Nye-Drake: the mud continues to fly
Oct 02, 2008
I’ve already written about Rep. Thelma Drake’s (R) accusation that CLW endorsee Glenn Nye cheated on his taxes. Nye seems to have effectively refuted this smear. But it’s clear that Drake is not finished with the underhanded campaign tactics.
The latest round began when an independent union group aired a TV ad criticizing Drake for not supporting veterans.
Admittedly, these are tough charges in an area that has more military bases than any other congressional district in the country. However, rather than defending or explaining the votes against funding for veterans’ healthcare cited in the ad, Drake accused Nye of lying about his diplomatic service.
At a hastily-assembled news conference, Drake surrounded herself with veterans, including an Iraq war vet, Greg Robinette, who claimed Nye is wrong to tout his experience in Iraq, because he was there with the State Dept. rather than as a solder: “He can say he was there, but he is not a combat veteran. That's offensive, it’s not the same.”
According to the Newport News Daily Press
Robinette went on to question Nye's story about negotiating for the release of an American hostage while working in Macedonia.
"The U.S. Army and Marines went in and saved that hostage," Robinette said.
Drake wondered aloud how a "a very junior member of the State Department" was so instrumental in the rescues and said that so far, her staff had been unable to find news clips or State Department officials to verify the story Nye used on the campaign trail and in commercials.
The Nye campaign was quick to respond by releasing the official awards documents detailing his work in Macedonia.
According to the award application submitted by his superior at the State Dept.:
"[Nye was] essential to securing the release of an American held captive by the NLA (National Liberation Army). It should also be noted that unlike many other prisoners held by the NLA, the American was not abused or mistreated. I believe this is a direct result of the pressure that Glenn kept on the NLA."
The union ad is tough stuff, to be sure, but responding to it by questioning a patriotic American’s service to his country is below the belt.