We have a hard-hitting series of diaries coming up today with live blogging from seven Fighting Dem Vets. At 1pm eastern we start off with a return to Texas after the recent primary. At 2pm Eric Massa and Andrew Horne will be talking about how dissent is patriotic. At 3 pm we have two of the three female Fighting Dem Vets, Mishonda Baldwin and Karen Marie Otter.
1-3 EST - FIGHTING DEM SPOTLIGHT:
Texas Primary Recap I with
Ted Ankrum,
Rick Bolaños and
David Harris. Ted and Rick are decorated Vietnam vets and David Harris has just been selected by IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Vets PAC) as one of their endorsed candidates. Ted is facing a runoff in April and has an amazing resume. Also, Rick and his brothers were the original Band of Brothers.
2-4 EST FIGHTING DEM SPOTLIGHT ON PATRIOTISM OF DISSENT AND DARFUR:
Live blogging by Eric Massa and Andrew Horne. Eric recently helped organized the successful protests against Bush's invasion of NY-29 and attended an event in DC where he was praised by Wes Clark, Max Cleland and Hillary Clinton. Andrew, along with David Harris and a select few, has been chosen as an endorsed candidate by IAVA PAC and has been endorsed by WesPAC.
Also, Eric and Andrew were the two veterans specifically mentioned by Paul Hackett when Chris Matthews asked him who he had faith in as an anti-war critic (link):
MATTHEWS: I'm sorry, Major--who do we have--who do you have out there that you have faith in as an anti-war critic, a critic of the war who's running for office this November?
HACKETT: I think all the IVA's. Andy Horne down in Kentucky, there are a number of others around. Eric Massa up in New York. There are a number of candidates around who have served their country in combat and in other conflicts, who have the same belief that I do, that the military was misused in Iraq. And that's really what--that's what the conclusion is. The military was misused in Iraq by this administration.
3-5 EST FIGHTING DEM SPOTLIGHT ON THE SISTERS IN THE BAND OF BROTHERS:
Live blogging by Karen Marie Otter and Mishonda Baldwin.
This is a chance for the Sisters to shine. They are both superb candidates and have primary challenges to battle. Unlike Tammy, who has a primary on Tuesday, they do not have DCCC backing and need netroots support in their brave efforts. We hope that the focus will be on Karen and Mishonda and their races and not on the looming Illinois primary.
So tune in for a great Fighting Dem Vet afternoon.