Bergdahl Backlash Is Work of GOP

Strategists organize interviews with soldiers, says columnist
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 3, 2014 1:30 PM CDT
Bergdahl Backlash Is Work of GOP
This undated file image provided by the U.S. Army shows Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.   (AP Photo/U.S. Army, File)

The world has been hearing lately from soldiers criticizing freed soldier Bowe Bergdahl. While they have a right to their opinions, much of the publicity they're currently getting is thanks to a "GOP-run dog-and-pony show" reminiscent of the Swift Boat campaign against John Kerry, writes Adam Weinstein at Gawker. For evidence, he points to the New York Times, which spoke to several of these soldiers. The piece notes that the interviews were "arranged by Republican strategists."

What's more, according to the Pentagon, claims of deaths linked to the search for Bergdahl aren't backed up by data. Both soldiers who spoke to the Times say they don't want to get political. But when you're supporting a "data-denying political missile" by calling it "a neutral account … you're 'speaking on the political' before you even you open your mouth," Weinstein writes. At Salon, Elias Isquith notices a similar problem: When soldiers don't conform to flag-waving GOP "fantasies," they're turned from heroes to "charlatans—or maybe even traitors." Click for his full piece; Weinstein's is here. (More Bowe Bergdahl stories.)

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