• Elizabeth Colbert Busch opens lead on Mark Sanford April 23, 2013 | Politico
  The former governor has been bombarded on the TV airwaves, with a trifecta of Democratic-aligned groups – the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, House Majority PAC, and VoteVets Action Fund – combining to spend more than a half-million dollars against him.
• Monday's campaign round-up April 23, 2013 | Maddow Blog
  With just two weeks to go in South Carolina's congressional special election, VoteVets Action Fund has a new ad, slamming former Gov. Mark Sanford (R) for having abandoned his post to meet up with his mistress. "If I had abandoned my post, I could be court-martialed," retired National Guard Colonel Barry Wingard says in the ad.
• Sanford stands by decision to watch game with son April 23, 2013 | WSCOTV
  A veterans group, the VoteVets Action Fund, announced Monday that it was spending $30,000 on an ad criticizing Sanford. In it, retired National Guard Colonel Barry Wingard of South Carolina says he would have been court-martialed had he left the state like Sanford.
• Vet group targets Sanford: He "abandoned his post" April 23, 2013 | CBS
  A new TV ad by VoteVets, which describes itself as both non-partisan and progressive and has a history of supporting Democratic candidates and causes, targets Sanford for having "abandoned his post" in 2009, when he took a trip to Argentina to visit his extramarital girlfriend without informing the state, or his wife, of his whereabouts.
• Veterans' group targets Sanford with new ad April 23, 2013 | The Hill
  The ad from VoteVets Action Fund, which features National Guard veteran Barry Wingard, will run on broadcast and cable for a week on a $30,000 buy. “I was there when my country called – even deploying to Afghanistan at age 58. Mark Sanford abandoned his post," Wingard says in the ad. Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/295201-veterans-group-targets-sanford-with-new-ad#ixzz2RId3drOV Follow us: @thehill on Twitter | TheHill on Facebook
• VoteVets Adds to TV Onslaught Against Mark Sanford April 22, 2013 | National Journal
  VoteVets Action Fund released a new television spot targeting former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford on Monday, adding to the Democratic onslaught against the Republican nominee, just two weeks before the special election in the state's 1st Congressional District.
• Veterans poll: 91 percent back gun checks April 11, 2013 | Politico
  According to a survey commissioned by the organization Vote Vets and the liberal Center for American Progress Action Fund, 91 percent of veterans support requiring “a criminal background check of every person who wants to buy a firearm, including 74 [percent] who strongly support it.”
• New Cyber Medal Production Stopped, Being Reviewed March 12, 2013 | Associated Press
  Hagel's decision "shows exactly why we supported him" for defense secretary, said VoteVets.org, a progressive political action committee that has been lobbying for a change in the medal. "Having a former grunt who served in war at the top in the Pentagon means a deeper understanding of those who are serving our nation right now."
• Distinguished Warfare Medal is off to a rocky start March 01, 2013 | Stars and Stripes
  And organizers at VoteVets.org have collected more than 5,000 responses to the medal -- most complaining about its position above the Bronze Star -- that they intend to share with new Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, a former enlisted soldier and a Purple Heart recipient. “We think, with his background, he’ll want to take a look at this,” said Jon Solz, chairman of the group. “We’ve been his biggest supporters, and we’re bringing him what veterans are thinking about the issue right now. We hope he’ll listen.”
• Senate GOP blocks Hagel vote for now February 14, 2013 | Associated Press
  "Today's vote to filibuster Chuck Hagel's nomination by Republicans is a disgrace, and the GOP is now holding America's security and its troops hostage," said Jon Soltz, an Iraq war veteran and chairman of VoteVets.org.
• The Cruz-ing of the Senate February 13, 2013 | Huffington Post
  A funny thing happened at the Senate Armed Services Committee vote on Chuck Hagel, this week. Senator Ted Cruz, who is quickly making a name for himself as a modern-day Joe McCarthy, turned a normal committee vote into his own personal circus, making outlandish smear after outlandish smear against Chuck Hagel that earned the ire not just of senators in the room, but Capitol Hill newspapers,national media, and even his home state newspaper.
• Neocon Tantrums February 08, 2013 | Huffington Post
  The hysterics of neoconservative senators has become a cacophony that's pretty similar to a room full of children. It's a series of tantrums that clearly shows they are losing, badly.
• GOP Farce at Hagel Hearings January 31, 2013 | Huffington Post
  Chuck Hagel, one of the first Republicans to stand up to President Bush on Iraq. Chuck Hagel who opposed the surge in Iraq, and in Afghanistan, and is against preemptive wars as a first option. Chuck Hagel being confirmed would put a nail in the coffin of neocon military policy. And that drives senators on the right insane.
• Obama Lifting Ban on Women in Combat Makes the US Stronger January 23, 2013 | Huffington Post
  Much has been said about President Obama's inauguration address possibly signaling an era of the bold, positive change so many expected from him. Today, a monumental move has been made, which shows that is exactly what is happening.
• VoteVets.org on NewsNation to Discuss Afghanistan January 10, 2013 | NewsNation
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran, and Chairman of VoteVets.org, appears on NewsNation to discuss the future of Afghanistan.
• Hagel and Kerry Mean Obama is Ready to Leave Afghanistan - Finally. January 09, 2013 | Huffington Post
  As the Obama Adminstration prepares to meet with Hamid Karzai at the White House on Friday, something significant is happening at the White House regarding Afghanistan, and it is good for American security and our troops.
• VoteVets.org on The Cycle On Chuck Hagel January 08, 2013 | The Cycle, MSNBC
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org appears on The Cycle to talk President Obama's appointment of Chuck Hagel to be Secretary of Defense
• On Hagel, Neocons Go Off the Sanity Cliff (Again) December 28, 2012 | Huffington Post
  Watching the right-wing try to scare President Obama from nominating Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense has only reinforced the image of Republicans becoming as nonsensical and crazy as the fringe loons that keep driving them further and further to the maniacal right.
• Thousands Of Vets And Military Families Sign Petition Rejecting ‘Neocon Smears’ Against Hagel December 26, 2012 | Think Progress
  Progressive veterans group VoteVets.org has received thousands of signatures from concerned citizens, veterans and military families rejecting "neocon smears" against former Republican senator Chuck Hagel.
• Why The Right Is Smearing Chuck Hagel, and Why It Must End December 19, 2012 | Huffington Post
  The neocons are at it again. Bill Kristol doesn't like that Vietnam Veteran and potential Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has a more reasoned view on the use of force than Kristol and other neocons.
• Changing of the guard: Veterans head to Hill November 12, 2012 | Politico
  Congress takes a long time to change, however. Although Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are growing their ranks in the House, there’s still not an Iraq or Afghanistan veteran in the Senate. And Jon Soltz, chairman of VoteVets.org, wants to change that.
• VoteVets Launches $1.25 Million Ad Buy In 3 Senate Races November 01, 2012 | Huffington Post
  VoteVets Action Fund announced the new ad buys in Ohio, Nebraska and Virginia Thursday morning, seeking to paint the three Republicans as either not as having the best record on veterans issues or not having the leadership qualities to be a senator.
• Liberal veterans group targets Allen in ad October 26, 2012 | The Hill
  The new ad attacks Allen on veterans' issues in a Senate race that has been heavily focused on the military and defense cuts that could occur at the beginning of next year.
• Virginia Senate Sneak Peek - VoteVets Hits Allen October 26, 2012 | Politico Morning Score
  From the script: "There are over 800,000 veterans like me living in Virginia, and time and again George Allen has turned his back on us. He voted to let health care premiums triple for three million military retirees. He voted against billions for veterans care.
• VoteVets Drops $200K in Iowa, North Dakota, Illinois October 18, 2012 | Politico Morning Score
  North Dakota: $75,000 in direct mail attacks Berg for voting against allowing veterans to take Veterans Day off work.
• National Journal’s Hotline: VoteVets Goes Back On the Air with Ad Against Flake October 15, 2012 | National Journal's Hotline
  5) VoteVets.org Action Fund and the National Education Association are launching a TV buy in Arizona's Senate race. The $315,000 buy will air the ad that ran for two weeks last month, hitting GOP Rep. Jeff Flake on veterans issues.
