--- title: The History Behind the Attacks on Tim Walz's Military Record description: In 2002, Republicans attacked the patriotism of a distinguished Democratic veteran. It worked and they've kept doing it ever since. canonical: https://time.com/7015638/tim-walz-jd-vance-military-records-max-cleland-history/ author: TIME article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2024-08-29T13:00:00.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:42:58.576Z article:section: History og:title: The History Behind the Attacks on Tim Walz's Military Record og:description: In 2002, Republicans attacked the patriotism of a distinguished Democratic veteran. It worked and they've kept doing it ever since. og:url: https://time.com/7015638/tim-walz-jd-vance-military-records-max-cleland-history/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbefaccb6e9e664ad/698a5a58e6e84ae41f2b3524/cleland.jpg?branch=production&width=1024&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1024 og:image:height: 576 og:image:alt: Jimmy Carter and Max Cleland unveil a memorial to Vietnam Veterans during veterans day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. circa 11/11/1978 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The History Behind the Attacks on Tim Walz's Military Record twitter:description: In 2002, Republicans attacked the patriotism of a distinguished Democratic veteran. It worked and they've kept doing it ever since. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbefaccb6e9e664ad/698a5a58e6e84ae41f2b3524/cleland.jpg?branch=production&width=1024&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The History Behind Attacks on the Military Records of Politicians Like Tim Walz > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Subscription: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME is a general-interest news organization founded in 1923, reporting on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world. A TIME subscription provides full access to that journalism in print and digital, from $20 a year, and can be cancelled at any time. 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They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription. ## Video: ‘Never Underestimate a Public School Teacher’: Key Moments from Tim Walz’s DNC Speech [Watch (HLS stream): ‘Never Underestimate a Public School Teacher’: Key Moments from Tim Walz’s DNC Speech](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Twy35LVp.m3u8) (5:58)  _Published 2024-08-22. Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz gave a rousing 14-minute psych-up speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday night. The former high school teacher and football coach turned Minnesota governor tapped into his experience revving up players on the field to encourage Democrats to help Vice President Kamala Harris beat former President Donald Trump in the November election._ by [Kyle Longley / Made by History](https://time.com/author/made-by-history/) ## Kyle Longley / Made by History Aug 29, 2024 1:00 PM UTC  Jimmy Carter and Max Cleland unveil a memorial to Vietnam Veterans during Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in 1978. Jimmy Carter and Max Cleland unveil a memorial to Vietnam Veterans during Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in 1978. HUM Images/Universal Images Grou by [Kyle Longley / Made by History](https://time.com/author/made-by-history/) ## Kyle Longley / Made by History Aug 29, 2024 1:00 PM UTC Since Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, some Trump supporters, including Republican military veterans in Congress, have attacked his [service record](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/16/walz-military-record-service), accusing him of inflating his rank and avoiding combat. These charges reflect a sordid pattern that has developed over the past two decades in which Republicans have tried to turn military service — which historically has been a strength for candidates — into a weakness, particularly for Vietnam veterans but now extending to those who fought in the Global War on Terror. These tactics have proved successful for winning competitive elections by calling into question the character and national security bona fides of Democrats with military records. But the cost has been high, both to those attacked and their fellow veterans as well. This process largely began in 2002 when Republican operatives began questioning the patriotism of Vietnam veteran and triple amputee Georgia Senator Max Cleland during his reelection campaign. Cleland joined the Army after college, eventually deploying to Vietnam. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Khe Sanh on June 9, 1968, winning a Silver Star “for gallantry in action.” Four days later, he volunteered for a mission. As he moved across a helicopter landing pad, he reached down to pick up a grenade that he thought fell from his gear. However, a new infantryman had dropped it and not properly prepared the grenade pin. The subsequent explosion blew off both legs and an arm. For years, Cleland fought to overcome his maiming. Even while leaving Vietnam on a stretcher, he lamented: “one minute I would be utterly grateful that I was still able to see, breathe, feel and think. The next minute I would sink into despair knowing that I would never again be the man I was once was.” During months of rehab, Cleland battled depression, while learning how to do things with his remaining arm. He learned to walk on prosthetic legs, drive a special car, and even play basketball, noting “I was getting strong in the right places.” As he recovered, he noted how politics became “my