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Cleland Memoir Recalls Horrors of Vietnam, Karl Rove

Cleland describes how he survived grenades and Republican attack ads

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 6, 2009 5:11 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Max Cleland may be a living symbol of dedication to country—the former Georgia senator lost both legs and an arm to a grenade in Vietnam—but that didn't stop Karl Rove's political machine from ending his political career with attacks on his patriotism. "There are plenty of reasons to go after me, but my military service is not one of them," Cleland tells NPR while discussing his new memoir, Heart of a Patriot.

"Especially when I was running against a guy (Saxby Chambliss) that got out of going to Vietnam with a trick knee and multiple deferments. He somehow became the American patriot." Rove ran ads centering on Cleland’s opposition to Homeland Security bills, complete with photos of Osama bin Laden. They also carefully avoided showing Cleland in his wheelchair. Today, he's reflective on the defeat. "Regardless of what we go through—war, political loss, loss of job, spouse, whatever—it is possible to become strong even at the broken places in our lives."

Heart of a Patriot: Max Cleland's memoir.
"Heart of a Patriot:" Max Cleland's memoir.   (d)
Former Sen. Max Cleland sits on stage listening to an introduction by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., during a Democratic dinner in Atlanta.
Former Sen. Max Cleland sits on stage listening to an introduction by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., during a Democratic dinner in Atlanta.   (AP Photo/John Amis)
Former Sen. Max Cleland, D-Ga.
Former Sen. Max Cleland, D-Ga.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Former Sen. Max Cleland.
Former Sen. Max Cleland.   (Getty Images)
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They carry that feeling of helplessness, trauma in their minds. It's stuck there. That is a terrifying place, and they need some help." - Max Cleland, on today's injured vets

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
Wisconsin
Oct 7, 2009 12:00 PM CDT
Karl Rove is a salesman. And a very good one I might add. That he has absolutely no moral fiber is really beside the point. Nothing is beneath him. Not even whale poop.
oldgoat
Oct 7, 2009 7:24 AM CDT
Rove doesn't need a reason other than he needs to support the GOP by doing anything that it takes to tear the other guy down. His tactics are part of the reason I have little to do with the GOP anymore.
dax
Oct 7, 2009 3:33 AM CDT
Karl Rove and Lee Atwater are emblematic of an "ends-justifying-the-means" immorality that has strangulated any possibility of sensible or meaningful contributions coming from the Republicans.

 
terrorism • Karl Rove • Vietnam • homeland security • Georgia • Vietnam veteran • senator • Saxby Chambliss

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