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Wadhams Grotesquely Overreaches, "Phony Soldiers" Redux?

by: Colorado Pols

Fri May 15, 2009 at 13:43:02 PM MDT


You've been reading about the scandal surrounding an apparently impostor Marine who managed to insert himself into a number of campaign-related events last year, mostly (but not exclusively, we'll get to that) on behalf of Democrats.

There's no question that the impostor in question, one Rick Strandlof, enormously embarrassed anyone who was conned by him--though he by all reports never actually worked for any Colorado campaign last year, he did volunteer to host receptions for candidates, and appeared in a 527 TV spot targeted at the Senate race.

Whatever the facts of this scandal ultimately shake out to be, we've seen nothing to indicate that anyone else, particularly other veterans associated with the organization Strandlof ran, were similarly misrepresenting themselves. We'll invite correction on this point, but isn't that true? Just one singular fraudster who duped his fellow veterans as much as anyone?

Unfortunately, those details don't appear to have reached GOP chairman Dick Wadhams in time to prevent an at least equal embarrassment--as Colorado Springs' KOAA-TV reports:

Shaffer campaign manager Dick Wadhams called on VoteVets.org to apologize to the people of Colorado saying, "I think it's appalling that Mark Udall and other Colorado Democrats would use a fake veteran either willfully or very carelessly to attack Republicans in 2008. "

Wadhams called the ads "shameless lies" that were "as credible as their fake veterans [Pols emphasis] that they trotted out."

Tara Trujillo, the communications director for Senator Mark Udall said it was disappointing to see Republicans "play political games and take advantage of this type of situation. "

"I think for Republicans to generalize the actions of this man to all veterans who worked on Democratic campaigns is just wrong and they should apologize," Trujillo said...

Got that? "Fake veterans." Plural, folks. Apparently it doesn't matter to Wadhams that Mark Udall didn't--couldn't by law--have anything to do with the VoteVets ad, any more than Wadhams should take responsibility for all the 527 ads he claimed to have nothing to do with during the 2008 campaign. Never mind that Strandlof, according to the Denver Post, served on the military advisory board of Rep. Doug Lamborn, arch-est of Colorado arch-Republicans.

And, unbelievably, never mind that there was...only one "fake veteran."

As for those real veterans? You know, the ones whose real service Wadhams casually denigrated, to score cheap political points, on the wrong target, fully a year and a half from the next election? Heck, Wadhams even looks a little like Rush Limbaugh. Obviously, screw 'em.
Colorado Pols :: Wadhams Grotesquely Overreaches, "Phony Soldiers" Redux?
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Wadhams Grotesquely Overreaches, "Phony Soldiers" Redux? | 48 comments
oh my god
What an outrage. Did this man learn nothing from the "macaca" career ender he presided over? Guess not, he just created his own!  
i want GOPwarrior to explain
Come on ,chickenhawk, justify this. Tell me how its okay to smear veterans by association. If not "warrior" any of our GOP regulars. How can you possibly justify this?
They're all gone today
There was a seminar at the Saxby Chambliss academy of advanced warfare.

"Good judgement comes from experience.  Experience comes from bad judgement" - Jim Horning
[ Parent ]
Hmm...
wherever could Libertad, GOPwarrior and fellow brethren have slunk their sorry asses off to?

"What or who do you serve? MOTR?" Sharon Hanson  
[ Parent ]
We work for a living.
You notice it's quitting time? Get a job and you can have one yourself.

The reality of Obama terrifies America
[ Parent ]
Mom just pick you up at day care?
Do you have anything based on anything to say about anything, or do you just pull your whole worldview out of your ass?

"Sen. Inhofe thinks global warming is debunked every time he drinks a Slushie and gets a brain freeze" Jon Stewart
[ Parent ]
I replied
To "JeffcoBlue."

