Iraq Veterans for Congress

Overview

The candidates have all served during combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom, which they state forged them leaders who are "fearless, tested and ready to lead." A main objective of the organization is to counter what they feel is the "often misleading and biased reporting" on Iraq.

A prominent member of the organization is Duncan Duane Hunter, the son of Congressman and former presidential candidate Duncan Hunter of California. Roughly a quarter of the 110th United States Congress has military service on its resume, down from nearly 50 percent in 1991. According to a recent study by Duke University, veterans are under-represented in Congress compared to the population as a whole for the first time in U.S. history. The organization is closely allied to the Veterans for Freedom organization, which was founded by one of its members.

Philosophy

Iraq Veterans for Congress was founded by Marine corporal Kieran Lalor. The organizations pledges to restore "leadership and honor" in Washington, D.C., and perceives itself as a counterweight to "the alliance of the Democratic leadership with the antiwar Left, abetted by a compliant news media." The organization has positioned itself in stark contrast to anti-war veterans groups such as Veterans for a Secure America, and The Veterans' Alliance for Security and Democracy. The organization's platform includes victory in Iraq, staying on the offensive in the war on terror, and taking care of all veterans.

The organization also supports the claims of President George W. Bush that the administration's goal in the invasion was to bring democracy to countries in the Middle East and to oppose "islamofascism". While the organization typically avoids discussing the justifications leading up to the war, it points to American successes in Iraq, including establishing democracy and the countless successful reconstruction operations from Civil Affairs units, which are not well-covered by major media outlets. Candidates strongly favor the Iraq War troop surge of 2007, and disparage opponents as defeatists who are inexperienced or unrealistic. They insist that by fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq, the United States is made more secure. Also, they believe that having American military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan offers strategic advantages in a potential conflict with Iran. Massachusetts candidate Nathan Bech served in both wars.

Activities

The organization has had spots on Fox News, Newsweek and major metropolitan papers, and members were invited to the National Republican Campaign Committees annual Washington, D.C. dinner in March 2008. The organization endorsed veteran John McCain for President of the United States, and urged Republicans to unite behind him as nominee. They hoped his presidential bid can help candidates for Congress achieve victory on his coattails.

The organization has also drawn attention to the attacks by MoveOn.org on Gen. David Petraeus, calling the group devoted to "defeat in Iraq" after MoveOn ran an ad full of factual inaccuracies in The New York Times referring to him as "General Betray Us", which was widely criticized by the media and both Republicans and Democrats.

List of candidates

The array of candidates put forward by the group includes soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marine officers and enlisted personnel who served in the war in Iraq. While most are running against incumbent Democrats or running in a primary for an open seat, a few are running against Republican incumbents in primaries. All of the candidates have pledged to run as a "united front" in support of each other, and the group will provide fund raising and volunteers to its candidates.