thedrifter
08-08-06, 11:04 AM
August 14, 2006
Political mud on his uniform
Retired admiral in House race receives GOP flak
By William H. McMichael
Staff writers
Is it inappropriate for a retired officer who is running for Congress to wear his uniform during Memorial Day events that fall during the campaign? That depends on a number of things — most importantly, whether retired Rear Adm. Joe Sestak or his staff did any campaigning.
Pennsylvania’s Republican leadership says it thinks they did. So does the 19-year GOP incumbent in the state’s 7th District, Rep. Curt Weldon. Sestak, the Democrat who will face Weldon in the November general election, says it didn’t happen.
All agree that Sestak wore his summer whites during two Memorial Day events: May 27 in Marcus Hook, a small borough southwest of Philadelphia, and May 29 in Springfield Township, another Philly suburb.
But Sestak says he wasn’t campaigning at the time, had his uniformed participation in the two events vetted by the Navy and did nothing out of the ordinary.
“I’ve marched in many parades over the years,” Sestak said. “I’ve been asked numerous times to wear my uniform, and I’ve always declined.” But he said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do it in Memorial Day events in his hometown of Springfield and nearby.
But before agreeing to wear his uniform, he said, “We made sure we got a copy of all the regs, and called the Navy … and made sure we did it just right. There was absolutely no conflict — it was exactly what the book said to do.” He said he was honored to take part and was surprised to get criticism for wearing the uniform.
“My disappointment, I guess, is that a member of the U.S. Congress takes the time to worry about uniform regulations, when he should be worrying about the men and women serving in uniform,” Sestak said.
In a July 20 news release titled “Sestak’s Got No R-E-S-P-E-C-T For Uniform” (a play on words from an Otis Redding song), the executive director of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania, Scott Migli, questioned Sestak’s “repeated violations of federal law and U.S. Navy regulations” by inappropriately wearing his uniform and handing out campaign literature while doing so.
Committee communications director Mike Barley later toned things down, saying that the uniformed Sestak stood by in Marcus Hook while his campaign workers went door-to-door handing out literature, ready to greet any residents who came to the door.
Asked how the committee knew that happened, he followed up with an e-mail: “There were reports of a literature drop, but those cannot be confirmed by my sources,” Barley wrote. But then he added, “He was in the parade, surrounded by his campaign workers, and they were handing out his campaign materials.” Barley said his sources were in the Weldon campaign.
A spokesman for Weldon, who also cited sources, said Sestak’s workers were politicking at both events.
“I’ve spoken to people that saw him campaigning in uniform,” said Pete Peterson. “He was at the parades, and his staff was distributing campaign material.” Marcus Hook is Weldon’s hometown; Weldon appeared in the same parade.
Sestak’s campaign says the charges are groundless.
“They can’t confirm it because it’s a lie,” said Bill Walsh, a retired Navy captain who began working as Sestak’s campaign manager in mid-June. Walsh called the accusations “an outrageous attempt to take focus off of issues.”
Sestak said he did do some campaigning in Marcus Hook after his appearance there, changing into civilian clothes to knock on doors and introduce himself to residents.
The Navy declined to comment on the matter.
Navy regulations say the uniform cannot be worn “during or in connection with political activities,” and retired members can wear it only during memorial services or “patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any active or reserve United States military unit is taking part.” The Defense Department also bans its wear during political activities.
Sestak and Walsh say a memorial service was held during each event.
But Migli and Peterson also charge that Sestak violated federal law because he was wearing the rank of vice admiral, which he attained before putting in his retirement papers. He moved to retire after an unexpected transfer within the Navy staff and wanted to look after his daughter, who’d been diagnosed with a brain tumor that is now in remission. Lacking sufficient time in grade, he officially retired as a two-star admiral.
What regulations say
The Weldon campaign may not have read the regulations closely enough. According to the January 2005 version of 10 U.S. Code Sec. 772 (c), a retired officer may “bear the title and wear the uniform of his retired grade” in prescribed circumstances. For Sestak, that would be the rank of rear admiral.
But reading further, in (e), a former member who served “honorably in time of war” can wear the uniform “in the highest grade held by him during that war” when authorized by regulations “prescribed by the President.” In the legislative language attached to the law, that authorization “is delegated to the Secretary of Defense.” Both Defense Department and Navy regulations authorize the wearing of the uniform “in the highest grade held during such war service.”
Sestak did serve during wartime, having commanded the George Washington Carrier Strike Group during the early stages of Operation Enduring Freedom as a two-star and continuing to serve during the ongoing war on terrorism as a three-star.
Sestak said he’s had no second thoughts about wearing his uniform at the events despite the ongoing campaign.
“None at all,” Sestak said.
William H. McMichael and Mark D. Faram cover the Navy.