The reality of Obama terrifies America
[ Parent ]
You "replied" by making a silly attempt at a sleight
about how those who understand you're an idiot and a poseur don't work.  It's stupid, it's not true (which you would know if you did more than the occasional drive-by attempt at slander) and its just the same old shit that the failed GOP trots out in their flailing attempt at relevancy.

Which, of course, is no reply at all.  Just like you provide no substance ever, no sources, no cites, no documentation, on anything you post, leading me to believe that you are either so stupid that it is somewhat miraculous that you haven't been hit by a bus yet, or you are just a troll. Of course they are not mutually exclusive--it is quite likely that you are a stupid troll.    

"Sen. Inhofe thinks global warming is debunked every time he drinks a Slushie and gets a brain freeze" Jon Stewart

[ Parent ]
You replied to ME
you dumb fuck. Learn to follow a thread or is that too difficult for you, with your big job and all?  

"What or who do you serve? MOTR?" Sharon Hanson  
[ Parent ]
I replied to JEFFCOBLUE
Look at the comment right below this one. Yes, I replied to you too Middle of the Roadkill.

The reality of Obama terrifies America
[ Parent ]
Oh, how clever.
Roadkill. Oh, that is so clever. Did you think of that all by yourself, lovey or did you phone a friend? You stupid fuck.

"What or who do you serve? MOTR?" Sharon Hanson  
[ Parent ]
Hey, watch the language
I hear enough of the f word on the 16th Street Mall shuttle, thank you.
[ Parent ]
:0
I'm so sorry "fuck" offends your sensibilities. Don't like it? Don't read it.  

"What or who do you serve? MOTR?" Sharon Hanson  
[ Parent ]
I believe
That Wadhams simply misspoke. Dick Wadhams has the greatest respect for (real) soldiers. This criminal was not a real soldier, and if you ask me the liberal ex-soldiers who rallied around him should engage in some soul searching about their beliefs. What is it they stand for? What did their service mean?

We know what this guy stood for, and he was their leader.

The reality of Obama terrifies America

[ Parent ]
You're unbelievable
The only people who have soul searching to do are the civilians who put them in harm's way. Those soldiers--the real soldiers--did their jobs, served with honor, and you have the audacity to tell them they should be questioning their beliefs? The fact that you can post that makes me think you are the one who should be doing some soul searching.

And as far as last year's U.S. Senate race, I think it was pretty clear which candidate was on the side of veterans. Mark Udall's record was far better on veterans issues than Bob Schaffer's. Vote vets had absolutely nothing to do with that.

We are all triguardian, but some of us are more triguardian than others.

[ Parent ]
And he calls himself 'WARRIOR'
what a joke.  He lectures others about 'damaging' the GOP, as if the GOP needs help and as if his constant blather--never backed up, generally over-the-top--is helping the GOP.  

"Sen. Inhofe thinks global warming is debunked every time he drinks a Slushie and gets a brain freeze" Jon Stewart
[ Parent ]
Do you really think
That this story, as it is being told all over the country, about a DEMOCRAT who appeared in ads for DEMOCRATS, is harmful to the GOP?

You are delusional. And if you think I am over the top, try to look objectively at your own rhetoric for the last eight years.

I think you and the Pols are afraid of this story, and you should be.

The reality of Obama terrifies America

[ Parent ]
You've been reading me for eight years???
Thanks, not sure where 'cause I haven't been posting here THAT long...

Oh, you mean 'me' as your straw man Dem/Liberal stereotype?  Since you are incapable of arguing against real facts or using real reasoning, I understand the appeal of making things up about me that you can then 'defeat' Herr Warrior.  

I get it.  You're a dumbass, with apologies to dumbass' everywhere for the unfair characterization.  I agree that you should change your handle GOPdumbass

"Sen. Inhofe thinks global warming is debunked every time he drinks a Slushie and gets a brain freeze" Jon Stewart

[ Parent ]
Case in point re: straw man arguments
Do I say that I think this issue will hurt GOP more than Dems?  No I don't.

Do I think it will do lasting damage to the Dems?  No I don't.

