Posted by
Mark on Monday, September 17, 2007 2:05:04 AM
Eric Egland is running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District in California. Eric is an intelligence officer in the Air Force Reserves. As an Air Force veteran, with 22 years of service, I would like to thank Eric for serving his country. Eric has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, I am concerned about my fellow Air Force officer. He is using his uniform as a political tool to try and get elected to Congress.
I do not have any problems with Eric bringing up his military experience in his campaign. That is part of who he is. One of his potential opponents is California Assemblyman Ted Gaines. Just to remind everyone, Ted “in my pocket” Gaines is also making his sacrifice for the people of California. He is driving 20 miles down Interstate 80 to the state capital in his car that is leased for him by the people of California. For his sacrifice, he is collecting $165 a day per diem. How many state workers or people who work in private industry would like to be making the same 20-mile sacrifice that Ted “in my pocket” Gaines is making and collect $165 per day? Hey Eric, what was the per diem rate for Air Force officers in Iraq and Afghanistan?
My support of Eric Egland stops with his service to our country. I am sorry to say Eric has become an opportunist, just like Ted “in my pocket” Gaines. The incumbent in the 4th Assembly District is John Doolittle. John does have his problems. Like being investigated by the Justice Department for his ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff. At this time he is only under investigation. In the 2006 election, Eric Egland campaigned for Congressman Doolittle. He even appeared in a TV add for veterans supporting the Congressman. Very little has changed regarding the Doolittle investigation since the election.
Today, Mr. Egland is running against Congressman Doolittle. He said he is running because he wants to keep the seat in Republican hands. Egland thinks he needs to be the Republican nominee because Doolittle won by only 3% of the vote in 2006.
Mr. Egland’s actions show he is in this race for Eric Egland and Eric Egland only. He is an opportunist just like Ted “in my pocket” Gaines. I know when I was in the military, they taught us about loyalty. Mr. Egland, you were loyal to Congressman Doolittle 10 months ago. Now that loyalty is gone? Very little has changed since November 2006. At first, I might have been able to support Mr. Egland’s campaign. However, Egland’s character is on the same level as Ted “in my pocket” Gaines. In fact, Mr. Egland reminds me of another politician, the flip-flopper John Kerry. I guess we can say Eric Egland was for Congressman Doolittle before he was against John Doolittle. Word on the street is Mr. Egland is now called Eric “Kerry” Egland.
Mr. Egland needs to be careful. There are strict guidelines for campaigning for office while in uniform. Since he is a Congressional candidate he needs to stop appearing on the TV national news programs acting as an Air Force officer.
I respect Mr. Egland’s service to our country. However, he is tarnishing that image by playing a dirty game of politics. I expected more out of my fellow Air force officer.