Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Lee McGroarty defends Rep. Gary Miller; says Phil Liberatore "grandstanding"

Yesterday we posted a story about an article on the web site of Harper's magazine that looked at the military service record of Rep. Gary Miller. Shortly after the article came out 42nd Congressional candidate Phil Liberatore commented on it.

42nd Congressional candidate, and Veteran, Lee McGroarty has now commented on the matter. A press release issued by the McGroarty campaign says,

"The Vietnam War era was a difficult time in our country. Many future politicians avoided military service during the late 1960's and early 70's but Congressman Miller did not. Miller voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve our country. As an enlisted veteran who served his country honorably, Lee McGroarty commends Mr. Miller and his call to duty."

McGroarty went on to say,

"As a veteran, I am very protective of questioning any American who voluntarily serves our country. I am willing to defend Congressman Miller and his record if he was discharged due to a medical reason. The greatest honor bestowed upon an American is to serve his or her country honorably. However, it is the deepest betrayal to misrepresent his or her service. I have the utmost confidence that Congressman Miller will come clean on his record."

The release goes on to say,

"One of my opponents, who never served our country, is calling out Miller for his military service and is “grandstanding” on an issue he knows nothing about. I want to make one point very clear, this is a very uncomfortable issue for me and my campaign. I want to win on the real issues -- jobs and spending where I believe Miller is vulnerable. I am asking Miller to come clean on his military record. It is not a question of “if he served” but whether he served honorably. Congressman Miller, show us your DD 214 so this whole matter can be put to bed quickly and we can get back to the business of explaining our positions on the economy, etc. If you don’t, then I will defend the men and women who have served honorably and will call for your resignation. The ball is in your court. There are no excuses. You either served honorably or you did not.”

The San Gabriel Tribune is reporting that the reason for Miller's discharge was ulcers. Miller told the Tribune that the Army discharged him after discovering he had ulcers. He said, "They were never supposed to accept anyone with asthma or ulcers."

The entire McGroarty press release is below.

To continue reading click Read More below.



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Congressional Candidate & Veteran Lee McGroarty Defends Rival GOP Incumbent Rep. Gary Miller and his Military Record

Congressional Candidate Lee McGroarty is defending rival GOP incumbent Congressman Gary Miller over concerns about his military record. Speculation surrounding Miller’s military record has exploded on the national scene with Ken Silverstein’s article in Harper Magazine titled “It has been a tremendous honor to have served”: Congressman Gary Miller’s Vietnam Odyssey.

Chino, CA (PRWEB) June 2, 2010 -- Congressional Candidate Lee McGroarty is defending rival GOP incumbent Congressman Gary Miller over concerns about his military record. Speculation surrounding Miller’s military record has exploded on the national scene with Ken Silverstein’s article in Harper Magazine titled “It has been a tremendous honor to have served”: Congressman Gary Miller’s Vietnam Odyssey. (http://harpers.org/archive/2010/06/hbc-90007144)

The Vietnam War era was a difficult time in our country. Many future politicians avoided military service during the late 1960's and early 70's but Congressman Miller did not. Miller voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve our country. As an enlisted veteran who served his country honorably, Lee McGroarty commends Mr. Miller and his call to duty.
For the record, the McGroarty For Congress campaign received numerous inquiries since last September from various “interested parties” about the inconsistencies in Miller’s military service – particularly his posting of duty from 1967 to 1968. However, McGroarty, who served in the United States Air Force from 1984 to 1986 and the Connecticut Air National Guard from 1986 to 1990 and was Honorably Discharged, expressed concerns about raising the issue of Miller’s military record without definitive proof.

According to McGroarty, “As a veteran, I am very protective of questioning any American who voluntarily serves our country. I am willing to defend Congressman Miller and his record if he was discharged due to a medical reason. The greatest honor bestowed upon an American is to serve his or her country honorably. However, it is the deepest betrayal to misrepresent his or her service. I have the utmost confidence that Congressman Miller will come clean on his record."

Real concerns surround Congressman Miller's service timeframe. According to the Harper’s Magazine article, Congressman Miller’s biography page at Congress.org shows that he served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1968. However, his office issued a statement reflecting that “Congressman Miller volunteered to the U.S. Army and was Honorably Discharged due to medical reasons within a matter of months,” Jessica L. Baker, a spokeswoman, said in an email reply to questions about the matter.

