In a statement released yesterday, the VFW further reacted to the endorsements made by the VFW-PAC. Sen. Barbara Boxer was among those endorsed. From the VFW’s statement:
The angry tone and tenor of the telephone calls and messages being received at national headquarters make it clear that many of our members are not cognizant of the fact that VFW National By-Laws clearly stipulate that the VFW Commander-in-Chief is not authorized to direct or otherwise attempt to introduce his control over the VFW PAC. Furthermore, no membership dues or donations made to the VFW or VFW Foundation are used for the VFW PAC. …
As determined in the VFW By-Laws, as the national officers, we have specific responsibilities to take definitive action when events can have a detrimental impact on the organization. It is clear to us that the current situation now demands direct action; therefore, we are requesting the chairman and the directors of the Political Action Committee immediately rescind their endorsement actions.
We also want to stress this request means no endorsement for any Congressional candidate.
The Fiorina campaign has been emphasizing Boxer’s record on military matters, including her 2003 vote against a supplemental appropriations bill that would have funded body armor for the troops, her 2007 vote against supplemental funding for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and her seven votes against military pay increases.