• Politico: VoteVets Extends Ad Attacking Flake on Veterans Issues October 15, 2012 | Politico
  OUTSIDE GROUPS ATTACK FLAKE AGAIN ON VETERANS: VoteVets.org Action Fund and the National Education Association will spend another $315,000 to put an ad attacking Republican Jeff Flake for voting against the Post-9/11 GI Bill back on the air for another 10 days.
• Veterans groups split on Senate pick October 11, 2012 | The Journal Gazette
  Mourdock, Donnelly draw competing endorsements
• Romney campaign worries about Wisconsin military absentee ballots, as it tries to shut out military and veteran votes in Ohio. October 03, 2012 | Huffington Post
  In August, Iraq war veteran Jon Soltz, who is the chairman of the progressive group VoteVets.org, criticized the Romney campaign for supporting an Ohio law that would do away with three days of early voting for residents, including veterans. According to Soltz, as many as 913,000 Ohio veteranswould have seen their voting rights restricted.
• Anti-Flake ad: '(Flake) doesn't deserve my vote or my respect' September 28, 2012 | AZFamily.com
  PHOENIX -- VoteVets.org, the group that's produced hard hitting ads against Republican candidates across the country, has jumped into the Arizona Senate race.
• Politco Morning Score on Our New Ad September 28, 2012 | Politico
  ARIZONA – OUTSIDE GROUPS TARGET FLAKE ON VETERANS: VoteVets.org Political Action Fund and Majority PAC will spend $280,000 for one week of TV to drive up Flake’s negatives in a race Democrats believe is tightening.
• Veterans against Jeff Flake US Senate Candidate. Both candidates Richard Carmona and Libertarian Marc J. Victor served our Nation September 28, 2012 | TucsonCitizen.com
  As an independent voter and as a veteran who served my country honorably, I take issue with Jeff Flake voting against measures that help veterans who were willing to risk their lives for this great nation.
• Jeff Flake, Arizona Senate Candidate, Criticized By Veterans Group September 27, 2012 | Huffington Post
  VoteVets.org has teamed up with Majority PAC to release an anti-Flake ad starring an Iraq War vet.
• Vets Retreating From Obama? Not So Fast September 25, 2012 | Huffington Post
  It's a provocative headline from Politico: "Veterans Retreating from President Obama." Provocative, but not exactly true.
• VoteVets.org on the Ed Show About Romney Tape September 20, 2012 | The Ed Show
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org, appears on the Ed Show to discuss the tape of Mitt Romney at a fundraiser
• Gabbard caught attention of veterans group early September 14, 2012 | Honolulu Star Advertiser
  "I knew in my gut that Tulsi Gabbard in Hawaii was one of the most compelling veterans we ever had the chance to promote," Soltz said.
• VoteVets Explains Gabbard Strategy In Magazine Case Study September 09, 2012 | Honolulu Civil Beat
  Civil Beat spoke with Soltz throughout the race, but the full strategy is now out there for all to see.
• Smart Spending and an epic turnaround September 05, 2012 | Campaigns & Elections
  Case Study: Hawaii Democrat Tulsi Gabbard's 65-point turnaround and how vets helped make it happen.
• Veterans group to back McCaskill, Tester August 30, 2012 | The Hill
  In Missouri, the group's ad will outline McCaskill's positive record on veterans' issues, featuring veterans Jackie Rodgers and Colin Clark, both of whom received help from the 21st Century GI Bill, which was backed by McCaskill. The ad will run in the Springfield, Mo., market. The group is buying Facebook ads as well.
• VoteVets.org on Hardball to discuss Swiftboating of Obama August 20, 2012 | Hardball with Chris Matthews
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran, and Chairman of VoteVets.org appears on Hardball to talk about new swiftboat attacks against President Obama.
• Romney Wouldn't Have 'Moved Heaven and Earth' to Kill Bin Laden August 16, 2012 | Huffington Post
  It's clear that Romney would have become just as disinterested in killing Osama bin Laden as George W. Bush had become. President Bush, of course, said, "I really don't spend that much time thinking about [bin Laden]."
• As Case Is Heard in Court, VoteVets.org Releases Over 22,000 Petition Signatures Opposing Restriction of Early Voting in Ohio August 15, 2012 | Press Release
  COLUMBUS, OH - The largest progressive group of veterans in America, VoteVets.org, is releasing over 22,000 petition signatures from veterans, military families, and civilian supporters, calling on Mitt Romney to end support for a law that restricts early voting for all voters, including the state's over 900,000 veterans.
• Early Voting Lawsuit In Ohio Draws Ire From Romney Campaign August 07, 2012 | NPR
  But the Romney campaign took things a step further. In a written statement Friday, Mitt Romney called the Obama lawsuit an outrage, and he said he would defend the rights of military voters, implying that President Obama wanted to take them away. Today, some military veterans responded.
• Experts: Romney’s wrong on Ohio early-voting suit August 07, 2012 | The Columbus Dispatch
  Also yesterday, a separate group of military veterans who support Obama’s lawsuit, including Democratic former U.S. Rep. John Boccieri of Alliance, said that most of the about 900,000 military veterans in Ohio would not qualify for extended early-voting privileges under current Ohio law.
• Former Congressman Patrick Murphy explains how the GOP could disenfranchise voters, Ohio veterans August 07, 2012 | Viewpoint with Elliot Spitzer
  “The intent behind these bills is to disenfranchise voters, to not allow them the vote. And it’s wrong — and it’s un-American,” Murphy says. “And let me tell you, you know why they’re doing it? Because their ideas suck. That’s why they’re doing it.”
• Romney Camp Still Won’t Say If Vets, Firefighters, Cops Deserve Early Voting Rights August 07, 2012 | Talking Points Memo
  The Romney campaign has failed to respond to multiple inquires from TPM on whether they believe Ohio veterans, cops and firefighters should also be allowed to vote in-person during the three days before an election.
• Ted Strickland on Mitt Romney on military voting in Ohio: "He is a dishonest man August 07, 2012 | Examiner.com
  Military speaking out on behalf of the president Monday morning were VoteVets, CAP Action Fund, NSN, and Veterans who alleged Mitt Romney and Ohio Republicans are attempting to restrict the ability of Ohioans—including nearly 1 million veterans—to vote in November's elections. Leaders from VoteVets.org, the Center for American Progress Action Fund, National Security Network, and Ohio and Pennsylvania veterans condemned in a conference call with reporters "the latest chapter in the Republican effort to suppress the votes of millions of Americans."
• VoteVets Advisor Patrick Murphy on the Last Word August 07, 2012 | The Last Word with Lawrence O'donnell
  Former Rep. Patrick Murphy, an Iraq War veteran and Advisor to VoteVets.org, appears on The Last Word to discuss the Romney plan to restrict voting rights for Ohio veterans.
• VoteVets.org on PoliticsNation August 07, 2012 | MSNBC
  Jon Soltz, an Iraq War veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org, appears on PoliticsNation to discuss the Romney plan to restrict voting rights for Ohio veterans.
• Veterans: Romney Lying About Obama Suit’s Effect On Military Voters August 06, 2012 | Talking Points Memo
  Several veterans slammed Mitt Romney on Monday for opposing and mischaracterizing an Obama campaign lawsuit which would expand early voting rights to veterans, cops, firefighters and all Ohio voters.
• Why Does Mitt Romney Want To Restrict Voting Rights For More Than 900,000 Ohio Veterans? August 06, 2012 | ThinkProgress
  Because Mitt Romney, by supporting the Ohio law that would do away with three days of early voting for all but those covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voter Act (‘UOCAVA’), is supporting the restriction of voting rights for as many as 913,000 Ohio veterans.
• Opinion: Vets need minimum wage hike July 25, 2012 | Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
  We cannot sit by while the paychecks of America's lowest-paid workers continue to get squeezed by rising prices. Raising the minimum wage is a modest step that we could take right now to ensure that real opportunity is available for all who work for it.
• Rep. Walsh faces campaign backlash over comments on double-amputee rival July 06, 2012 | FoxNews.com
  As Walsh defended his remarks, VoteVets.org chairman Jon Soltz -- whose group has had a history of tension with the congressman -- told MSNBC on Thursday that he should resign.
