The conservative group Vets for Freedom is launching a $1.1 million ad buy during the Democratic National Convention, using video of Iraq war veterans to take Barack Obama to task for not giving the surge policy sufficient credit for improvement in battleground conditions.
The 30-second spot, called “I Am the Surge,” features three Iraq war veterans — Gabriel Herrera, David Thul and Travis Quinlan — who served in the surge of U.S. military forces into Iraq.
The ad will run in Denver and Minnesota during the conventions, and for the next four weeks in the swing states of Ohio, Michigan, Virginia and Colorado.
Vets for Freedom Chairman Pete Hegseth, a decorated former Army infantry platoon leader in Baghdad, said in a statement: “Vets for Freedom will not stand by and let the incredible progress of our troops go unnoticed by the American public and lawmakers from either side of the aisle.”
Hegseth is at the convention to tell lawmakers, delegates and the press about his observation during a recent return to Iraq.“It is essential that our top legislators — regardless of party — understand the importance of victory in Iraq, the consequences of defeat and the success of the surge,” Hegseth said. “Sen. Obama has said that he would still oppose the surge if given another opportunity and has pointed to every outside factor but the surge to explain improvements in Iraq. We hope he will listen to the veterans who have served there and support this important resolution for the sake of the troops.”
The group describes itself as a nonpartisan organization established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as the largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans organization in America.
Give ’em hell Pete!
HOOAH!
UPDATE:
The Vets for Freedom is heading Back to Iraq to let them know what has been accomplished, what still needs to be done, and how we should proceed in order to attain sustainable security in Iraq.
Vets for Freedom is sending 8 members back to the very streets they once patrolled in uniform to assess the situation on the ground. These members will be writing for BlackFive.net, Weekly Standard, and National Review Online. Their posts, articles, and videos will also be made available and updated daily on VetsforFreedom.org.
Link: http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/fourmonths/backtoiraq.aspx