Comments' fallout hits 7th District

Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

The battle over Sen. John Kerry's comments made its way Tuesday to the 7th Congressional District contest between Republican Rick O'Donnell and Democrat Ed Perl-mutter.

"The same day that John Kerry sends out a fundraising solicitation for Ed Perlmutter is the same day that John Kerry demeans our troops," a fired-up O'Donnell said.

He noted that Perlmutter helped chair Kerry's presidential campaign in Colorado in 2004 and that Kerry has campaigned for Perlmutter.

"There is no politician in this country more tied to Ed Perlmutter than John Kerry," O'Donnell said.

Perlmutter's spokesman, Scott Chase, fired back.

"Ed has the highest respect for our brave men and women serving in Iraq," Chase said. "He actually didn't find any humor in John Kerry's remarks.

"But Rick O'Donnell's concern over this matter is a sham, considering he wants to send thousands of more troops to Iraq in support of President Bush's failed policy. A botched joke is not nearly as important as Bush's botched plan in Iraq."

O'Donnell said he has heard from outraged veterans most of the day.

The 7th District is home to Buckley Air Force Base and to hundreds of veterans who retired in the area, likely the legacy of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center.

O'Donnell disagreed that Kerry was making a joke about Bush, and not talking about the troops. "I don't know how Americans can watch what he says and not say that is elitist and demeaning."