• US lawmaker under fire for berating double-amputee rival July 05, 2012 | Agence France Presse
  The series of comments led VoteVets.org, a political action committee which supports veterans issues, to demand Walsh step down. "He needs to just resign and stop embarrassing his constituents," VoteVets chairman Jon Soltz, himself an Iraq War veteran, said on MSNBC on Thursday.
• Rep. Joe Walsh Blasts Double Amputee’s Military Service, Says She’s Not A ‘True Hero’ July 03, 2012 | ThinkProgress
  The Tea Party freshman opened the Elk Grove town hall by arguing that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was reluctant to discuss his own military service in 2008, which made him a “noble hero.” By contrast, “Now I’m running against a woman who, my God, that’s all she talks about,” Walsh said.
• Tammy Duckworth says Joe Walsh dissed all veterans July 03, 2012 | Politico
  Tammy Duckworth, a veteran who lost both her legs in the Iraq War, said on Tuesday that Rep. Joe Walsh “disrespected” millions of veterans by accusing her of talking too much about her military record.
• VoteVets Ads Featured on the Rachel Maddow Show June 29, 2012 | MSNBC
  The most recent ads from VoteVets.org are featured on the Rachel Maddow show.
• The Atlantic on Our New Montana Ad June 28, 2012 | The Atlantic
  The Issues: Rep. Denny Rehberg, who's challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in Montana, and his compassion for soldiers.
• VoteVets Action Fund Runs Ads in Montana, Hawaii June 26, 2012 | Roll Call
  VoteVets Action Fund is spending $200,000 to air an attack ad against the Republican Senate nominee in Montana and to continue an ad buy on behalf of a Democratic House candidate in Hawaii.
• Voter Suppression Will Disenfranchise Troops. Now, the Pentagon Must Tell Us How Many June 21, 2012 | Huffington Post
  The voting rights of our men and women in uniform are under attack, and it's time for the Pentagon to take action.
• VoteVets.org on The Last Word June 07, 2012 | The Last Word
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chair of VoteVets.org appears on the Last Word with Lawrence O' Donnell to discuss Mitt Romney's time during Vietnam.
• Latest Killing of Al Qaeda Leader Should Convince Obama to Hasten Transition Out of Afghanistan June 05, 2012 | Huffington Post
  In short, while this is another momentous moment for President Obama, and his stellar record of keeping America safe by systematically taking out al Qaeda leadership, it is happening outside and not connected to our Afghanistan operations. It can continue to happen, even if we begin to leave.
• Romney's (non) military record faces new scrutiny June 05, 2012 | Associated Press
  Political rivals, military veterans among them, suggest that Romney's own decision not to serve in the military is in conflict with his pro-military rhetoric.
• Jon Soltz on MSNBC for Memorial Day May 29, 2012 | MSNBC
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org appears on MSNBC to discuss veterans jobs on Memorial Day.
• Republicans Put Oil Money Above Troops' Lives May 29, 2012 | Huffington Post
  For the military, then, finding renewable sources of energy -- especially those which don't require fuel to be transported, like solar power -- is a matter of saving the lives of Americans.
• Is the President About to Announce a Quicker End to Afghan War? May 21, 2012 | Huffington Post
  What I am hearing from them about the state of things in Afghanistan, and reading the tea leaves, it seems that President Obama may be on the verge of announcing a major change in mission in Afghanistan -- one which largely pulls back our troops from previous plans for the summer, and puts us on an expedited path towards ending the war.
• Vote Vets organization hammers Coffman through social media for Obama apology May 18, 2012 | Denver Post
  And since audio from earlier this week about U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, saying that President Barack Obama "in his heart, he's not American"went viral, the liberal VoteVets.org has hammered the two-term Republican congressman for his apology statement.
• Hawaii: VoteVets on Air for Tulsi Gabbard May 16, 2012 | Roll Call
  The ad features several Iraq War veterans describing Gabbard's biography, which includes military service and public office.
• VoteVets Airing Gabbard Ads in Hawaii May 16, 2012 | Honolulu Civil Beat
  The latest campaign ad to hit the air in Hawaii is a message of support for Tulsi Gabbard from VoteVets.org.According to Roll Call, VoteVets is "the largest progressive organization of veterans in the country," and it shelled out $75,000 to air the ad for 10 days.
• When the 1 Percent Fails to Contribute Its Fair Share, Veterans Pay Dearly May 14, 2012 | Huffington Post
  The America that allows huge corporations to cut jobs here at home and get large tax breaks in the process is not the America I fought for. What has happened to basic fairness in our economy when so many troops come back from their service, unable to find a decent job, yet still pay more in taxes than the likes of billionaires or huge corporations like GE?
• Obama Right, GOP Horribly Wrong on bin Laden Ad May 01, 2012 | Huffington Post
  At the end of the day, though, it's a completely fair point for the president to raise -- that President Obama orchestrated the killing of bin Laden, as promised, and didn't lose one American life in the operations. If Republicans want to have a debate over it, that's their decision. But it's a losing one.
• Money from outside groups floods Missouri in bid to unseat McCaskill April 24, 2012 | Kansas City Star
  McCaskill, viewed as one of the more vulnerable Senate Democrats this year, is not without resources. She has raised $2.3 million since January and has $6 million in the bank. The veterans advocacy group VoteVets also recently spent nearly $200,000 to air a pro-McCaskill ad in Kansas City and St. Louis. And she is among the wealthiest members of the Senate.
• VoteVets.org on Dylan Ratigan April 19, 2012 | Dylan Ratigan
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org, appears on MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan show to talk about the latest pictures coming out of Afghanistan, of troops holding body parts of insurgents, and the future of the war.
• Joe Walsh Challenged Duckworth To A Debate At The Same Time That She Was Serving Army Duty April 16, 2012 | Talking Points
  Walsh posted an announcement on his campaign website which stated that the congressman would be hosting a town hall on Sunday, and that he "has invited his opponent Tammy Duckworth to join him ...
• Veterans Group Questions Voter Fraud Legislation Sponsored by Schoeller April 13, 2012 | KRZK Radio, Branson, MO
  A national veterans group is questioning a proposed piece of Missouri legislation aimed to curb voter fraud in the future, saying the new law, if approved, would make it tougher for active duty military to cast a ballot in an election.
• Shane Schoeller, Missouri Legislator, Says Voter ID Bill Wouldn't Disenfranchise Troops April 12, 2012 | Huffington Post
  The editorial has sparked sharp criticism from Democrats and a national veterans political group. "We wholeheartedly oppose your legislation (House Bill 2109) that would restrict the voting rights of troops who are deployed or stationed overseas, by limiting their ability to vote via absentee ballot," Jon Soltz, the chairman of VoteVets.org, wrote to Schoeller. "We feel that the idea that you would deliberately inhibit our service members from exercising the very freedoms they fight for is offensive, un-American, and wrong."
• Bloomberg Blasts NRA Over ‘Stand Your Ground’ Laws April 11, 2012 | ABC News
  "There is no shoot first law for our troops in Iraq or Afghanistan. We cannot just shoot somebody because they have a hijab on in Iraq and kill them and say we're scared. Everybody in Iraq has a weapon and all U.S. forces are always scared," Soltz said. "This is a legal protection in these states that is actually afforded to Mr. Zimmerman that is not afforded to our troops in combat. Unless I'm wrong I didn't think Florida was a war zone."
• Rules of Engagement: In Fallujah…and in Florida April 11, 2012 | Battleland, Time.com
  At the center of the Florida case is one of these newly-passed laws that seem to give the attacker the benefit of the doubt if he or she feels threatened. "...it sounds to me that if Trayvon had been an Iraqi soldier, and George Zimmerman had been a U.S. Soldier, there would have been an immediate investigation, and most likely a manslaughter charge, and victim's family financially compensated for wrongful death," Soltz writes.
• George Zimmerman Had More Legal Authority To Shoot And Kill Than Our Troops Do At War April 10, 2012 | ThinkProgress
  The Trayvon Martin case has gripped the nation, and forced the country to re-examine our gun laws. But the horrible affair has struck me in another way, because of my two tours in Iraq. One fact stands out in my mind: The "Stand Your Ground" law in Florida, which may let George Zimmerman off the hook for the killing of Martin, gives more leeway to shooters than our own military gives to soldiers in war.