Do I think it will hurt the GOP?  DickWad's comments don't help there, unless he thinks he can win elections with the crashing numbers that are today's GOP.  But probably not.  

Nice try in hoping that you might make a point but FAIL.


"Sen. Inhofe thinks global warming is debunked every time he drinks a Slushie and gets a brain freeze" Jon Stewart

[ Parent ]
"Dickwad's comments"
Don't seem to be what I'm reading about, outside of this propaganda blog. It amazes me that you think having fraudulent mental patients who call themselves Marine captains star in your campaign commercials won't do "lasting damage," but you have Rep. Jefferson, the Murtha crime family, etc. You just don't give a fuck about honesty, I get it.

Most Americans do give a fuck about honesty.

The reality of Obama terrifies America

[ Parent ]
Again, GOPdumbass, it was someone within the organization
a Democrat, that exposed this fraud.

Again, again and again.  Facts, reality, reason, truth, honesty--none of these things mean anything to you, or--more likely--you are just too stupid to understand what they mean.


"Sen. Inhofe thinks global warming is debunked every time he drinks a Slushie and gets a brain freeze" Jon Stewart

[ Parent ]
I read
That nobody ever asked him for discharge papers. Don't political attack groups vet their mental patient stars anymore?

The reality of Obama terrifies America
[ Parent ]
Point taken
that you're an idiot.  A minute ago you were saying Dems were liars who didn't give a fuck about honesty.  Then I pointed out the obvious--that it was from within the organization and from a Democrat that the scam was exposed so you...predictably..change the subject. Again.  Because you're an idiot.

I cannot imagine what job you are able to hold down, I mean if you really are an adult--which I find no evidence of in your postings--but I accept it takes very few skills of any type.  

"Sen. Inhofe thinks global warming is debunked every time he drinks a Slushie and gets a brain freeze" Jon Stewart

[ Parent ]
A godless Dem, I can understand throwing around the f word...
But I thought you moral, family-values Republicans were above that.

Seriously. Both sides, please lay off the f word.

[ Parent ]
I was merely quoting the esteemed GOP Wah Orge's comments
back to him.  Me mum use to wash me mouth out with soap she did, when I used such language.

"Sen. Inhofe thinks global warming is debunked every time he drinks a Slushie and gets a brain freeze" Jon Stewart
[ Parent ]
A godless Dem?
Fuck you.

"What or who do you serve? MOTR?" Sharon Hanson  
[ Parent ]
And by the way,
I'm kidding. But I'm guessing that you probably aren't amused so I'm also sincerely apologizing.  

"What or who do you serve? MOTR?" Sharon Hanson  
[ Parent ]
He's about as much a warrior
as he is a genius. Poor dumb bastard. Although weirdly enough, he reminds me an awful lot of Gecko. What are the odds Gecky got himself a sock puppet? :)

"What or who do you serve? MOTR?" Sharon Hanson  
[ Parent ]
Ok, try and and explain that....
You know what we believe? In taking care of each other.

On the battlefield, that means covering your buddies ass when he screws up, sharing the last of your water in the desert when he/she's out, and (maybe) getting cut down by a sniper when you have to try and get him out of the ambush zone.

In peacetime, that means pulling him aside when he gets angry at the smallest things, not getting paid so you can take him to the VA hospital, and letting him crash on your couch when he needs a place to stay.

In terms of Politics, the GOP doesn't have a FUCKING CLUE what it means to take care of the troops.

The Deserter President changed to rules on combat injuries to keep the bad numbers artifically low.

That means voting for Bombs, Bullets and Blackwater to keep the war going, but cutting the VA  and TriCare down to the bone. And then playing Enron Math when you say that you're boosting funding.

Here's a number I want you to defend, and I'll even handicap it for you - The DAV keeps legislative ratings on every member of the House and Senate on bills they say are important to Vets. In the 2004-2006 session, when the GOP controlled all three legislative bodies, not one single GOP Sen or Rep scored an A or a B. In fact, 200 Repub Senators and Congresspeople score "0." Zero. NADA.

