An interesting phenomenon has emerged as of late. With recent Iraq war veterans returning and entering the political fray, some unexpected trends are emerging. For one, many of them are running as democrats, something unheard of in the past. Not only that, but while many of them have different views as how to best handle Iraq, they are not afraid to voice their displeasure with teh present administration and how the war is occuring. In Pennsylvania, Chris Carney is running for a house seat. These democrats are also not afraid to mix it up regarding war and their own records. Witness Carney's response to criticism of Murtha's war record.



Paul Hackett is also in the mix, after a near miss for the house. Patrick Murphy is yet another candidate of impeccable credentials.

Questions to debate:

1.)Is the trend of war veterans to democratic candidates a fluke or a trend? Why or why not?

2.)How will the GOP counter these freshly minted veterans when many GOP incumbents lack military service?

3.)Other than the war, what possible ways can they change the party through the years should they get elected and earn their way up the leadership ranks in the House and Senate?

1.)Is the trend of war veterans to democratic candidates a fluke or a trend? Why or why not?

The Demo party has been attracting war veterans since Vietnam, so this isn't a fluke, nor can a trend be so old. It has become part of the party's nature.

2.)How will the GOP counter these freshly minted veterans when many GOP incumbents lack military service?

If history is any indicator, groups outside the GOP but sympathetic to Republicans will run smear campaigns on the Demo candidates. Hey, just because so-and-so served our country and risked life/limb on the battle field, won a chest full of medals, doesn't mean he or she can govern! Just look at the record. Well, look at our records anyway.

3.)Other than the war, what possible ways can they change the party through the years should they get elected and earn their way up the leadership ranks in the House and Senate?

Too many possibilities to consider, so I don't have an opinion on this. What I'd like to see is more guts in the party, and I do see this happening since the 2000 elections. War veterans might contribute more to this than non-vets, but I doubt there's a correlation. The driving force is what is actually happening, such as poor governing and the returns on poor policies.

For example, with the West Virginia coal mine accidents, a Demo governor has found some backbone to face up to the coal mining industry. Other Demos have spoken out about the Iraq war, Katrina and so on. Some are vets, some are not.