Vance launches "Swift Boat" attack on Walz's military service
The broadside closely resembles the effort to undermine 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry concerning his Vietnam service.
TroibNews 
Ohio Sen. JD Vance criticized Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for retiring from a lengthy military career to ostensibly avoid deploying to Iraq, labeling it "stolen valor garbage" in an assault against the Democratic vice presidential nominee.
Despite claims to the contrary, there's no concrete proof that Walz opted for retirement to dodge a wartime assignment. History shows that similar allegations did not hinder Walz’s earlier bids for Congress and governorship, where he openly discussed but didn't emphasize his military service.
The strategy mirrors a 2004 campaign aimed at discrediting then-Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry’s Vietnam War record, an effort spearheaded by Chris LaCivita, currently a senior adviser in the Trump campaign.
The historical context raises questions about the effectiveness of repeating such tactics now, especially with a Republican presidential nominee who avoided military duty himself. Vance, who served during the Iraq War as a combat correspondent, remarked during a Michigan event, "He has not spent a day in a combat zone ... Do not pretend to be something that you're not ... I'd be ashamed if I was him and I lied about my military service like he did."
This new line of critique from Republicans suggests they view Walz's military background as a potential weak point, which could be leveraged by Vance, a veteran himself. While Walz has targeted Vance for not truly representing Midwestern values, he has refrained from attacking Vance’s military service.
Rep. Mike Waltz employed a sports metaphor in his criticism, noting on X, "It is kind of like the quarterback of a big team walking away from their team right before they go to the Super Bowl. I’ve never heard anything like it."
Walz announced his congressional campaign shortly after retiring and before his Guard unit received orders to deploy, complicating the narrative that his retirement was solely to avoid service.
Marc Short, a former aide to Vice President Mike Pence, emphasized on MSNBC that broader policy critiques might prove more effective than personal attacks.
The Trump campaign accuses Walz of dishonesty regarding his claims of carrying weapons in war, despite him never seeing combat. "Tim Walz is a fraud who wants to ban firearms like the ones he claimed to carry in war — except Tim Walz never deployed to a combat zone and lied about his record of service in the National Guard," stated Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Despite Walz never claiming to be a combat veteran, the Trump camp insists on framing his predeployment retirement as a case of "stolen valor."
Walz's military record includes non-combat deployments like his assignment in Italy supporting base security, culminating with his retirement to pursue political ambitions, in line with military regulations prohibiting active campaigning while enlisted.
There's debate over Walz's final rank, with previous allegations of him exaggerating his standing. Nonetheless, his profile remains that of a veteran dedicated to advocating for fellow service members.
Amid criticisms, Walz has contrasted Vance’s background with his own, depicting Vance as out of touch with the American heartland at a rally.
Against the backdrop of Vance's attacks, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore defended Walz’s service, underscoring the respect due to anyone who serves, regardless of rank. "Anybody who is willing to raise their hand, to put on a uniform of this country — especially when you consider a small percentage of our population has ever done that — they deserve our most respect. That includes JD Vance, Corporal JD Vance, and that includes Sergeant Major Tim Walz," stated Moore on MSNBC.Moore’s comments underline a broader sentiment among military and civilian supporters alike, suggesting that despite Vance’s critique, upholding a record of service in any capacity holds significant merit with the electorate. “I just don't know if that's necessarily the hill JD Vance wants to climb," Moore added, referencing Vance's focus on Walz’s military service.
The ongoing controversy concerning Walz's military record and its political ramifications illuminate the complexities of using a veteran's service record as a campaign tool. Both sides of the political spectrum will have to navigate these sensitive issues as they appeal to voters who value honor, service, and integrity. This delicate balance becomes particularly poignant in an election cycle featuring candidates with military backgrounds, highlighting different aspects of military ethos and dedication.
As the presidential campaign progresses, the strategic choices made by each campaign in addressing or capitalizing on military service records could have substantial impacts on voter perceptions and outcomes. It remains to be seen how these military narratives will play out in a political landscape that increasingly values authenticity and service to the nation.