In terms of Dickwad Hams, his candidate for Senate was a great advocate in the Colo Legislature, but was one of those DAV No-go's when he was in Congress.  You can piss and moan about the source of the VoteVets spot, but here's the thing:

The GOP hates Vets. If you think this is wrong, spend an evening on StandUp4Vets.org, the DAV's legislative rating site.

You might want to change your handle....

"There is something good and motherly about Washington, the grand old benevolent National Asylum for the helpless." Mark Twain

[ Parent ]
Sorry
But I don't accept the scoring of one political outfit as gospel. I respect your tone, but I think you are painting Republicans with a very broad brush. You can't tell me John McCain does not care about veterans.

The reality of Obama terrifies America
[ Parent ]
Oh, you shouldn't have done that...
DAV is Disabled American Veterans.

Chartered by Congress in to assist veterans with their transition to civilian life, including FREE assistance with their claims for disability with the Dept of Veterans Affairs. Donates and maintains vans that provide FREE transportation to VA health care centers.

But most importantly, NOT a political outfit.

We don't have a PAC like that extension of the GOP, the American Legion. We don't endorse candidates, but we watch them and report on their deeds.

And one deadbeat in particular - Senator John McCain. His DAV Score (and organization he says he supports?) 2004 50 2005 25 - 2006 -20 and it stays there.


"There is something good and motherly about Washington, the grand old benevolent National Asylum for the helpless." Mark Twain

[ Parent ]
Shocking!
GOPpeashooter doesn't know what he's talking about?  Will the wonders never cease?  

"Sen. Inhofe thinks global warming is debunked every time he drinks a Slushie and gets a brain freeze" Jon Stewart
[ Parent ]
The fact
that you think the DAV is a political group proves just how little you know about veterans issues.

We are all triguardian, but some of us are more triguardian than others.
[ Parent ]
Your post makes No. Sense. At. All.
"Gee, this guy who I thought was a fellow vet was an impostor. I guess I should have been FOR the Iraq war!" That's basically what you're saying.

And what's this about the LIBERAL ex-soldiers? What about your hero Doug Lamborn, who this fellow also bamboozled?

(Oh yeah, I forgot: Lamborn didn't serve in the military, did he?)

[ Parent ]
Casey Howard (Young blond guy in VoteVets spot) is a good friend...
...He was a medevac pilot his entire Army career. He flew the hottest of the hot missions in Iraq, as well as some time in the Balkans.

When DickWad was hooting and screeching about standing up to the terrorist and sipping whiskey sours at the GOP country club, Casey was flying his Blackhawk thru firefights to get his patients back to the hospital.

Thanks, Dickwad. You just kept Vets and Military people in the DEM column in '10.

"There is something good and motherly about Washington, the grand old benevolent National Asylum for the helpless." Mark Twain

"those details don't appear to have reached GOP chairman Dick Wadhams in time to prevent an at least equal embarrassment"
Equal?  Sure, using the plural in a press release is just as big a deal as using a fake veteran in TV ads against Republican candidates across the country.  Right on there, Pols.

Stating that those two events is anyhow comparable is just as big an error as the GOP using the plural in a press release.

So I guess Pols is just as bad as the guy who faked his story and lied about Republicans across the country.  

He was a fake but what he said may have been the truth. There is a difference.

[ Parent ]
Is it lost on you...
(and Wadhams) that it was a Democrat that turned in the fake Veteran and is working with the FBI to see that he is prosecuted?  

"But when I see a 9-11 victim family on television, or whatever, I'm just like, 'Oh, shut up!' I'm so sick of them because they're always complaining."  Glenn Beck  
[ Parent ]
Yes.
Yes, it is lost on him, not that this would be an unusual turn of events.  

"What or who do you serve? MOTR?" Sharon Hanson  
[ Parent ]
No kidding!
Yes, one little misstatement is equal to the use of a phony soldier in a smear campaign. Loony lefties...

