Teflon Tim

[Omaha Steve]

(What do you think of this?)

Today on TAP: The right’s pathetic effort to find some smear that will damage Gov. Walz

by Robert Kuttner

August 9, 2024


Bastiaan Slabbers/Sipa USA via AP Images

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is introduced by Vice President Kamala Harris as her running mate during a rally at Philadelphia’s Liacouras Center, August 6, 2024.

https://prospect.org/blogs-and-newsletters/tap/2024-08-09-teflon-tim-walz/

Let’s start with the attempt to “swiftboat” Tim Walz for what J.D. Vance termed “stolen valor.” The charge, recycled from Republican claims during Walz’s first campaign for governor, is that Walz left the Army National Guard in order to avoid being shipped to Iraq. In fact, he retired in order to begin his first campaign for a House seat, months before there was ever an order for his unit to ship out. But more important is the context.

Walz joined the Guard as a 17-year-old, served for 24 years, and ascended to the highest enlisted rank as command sergeant major. Unlike the life story of John Kerry in 2004, which made him vulnerable to the Swift Boat takedown, serving in the Guard was never central to Walz’s political persona.

Kerry came to prominence as a leader of Vietnam Veterans Against the War. In the 2004 presidential campaign, Kerry sought to define himself as both an anti-war figure and as a military patriot who had served his country. He opened his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention by declaring, “I’m John Kerry and I’m reporting for duty.” As officer in charge of Swift Boats in the Mekong Delta, Kerry drew fire from the Viet Cong, suffered minor wounds, and received five medals.

More from Robert Kuttner

The campaign to denigrate Kerry’s Swift Boat service, partly led by Trump co-chair Chris LaCivita, was built on lies, but it could do damage because Kerry’s military service was so central to his political persona and was important to counter his image as an elitist figure who lived in a mansion and engaged in fancy sports like windsurfing. Kerry was also so offended by the Swift Boat charges that he decided it was beneath his dignity to contest them, a big mistake.

FULL story at link above.

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. All you have to do is wonder what John McCain would say about him.

I don’t know if the two ever crossed paths, but without even looking it up I can promise you McCain did not attack this man.

[captain queeg]

2. I just read an article which was making a big deal of when Pelosi thanked him for his battlefield service.

Because he didn’t serve on the battlefield. But it was her slip, not something he has ever said. The rethugs are desperate, they’ll try to make anything an issue.

[calimary]

3. Teflon Tim.

Untouchable Tim. They’ve got NOTHING on him. He’s unsmearable.

[consider_this]

4. Isn't that label derogatory???

I personally associate the 'teflon' label used with characters from the past when they actually DID do or say something no good, but no one cared or they let it slip right off like it was not problem.

He is being unwrongly attacked for made up crap - so the 'teflon' seems to give the wrong connotation to me. Is it just me, or do other perceive the term as I do?

[crazylikafox]

5. Agree

[Kid Berwyn]

6. Like "Tampon Tim"

The repuglians thought the moniker derogatory, only to find that most Americans respect people who respect women.

[yorkster]

8. Agree. Have only heard it as a negative.

Someone who "skates", avoids justice or any accountability for crimes, misdeeds,etc.

[arlyellowdog]

7. This is not 2004

That was right after 9/11. Now, many of my kids’ friends who served in Iraq are dealing with the experience. Younger voters can’t even relate. So it’s “I don’t want to talk about it” or “who cares”