Ohio Senator JD Vance, a Republican, has taken umbrage with CNN's Brianna Keilar's comments, in which she labeled him an "imperfect messenger" in his critique of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's military history.
The controversy arose during a discussion on CNN's Inside Politics about the ongoing debate surrounding Walz's military service, following his selection to join Vice President Harris on the Democratic ticket.
According to The Hill, Keilar pointed out that Vance's role during his deployment as a Marine in Iraq was that of a "combat correspondent." She further clarified, "But when you dig a little deeper into that, he was a public affairs specialist, someone who did not see combat, which certainly the title 'combat correspondent' kind of gives you a different impression. So he may be the imperfect messenger on that."
Luis Agostini, a public information officer at the Drug Enforcement Agencys Chicago office, challenged Keilar's comments on social media. Vance joined the conversation, expressing his disapproval of Keilar's remarks. He found it "shameful" for Keilar to disparage an "entire MOS," or Military Occupational Specialty. Vance tweeted, "Its easy to sit in the comfort and safety of a @CNN studio and trivialize the service of countless men and women who risked their lives."
CNN has yet to respond to Vance's criticism. Mediaite, however, highlighted that Keilar herself is a military spouse, married to an active-duty Green Beret. She questioned Vance's credibility to critique Walz, who dedicated 24 years to the National Guard. Keilar expressed her concern about the ongoing debate, stating, "But then at the same time you have this argument going on where it seems to be did you really serve your country if you werent shot at a lot? And I just think thats a very, kind of, gross place to be because there is so much service and sacrifice that goes on in the military.
Walz and Vance are the first veterans on national tickets since the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) ran for president in 2008. If elected, they would be the first veterans to serve as president or vice president since President George W. Bush, a former lieutenant in the Texas Air National Guard.
Vance has been vocal in his accusations against Walz, alleging "stolen valor" amid Republican claims that Walz inflated his rank in retirement and falsely claimed to have carried a weapon in war, despite not having served in combat.
Vance challenged Walz at a campaign stop in Michigan, saying, I wonder, Tim Walz, when were you ever in war? He has not spent a day in a combat zone Id be ashamed if I was him and I lied about my military service like he did. This ongoing debate underscores the importance of accurate representation of military service in political discourse, and the potential repercussions of misrepresentation.
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