therapy, forcing me to get out of the house and be seen.” Through sheer determination, Cleland won a seat in the Georgia Senate (1971-1975) and then followed his fellow Georgian Jimmy Carter to Washington where he became a high-ranking administrator in what was then called the Veteran’s Administration. He ultimately returned home and became Georgia’s Secretary of State, a position he held for 14 years (1982-1996). **_Read More:_** [What The Swifties Cost Us](https://time.com/archive/6739357/what-the-swifties-cost-us/) In 1996, Cleland succeeded his mentor Sam Nunn in the U.S. Senate. After he won, he became a vocal advocate for veterans and the environment. Journalist David Broder stressed how Cleland “embodies as much as any one person in public life can, the agonies and hopes of the last twenty years.” In 2002, Republicans [recruited](https://accesswdun.com/print/2002/6/193357) Representative Saxby Chambliss — [who had not served in Vietnam](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-amazing-story-of-saxb%5Fn%5F144307) — to challenge Cleland. Chambliss proved to be a relatively lackluster candidate and through much of the race he trailed Cleland. But with control of the Senate potentially at stake, operative Rick Wilson labored to help Chambliss stage a comeback. Wilson unleashed one of the most infamous attacks in the history of U.S. political campaigns. The strategist later said that “everyone assumed Cleland was immune to critiques on national security issues,” but that perception didn’t account for just how dirty Wilson was willing to fight. As he admitted, “I have no moral center when it comes to political ads, and I will destroy the innocent and the guilty.” Wilson created an ad that emphasized how Cleland had voted against 11 amendments to President Bush’s plan to create a Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The television spot showed photos of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, and implied Cleland had aided them with his lack of “courage to lead.” In reality, he voted against the amendments because he wanted civil service protections for DHS employees. The ad unleashed a firestorm of criticism. Cleland called it “the most vicious exploitation of a national tragedy and attempt at character assassination I have ever witnessed.” The Gainesville _Times_ (Ga.) called it “an irresponsible and repugnant attack on Cleland’s character and sense of patriotism.” Vietnam veteran Republican Senators John McCain and Chuck Hagel rallied to Cleland’s defense and praised his patriotism. The former said the ad was “worse than disgraceful, it’s reprehensible.” Chambliss pulled the spot, although he always defended it, calling it “lightweight” and “very fair.” In the fear-drenched post 9/11 climate, however, the damage to Cleland had been done. The ad succeeded in questioning his commitment to the nation, particularly in the many parts of Georgia that unswervingly supported President George W. Bush and his War on Terrorism. Cleland lost by 130,000 votes, helping to flip the Senate. It was a devastating defeat that left Cleland bitter, disillusioned, and [suffering from PTSD](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/max-cleland-losing-election-brought-back-ptsd/). The attacks on Cleland’s patriotism and military record didn’t stop there either. In 2004, he strongly supported fellow Vietnam veteran, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, in his presidential campaign against Bush. The former senator openly questioned how Bush secured a prized position in the Air National Guard and whether he actually did his service. He also highlighted how Bush took time off to earn a Harvard MBA while he and Kerry went to Vietnam. Conservatives pounced. Pundit Ann Coulter stressed that Cleland “lost three limbs in an accident during a routine non-combat mission where he was about to drink beer with friends . . . Luckily for Cleland’s political career . . . he happened to do it while in Vietnam.” She even questioned his Silver Star, ignoring that his actions happened _before_ the horrible accident. Others piled on in an effort to undercut Cleland’s support for Kerry. And it wasn’t just Cleland whose service the right besmirched. **_Read More:_** [Watch and Read Tim Walz’s Full Speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention](https://time.com/7013698/watch-tim-walz-dnc-speech/) The group Swift Boat Veterans for the Truth (SBVT) called Kerry’s service into question, aiming to negate his heroism in Vietnam where he won a Silver Star and Purple Hearts. They learned from Wilson’s success and tried to turn Kerry’s strength into a weakness. Much like in Georgia, it proved successful. The attacks on Cleland and Kerry (and, a decade later, on McCain by President Donald Trump) contributed to the psychological trauma of many who fought in Vietnam by questioning their awards and military service. As one Florida veteran noted after the SBVT attacks: “Do you think these awards come in a Cracker Jack box? The Department of Defense issues them with great scrutiny.” He concluded: “Seriously folks, this type of slander diminishes each and every veteran and their awards, and it needs to stop, NOW.” By questioning awards given to Democrats, such scurrilous tactics undermined confidence in the system that determined awards for all Vietnam soldiers. It further hurt the process of healing and reinforced the poor treatment afforded Vietnam veterans, this time in the political realm by those claiming to support service people. Today, conservatives have reverted to this old playbook to cast aspersion on Walz’s 24-year National Guard career. Not surprisingly — in a parallel to the Swift Boat Veterans campaign — it is led by Republican Vice Presidential nominee J.D. Vance, who served four years in the Marines as a public affairs officer. Also, it's also no surprise that Chris LaCivita, who produced the SVBT ads, is a senior Trump campaign official.  