Attempt was  disgraceful

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It was reported in the July 20, 2010, edition of the Southtown Star that Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-11th), has resorted to what amounts to smear tactics in her campaign for the 11th Congressional District seat against her opponent, Adam Kinzinger (Republican), a captain and pilot in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Earlier this summer, Halvorson’s campaign manager contacted the Air Force Special Operations Command requesting information on Kinzinger’s military record. During the primary, Kinzinger’s official website had stated he was assigned to U.S.A.F. Special Operations Command flying reconnaissance aircraft. Halvorson was hoping her inquiry would reveal yet another incident of misstatement of military credentials, as was the case with U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-10th) and Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (Democrat). What she was told by the Air Force was that Kinzinger was not currently assigned to the Special Operations Command, but had in fact been assigned to the 745th Special Operations Squadron from March to June 2008 and again from March to May 2009 as a reconnaissance pilot. It seems the only scandal revealed was that Kinzinger was either negligent in updating his website or bad at conjugating his verb phrases.

For the record, Kinzinger has flown more than 140 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. He is also the recipient of the Air Force Airmen’s Medal and the National Guard’s Valley Forge Cross for Heroism.

Halvorson’s attempt to discredit Kinzinger’s military service is disgraceful but not shocking; after all, that is the Chicago Democratic way. She trails Kinzinger in the polls and knows that her yes votes on the stimulus, cap and trade, and the healthcare bill are contrary to the wishes of the majority of her constituents. Instead of focusing on real issues like unemployment, overspending and education, she attempts to tarnish the honorable service of her opponent. Remember this next November. It is time for a new direction in the 11th Congressional District.

Michael Wendt

Princeton