Late last night, we reported that 11th District GOP congressional candidate Marty Ozinga put out a robocall attacking his Democratic opponent Debbie Halvorson at the same time she was visiting her stepson, Jay Bush, at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. Bush was flown there after being seriously injured while serving in Afghanistan.
Today, VoteVets.org -- a political advocacy organization headed by veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars -- put out the following response:
“This is one of the most tactless moves I’ve ever seen in politics,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org. “The pain and anxiousness that family members feel when their loved one is injured, wounded, or lost in combat cannot be overstated. At times like these, military families deserve some time and space, even if they are candidates for office. It wouldn’t kill Ozinga to show some class by wishing Ms. Halvorson and her stepson well, and laying off the attacks for a couple of days. It’s just a simple sign of respect to do so when your opponent is going through a time like this.” [...]
“We obviously wish Captain Bush a speedy recovery, and we thank him for his sacrifice to our nation and for our security. And, our thoughts are with Ms. Halvorson and her husband as they tend to their son,” added Soltz. “I only wish Marty Ozinga would have some class and show the same respect to our troops and military families.”
