Perriello, Others Get VFW Endorsement Yanked
By Shaun Kenney | Monday, October 18th, 2010 | PoliticsAs reported by National Review Online, it seems as if a lot of Democrats are going to lose their Veterans of Foreign Wars endorsements, thanks to the outcry from hundreds of thousands of angry veterans:
Saying that the PAC endorsements had “harmed the VFW’s reputation and future ability to fulfill our mission,” VFW commander-in-chief Richard Eubanks said in a statement that “I cannot let this erosion of public support for our great organization continue. The apparent lack of the committee to address these concerns will lead to a proposal by me, as Commander-in-Chief, to amend the by-laws at the 112th National Convention for the purpose of dissolving the PAC.”
So not only did the Democrats lose the VFW PAC endorsement, they are literally closing down the PAC — costing tens of K Street jobs.
Will the job-killing practices of Washington Democrats ever end?
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Shaun Kenney is the Chairman of the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors, former Communications Director for the Republican Party of Virginia, and an active blogger since 2002. Shaun lives in Thomas Jefferson's backyard with his wife, six children, and a modest attempt at a farm in Kents Store, Virginia.
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8 Responses to "Perriello, Others Get VFW Endorsement Yanked"
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bearing Drift, Jordan N. Davis. Jordan N. Davis said: RT @bearingdrift: Web: Perriello, Others Get VFW Endorsement Yanked http://bit.ly/aEyIS5 #va05 #nrcc #tcot [...]
when Perriello accepted the endorsement, he said it was one of his proudest moments. bwaaaaaaa.
This story is inaccurate and/or grossly unfair on several counts.
First, The headline is completely wrong. The VFW PAC — the arm of the VFW charged with making political endorsements — has endorsed Perriello and, as far as I know, that endorsement stands. Indeed, even the NRO post referenced in Shaun’s post clearly states the PAC was asked to rescind the endorsements and refused to do so.
Second, this commander apparently does not have the authority to shut this PAC down. All he can do is ask the VFW board to do so. So, it remains to be seen whether this PAC will, in the end, shut down, or if this commander is using the organization that he leads to express his own opinion.
Come on, Shaun. you’re better than this.
@aznew –
The direct quote:
So not only does the endorsement not stand, repeating it would be a lie.
As for the PAC going away, the commander has practically fashioned the coffin.
But I do appreciate the Saul Alinsky method: deny, distract, admit nothing, and counterpunch. Too bad we won’t get into the merits as to WHY the political action committee sold out on Obamacare… oops, I mean, endorsed incumbent Dems.
Shaun – I apologize for being s argumentative, but you are clearly wrong.
He said he was withdrawing “all cureent PAC appointments,” which … well, I don;t know what the heck he is talking about. He has no authority over this PAC.
He admitted as much in a letter he and other commanders of the VFW issued on Oct. 12, which states, in relevant part:
“VFW National By-Laws clearly stipulate that the VFW Commander-in-Chief is not authorized to direct or otherwise attempt to introduce his control over the VFW PAC.”
He goes on to explain, interestingly enough, that, “The VFW PAC was created by the VFW members and not by VFW national leaders. 2/3 of the delegates of the 80th VFW National Convention (1979) voted to establish PAC as a standing committee. VFW By-Laws stipulate that VFW leadership does not direct PAC activities and that the VFW convention is the governing body of the organization. As such, it is only the delegates at the convention that can determine the continuation of the PAC.”
In fact, it was his complete inability to overturn the will of the VFW membership that led to this kabuki theater in the first place.
This Alinsky, hwever, is impressed by your Orwellian attemt to argue the word “appointments” means “endorsements”, and your totalitarian efforts to usurp the will of the people by executive fiat.
Seems to me the VFW endorsements stand unless the organization yanks them. The VFW Commander-In-Chief is free to give his own personal endorsement in the mean time. But he is not free to give on his own the organization’s endorsements.
I sure am glad Glenn Nye received the VFW’s endorsement. He did more for veterans in his first four months in office then his Republican predecessor did in her entire four years in office. Glenn earned, and deserved the endorsement.
I let my VFW membership lapse. Perhaps I should consider renewing it.
Little David. I wouldn’t run out and rejoin the VFW if I were you. VFW PAC is “Dead Lobbyist Walking”. Our fellow Veterans (of Foreign Wars) are furious. As of this point any candidate who claims a VFW endorsement from anything but a local chapter is disingenuous in the extreme.
I would hope the local VFW would endorse Glenn Nye. If they chose to endorse Kenny Golden instead? Well, I would consider that unwise but understandable. At least then the endorsement would be “most veteran” absent any other consideration.
But Glenn Nye has delivered for Veterans. Understanding that he was only a freshman member of Congress, his accomplishments are amazing. He sponsored (not cosponsored mind you) the inclusion of tax credits towards employers who gave a job to a veteran in the stimulus bill.
You do not want an ordinary job, you want to start up your own business? Glenn Nye got legislation passed that will help you start your own business if you are a veteran.
Glenn Nye didn’t just vote for these things, he’s the reason these measures were included in legislation. If it not been for him, they would not be there. Just think what he might accomplish for veterans if he gained a little seniority.
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