Retired Colonel Doug Applegate, who’s in a horse race with the uber-wealthy Darrell Issa for California’s 49th Congressional seat, is the highest ranking military veteran among an impressive slate of Democratic candidates across the country who have served and defended the United States.
As an aside, I learned more about this prestigious group of military veterans yesterday when Dr. Fergie Reid called me. His dad is the civil rights’ activist Dr. William Reid, “first African American elected to the Virginia Assembly since the days of Reconstruction,” and for whom the 90for90 project was established.
Colonel Applegate, like all of the honorable veterans running as Democrats, is appalled and offended by Donald Trump’s show of disrespect towards the Khans and all Gold Star families, and by Darrell Issa’s silence. In the Colonel’s words:
The time has long since passed for Congressman Darrell E. Issa to stop making excuses for his friend Donald J. Trump. Anytime Trump makes an out of touch remark Darrell Issa isn't far behind with a statement to soften the blow.
By remaining silent on Trump's attacks on Gold Star Families, Darrell Issa is complicit and enables more of the outlandish and disrespectful behavior that we have come to expect from Donald J. Trump and friends.
I stand with the Khans and all other Gold Star families that have sacrificed so much for this nation. Donald J. Trump must apologize and retract his statements.
Issa, whose own military service was marred by accusations of auto theft, has not backed down from his endorsement and outright embrace of Donald Trump. Aren’t they disgustingly cute together?
“Let’s Send in a Marine to Take Back the Hill!”
AND, let’s help elect all the Democratic candidates who are military veterans, who want to keep serving their country. Visit 90for90 to learn more about these impressive men and women.
Democrats respect and honor all United States veterans and active-duty soldiers, regardless of race, religion, or national origin.
You can follow Colonel Applegate’s campaign on his Facebook page.