.

God's speed.

[jackfrostzzz]

It's a shame he can't run against Pelosi. McConnell may have a bad reputation of leading all these causes, but Pelosi has an excellent track record of caving to all of them.

[jrockbg]

All those talking points have been carefully worded. Worded to hide the fact that McConnell has fought efforts by those like you to tie DoD's hands in fighting this war. The senator honors the trroops for the very essence of what they are: warriors. He would not dream of tying their hands.

[patnix]

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM AN MBA FROM HARVARD? INTELLEGENCE? HA! THEY DO NOT FIGHT VERY WELL EITHER, I'LL BET. SEMPER FI.

[GoCards1978]

It'll truly make me that much more proud of being a U of L alumnus and a former Kentuckian once Mitch is kicked out of the Senate. He has been heading in the wrong direction politically for too long.

[mellene]

McConnell is nothing but a Bush-licking war-monger. He'll pay in the end, whether now or later with the blood of these soldiers on his hands. It will be good to see him go as well as his wife at DOL who is no better than him for this country (or Kentucky for that matter).

[JulieSA]

I see where General Batiste has left VoteVets due the success of the "surge" and General Petraeus' effective COIN strategy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/07/AR2007120701772.html

[changeisontheway]

Oh please mba fill us all in on the glories of Mitch McConnell and his myriad of positive accomplishments, because frankly, I just don't see it. He's a master obstructor, but I guess with the gop today, that's what you consider "a good man" with an "impeccible record" facillitating inaction. He does have an impeccible record of uselessness. Shame on you for calling John a phony soldier - I guess that makes you an ignorant american. Why do you hate our soldiers? Psst, watch out for the boogey man, you never know where he'll turn up! The "good people of Kentucky" would prove themselves to be morons if they reelected this ineffective pos.

[marinemomof3]

This is GREAT NEWS Jon!

McConnell is a PHONY AMERICAN, and has to go.
There is a ground swell in Kentucky, and I am sure you have heard of "DITCH MITCH 08".

I contribute to every Veteran who runs for office, Democrat or Republican. We need a change badly.

I see MBA disagrees. Neocon? Making money off the war? When I see a name like that there can only be three possibilities.

There used to be a rating system of all of congress @ IAVA.ORG which was a very telling story of our elected officials on how they voted for veterans and for our military.

[PMERKEL37]

It is patriotic to question authority and our leaders. Fully Fund the VA!

[usna73]

Oh no, not again MBA. I'm back to make you seem foolish. "Phony soldier" huh? I seriously doubt that you would tell this to a Marine Lt. Colonel to his face. Very brave of you.

Like Sestak and Webb, vets are going to lead the way to the bloodless coup like changes that this country sorely needs.

Semper Fi.

[mbafromharvard]

Senator Mitch McConnell is a good man with an impeccible record, so "taking him down" will be an onerous task, one that Horne is not up to. Remember, the good people of Kentucky know the difference between a phony soldier and a real American. I'm certain they'll make the right choice to keep America safe.