The website Wapedia reflects the following reasons for receiving an honorable discharge during basic training: “A recruit can be discharged from the Army before the conclusion of Basic Training. Discharges that occur before the completion of 180 days (approximately 6 months) of training are considered uncharacterized, which are neither honorable nor less than honorable.” Miller served less than 60 days according to the Harper’s article. (http://wapedia.mobi/en/United_States_Army_Basic_Training?t=5)

McGroarty is positioned as the only true veteran in the race for the Republican Nomination in the CA 42nd Congressional District. “One of my opponents, who never served our country, is calling out Miller for his military service and is “grandstanding” on an issue he knows nothing about. I want to make one point very clear, this is a very uncomfortable issue for me and my campaign. I want to win on the real issues -- jobs and spending where I believe Miller is vulnerable. I am asking Miller to come clean on his military record. It is not a question of “if he served” but whether he served honorably. Congressman Miller, show us your DD 214 so this whole matter can be put to bed quickly and we can get back to the business of explaining our positions on the economy, etc. If you don’t, then I will defend the men and women who have served honorably and will call for your resignation. The ball is in your court. There are no excuses. You either served honorably or you did not.”

McGroarty’s biography is clear about his military service. Lee’s brother Pat also served honorably in the United States Navy and his family has a long tradition of serving in Vietnam, Korea and World War II. For more information on the McGroarty For Congress campaign, please go to www.mcgroartyforcongress.com.

Contact Information: McGroarty For Congress
Attn: Chris McDonough, Campaign Manager
voteforlee(at)mcgroartyforcongress(dot)com
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19 comments:

  1. Lee McGroarty is an idiot! The fact that Miller lied is the problem!

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  2. Wow, this whole post is full of contradictions!

    Lee McGroarty defends Rep. Miller? "Show us your DD 214 ... If you don’t, then I will ... call for your resignation." I am not sure who is playing word-gymnastics with Lee McGroarty's statement - was it Lee McGroarty being passive aggressive or the author(s) of the article twisting Lee McGroarty’s statement to their favorite guy. Defending?

    Then Ms. Baker, a spokeswoman for Rep. Miller, said Rep. Miller was "Honorably discharged"? Yet in the next paragraph it states that a person gets an "uncharacterized" discharge - not Honorably - if they don't complete basic training. So which one is it?

    And that brings me to the last one – Lee McGroarty accusing Phil Liberatore of “grandstanding”? Really?!?! Lee McGroarty states, “Congressman Miller, show us your DD 214 … we can get back to the business ... If you don’t, then I will defend the men and women who have served honorably and will call for your resignation. The ball is in your court. There are no excuses. You either served honorably or you did not.” Who is grandstanding? Come on!

    Okay, I will defend Rep. Miller too. Rep. Miller show us your DD 214 and put this whole thing to rest! You better do it soon or Lee McGroarty is going to demand you resign!

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  3. I think Lee is letting Miller off the hook on this one. I don't think it was ever in doubt that Miller served. However, like many politicians in the past, Miller used his brief stay in the services to play the "veteran" card. The Harper's article even quotes him talking about the leadership skills he learned during his service. Since I've never served, perhaps there is an unwritten code amongst those who have that makes McGroarty's statement a fair defense. I still think Miller lied, and he should go.

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  4. Oh come on!!!! I am giving this blog some latitude because I kind of like it, and clearly everyone has some bias, but out of this article the poll is whether Lee McGoarty is right about accusing Phil Liberatore of "grandstanding"!?!?!? Geez guys put some thought into this. How about a poll of whether Rep. Miller will produce a DD 214? Or what about a poll of whether Lee McGroarty will actually demand Rep. Miller resign when Rep. Miller can't produce the DD 214? Or should Rep. Miller heed to Lee McGroarty demands of resignation?

    Come on. Mask your bias by just a little. Keep it entertaining.

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  5. "Lee McGroarty defends Rep. Miller?...I am not sure who is playing word-gymnastics with Lee McGroarty's statement - was it... the author(s) of the article twisting Lee McGroarty’s statement to their favorite guy. Defending?"

    The title of the release is "Congressional Candidate & Veteran Lee McGroarty Defends Rival GOP Incumbent Rep. Gary Miller and his Military Record."

    How am I "playing word qymnastics?" The word "defend" was put in by McGroarty, not this blog.

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  6. Luis,

    I have spoken with several Veterans who told me that you don't do what Liberatore did, especially if you never served in the military. They told me what Liberatore did will backfire.

    McGroarty backs up those comments with his release. The poll is a valid question. McGroarty is saying Liberatore is "grandstanding." McGroarty also pointed out that Liberatore "never served our country."

    So, I asked the question.

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  7. "Word gymnastics" was targeted at the author(s) of the release/article or Lee McGroarty, not your post - I wasn't sure who was guilty of it. It just appears as if one of the two was doing it.

    Just in case this comes up, the "contradictions" are not any accusations against the post either. I think the post clearly states what is out there - it just packages all the "contradictions" regarding this mess into one neat post.

    Regarding your comment about several Veterans thinking what Liberatore did will backfire, apparently Phil Liberatore has several Veterans in his campaign advising him otherwise. I guess we will have to see.

    Regarding the poll, how about adding one from the ones I suggested? :-)

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  8. You said, "author of the article," so I thought you meant our article.

    I think your poll ideas will be outdated in a day or so. First, Miller won't resign.

