Will the "real" veterans group please come to attention?
Veterans and Military Families for Progress, a nominally nonpartisan group based in Washington, D.C., endorsed U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, in the 22nd Congressional District.
The endorsement didn't surprise Klein's Republican opponent, retired Army Lt. Col. Allen West, whose campaign pointed out that VMFP exclusively backs Democrats.
VMFP Executive Director Matt Cary acknowledged the one-sided endorsement list, suggesting that the group's "progressive" positions may not sit well with Republicans.
"The 'coming home' issue is large, and Republicans may not want it," Cary said, citing veteran housing, homeless and family caregiving programs.
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."
Though not a veteran, Klein was eligible for the endorsement because of his voting record. The group requires endorsees to be military veterans, have a military family background or to be an "advocate" on veterans issues.
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.
A career Army officer, West served in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Among the Democratic candidates endorsed by VMFP is Richard Blumenthal, a U.S. Senate candidate in Connecticut who lied about serving in the Vietnam War.
Cary said the group's board "considered" yanking the endorsement, but did not. He indicated that Blumenthal's GOP opponent, Linda McMahon, did not qualify for the endorsement.
VMFP, founded in 2005, calls itself a "21st century" veterans organization. It has chapters in nine states and about 1,000 members nationally, Cary said. Though the group has no chapters in Florida, it has "50 to 100" members in the state, he said.
Cary said that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek will also receive the VMFP's endorsement, with an announcement to come as early as Friday. Meek, from Miami, qualified because an uncle served in the armed forces.
Cary said that Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio did not turn in the group's questionnaire and that independent candidate Charlie Crist "did not qualify" based on background or voting record.
"Being head of the state National Guard didn't count," Cary said of Crist.
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Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 801-5341.
