Walz's War Words

Plus, trailblazing rider.

August 13, 2024

The Flag

Good morning and Happy Tuesday! Here are the Flag’s Top Five stories that should be on your radar to start the day:

  • US: Harris endorses eliminating taxes on tips, touting policy first proposed by Trump (CNN)

  • World: Putin says Ukraine's attack on Russia is aimed at ceasefire negotiations (Reuters)

  • Business: Elon Musk’s X targeted with nine privacy complaints after grabbing EU users’ data for training Grok (TechCrunch)

  • Technology: The next iPhone SE could have Apple Intelligence, which says a lot (The Verge)

  • Sports: Trump seeks $100M in damages from DOJ for Mar-a-Lago search (The Hill)

And of course, some good news: Women in motorcycle racing program break ground: "I'm hoping to inspire the next generation".

POWERED BY MONEY

Inflation has led to increased home maintenance costs, with some repairs exceeding $5,000 and certain states experiencing up to a 39% rise in average expenses. A home warranty can help you budget and provide coverage for eligible appliances and systems against unexpected events like earthquakes, floods, and fires.

Right: Only Americans Should Decide Our Elections, Speaker Mike Johnson, Fox News

Right: Feds' Election Interference Didn't Stop After 2020, Ben Weingarten, The Federalist

Right: Harris Can Avoid Reporters But Not Economics, David Catron, The American Spectator

Left: The Reintroduction of Kamala Harris, Charlotte Alter, Time Magazine

Left: How Elon Musk Became Driver of Election Misinformation, Rachel Leingang, The Guardian

Left: Kamala, You Make My Middle-Aged Spirits Soar, Gaby Allan, Daily Beast

2024

Walz's War Words

Today’s Top Story: On Friday, a spokesperson for Tim Walz, Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate, said he "misspoke" in a 2018 video about handling weapons “in war.” The clarification was issued after J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate, criticized Walz's military claims and the National Guard contested his biography.

Reporting from the Right: Walz accusations of 'stolen valor' prompt battle between House veterans (Fox News)

Reporting from the Left: Tim Walz ‘misspoke’ when he discussed using weapons ‘in war,’ campaign says (NBC News)

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Exaggerating His Military Record

The Top Argument From The Right: Tim Walz Misrepresented His Military Service. He Needs To Answer Some Questions, Matt Beebe, The Federalist: “Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s military service has come under well-deserved scrutiny following his selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate. As a career politician, Walz has long touted his service in the National Guard, yet this service is only now getting close attention as questions arise about how and where he served. … A deeper analysis of Walz’s historical campaign messaging reveals that the recent tweaking may not be the first time he’s tried to carefully thread the needle on messaging about his military service, and suggests an intention to mislead voters that runs all the way back to his first campaign for Congress in 2005. … To what extent did this intentional misinformation, spread by his own campaign, skew media coverage? And why did Walz tighten up his messaging after his election victory? These are questions the American public deserve prompt answers to. … It remains to be seen if the controversy around how Walz characterized his military service will spin out of control for the Harris-Walz campaign. But if Walz is proud of his service and has nothing to hide, he should have no problem holding a press conference to address all these questions without delay.”

Honorable Mention #1: Tim Walz’s Military Service Deserves Scrutiny, The Editors, National Review.

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Smear Campaign by Republicans

The Top Argument From The Left: Tim Walz deserves better than Team Trump's 'stolen valor' smears, Paul Rieckhoff, MSNBC: “The truth is that Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard at 17 and retired honorably before his run for Congress in 2005. As an artilleryman, Walz ‘served overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was the highest-ranking enlisted National Guard Soldier in southern Minnesota when he retired from 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery in 2005,’ according to the U.S. Army. Building on this experience, Walz has dedicated his political career to helping other veterans. As the ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, veterans had no finer and more tenacious advocate than Walz. Every veteran service organization and veteran leader knows he is one of our own, and that we could always count on him. … now, [Republicans] are pulling one of their oldest, nastiest and most effective plays out of the playbook, by attacking Walz’s service. … This is the first battle of its kind for this new Democratic ticket. But it definitely won’t be the last. Every vote and foot of political ground taken is critical to victory. Especially with veterans — and especially with independent veterans in swing states.”

Honorable Mention #1: Why Tim Walz Can’t Shake Off Questions About Military Record, Brett Bachman, Daily Beast.

Honorable Mention #2: Debunking the GOP's lies about Tim Walz's military record, Chris Hayes, MSNBC.

FLAG THIS

Military Experience and American Voters

Polling from 2022 found that Americans generally view military experience as a positive attribute in political leaders, with nearly half of the population and 53% of registered voters expressing a preference for candidates who have served in the armed forces. However, for a significant portion of the population—43% of all respondents and 41% of registered voters—military service is a neutral factor. Only a small minority, 7% of U.S. adults and 5% of registered voters express a dislike for leaders with military backgrounds (Pew Research).

Should politicians be held accountable for every past statement, even if they clarify later?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

WATERCOOLER

Berlin Divided, TV Dinner, Forever Hiccup

On This Day in 1961, Shortly after midnight, East German soldiers began laying down barbed wire and bricks as a barrier between Soviet-controlled East Berlin and the democratic western section of the city. The wire was soon replaced by a six-foot-high, 96-mile-long wall of concrete blocks, which became known as a defining symbol of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall.

Today I learned the longest case of hiccups was 68 years.

POWERED BY MONEY

Inflation has led to increased home maintenance costs, with some repairs exceeding $5,000 and certain states experiencing up to a 39% rise in average expenses. A home warranty can help you budget and provide coverage for eligible appliances and systems against unexpected events like earthquakes, floods, and fires.

Reply

or to participate.