VFW Chief Proposes Dissolving PAC

Blackfive reports that Richard Eubank, commander-in-chief of Veterans of Foreign Wars, has announced a proposal to dissolve VFW’s political action committee to quiet outcry over some of the PAC's endorsements of liberal, anti-war Democrats over Republicans, many of whom are actual foreign war veterans. Here's the letter attained by blogger Mr. Wolf:

I have reviewed the Political Action Committee (PAC) Board of Directors’ response to our request to rescind this year’s Congressional endorsements. I disagree with their assessment.

It is now evident to most of the VFW leadership, both National and especially the departments, that the VFW has been subjected to extreme negative publicity throughout the nation, and the recent endorsement decisions have, in fact, harmed the VFW’ s reputation and future ability to fulfill our mission.

I cannot let this erosion of public support for our great organization continue. The apparent lack of the committee to address these concerns will lead to a proposal by me, as Commander-in-Chief, to amend the by-laws at the 112th National Convention for the purpose of dissolving the PAC. Meanwhile, under the authority granted to me as Commander-in-Chief in section 619 of the VFW National By-Laws and under section 620 of the Manual of Procedure, I am withdrawing all PAC appointments effective October 15, 2010.

Accordingly, I’ m asking the council for a vote of “ no confidence” in the VFW PAC as indicated on the enclosed ballot.

To:  National Council of Administration
From:  Richard L. Eubank, Commander-in-Chief
Date:  October 14, 2010

The list of VFW PAC endorsements shows a mix of Democrats and Republicans with a seemingly heavy bias toward incumbents. The PAC has endorsed Ron Klein over Lt. Col. Allen West in Florida; California’s Bob Filner over Nick Popaditch, a Marine veteran who earned a Silver Star and a Purple Heart in Iraq before being medically retired; and Jim Moran of Virginia over retired Army colonel Patrick Murray, who served on active duty for 24 years and was a veteran of the Iraq war. Barbara Boxer has also received an endorsement, reportedly at the urging of Hawaii’s senior senator and Medal of Honor recipient Daniel Inouye.

The VFW national headquarters could not be reached for comment. A call to the VFW PAC’s Washington office yielded a voice mail message that said due to “high volume” of calls about the endorsements, they are “unable to return calls commenting on our endorsement process.”

(Hat tip: Ben Smith)