Iraq War Veteran Calls on Barbara Boxer to Apologize for Equating Military Service with Being a Politician

SACRAMENTO, CA - Veterans for Carly Coalition Co-Chairman Lt. Commander Paul Chabot, an Iraq War veteran, today issued the following statement in response to Barbara Boxer's disrespectful comments at an Inglewood event during which she equated the experiences of members of Congress with the experiences of veterans who have served our country in uniform:

"Barbara Boxer's disrespectful comments underscore just how out of touch she has become after her 28 years in Washington. Equating the experiences of members of Congress with those of brave soldiers who have fought to defend our country is just the latest example in a failed career marked by disrespect for our men and women in uniform.

"Unfortunately, this type of behavior is what we have come to expect from the senator who dressed down a brigadier general on national television and voted against condemning a disgraceful ad that attacked the integrity of General David Petraeus. To add insult to injury, Boxer will join anti-war activist Jane Fonda tonight for a campaign fundraiser. Barbara Boxer owes an immediate apology to all members of America's armed forces."

Today, Boxer Offered The Following Remarks About The Experiences Of Veterans:

BOXER: "We know that if you have veterans in one place where they can befriend each other and talk to each other. You know when you've gone through similar things you need to share it. I don't care whether you are a policeman or a fireman or a veteran or by chance a member of Congress. Maxine and I could look at each other and roll our eyes. We know what we are up against. And it is hard for people who are not there to understand the pressure and the great things that go along with it and the tough things that go along with it." (Sen. Barbara Boxer, Remarks At A Campaign Event, Inglewood, CA, 7/24/10)

Click Here To Listen To Boxer's Remarks

• In A Full Page Ad In The New York Times, MoveOn.Org Claimed That Gen. Petraeus Was "Cooking The Books" And Called Him "General Betray Us." (Peter Wuetherich, "Petraeus: Battle-Hardened General On The Frontlines In Iraq," Agence France Presse, 9/10/07)