More Iraq war vets run for Congress

[unhappycamper]

More Iraq war vets run for Congress
By Martha T. Moore - USA Today
Posted : Tuesday May 27, 2008 8:30:25 EDT

Twice as many veterans of the Iraq war are running for Congress than in 2006, and this year Republican candidates outnumber Democrats.

Although many of the veteran candidates still face primaries and some are long shots, the outcome in November could well increase the number of combat veterans serving in Congress, a group that has been dwindling since 2000.

It’s unclear if a candidate’s connection to Iraq will drive voters in November. The economy has surpassed the Iraq war as the issue of top concern to voters, said Nathan Gonzales, political editor of the independent “Rothenberg Political Report.”

Veteran candidates “are going to have to prove they can speak on a wide variety of issues including the economy,” he said. “They’re going to have to run a real campaign, raise a whole lot of money and make the case why the incumbent should be fired.”

At least 10 Democratic and 20 Republican Iraq veterans are running for the House, and none for the Senate.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/gns_vetcandidates_052708/