Can Iraq War Vets Win For Democrats?
Almost 40 years ago, Vietnam taught Americans what an unpopular war can do to a presidency. A conflict that seemed to have no end ended the political career of President Lyndon B. Johnson. A month from now, another president and another war — this one in Iraq — is front and center, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric reports.
"I'm an Iraq war veteran Democrat running for Congress," says Patrick Murphy, a congressional candidate from Pennsylvania.
The Democratic Party has high hopes for its Iraq war vets running for Congress this year. They're battling for congressional seats, hoping that the message voters are getting is this: We're against the war but tough on national security — and we have the medals to prove it.
Murphy wanted to run for Congress because he wanted a change. "I saw with my own eyes what's going on in Iraq," he says, "and I know we need a change in direction over there."
Polls show most Americans agree. But just running against the war may not be enough.
"I am in the race of my life," says Tammy Duckworth, a Democratic congressional candidate from Illinois.
Two years ago, Duckworth's Blackhawk helicopter was shot down over Baghdad. She lost both her legs and nearly died.
"There's this giant red fireball, red, orange fireball in front of my face," she says, describing the horror.
"I am a hawk on national security. I am going to be strong on defense," Duckworth says.
But even Duckworth, an undeniable American hero, is in a very tight race against Republican Peter Roskam. At this point, the two are virtually even.
"You always have to bring more to the tea party, if you will," says CBS News political analyst Nicole Wallace, a former Republican strategist. "You have to bring your resume, you have to bring your experience and you have to bring your plan."
The Democrats have tried the "war vet" strategy before, with Sen. John Kerry, a Vietnam veteran, greeting the 2004 Democratic Convention with "I'm John Kerry and I'm reporting for duty."
It didn't work two years ago for Kerry, who lost to President Bush — and some doubt it will work this time.
"I think what you see happening is the resume is impressive and everyone honors and respects our veterans, but they want to know where they stand on the issues they care about," Wallace says. "All politics are local, and I think it's a good sign that all politics come down to the issues, where you stand on the issues, I care about."
Still, Americans say they do care about the war in Iraq. The question is whether this single issue and heroism on the battlefield will translate into victory at the polls.