• Swiftboating Tammy Duckworth -- Joe Walsh Digs a Deeper Hole April 03, 2012 | Huffington Post
  Last week, Congressman Joe Walsh denigrated the years of service his opponent, Tammy Duckworth, has given this nation. It was a new low for the guy who is a dead-beat dad. In an interview with Politico, Rep. Walsh said of Duckworth, "What else has she done? Female, wounded veteran ... ehhh.... She is nothing more than a handpicked Washington bureaucrat. David Axelrod, Rahm Emanuel just picked her up and dropped her into this district."
• Missouri Veterans: "Claire McCaskill Has Our Backs" March 30, 2012 | Fired Up Missouri
  VoteVets.org released a new ad showcasing Sen. Claire McCaskill's strong support for veterans. The ad features Missouri Iraq War Veterans Jack Rodgers and Colin Clark highlighting McCaskill's efforts to fight cuts to the Truman Veteran's Hospital and support for the new GI Bill.
• VoteVets asks Walsh to apologize March 30, 2012 | Politico
  VoteVets.org, the largest group of progressive veterans, is asking Rep. Joe Walsh for an apology following his comments to POLITICO about Tammy Duckworth's military service.
• Washington Post on Our McCaskill Ad March 30, 2012 | The Fix
  VoteVets.org is putting $200,000 behind an ad supporting embattled Sen. Claire McCaskill (D), the left-leaning group’s first ad of the 2012 cycle. In the ad veterans thank McCaskill, a top Republican target, for fighting cuts to veterans’ services and for the new G.I. Bill. The ad will air in the St. Louis and Kansas City market.
• Claire McCaskill Gets Veterans' Group Support In New Ad March 29, 2012 | Huffington Post
  Vote Vets, a progressive veterans' group, released a new ad on Thursday morning supporting Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) in her reelection campaign. The ad features two Missouri veterans, both of whom served in Iraq, praising McCaskill for her defense of Veterans Affairs medical facilities in the state and her support for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. "She knows it's un-American to turn our backs on those who've served," says one.
• First in Score - VoteVets Giving McCaskill Air Cover March 29, 2012 | Politico Morning Score
  The national veterans' group VoteVets.org - which has over 100,000 veteran, military family and civilian supporters - will announce a two-week ad buy in Missouri today to praise vulnerable Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. The ad features two photogenic Iraq War veterans from the Show-Me state saying they have directly benefitted from her push for the new GI bill and her votes for VA funding. This is the first ad of the year for VoteVets, which spent $15 million last cycle. This initial buy is $200,000 in the Kansas City and St. Louis markets
• McCaskill Gets a Hand From Veterans' Group March 29, 2012 | National Journal
  Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., is getting some help on television from the national veterans' group VoteVets.org, which is taking to the airwaves with a six-figure ad buy touting the senator's support for veterans' issues.
• Progressive Veterans Group Launches Pro-McCaskill Ad March 29, 2012 | Talking Points Memo
  The progressive group VoteVets is launching an ad campaign in Missouri for Sen. Claire McCaskill, touting her work on the GI Bill. The ad features two Iraq war veterans who have benefited from the bill. McCaskill knows “it’s un-American to turn our backs on those who served,” one veteran says. The ad buy is for $200,000 in the Kansas City and St. Louis media markets and will run for two weeks, a source tells TPM.
• The Maddow Blog Hightlights our New Ad March 29, 2012 | The Maddow Blog
  And in Missouri, where Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) is facing a tough re-election fight, VoteVets.org is launching a six-figure ad buy, touting the senator's support for veterans' issues.
• Vets group to spend $200,000 to boost McCaskill March 29, 2012 | Ballot Box, The Hill
  The veterans advocacy group VoteVets.org will spend $200,000 on an ad touting Sen. Claire McCaskill's (D-Mo.) work on behalf of veterans, as she fights for a second term in the Senate.
• VoteVets.org on Melissa Harris-Perry March 18, 2012 | MSNBC
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chair of VoteVets.org appears on the Melissa Harris-Perry Show to discuss the latest in Afghanistan.
• Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org appears on The Daily Wrap with Michael Castner to discuss the latest in Afghanistan. March 16, 2012 | The Daily Wrap
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org appears on The Daily Wrap with Michael Castner to discuss the latest in Afghanistan.
• The Situation in Afghanistan Gets Worse March 15, 2012 | Huffington Post
  Today, things only got worse, for three reasons. First, Afghan President Karzai issued a statement calling on all NATO forces to pull out of Afghan villages. It's a move, if implemented, that would effectively end counter-insurgency operations and make NATO forces move towards an Advise, Train, and Assist (ATA) role, much like the one in Iraq in 2011.
• Time to End Counter-Insurgency In Afghanistan March 13, 2012 | Huffington Post
  The counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan has failed, and it is time for President Obama to abandon it. In the wake of the horrific incident where a US soldier killed 16 innocent Afghans, and just weeks after American Marines were caught on tape desecrating the body of a dead enemy, and a pile of Korans were burned, that much is clear. After these three incidents, Afghan President Hamid Karzai's core argument that NATO Forces aren't an occupier and only in the country for security has been undermined.
• Veteran Kayla Williams Responds to Rush Limbaughs Comments on The Big Picture March 07, 2012 | The Big Picture
  Kayla Williams, Iraq War Vet joins Thom Hartmann to discuss Rush Limbaugh's recent comments.
• Limbaugh says apology to Georgetown student was sincere, jokes about sponsors abandoning him March 06, 2012 | AP
  Radio host Rush Limbaugh said his apology to the Georgetown law student he called a "slut" was sincere but also joked that he, too, got a busy signal Monday when he called the show to join the growing roster of advertisers abandoning it.
• Female Veterans Call For Military Radio Channel To Drop Rush Limbaugh After 'Slut' Remark March 05, 2012 | Huffington Post
  A group of female military veterans issued a statement on Monday calling for Limbaugh's show to be pulled from the airwaves of the American Forces Network. AFN is a government-run media service that provides television and radio programming to American service members overseas.
• More Limbaugh advertisers jump ship March 05, 2012 | CNN
  VoteVets.org, a veterans advocacy organization, released a statement from female service members calling on Defense Department to stop airing "The Rush Limbaugh Show" on the American Forces Network.
• Women vets want Limbaugh off of AFN March 05, 2012 | Stars and Stripes
  "Rush Limbaugh has a freedom of speech and can say what he wants, but in light of his horribly misogynistic comments, American Forces Radio should no longer give him a platform," said the statement, attributed to Iraq veterans Miranda Norman, Kayla Williams, Robin Eckstein and Katherine Scheirman. "Our entire military depends on troops respecting each other - women and men."
• VoteVets Responds to Congressman Jeff Miller's Attempt to Link Contraception Compromise to Homeless Vet Care February 14, 2012 | Huffington Post
  VoteVets responds to @CongJeffMiller’s trying to link contraception compromise to homeless vet care
• Santorum Insults Women Who Served in Combat February 10, 2012 | Huffington Post
  Rick Santorum has no idea what's happening in our military. On CNN, asked by John King if he agreed with a recent Pentagon decision that would formally open up front-line roles for women in combat, Santorum said, " I think that could be a very compromising situation, where people naturally may do things that may not be in the interest of the mission, because of other types of emotions that are involved."
• Romney Comes Out for Endless War in Afghanistan February 02, 2012 | Huffington Post
  That aside, Mitt Romney just made it clear: While the President will begin to transition us out of Afghanistan, a President Mitt Romney would keep us there in an open-ended commitment. And just like I said in 2010, I'll say it now. Open-ended means decades and hundreds of thousands of troops in Afghanistan.
• CAIR pressures retired general, critic of Islam, to back out of West Point event January 31, 2012 | The Daily Caller
  CAIR and the group VoteVets.org pushed hard for a retraction of Boykin's invitation to the event due to his "Islamophobic" views.