The reality of Obama terrifies America
[ Parent ]
Who exposed this?
Oh yeah, members of the group that he 'led,' not a Republican. A Democrat.

Meanwhile, the Bush administration was torturing people, not to try and protect the nation but to build a phony case for an ill-advised war.  Remember Rumsfeld--doubting that the Iraq War would last more than six months.  Some great leadership there.  L. Paul Bremer?  Name strike a bell?

You're right on one thing, the transgressions are not equal.

"Sen. Inhofe thinks global warming is debunked every time he drinks a Slushie and gets a brain freeze" Jon Stewart

[ Parent ]
Again, You. Make. No. Sense.
The only way your post would make any sense at all would be if those "loony lefties" you talk about KNEW that this fellow was an impostor, and used him anyway. But of course, that wasn't the case at all. All the OTHER soldiers in those ads and working in the same group were REAL VETERANS. And the guy was ultimately turned in by a DEMOCRAT.

And it's those REAL VETERANS who Dick Wadhams so carelessly slurred.

By the way, is Doug Lamborn a "loony leftist"? Because this phony soldier was on a Lamborn project as well.

Please respond. I would really like to see a rational counterargument from you. Although I doubt one can be made, quite frankly.

[ Parent ]
OK, I'm a bit late to this party
but reading comments of GOPWarrior and Karate Kid, I can only conclude:
Republicans now want an official policy of assuming all veterans are mental patient frauds until proven otherwise.

That's not supporting the troops we can believe in!

I want a nickel every time someone uses the "We are all triguardian" joke, or I start posting more naked pictures of politicians.

I'm not saying that
But your side did videotape one and said he was a veteran.

The reality of Obama terrifies America
[ Parent ]
Believed someone who said he was a veteran
There is a difference.

Unless you want all veterans examined psychologically every time they want to express a political opinion. I honestly don't see any other way to read your comments.

I want a nickel every time someone uses the "We are all triguardian" joke, or I start posting more naked pictures of politicians.

[ Parent ]
But your side nominated and elected one to Congress
http://www.congressionalbadboy...

Non impediti ratione cogitationis.

"Some of the people that wanted to engage me in conversation appeared to have been the losers in the 'Are you smarter than Michele Bachmann contest?'." --Rep. Barney Frank

[ Parent ]
Vet status
I've participated in dozens or maybe even hundreds of vets events. I've joined some vets organizations.  I've met hundreds or thousands of vets from all branches in all parts of the world in all kinds of circumstance- social, official, political, and so on.

Not once did I ever require anyone to produce their DD214 or any other document to prove their service history. I've produce mine for schools, the VA and some other government agencies.  But not all.   I didn't need documentation to become a life member of DAV or MOAA.

Employers ask about it all the time, but i've never been required to produce documentation. Maybe we should - clearly this vv guy was a big fat liar.  

He should have been vetted.  But in 527 land that kind of vetting is typically done by the opposition or the donors.  Once upon the time, news reporters did that kind of stuff, but that appears to have disappeared now. Not snarky gossipy, politically motivated hit pieces based on leaks and innuendo or criminal outing of covert operatives, but actual investigative journalism.

This guy's lies do not reflect badly on vets. Nor the elected officials who support us.

But if lies about one's resume and accomplishments are enough to trash everyone around the liar- watch out. There's a lot of politcos - R& D - who couldn't live with that standard.

What worries me is my friends on the left who are buying into the 'inevitable GOP resurgence' - or helping it for misguided reasons. JeffcoBlue Jan 2 2010

[ Parent ]
I agree with Dick Wadhams
I'm glad Dick Wadhams thinks it's appalling and shameless that any political group would use something false, either willfully or very carelessly, for political purposes.

I'm looking forward to Wadhams' condemnation of his own party for claiming there were WMDs in Iraq. And a link between Saddam and Bin Laden.

Wadhams Grotesquely Overreaches, "Phony Soldiers" Redux? | 48 comments
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