Swift Boating History: From Kerry to Walz

Democratic lawmakers and military veterans are pushing back against Republican attacks on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who served 24 years in the National Guard. GOP figures, including Senator JD Vance, have accused Walz of abandoning his unit during its deployment to Iraq, labeling his military service as "stolen valor." However, Representative Jake Auchinschloss refuted these claims, clarifying that Walz retired from the National Guard months before his unit received deployment orders, with his retirement finalized in May 2005, well ahead of the unit's deployment in March 2006. Auchinschloss drew parallels to the swift boating campaign against John Kerry during the 2004 presidential election, emphasizing the need to confront unfounded attacks. He criticized the hypocrisy of Republicans, particularly those supporting former President Trump, who received multiple deferments during the Vietnam War and has a history of disparaging veterans. The attacks on Walz also include accusations of dishonesty regarding his military record, despite his acknowledgment of not serving in a combat zone while still participating in essential support operations. Veterans involved in the Harris-Walz campaign expressed their frustration over the GOP's tactics, asserting that all military service is valuable. The discussion also touched on the contrasting records of President Biden and Trump on veterans' affairs, highlighting the PACT Act signed by Biden in 2022, which expanded benefits for veterans. The current political landscape reflects a resurgence of military record scrutiny, with the Trump campaign directly implicated in the attacks against Walz, marking a shift from the independent organizations of the past.