• General Withdraws From West Point Talk January 31, 2012 | The New York Times
  Plans for a talk at West Point by a retired general known for his harshly anti-Muslim remarks were abruptly canceled on Monday after a growing list of liberal veterans' groups, civil liberties advocates and Muslim organizations called on the Military Academy to rescind the invitation.
• General known for anti-Islam views withdraws as West Point speaker January 31, 2012 | The Hill
  A retired general with a history of making statements against Islam was canceled as a speaker at a West Point Military Academy prayer breakfast next month after protests from Muslim advocates and a liberal veterans group.
• Islam critic backs out of West Point cadet event after protest from veterans’ group January 31, 2012 | The Washington Post
  WEST POINT, N.Y. - A retired U.S. lieutenant general who made comments denigrating Islam withdrew Monday from speaking at a West Point prayer breakfast after a veterans' advocacy group asked the Army chief of staff to rescind the invitation.
• William Boykin, Anti-Muslim General, Withdraws From West Point Speech After Outcry January 31, 2012 | Huffington Post
  WASHINGTON -- Liberal and religious freedom groups claimed victory on Monday night when Lt. Gen. William Boykin, famous for his strident anti-Muslim speeches, pulled out of a planned Feb. 8th appearance at West Point as part of the National Day of Prayer.
• Controversial general withdraws from West Point speech January 30, 2012 | Reuters
  A retired general who portrayed the U.S. fight against Muslim radicals as a battle with Satan has withdrawn from speaking to the West Point military academy after a veterans' advocacy group objected, the military academy said on Monday.
• Islam critic backs out of West Point cadet event after protests January 30, 2012 | Stars and Stripes
  WASHINGTON - Retired Lt. Gen. William Boykin, whose past remarks on the Muslim faith have drawn the ire of religious tolerance advocates, on Monday canceled his scheduled appearance at a U.S. Military Academy prayer breakfast amid protests from students and faculty.
• American Muslims Join Vets in Asking West Point to Disinvite Anti-Islam Speaker January 27, 2012 | Wall Street Joural
  The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today joined VoteVets.org, a coalition of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, in asking the superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to retract an invitation to retired Lieutenant General William G. "Jerry" Boykin to speak at a prayer breakfast at the academy next month.
• Veterans Want West Point to Cancel Speech by General for Anti-Muslim Remarks January 27, 2012 | International Business Times
  A coalition of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans has asked the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to rescind retired Lt. Gen. William Boykin's invitation to the upcoming National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 8, saying the general's history of "incendiary rhetoric" regarding Islam and Muslims is incompatible with the values of the U.S. military.
• Veterans’ group opposes West Point prayer breakfast speaker January 27, 2012 | Mid Hudson News Network
  WEST POINT - A group of Iraq and Afghanistan war vets has written to US Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. David Huntoon expressing their concern and displeasure with the guest speaker scheduled for the West Point National Prayer Breakfast Service on February 8.
• Vets Oppose West Point speaker, former officer critical of Islam January 27, 2012 | Washington Post
  On Thursday, a veterans' group released a letter to West Point's superintendent, asking him to retract the invite for Boykin to speak at the annual prayer breakfast on Feb. 8.
• Vets oppose speech by general who demonized Islam January 27, 2012 | Reuters
  (Reuters) - A veterans' advocacy group urged the U.S. Military Academy on Thursday to withdraw a speech invitation to a retired general who portrayed the U.S. fight against Muslims radicals as a battle with Satan.
• National Veterans Group Backs Gabbard January 26, 2012 | Honolulu Civil Beat
  City Council member Tulsi Gabbard announced on Monday that she picked up an endorsement from the group VoteVets.org in her campaign for Congress. The group is also endorsing Tammy Duckworth, who is from Hawaii but running for Congress in Illinois. Other candidates it supports include Patrick Murphy, who is running for Pennsylvania attorney general and Brendan Mullen, a congressional candidate in Indiana. Gabbard served two tours of duty in the Middle East as a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard. “To earn the endorsement and support of my fellow veterans means more to me than any other endorsement because they know me,” Gabbard said in a statement issued by her campaign. “These brave men and women are true heroes, who have served courageously and continue to serve in our military and in our community.”
• Veterans Call On West Point To Cancel Planned Speech By Islamophobic General January 26, 2012 | Think Progress
  VoteVets, a coalition of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, released a letter today, asking West Point President to rescind the invitation to Boykin.
• Veterans group throws support behind Gabbard for U.S. House January 26, 2012 | Honolulu Star Advertiser
  VoteVets.org, a political action committee that seeks to elect military veterans to public office, has endorsed Tulsi Gabbard in her race for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District, representing rural Oahu and the neighbor islands. "To earn the endorsement and support of my fellow veterans means more to me than any other endorsement because they know who I am," Gabbard, a captain in the Army National Guard, said Monday. "They are brave men and women who really are true heroes and who know what it means to sacrifice and put their lives on the line for the people of Hawaii and our country."
• Veterans Call Romney Refusal To Disclose Tax Returns 'A Battle Of The 1 Percents' January 19, 2012 | Huffington Post
  WASHINGTON -- While Mitt Romney's refusal so far to release his tax returns has sparked anger from the usual opposition, the decision has also raised the ire of an unexpected group: military veterans.VoteVets.org, a veterans' advocacy group, urged Romney on Wednesday to make his tax records public so that voters can see whether Romney is paying his fair share to national defense.
• VoteVets.org on the Ed Show to Talk about Mitt Romney's Tax Return January 19, 2012 | MSNBC
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org, appears on the Ed Show to talk about the group's call for Mitt Romney to release his taxes.
• Video of Marine Atrocities Highlights Split Between Right Wing and Our Military January 12, 2012 | Huffington Post
  There are no words to express my disgust at the video making the rounds today, of U.S. Marines apparently urinating on the dead bodies of the Taliban. As an Iraq War veteran who works with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans every day, I can truthfully say that the Marines in the video have undermined everything that I and those who served with me tried to do.
• VoteVets on MSNBC About Michelle Obama's Latest Vets Initiative January 12, 2012 | MSNBC
  Jon Soltz, two-tour Iraq veteran appears on News Nation with Tamron Hall to talk about Michelle Obama's announcement about the latest initiative to help veterans.
• VoteVets on News Nation with Tamron Hall January 05, 2012 | News Nation with Tamron Hall
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org, appears on News Nation with Tamron Hall to talk about President Obama's new defense policy.
• American Veterans: A hard homecoming December 16, 2011 | The Economist
  Budget battles and a stagnant economy greet America’s soldiers as they return from Iraq and Afghanistan
• VoteVets.org Appears on The Last Word December 16, 2011 | The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran, and Chairman of VoteVets.org appears on The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell to talk about Senator McCain's comments regarding the end of the Iraq War.
• VoteVets.org Appears on Ed Show about Republican Debate December 15, 2011 | The Ed Show
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran, and Chairman of VoteVets.org appears on a special edition of the Ed Show, to talk about the Republican Presidential Debate, and their views on defense.
• VoteVets.org on Dylan Ratigan December 14, 2011 | Dylan Ratigan
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chair of VoteVets.org, appears on Dylan Ratigan to talk about the end of the Iraq War, and President Obama's speech at Ft. Bragg.
• VoteVets.org on The Ed Show to talk about recent comments from former Vice President Dick Cheney on Iraq and Iran. December 14, 2011 | MSNBC
  Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org, appears on the Ed Show to talk about recent comments from former Vice President Dick Cheney on Iraq and Iran.
• Soltz Back From Iraq December 13, 2011 | Roll Call
  Soltz, an Army major, has returned after being deployed to Iraq early this year. Former Minnesota Congressional candidate Ashwin Madia, a fellow Iraq War veteran, had served as interim chairman this year and becomes a senior adviser with Soltz back at the helm.
• VoteVets.org on the Ed Show December 13, 2011 | The Ed Show
  Jon Soltz, two-tour Iraq veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org, speaks with Ed Schultz about the final withdrawal of troops from Iraq, and its future.
• U.S. Troops Leave Iraq: Rocky Road Ahead for Both Countries December 12, 2011 | ABC News
  Eight years and four tours of duty later, Sgt. First Class Larry D. Green Jr. left Iraq for the final time this week.
