A New Jersey Democrat and Navy veteran came to the defense of vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, saying the accusations questioning his military record are "incredibly offensive" and reminiscent of the "Swiftboat bulls---" that Sen. John Kerry faced in his presidential election.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill spoke with CNN host Kaitlan Collins on Thursday night on "The Source" and called the attack against Walz — who served in the National Guard for 24 years — a "slanderous" attack against his "honorable service."
Sherill said Walz retired before the announcement was made that his troops would be deployed.
"To try to make up some kind of story against his service is really offensive and even more offensive because these accusations are being lodged by another veteran."
Collins noted that Chris LaCivita, one of Donald Trump's campaign managers, was the "driving force" behind the famous "Swiftboat" ads, questioning Kerry's military service.
Read also: Harlan Crow helped fund Swiftboating. Trump campaign continues that legacy in Walz attack
Sherill said she wants Walz to talk proudly about his time and service.
"This is the same old, tired playbook. They're like one-trick ponies against people who serve," she said. "Those of us who are veterans find it incredibly offensive because it's not the details, it's the fact that here's a person who has spent his entire life in service to his country."
Not only was Walz in the National Guard, he was a teacher for more than a decade, Sherill noted, and served as a congressman and governor.
"So to come at him and suggest that his service wasn't honorable, or that despite all the records to the contrary he somehow left his troops wanting leadership is just ridiculous and really, really offensive," she said.
Kerry served in the Vietnam War and earned several medals, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. He made his military service a key part of his campaign.
A few months before the election, a group called "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" launched a series of ads and a book that questioned Kerry's war record and his fitness for office. Some of the veterans who served on swift boats said Kerry embellished his war exploits.
Fact-checkers at Snopes have deemed the claims "false" that Kerry's Vietnam War service medals were earned under "fishy" circumstances.
Watch the clip below or at this link.
