Veterans Group Endorses Klein, Catches Flak in CD 22

Veterans and Military Families for Progress, a Washington, D.C.-based organization, endorsed U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, in the 22nd Congressional District.

The endorsement didn't surprise Klein's opponent, retired Army Lt. Col. Allen West, whose campaign noted that the nominally nonpartisan VMFP has exclusively backed Democrats.

VMFP saluted Klein, saying the congressman's "strong commitment to the issues that are critical to veterans, those serving now, and their families is unsurpassed."

But West spokesman Josh Grodin countered that West has received the endorsement of "real veterans' groups" including Vets for Freedom, National Vietnam and Gulf War Coalition, Iraq Vets for Congress and Combat Vets for Congress.

Among the Democratic candidates endorsed by VMFP is Richard Blumenthal, a U.S. Senate candidate in Connecticut who lied about serving in Vietnam.

Read more in our story tomorrow.