Olivia Beavers, who contributed to previous parts of the report, also noted the potential for these military-focused narratives to either bolster or hinder the candidates’ appeals to crucial voter demographics, particularly among veterans and active-duty military personnel.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Despite claims to the contrary, there's no concrete proof that Walz opted for retirement to dodge a wartime assignment. History shows that similar allegations did not hinder Walz’s earlier bids for Congress and governorship, where he openly discussed but didn't emphasize his military service.
The strategy mirrors a 2004 campaign aimed at discrediting then-Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry’s Vietnam War record, an effort spearheaded by Chris LaCivita, currently a senior adviser in the Trump campaign.
The historical context raises questions about the effectiveness of repeating such tactics now, especially with a Republican presidential nominee who avoided military duty himself. Vance, who served during the Iraq War as a combat correspondent, remarked during a Michigan event, "He has not spent a day in a combat zone ... Do not pretend to be something that you're not ... I'd be ashamed if I was him and I lied about my military service like he did."
This new line of critique from Republicans suggests they view Walz's military background as a potential weak point, which could be leveraged by Vance, a veteran himself. While Walz has targeted Vance for not truly representing Midwestern values, he has refrained from attacking Vance’s military service.
Rep. Mike Waltz employed a sports metaphor in his criticism, noting on X, "It is kind of like the quarterback of a big team walking away from their team right before they go to the Super Bowl. I’ve never heard anything like it."
Walz announced his congressional campaign shortly after retiring and before his Guard unit received orders to deploy, complicating the narrative that his retirement was solely to avoid service.
Marc Short, a former aide to Vice President Mike Pence, emphasized on MSNBC that broader policy critiques might prove more effective than personal attacks.
The Trump campaign accuses Walz of dishonesty regarding his claims of carrying weapons in war, despite him never seeing combat. "Tim Walz is a fraud who wants to ban firearms like the ones he claimed to carry in war — except Tim Walz never deployed to a combat zone and lied about his record of service in the National Guard," stated Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Despite Walz never claiming to be a combat veteran, the Trump camp insists on framing his predeployment retirement as a case of "stolen valor."
Walz's military record includes non-combat deployments like his assignment in Italy supporting base security, culminating with his retirement to pursue political ambitions, in line with military regulations prohibiting active campaigning while enlisted.
There's debate over Walz's final rank, with previous allegations of him exaggerating his standing. Nonetheless, his profile remains that of a veteran dedicated to advocating for fellow service members.
Amid criticisms, Walz has contrasted Vance’s background with his own, depicting Vance as out of touch with the American heartland at a rally.
Against the backdrop of Vance's attacks, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore defended Walz’s service, underscoring the respect due to anyone who serves, regardless of rank. "Anybody who is willing to raise their hand, to put on a uniform of this country — especially when you consider a small percentage of our population has ever done that — they deserve our most respect. That includes JD Vance, Corporal JD Vance, and that includes Sergeant Major Tim Walz," stated Moore on MSNBC.Moore’s comments underline a broader sentiment among military and civilian supporters alike, suggesting that despite Vance’s critique, upholding a record of service in any capacity holds significant merit with the electorate. “I just don't know if that's necessarily the hill JD Vance wants to climb," Moore added, referencing Vance's focus on Walz’s military service.
The ongoing controversy concerning Walz's military record and its political ramifications illuminate the complexities of using a veteran's service record as a campaign tool. Both sides of the political spectrum will have to navigate these sensitive issues as they appeal to voters who value honor, service, and integrity. This delicate balance becomes particularly poignant in an election cycle featuring candidates with military backgrounds, highlighting different aspects of military ethos and dedication.
As the presidential campaign progresses, the strategic choices made by each campaign in addressing or capitalizing on military service records could have substantial impacts on voter perceptions and outcomes. It remains to be seen how these military narratives will play out in a political landscape that increasingly values authenticity and service to the nation.
Olivia Beavers, who contributed to previous parts of the report, also noted the potential for these military-focused narratives to either bolster or hinder the candidates’ appeals to crucial voter demographics, particularly among veterans and active-duty military personnel.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