• VoteVets Gears Up For 2012 Election As Chair Jon Soltz Returns From Iraq December 12, 2011 | Huffington Post
  WASHINGTON -- Jon Soltz was one of the first soldiers deployed to Iraq in 2003, and now, he's one of the last to come home, as the U.S. war in Iraq comes to an end after eight years of fighting.
• Romney Clueless on Veterans November 14, 2011 | Huffington Post
  Just before the weekend, Mitt Romney held a Veterans Day event in South Carolina. A nice photo op, for sure. Yet, it wasn't the pictures, but his words, that made news. At this event, ostensibly to show support for veterans, Mitt Romney told them that as President he'd be open to tossing them into the private care system, from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• We Need More Veterans in Elected Office November 11, 2011 | Poicymic
  We are the less than 1%. That’s how many Americans have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. For better or for worse, since doing away with the draft, fewer and fewer have served in the military. As a result, as past generations of veterans pass away, fewer and fewer will know what it means to be a veteran. Perhaps nowhere is that loss of experience more detrimental than it is in the halls of power.
• VoteVets on Dylan Ratigan About Afghanistan and Pakistan. October 28, 2011 | MSNBC
  Ashwin Madia, Iraq War Veteran and Interim Chair of VoteVets.org appears on Dylan Ratigan to discuss Secretary of State Clinton's testimony in front of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• GOP Candidates' Ignorant, Dangerous Responses to Iraq October 27, 2011 | Huffington Post
  Campaigns are when some crazy things are said -- particularly during primaries. In an effort to one-up opponents and please the party base, candidates will inevitably make some outlandish claims. However, when it comes to the drawdown in Iraq, the Republican candidates for president have gone from outlandish to ignorant and irresponsible. If any of them actually believes what they've said, they should immediately be disqualified from being commander-in-chief.
• America’s occupation of Iraq will end with the close of 2011, President Obama confirms October 21, 2011 |  Northwest Progressive Institute Advocate
  "A complete drawdown from Iraq was the only move the President could make, given the Status of Forces Agreement negotiated by President Bush, and the fact that insurgents promised increased attacks on Americans if we had stayed. We're extremely pleased that the President will honor that agreement," said Richard Allen Smith of VoteVets.org in a statement.
• As Obama Announces Iraq Troop Withdrawal, Critics Say War Provides 'Cautionary Tale' October 21, 2011 | Huffington Post
  WASHINGTON -- As President Barack Obama announced an imminent end to the American war in Iraq on Friday, long-time critics looked back on a nearly nine-year military campaign that provided lesson after lesson about what not to do ever again.
• Obama Fulfills Campaign Promise in Declaring Iraq War Over October 21, 2011 | US News and World Report
  Richard Allen Smith, vice chairman of VoteVets.org, a self-described progressive group formed to oppose the Iraq war in 2006, said, "A complete drawdown from Iraq was the only move the president could make, given the Status of Forces agreement negotiated by President Bush, and the fact that insurgents promised increased attacks on Americans if we had stayed. We're extremely pleased that the president will honor that agreement and finally bring the war in Iraq to a close."
• VoteVets.org on MSNBC to discuss President Obama's decision to remove all US troops from Iraq October 21, 2011 | MSNBC
  Richard Allen Smith, Afghanistan War veteran and Vice Chair of VoteVets.org appears on MSNBC to discuss President Obama's decision to remove all US troops from Iraq
• Vets press Gessler to drop voter ballot case October 13, 2011 | The Colorado Independent
  Richard Allen Smith, Afghan war veteran and vice chairman of national soldier and veteran advocacy organization VoteVets, on Thursday hand delivered a petition with more than 9,000 signatures asking Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler to drop the lawsuit he filed seeking to prevent counties in the state from mailing ballots to inactive voters, including to soldiers serving away from home. The organization is asking Gessler to accept a decision handed down in district court last week finding insupportable Gessler's interpretation of election law in the matter.
• Petition: Baldasaro should step down from committee October 12, 2011 | Eagle Tribune
  But one veteran who thinks Baldasaro should step down is David Robinson of Kearsarge, a U.S. Navy veteran and member of the national veterans group VoteVets.org. "For Baldasaro to insult the professionalism of today's military and to call any soldier in harm's way 'disgusting' is un-American and wrong," he said in a prepared statement.
• The Postal Service debate, round two (Or three? We’ve lost count.) October 12, 2011 | Washington Post
  A leading military veterans organization is jumping into the debate over the future of the U.S. Postal Service, lending its name and dollars to a campaign designed to quell a Republican-backed bill that critics fear could lead to thousands of unemployed postal workers.
• Veterans, Postal Workers Launch Ads to Stop USPS Layoffs October 12, 2011 | National Journal
  A postal workers' union and VoteVets.org are banding together to tell Congress to stand by veterans as the House Oversight Committee is set to vote on a bill they say would force the postal service to fire workers, many of whom are veterans.
• Veterans group says Baldasaro should resign House seat October 07, 2011 | Union Leader, NH
  VetsVote.org spokesman David Robinson, a Carroll County resident, said, "For Baldasaro to insult the professionalism of today's military and to call any soldier in harms way ‘disgusting' is un-American and wrong.
• "Don't Ask Don't Tell" is Only a Stepping Stone September 20, 2011 | KDAF-TV News, Dallas, TX
  VoteVets.org believes that the discharging military men and women because of their sexual orientation left the American military overextended. Moving forward with the repeal will return man power and needed skill sets to the military, said the organization.
• VoteVets on Dylan Ratigan About Afghanistan Casualties September 02, 2011 | MSNBC
  As casualties in Afghanistan mount, VoteVets Interim Chairman and Iraq War Veteran Ashwin Madia appears on Dylan Ratigan to discuss the future of the war.
• INFLUENCE GAME: Some groups may want debt gridlock August 19, 2011 | AP
  The lobbying is already under way, even though the supercommittee has yet to meet. A pair of liberal-leaning veterans groups, Veterans for Common Sense and VoteVets.org, wrote supercommittee members this week, urging them to boost spending for veterans and jobs programs and citing "our nation's moral and legal obligation to care for our veterans.
• VoteVets.org on MSNBC about downed helicopter in Afghanistan August 08, 2011 | MSNBC
  VoteVets.org Interim Chair and Iraq War veteran Ashwin Madia appears on MSNBC to discuss the downing of a chopper in Afghanistan
• The Iraq Timetable July 22, 2011 | New York Times
  New York Times publishes Letter to Editor from VoteVets.org Richard Allen Smith.
• Veterans React to Certification By Pentagon That Military is Ready to Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell July 22, 2011 | Press Release
  Washington, DC - VoteVets.org, the largest progressive group of veterans in America, today reacted to news that Secretary of Defense Panetta has certified that the military is ready to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, meaning the policy will now be officially repealed in 60 days.
• Reid Changes the Game on Iraq July 07, 2011 | Huffington Post
  For years, many lamented that the U.S. decision to invade Iraq detracted from our focus on Afghanistan and made Operation Enduring Freedom America's forgotten war. Now, with a false declaration that combat operations are over in Iraq, what is now Operation New Dawn has ironically become a forgotten war.
• Sources: 10,000 US troops on offer for Iraq July 06, 2011 | Associated Press/SF Gate
  The White House is offering to keep up to 10,000 troops in Iraq next year, U.S. officials say, despite opposition from many Iraqis and key Democratic Party allies who demand that President Barack Obama bring home the American military as promised.
• VoteVets.org on Ed Schultz June 24, 2011 | The Ed Show
  Ashwin Madia, Iraq War Veteran and Interim Chairman of VoteVets.org appears on the Ed Show to talk about the President's speech on Afghanistan
• Time For Troops To Come Home June 22, 2011 | Huffington Post
  Today, I sent a letter to President Obama, cosigned by 4,700 Americans, including 1,700 Veterans, calling on him to abide by our Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Iraq, which sets a deadline of the end of this year for US troops to come home from Iraq. But, for different reasons, I could have written him a similar letter on Afghanistan.
