Last week, former U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith (D) claimed Senate candidate Mike Durant was making poor campaign decisions because he’s suffering from PTSD.
On FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show,” Griffith said, “Durant is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. …I mean he was shot down, lost his friends, and nobody goes through that without being disturbed a little bit.”
Many critics have come out blasting those comments, including one congressman and one U.S. Senator.
U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) posted his condemnation on Twitter on Friday.
“Politicizing veterans’ mental health is way over the line; it’s completely reprehensible,” Green argued.” This is an attack on all veterans & has no place in our campaigns, esp. within the GOP. Former Dem Rep. Parker Griffith is way over the line & must apologize for his abhorrent comments.”
Politicizing veterans’ mental health is way over the line; it’s completely reprehensible. This is an attack on all veterans & has no place in our campaigns, esp. within the GOP. Former Dem Rep. Parker Griffith is way over the line & must apologize for his abhorrent comments. https://t.co/3lhPsVWeM0
— Mark E. Green, MD (@DrMarkGreen4TN) April 8, 2022
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) agreed with Green’s comments and posted her own remarks.
“Our veterans are heroes and should never be politicized by any candidate. I stand with our veterans against this abhorrent rhetoric from former Rep. Parker Griffith,” she added.
Completely agree, @DrMarkGreen4TN. Our veterans are heroes and should never be politicized by any candidate. I stand with our veterans against this abhorrent rhetoric from former Rep. Parker Griffith. https://t.co/ZuWLIPJxyI
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) April 8, 2022
Former Senate candidate Jessica Taylor, who dropped out of the race to endorse Mike Durant, responded to Blackburn’s tweet and also took a shot at Durant’s opponent Katie Britt.
“Parker Griffith owes every combat veteran an apology,” she tweeted, “and the silence from
[Katie Britt] about what her democrat surrogate said is deafening.”
Parker Griffith owes every combat veteran an apology, and the silence from @KatieBrittforAL about what her democrat surrogate said is deafening. #alpolitics https://t.co/JydEfc5MEG
— Jessica Taylor (@JessicaTaylorAL) April 8, 2022
Retired Major General Clay Hutmacher, who is also the CEO of Special Operations Warrior Foundation, expressed his disappointment with Griffith’s comments as well.
“A totally irresponsible post with no basis in fact, clearly motivated by political ambition,” said the general on Twitter. “I served with Mike Durant for over a decade both before and after his capture in Somalia. I have never witnessed any instances of PTSD related behavior.”
A totally irresponsible post with no basis in fact, clearly motivated by political ambition. I served with Mike Durant for over a decade both before and after his capture in Somalia. I have never witnessed any instances of PTSD related behavior. https://t.co/J5TrWDjoJg
— Clay Hutmacher (@ClayHutmacher) April 8, 2022
Griffith has not yet apologized for his comments and fired back against his critics on Twitter.
“Trump who dodged the draft labeled Senator John McCain a loser and said he was no hero,” he argued. “Durant wants Trumps endorsement. How disrespectful to our military and their families. Those who complained about my comments were silent when Trump implied McCain was a Loser.”
Trump who dodged the draft labeled Senator John McCain a loser and said he was no hero. Durant wants Trumps endorsement. How disrespectful to our military and their families. Those who complained about my comments were silent when Trump implied McCain was a Loser.
— Parker Griffith (@drpark432) April 8, 2022
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” Weekdays 9-11am on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.