Ellie
Political mud on his uniform
Retired admiral in House race receives GOP flak
By William H. McMichael
Staff writers
Is it inappropriate for a retired officer who is running for Congress to wear his uniform during Memorial Day events that fall during the campaign? That depends on a number of things — most importantly, whether retired Rear Adm. Joe Sestak or his staff did any campaigning.
Pennsylvania’s Republican leadership says it thinks they did. So does the 19-year GOP incumbent in the state’s 7th District, Rep. Curt Weldon. Sestak, the Democrat who will face Weldon in the November general election, says it didn’t happen.
All agree that Sestak wore his summer whites during two Memorial Day events: May 27 in Marcus Hook, a small borough southwest of Philadelphia, and May 29 in Springfield Township, another Philly suburb.
But Sestak says he wasn’t campaigning at the time, had his uniformed participation in the two events vetted by the Navy and did nothing out of the ordinary.
“I’ve marched in many parades over the years,” Sestak said. “I’ve been asked numerous times to wear my uniform, and I’ve always declined.” But he said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do it in Memorial Day events in his hometown of Springfield and nearby.
But before agreeing to wear his uniform, he said, “We made sure we got a copy of all the regs, and called the Navy … and made sure we did it just right. There was absolutely no conflict — it was exactly what the book said to do.” He said he was honored to take part and was surprised to get criticism for wearing the uniform.
“My disappointment, I guess, is that a member of the U.S. Congress takes the time to worry about uniform regulations, when he should be worrying about the men and women serving in uniform,” Sestak said.
In a July 20 news release titled “Sestak’s Got No R-E-S-P-E-C-T For Uniform” (a play on words from an Otis Redding song), the executive director of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania, Scott Migli, questioned Sestak’s “repeated violations of federal law and U.S. Navy regulations” by inappropriately wearing his uniform and handing out campaign literature while doing so.
Committee communications director Mike Barley later toned things down, saying that the uniformed Sestak stood by in Marcus Hook while his campaign workers went door-to-door handing out literature, ready to greet any residents who came to the door.
Asked how the committee knew that happened, he followed up with an e-mail: “There were reports of a literature drop, but those cannot be confirmed by my sources,” Barley wrote. But then he added, “He was in the parade, surrounded by his campaign workers, and they were handing out his campaign materials.” Barley said his sources were in the Weldon campaign.
A spokesman for Weldon, who also cited sources, said Sestak’s workers were politicking at both events.
“I’ve spoken to people that saw him campaigning in uniform,” said Pete Peterson. “He was at the parades, and his staff was distributing campaign material.” Marcus Hook is Weldon’s hometown; Weldon appeared in the same parade.
Sestak’s campaign says the charges are groundless.
“They can’t confirm it because it’s a lie,” said Bill Walsh, a retired Navy captain who began working as Sestak’s campaign manager in mid-June. Walsh called the accusations “an outrageous attempt to take focus off of issues.”
Sestak said he did do some campaigning in Marcus Hook after his appearance there, changing into civilian clothes to knock on doors and introduce himself to residents.
The Navy declined to comment on the matter.
Navy regulations say the uniform cannot be worn “during or in connection with political activities,” and retired members can wear it only during memorial services or “patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any active or reserve United States military unit is taking part.” The Defense Department also bans its wear during political activities.
Sestak and Walsh say a memorial service was held during each event.
But Migli and Peterson also charge that Sestak violated federal law because he was wearing the rank of vice admiral, which he attained before putting in his retirement papers. He moved to retire after an unexpected transfer within the Navy staff and wanted to look after his daughter, who’d been diagnosed with a brain tumor that is now in remission. Lacking sufficient time in grade, he officially retired as a two-star admiral.
What regulations say
The Weldon campaign may not have read the regulations closely enough. According to the January 2005 version of 10 U.S. Code Sec. 772 (c), a retired officer may “bear the title and wear the uniform of his retired grade” in prescribed circumstances. For Sestak, that would be the rank of rear admiral.
But reading further, in (e), a former member who served “honorably in time of war” can wear the uniform “in the highest grade held by him during that war” when authorized by regulations “prescribed by the President.” In the legislative language attached to the law, that authorization “is delegated to the Secretary of Defense.” Both Defense Department and Navy regulations authorize the wearing of the uniform “in the highest grade held during such war service.”
Sestak did serve during wartime, having commanded the George Washington Carrier Strike Group during the early stages of Operation Enduring Freedom as a two-star and continuing to serve during the ongoing war on terrorism as a three-star.
Sestak said he’s had no second thoughts about wearing his uniform at the events despite the ongoing campaign.
“None at all,” Sestak said.
William H. McMichael and Mark D. Faram cover the Navy.
Ellie