• Veterans Outraged Over Delta’s Troop Baggage Fees. June 14, 2011 | LeavenworthTimes.com
  Leavenworth, Kan. - After much public scrutiny and heavy criticism, Delta Airlines tweaked its policy on baggage charges for military personnel this week. The controversy started after a serviceman was charged a $200 baggage fee by Delta upon returning from active duty. A video of the incident surfaced and it sparked understandable outrage among military and non-military alike.
• We can learn, or we can screw up again June 08, 2011 | The Providence Journal
  The Providence Journal includes our statement on the recent attacks in Iraq.
• Reflections on Memorial Day May 27, 2011 | Huffington Post
  VoteVets.org's Ashwin Madia post on Memorial Day.
• Bill gives states option to stop long-term jobless benefits to pay off federal loans May 12, 2011 | The Detroit News
  Washington- States would have the option to stop long-term benefits for laid-off workers and use the money to pay off federal loans for the unemployment benefits under legislation passed today in the House Ways and Means Committee.
• Obama: Fighting a Smarter War on Terror May 06, 2011 | Huffington Post
  What is becoming clear, following the killing of Osama bin Laden, is that President Obama is fighting the war on terror in a smarter way than we had been. Two huge developments -- from the use of key intelligence that came from means that didn't include torture, to the president's decision to not release photos of a dead bin Laden -- demonstrate a much more deliberate way of fighting this war. In doing so, the president continues to make America safer6
• Veterans Applaud Obama Decision on Photo of Osama Bin Laden May 04, 2011 | Press Release
  Washington, DC - The head of the largest progressive group of veterans in America, VoteVets.org, released the following statement on the President's decision to not release a photo of Osama bin Laden, following his killing.
• For Our Troops, Nation, an End of a Chapter May 02, 2011 | Huffington Post
  The killing of Osama bin Laden is a testament to the many fine men and women in uniform, and the intelligence community with whom they work. And today, my mind is with them, both those who are alive, and those who gave their lives to the cause of defending the United States. Ten years is a long time to be in a war -- the longest we've ever been in. During this time, children have become adults, and young, wide-eyed recruits have become grizzled veterans. Our men and women have sacrificed so much, with very few events that would seem to let them feel that we are making true progress. There seems to have been very few closing of chapters.
• Veterans Support Panetta for DOD, Petraeus for CIA, Crocker for Ambassador to Afghanistan April 28, 2011 | Press Release
  VoteVets.org, is voicing support for President Obama's selections to fill jobs as heads of the Department of Defense and CIA, as well as his pick to be the new Ambassador to Afghanistan.
• Veterans Endorse Iraq Veteran Patrick Murphy for PA Attorney General April 21, 2011 | Press Release
  VoteVets.org PAC, today is lending its support to former Rep. Patrick Murphy, as he enters the race for Attorney General in Pennsylvania. The group had endorsed Murphy in both his campaigns for Congress.
• Hundreds of Veterans and Family Members Place Calls in Opposition to HB 474, Right to Work for Less April 19, 2011 | Press Release
  New Hampshire - VoteVets Action Fund placed 20,000 phone calls primarily to the homes of active and veteran military families in New Hampshire over the weekend, urging them to contact their elected officials in opposition to HB 474, the Right to Work for Less bill.
• VoteVets.org on Piers Morgan April 11, 2011 | CNN
  VoteVets.org Interim Chair and Iraq War Veteran Ashwin Madia appears on Piers Morgan Tonight to discuss the pending government shutdown and its impact on troops
• Arms to Libya? Bad Idea April 04, 2011 | Huffington Post
  Should the United States send arms to the opposition in Libya? It's a question that President Obama won't yet answer, saying it's neither ruled in nor ruled out. At least one of our NATO partners, Turkey, is sounding alarms against the idea.
• VoteVets.org's Ashwin Madia talks with Dylan Ratigan about the need for an energy revolution April 01, 2011 | MSNBC
  Iraq War Veteran and Interim Chairman of VoteVets.org, Ashwin Madia, talks with Dylan Ratigan about the need for an energy revolution, to protect our troops and America.
• Libya Polling Looks Low for an Initial Military Operation March 23, 2011 | FireDogLake
  I think it’s very telling that VoteVets, an organization which supported the war in Afghanistan for a very long time, including during Obama’s escalation, opposes this operation in Libya.
• Happy Hour Roundup March 23, 2011 | The Plum Line, The Washington Post
  VoteVets, the progressive veterans’ group that got lots of attention for its full-throated opposition to the Iraq War, becomes the first major antiwar group to criticize Obama’s Libya mission, withholding support until key questions are answered.
• Kucinich says Obama "crossed the line," calls attacks on Libya an "indisputable" impeachable offense March 23, 2011 | Political Hotsheet, CBS News
  "Though the actions in Libya are morally justified, and we are extremely interested and eager to see the Libyan people live under freedom, there are far too many unanswered questions for us to support this new US adventure in the Middle East," Ashwin Madia, Iraq War veteran and interim chairman of VoteVets.org said in the statement.
• Veterans withhold support of military operations in Libya March 23, 2011 | The Political Carnival
  
• Veterans Withhold Support of Military Operations in Libya March 21, 2011 | Press Release
  VoteVets.org, the largest progressive veterans group in America, is releasing a statement that lays out why the group cannot support military operations in Libya launched by the Obama administration over the weekend. The group's chair said that there were far too many unanswered questions, and raised concern that operations took place without Congressional approval.
• Veterans Speak Out, Opposing House Hearings on Islam March 10, 2011 | Press Release
  VoteVets.org, is speaking out in opposition to House Homeland Security Committee hearings on Islam and terrorism, called by the committee's Chairman, Rep. Peter King.
• Photos from Rally in Columbus, Ohio March 02, 2011 | 
  Terry Grant, a Vietnam-era veteran and VoteVets.org member from Ohio, speaks to a rally opposing so-called “Right to Work” laws in Ohio, which would eliminate public employees’ right to collectively bargain. Grant is a member of the Postal Workers Union. Nationally, over 2 million veterans are union members, and in Ohio, public employees provide a number of services for veterans, often under tough circumstances. VoteVets.org stands with these union members and their right to fair pay for fair work.
• Vets group is right: National Guard should not be used to bully political foes and bust unions February 16, 2011 | Cap Times - Madison, WI
  The absurdity of alerting the National Guard before a proposal -- even an unpopular and potentially illegal one -- has even been debated highlights the extent to which Walker has gone off the deep end.
• VoteVets.org Quoted on the Ed Show February 15, 2011 | The Ed Show
  Ed Schultz quotes former Wisconsin National Guard Member, Iraq War Veteran and VoteVet.org member - Robin Eckstien on the situation in Wisconsin. Watch the clip below and click here to read our press release.
• VoteVets.org Statement on Retirement of Senator Jim Webb February 09, 2011 | Press Release
  "Senator Webb has been a real friend of veterans and troops, and we're all better off because of his efforts. From the 21st Century GI Bill, to his efforts to increase Dwell Time for troops, those who served America in uniform have always been his top priority. His leadership will be missed. We wish him the best in whatever it is he chooses to do in the next phase of his life."
• VoteVets.org talks troop mortgages on Dylan Ratigan February 03, 2011 | MSNBC
  Iraq War veteran and Interim Chairman of VoteVets.org, Ashwin Madia, appears on Dylan Ratigan to discuss troop mortgages.
• Kate Golden: Don’t take away our health care gains January 19, 2011 | Daily Camera, Boulder, CO
  Letter to the editor published in the Boulder Daily Camera in support of health care.
• Veterans Call for Defeat of Health Care Repeal January 19, 2011 | Press Release
  WASHINGTON DC - The largest progressive group of Veterans in America, VoteVets.org, is strongly objecting to the vote to repeal health insurance reform today in the House of Representatives, noting that a repeal would severely hurt a large number of veterans. Some examples of veterans it would hurt are below. VoteVets.org launched a petition on Monday, opposing a repeal of the law. As of this morning, that petition has over 9600 signatures - over 5600 of them from veterans and military family members.