In the effort to tar Walz, conservatives have [employed terms](https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/09/politics/tim-walz-service-swift-boat-attacks/index.html) such as "stolen valor" and cowardice to describe his military career. At this point, the attacks appear to have had little measurable effect on Walz’s popularity. However, it can take time for such lies to have an impact. Republicans continue to attack the service of Democratic military veterans (and sometimes their own, like McCain and former Illinois Representative Adam Kinzinger) because it has so much political effect. It can turn a major positive into a negative. But the cost to American veterans has been significant. It’s time that those pushing such charges get confronted with the immortal question that Army Chief Counsel Joseph Welch used to trigger the downfall of Senator Joseph McCarthy after he attacked the Army in 1954: “Have you no sense of decency?” _Kyle Longley is the Salvatori chair of history at Chapman University and author of the forthcoming (in 2025),_ The Forever Soldiers: Americans at War in Afghanistan and Iraq _and_ Grunts: The American Combat Soldier in Vietnam. _Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians._ [_Learn more about Made by History at TIME here_](https://time.com/6317798/introducing-made-by-history-for-time/)_. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors_. ## Transcript In town. It's the honor of my life to accept your nomination for Vice President of the United States. We're all here tonight for one beautiful, simple reason. We love this country. So thank you to all of you here in Chicago and all of you watching at home tonight. Thank you for your passion. Thank you for your determination, and most of all, thank you for bringing the joy to this fight. But it was those players and my students who inspired me to run for Congress. They saw in me what I had hoped to instill in them, a commitment to the common good, an understanding that we're all in this together. And the belief that a single person can make a real difference for their neighbors. So there I was a 40 something high school teacher with little kids, zero political experience, and no money running in a deep red district. But you know what? Never underestimate a public school teacher. Now, when Republicans use the word freedom, they mean that the government should be free to invade your doctor's office. Corporations free to pollute your air and water, and banks free to take advantage of customers. But when we Democrats talk about freedom, we mean the freedom to make a better life for yourself and the people that you love. Freedom to make your own health care decisions. And yeah, your kids freedom to go to school without worrying about being shot dead in the hall. Look, I know guns. I'm a veteran. I'm a hunter. And I was a better shot than most Republicans in Congress, and I got the trophies to prove it. But I'm also a dad. I believe in the second amendment, but I also believe our first responsibility is to keep our kids safe. That's what this is all about. Some folks just don't understand what it takes to be a good neighbor. Take Donald Trump and JD Vance. Their project 2025 will make things much harder for people who are just trying to live their lives. They spent a lot of time pretending they know nothing about this. But look, I coach high school football long enough to know and trust me on this. When somebody takes the time to draw up a playbook, they're gonna use it. O Here's the thing. It's an agenda nobody asked for. It's an agenda that serves nobody except the richest and the most extreme amongst us. And it's an agenda that does nothing for our neighbors in need. Is it weird? Absolutely. Absolutely. But it's also wrong. And it's dangerous. So while other states were banning books from their schools, we were banishing hunger from ours. We also protected reproductive freedom, because in Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and the personal choices they make. And even if we wouldn't make those same choices for ourselves, we've got a golden rule. Mind your own damn business. And that includes IVF and fertility treatments. Look. We got 76 days. That's nothing. There'll be time to sleep when your dad. We're gonna leave it on the field. That's how we'll keep moving forward. That's how we'll turn the page on Donald Trump. That's how we'll build a country where workers come first. Healthcare and housing are human rights. And the government stays the hell out of your bedroom. That's how we make America a place where no child is left hungry, where no community is left behind, where nobody gets told they don't belong. That's how we're gonna fight. And as the next president of the United States always says, When we fight. When we fight. When we fight. Thank you. God. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/7015638/tim-walz-jd-vance-military-records-max-cleland-history/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/7015638/tim-walz-jd-vance-military-records-max-cleland-history/"},"headline":"The History Behind Attacks on the Military Records of Politicians Like Tim Walz","datePublished":"2024-08-29T13:00:00.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:42:58.576Z","description":"In 2002, Republicans attacked the patriotism of a distinguished Democratic veteran. 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