The NPR Politics Podcast What To Know About Tim Walz's 24-Year Military Career
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Aug 12, 2024 Tim Walz's military career, marked by complex decisions, becomes a focal point as he transitions into politics. The podcast tackles controversies over his claims of combat experience and the political fallout from his retirement ahead of deployment. Historical parallels are drawn to tactics used against John Kerry, examining how military service can influence voter perceptions. The discussion dives into the implications of such military narratives on modern campaigns and highlights the ongoing relevance of these issues in shaping electoral strategies.
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Walz's Gun Control Stance
- Tim Walz, despite campaigning on gun control and referencing "weapons of war [he] carried in war," did not see combat.
- He served in Italy supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, and his campaign admitted he misspoke.
Campaign Clarifications
- Walz's campaign clarified his military record, confirming he misspoke about carrying weapons "in war."
- They also addressed discrepancies regarding his rank upon retirement, stating he served as Command Sergeant Major but wasn't officially retired at that rank.
Swiftboating
- Trump campaign operative Chris LaCivita successfully used similar attacks against John Kerry's military record in 2004.
- This tactic, known as "swiftboating," involves spurious attacks that undercut a candidate's strengths.