• Repealing Health Care Law Would Be Anti-Veteran January 18, 2011 | Huffington Post
  On Wednesday, the Majority Leadership in the House will make good on their promise to bring up for a vote a bill that repeals the health care reform law that passed last year. Let me be clear - a vote for repeal will be a vote to deny many veterans access to affordable health insurance. That's why my first act as the Interim Chairman of VoteVets.org was tolaunch this petition calling on the House to defeat the repeal.
• 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal Failure: The Morning After December 10, 2010 | The Atlantic
  Senate Minority Has Betrayed Troops, argues Ashwin Madia, interim chairman of left-leaning veterans advocacy group VoteVets.org: "Leaving aside ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' this bill is crucial to our military readiness, and funding our troops in harm's way. The minority of Senators can talk all they want about a tax bill needing consideration, but there is absolutely no reason why the Senate couldn't pass this and then a tax bill before leaving for recess."
• Senate blocks debate on Defense Authorization bill; DADT Repeal 57-40 December 10, 2010 | Crooks and Liars
  VetVoice reacts: "By voting to filibuster the Defense Authorization Act, today, a minority of Senators have betrayed our troops. Leaving aside 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' this bill is crucial to our military readiness, and funding our troops in harm's way. The minority of Senators can talk all they want about a tax bill needing consideration, but there is absolutely no reason why the Senate couldn't pass this and then a tax bill before leaving for recess. In fact, that has been the plan.
• Reactions to the failure in the Senate on DADT December 09, 2010 | Americablog
  “By voting to filibuster the Defense Authorization Act, today, a minority of Senators have betrayed our troops. Leaving aside ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ this bill is crucial to our military readiness, and funding our troops in harm’s way. The minority of Senators can talk all they want about a tax bill needing consideration, but there is absolutely no reason why the Senate couldn’t pass this and then a tax bill before leaving for recess. In fact, that has been the plan.
• Senators to Offer New Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask’ Following Senate Defeat December 09, 2010 | The Caucus, The New York Times
  “By voting to filibuster the Defense Authorization Act, today, a minority of Senators have betrayed our troops,” said Ashwin Madia, interim chairman of VoteVets.org. “Leaving aside ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ this bill is crucial to our military readiness, and funding our troops in harm’s way.”
• US Senate blocks repeal of military gay ban December 09, 2010 | AFP
  The repeal measure was folded into a massive military spending bill, which also was blocked, prompting a veterans group to call the delay in funding a betrayal of the troops. "Leaving aside 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' this bill is crucial to our military readiness, and funding our troops in harm's way," said Iraq war veteran Ashwin Madia, interim chairman of VoteVets.org.
• Veterans Furious with Senate Minority for Their Betrayal of Troops on Defense Spending Bill December 09, 2010 | Press Release
  Washington, DC - Today, the minority in the Senate voted to filibuster the National Defense Authorization Act - the major funding bill for our troops, which also included a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
• Veterans Say Time is Now to Repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" In Wake of Pentagon Report November 30, 2010 | Press Release
  Washington - The largest progressive group of veterans, VoteVets.org, is calling on the Senate to immediately pass a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, given the findings of a new Pentagon study, that shows troops have no issue serving with openly gay or lesbian troops. VoteVets.org previously collected tens of thousands of petition signatures to Congress, calling for a repeal.
• Jon Soltz, VoteVets Founder, War Critic, Called Up For Military Service In Iraq November 11, 2010 | Huffington Post
  One of the most outspoken critics of the war in Iraq is heading back there on military assignment, likely as part of the last arm of a U.S. mission he has vehemently opposed. Jon Soltz, the chairman and co-founder of VoteVets.org, a leading critic of the Iraq war, told the Huffington Post on Wednesday that he was taking a year of absence from the group to deploy to Iraq as part of Operation New Dawn.
• VoteVets.org Chairman to Take Leave of Absence to Deploy to Iraq as Part of 'Operation New Dawn' November 11, 2010 | Press Release
  Vets group well positioned to carry on strong work in 2011 with interim Chairman
• Missouri Senate Ad Hammers Roy Blunt on 9/11 Vote October 14, 2010 | New Your Daily News: The Mouth of the Potomac
  VoteVets’ Jon Soltz said the idea is to hold politicians accountable for opposing policies that help veterans, including the many who responded to the twin tower attacks as cops, firefighters and construction workers. It’s also aimed at members of the Senate who may have to vote on the bill there in a lame-duct session after November.
• Navy Veteran, 9/11 Responder, Expresses Disgust with Roy Blunt in Stunning New Television Ad October 14, 2010 | Press Release
  ST LOUIS, MO - Daniel Arrigo, a U.S. Navy veteran who is also one of the now-seriously ill First Responders in Lower Manhattan following 9/11, expresses disgust with Roy Blunt for voting against the 9/11 First Responders bill in Congress, while voting himself a pay raise eight times, in a hard-hitting new television ad running in Missouri on broadcast and cable.
• New VoteVets.org Ad: "Breathe" October 14, 2010 | Fired Up! Missouri
  
• News & Notes October 14, 2010 October 14, 2010 | The Pennsylvania Progressive
  Another independent group VoteVets.org is spending a cool million going after Pat Toomey and Mike Fitzpatrick in eastern Pennsylvania for their bad records supporting veterans. Toomey's numbers are falling as Joe Sestak has yet another devastating ad where his opponent is his own worst enemy.
• Should We Only Measure the Quantity of Outside Ad Spending? October 14, 2010 | Fire Dog Lake
  For instance, I think that if VoteVets manages to get this ad in front of enough eyeballs, it could really move a Senate race in Missouri.
• Tugging at your heart strings October 14, 2010 | Show Me Progress
  VoteVets is spending $350,000 on Robin Carnahan's behalf to air an ad about a Navy vet who was a first responder on 9/11. He's wearing an oxygen mask because of respiratory damage sustained from breathing in the caustic and toxic dust around the World Trade Center site without proper protection.
• Veterans group launches new anti-Blunt ad October 14, 2010 | St. Louis Beacon
  VoteVets.org, a group that spent more than $500,000 last year to air TV ads disparaging Republican U.S. Senate nominee Roy Blunt, is back up with a new attack ad. This one features an injured emergency worker among New York City's first responders during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The worker blasts Blunt for his recent vote against a House bill, now passed and before the Senate, that provides treatment benefits and monitoring of 9/11 victims and the first responders. Blunt missed the final House vote on the measure.
• Gloves Off in Pennsylvania Senate Race -- New Ads, Cries of Foul, and a New Poll October 13, 2010 | FoxNews.com
  In the ad, three young veterans of the war in Afghanistan, standing before an American flag, criticize Toomey for a vote he took in 2003 that stopped a $1,500 combat bonus. The vets take turns saying parts of the following, "Congressman Toomey supports letting Wall Street execs keep every penny of their bonuses. Toomey said that money for troops was ‘wasteful spending.' Bonuses for Wall Street are fine? But bonuses for troops are wasteful? I expected the worst in Afghanistan. I expected better from Congressman Toomey."
• New Angle ad hits Reid on taxes; veterans group releases pro-Reid spot October 13, 2010 | Las Vegas Review Journal
  the veterans political group VoteVets.org is releasing a 90-second television ad (below) highlights the dogged elements of Reid's biography, including long hikes to high school in Henderson, winning the hand of his girlfriend over the objections of her father, and rising to the Senate leadership.
• PRESS RELEASE - Veterans Back Harry Reid in Moving New Television Ad October 13, 2010 | Press Release
  LAS VEGAS, NV - VoteVets.org, a national veterans organization, is launching a moving new television ad today, narrated by a veteran from the state, urging Nevadans to re-elect Senator Harry Reid. The group said it was spending $400,000 to air the ad on statewide broadcast and cable.
• PRESS RELEASE - Veterans Launch Nearly $1 Million in Ads in PA, Critical of Toomey, Fitzpatrick on Failure to Support Troops and Vets October 13, 2010 | Press Release
  Ads call for defeat of Toomey, Fitzpatrick for voting against troops and veterans
• SSP Daily Digest: 10/13 (Afternoon Edition) October 13, 2010 | Swing State Project
  
• Toomey, Sestak Tangle Over Mortgage Crisis October 13, 2010 | AP
  The election is Nov. 2. On Wednesday, both VoteVets.org - which supports Se