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Attorney general candidates fight over veterans issues Friday, Sep 15, 2006 By Betsy Turner Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Republican candidate Gunner DeLay announced a plan to assist veterans returning from active duty through the state attorney general's office Thursday and questioned the patriotism of his Democratic opponent for the statewide office. Democrat Dustin McDaniel later professed strong support for military personnel and demanded an apology from his GOP rival. DeLay, a former state senator from Fort Smith, and McDaniel, a first-term state representative from Jonesboro, face each other in the Nov. 7 general election. At a news conference, DeLay said if elected he would establish a program called "Project Freedom," which he said would include a statewide toll-free telephone number and Web site to answer questions on state and federal benefits for the estimated 280,000 veterans in Arkansas. His plan also calls for a registry of attorneys willing to represent veterans free of charge, as well as legislation that would allow military personnel to break residential leases when called to active duty. DeLay said the plan would not require any new staff. He said three or four staff attorneys could take a course in veterans laws and benefits and handle duties on a rotating basis. Then he criticized McDaniel for failing to vote for three bills benefiting veterans during the 2005 regular legislative session. One bill, to provide free tuition to the children of disabled veterans, passed the House and Senate, and became Act 2127. Another, to expand the number of disabled veterans eligible for specialty license plates, passed the House but died in a Senate committee. The third, the state Military Department appropriations, was signed into law as Act 141. "I'm not sure how a person can call themselves a patriot if they can't support our men and women in uniform," said DeLay, standing in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the state Capitol. Later, surrounded by veterans at a hastily arranged news conference at his headquarters, McDaniel said he supported each of the bills DeLay mentioned but was simply not present for the votes. He said he was speaking to senators about other legislation during one of the votes could not recall where he was during the votes on the other two measures. He said voters should question Delay's credibility. "The fact my opponent has openly questioned my patriotism today has crossed all bounds of decency and he should apologize for it," McDaniel said. He passed out a list of 15 bills he voted for last year that benefited military personnel. State Rep. Jeff Wood, D-Sherwood, a captain in the Arkansas National Guard, said McDaniel had voted for legislation to raise the state income tax exemption for armed service members from $6,000 to $9,000 and to protect military funerals from disruptions. Retired Maj. Gen. Jack Ryan, former adjutant general of the Arkansas Guard; Col. John Edwards with the U.S. Army Reserve and Col. Jerry Bowen each gave brief remarks about Daniel's support of the military. |