    McGroarty said he would call for the resignation if Miller wasn't honorably discharged. So the answer is easy.

    Will Miller produce a DD 214? I think he already must have because Harper's cites Miller's "military record," in their story.

    Our poll is the question of the day. Liberatore's supporters are already commenting that he isn't. McGroarty is saying he is.

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  9. Will Miller produce a DD 214? I guess you are missing it, or at least one of us is. What I think Lee McGroarty has done is a back-handed, passive aggressive attack, camouflaged in a "defense"

    As I understand it, Miller can't produce a DD 214. He would have had to serve 90 days, for which he didn't. So when he doesn't, McGroarty will go on the attack - but maybe he will again be passive aggressive and let Phil Liberatore do the hard work that needs to be done.

    Regarding poll ideas will become outdated, ALL will become outdated in just a few days - the election is in less than a week. I just wonder how many people will decide to vote when you put a poll that puts Miller on the hot seat. Come on, ask a question that allows us to vent our rage against Rep. Miller. Let's see how many people vote then.

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  10. I'm a vet and what Liberatore did was the right thing. He followed the lead of a General and 2 Colonels, they called for the release of the medical and service records not Liberatore. Did the release come from Liberatore's office, yes. but if you can read Liberatore said nothing in the release. I don't know about you but how is that "GRANDSTANDING"

    Come on Lucky that poll is beyond stupid.

    I've already offered to help you with your site here's a few more suggestions.

    Poll: Is Miller lying about his military record?

    Poll: Are ulcers a valid reason to get kicked out of the military?

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  11. Frank,
    Liberatore did more than the press release.

    He wrote the following comment on Twitter, "What disrespect! Miller lied about his military record." He was also on the Rick Amato show according to Facebook. I bet he mentioned the article.

    Liberatore could have worded it like McGroarty's but decided to take a more negative tone. Now his release is out there and he looks like he is playing politics.

    Regarding ulcers the Tribune article states that the military didn't accept "anyone with asthma or ulcers." Obviously that has changed now, but those were the rules over 40 years ago.

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  12. Wow, with a few days to go more bashing between the three candidates. I have a feeling that David Su just picked up another couple of thousand votes because of all this crap and now more people are fed up I bet! VOTE FOR DAVID SU FOR US CONGRESS come June 8th guys! I think all three candidates, minus David Su are acting a like a bunch of big babies. My vote is for this young conservative.

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  13. Frankthetank,
    While I agree that there are still a lot of questions surrounding Miller, I'm not sure that saying Liberatore followed the lead of a General and 2 Colonel is fair. Liberatore's own statement said "The three veterans form the Military and Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee to advise Miller's opponent for the GOP nomination in California's 42nd district, Phil Liberatore."
    These guys may be American heroes but they're Liberatore's guys. Who ever heard of a candidate having a "Military and Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee" before he was even a front runner, much less an elected official. I wonder how much inside info the Liberatore campaign had on this stuff, they seemed to have quite the plan prepared.

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  14. Miller has released a document showing an Honorable Discharge.

    http://threecornerspolitics.blogspot.com/2010/06/rep-gary-miller-releases-military.html

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  15. That document doesn't even look real and it doesn't state medical as a reason. So we are left again to Miller's word? This guy is fool of every trick in the book.

    Denis and Lucky,
    Candidats always should be advised by veterans. Just because Miller can't get a vet to stand by him just shows that he's an idiot.

    It is disrespect to say you served and then hand flags to the parents of dead soldiers, all while lying about your service.

    Liberatore is the only choice in this election. Besides this blog no one has even heard of Su or McGroarty.

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  16. Frank,
    Have you lost touch with reality? You demand to see documents, then you allege wrongdoing when he releases it. Why is everything done by Miller a conspiracy to you?

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  17. On the Contrary Frank, a lot of people have heard of David Su. Last I checked, he was on the John and Ken show, they quoted stating, "You had more courage than Gary Miller." I'm sure over a million listeners heard that one plus more. Your just a biased idiot. David Su is the only choice because he is the only one that actually gives a damn about Americans. He is the only one that has been running on a positive platform, running with sheer passion, running with the strength of conviction. A lot of people in Orange County already know about him as well as people in Chino, Chino Hills, and Diamond Bar. Why the hell should we elect Phil Liberatore if all he does is mud sling at Miller and will say anything to get elected.

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  18. Yeah we all saw the pictures of David Su in is board shorts. He sounded like a kid.

    Kevin I haven't seen any bit of mud come from the Liberatore Campaign just facts.

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  19. It's just common sense for him to wear shorts and a T-shirt. It was freakin HOT in Phoenix, AZ. Like any other Republican, "Common Sense" is the key. And it also shows that he's not better than everyone. He doesn't need to wear a nice suit, tie, and give that used car salesman pitch like Phil Liberatore does. Can't wait to see how everyone does June 8th. I hope Phil loses.

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