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Congressman Joe Walsh under fire for saying opponent talks too much about her military service
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Thanks for staying let us I'm Laura Ingraham in for Bill O'Reilly and and the personal story segment tonight Illinois Republican congressman Joseph Walsh.
Is it a tight race against his democratic opponent Tammy Duckworth.
She's an Iraq War veteran who lost both of her legs in combat.
At a recent campaign stop Walsh took issue with the way ms.
Duckworth talks about -- military service while on the campaign trail.
By comparison he noted that Senator John McCain is off an uncomfortable.
Discussing his own service.
Now I'm -- The woman who I mean I got a little plus.
-- The veteran who served.
The last thing the world they talk about that's why he.
We are so dead -- in -- don't -- a.
Joining us now from Chicago is congressman Walsh who has been heavily criticized for those remarks they also invited on his opponent Tammy Duckworth.
Who declined our invitation.
OK congressman Walsh you so obviously gotten a lot of blow back and -- just ask -- point blank do you think Tammy Duckworth lost both her legs.
And it Blackhawk helicopter.
Accident and Iraq.
And combat do you think she's a hero.
Oh absolutely Laura and I've said that hundreds of times but let let me just provide a little context.
That was said at a town hall last Saturday with 400 people.
Talking about obamacare what I did at the beginning of that town hall is what I do at the beginning of all my town halls I recognize.
The heroes in our president's.
In my book any man or woman who wears a uniform is a hero I've said that about Tammy countless times but one final piece.
I'm running against a woman who's got David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel running her campaign.
They tape every word I say.
I'm not gonna stop talking I have town halls every weekend.
But all she does is fill me talking to people.
And the left wing blogs just went crazy with it.
South course and that's that's going to happen and that's the world we live in today.
And now look she's obviously served her country I interviewed her many years ago Charlie after she came back after operations that isn't there really difficult Odyssey for her.
As it is for so many of our our wounded veterans.
-- she has she has also.
As you pointed out -- said blistering things about the Tea Party movement.
And you and I guess you're in a position where if you and criticize her back or you have to watch every word you say.
Lest you be branded as insensitive to her apply as a.
Disabled Americana and as they award era and so look I guess what do you do you how you have to argue that there.
We have to be sensitive -- you have to be -- but you gotta be careful I mean it's it is a tough mix but.
You gotta watch -- you don't do -- yes.
-- you know what you do -- you give her enough respect.
You treat her like any other candidate that's the respect I want to -- -- And there is so much at stake in this election.
Our country's about to fall off a cliff you've talked about the job numbers today we're not working our economy's not growing and more broke we can't afford to let.
Elect anybody this year based just stand there by -- Her background deserves and demands are respect but it doesn't demand our vote.
For that we've got to know what you think you're gonna do when it comes to the issues in this country and for some reason she doesn't talk about those things.
Thought she is.
Obviously -- it's.
Nate being supported by EMILY's List which is that very ugly pro abortion.
-- group that supports female pro abortion candidates.
They say franchise and hours.
So I'll call out she called she called Tea Party people crack -- she called me -- Tea Party loud mouth.
That again I'm not I'm not gonna name call or she's insulting everybody in this country who believes in limited government and freedom.
And I I just don't think that's gonna play in this district or any district.
Has she as she -- said that.
Anything remotely critical about the way President Obama has handled the economy now in light of the jobs report and -- -- -- -- on.
We I would I would give you both equal -- if she were here.
But has -- been able to do that and in -- even tepid criticism of President Obama you know what.
-- again she know she hasn't then she won't she won't answer any direct questions I've tried to get her to join me to get in front of constituents.
-- throughout this district and debate -- with me every month she won't look.
Nancy Pelosi and and Barack Obama she's tied to David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel.
One her campaign she is the White House -- candidate.
And because I've been so outspoken about this president I've become the White House is number one target so they're throwing everything at me.
Including this stuff -- and I got to tell you again she is a hero and I've said that hundreds of times.
I hear I would not -- disagree I mean guy isn't.
-- -- war hero with Tom you disagreement a lot of people that celebrated John Kerry's service thank questions on the service but they celebrated service.
But it's that a disagreement and there are a lot of the -- guys on both sides of the aisle to disagree at each other but both served in combat so I mean.
And I think absolutely disabled people that I know just want to be treated like everybody else and they don't want to be.
Maybe they don't want to be -- -- -- seeing something different and -- I've isolated Titanic got especially this.
-- especially this.
