FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Revelations that Connecticut senatorial candidate Richard Blumenthal lied about serving in Vietnam couldn't have come at a worse time for the Democrats.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/19/art.blumenthal.jpg caption=" Democratic Senate candidate and Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal holds a press conference to explain discrepancies in claims that he served in Vietnam. "]
It's not like they don't have enough problems with their candidates getting knocked off right and left; and with the Republicans' renewed efforts to retake control of the Senate in November.
That's why Blumenthal, who is Connecticut's attorney general, was carefully pre-selected and packaged to replace Senator Chris Dodd. Closest thing to a sure thing they could find. Except it turns out he's a liar and overnight has become a liability and an embarrassment to the Democrats.
Republicans are all over this, calling Blumenthal's lies "a serious blow to his candidacy." They say it's appalling that he would lie about such a significant issue.
And a lot of veterans aren't happy either. True to form Blumenthal surrounded himself with veterans during his non-apology yesterday at a VFW hall in West Hartford. Turns out Blumenthal isn't a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars - and he's not eligible to be - you know, because he didn't go to Vietnam and he's not a Veteran of Foreign Wars. In fact, Blumenthal received five military deferments before finally joining the Marine Reserves.
The Democrats may be shooting themselves in the foot by continuing to support Blumenthal. They're trying to contain the damage by circulating other videos that show Blumenthal accurately describing his military service. So sometimes he was honest and other times he lied... and apparently that's okay with the Democrats.
His primary opponent, Merrick Alpert, calls Blumenthal a "coward" and a "liar." Connecticut Democrats decide this weekend on their Senate candidate. If they're smart... well, we'll see...
Here’s my question to you: Could supporting Connecticut's Richard Blumenthal cost Democrats the Senate?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Katty writes:
I surely do hope so. My husband served 30 years in the military, over 6 of those years as a POW. Anyone lying about their military service will certainly lie about everything and anything else to get elected and stay elected....we've already had too much of that. These jerks had the chance to do what they claim they have done but didn't because of cowardliness or whatever reason they thought they had.
Dan writes:
I think the outrage over Blumenthal's lies will only grow stronger. Leaders in the Democratic Party are only making themselves and their party look sleazy by continuing to support this guy. Huge mistake.
Bud writes:
Yes! And it should. It's gotten to the point where these guys lie, cheat and steal knowing that everybody knows it and they don't even bat an eye. But it seems not to matter.
Jim writes:
You bet your boots it could cost the Democrats a Senate seat. He stepped over the line and disrespected every single legitimate Vietnam Vet. There are over 58,000 of my would-be peers whose names are on a long black wall who would object too, if they could.
Deborah writes:
Yes, that and the other gaffes they have made. Specter was just the first to go.
George writes:
I am a former state Democratic Party chairman and a Vietnam veteran (for real), and urge the party in Connecticut to find a new candidate and fast!
Greg in Las Vegas writes:
Doesn't matter, Jack. They don't know what to do with the majority when they have it.