According to the AP, a look at the longer version of the Richard Blumenthal video (see below) released by the Linda McMahon campaign earlier this week shows that just before he made the now infamous “served in Vietnam” statement during a 2008 speech, he stated that he had “served during the Vietnam era.”

And not everybody agrees that Richard Blumenthal, the current Attorney General of Connecticut, has consistently misrepresented his time in uniform.  Blogger Colin McEnroe of the Hartford Courant spoke to some reporters and columnists that have covered Blumenthal over the years, and nearly all of them say they don’t think Blumenthal has misrepresented his service.  However, the statement his got from photographer Bob MacDonnell, who covered military events where Blumenthal spoke, has a different story:

Bob MacDonnell: “I’m a former Hartford Courant photographer (1999-2009) and covered several of the many homecoming ceremonies for Connecticut troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. At each ceremony, Blumenthal gave essentially the same speech, recalling his negative experience after returning from Vietnam and being abandoned by the government and the public and then committing all manner of support to today’s returning veterans and their families. While I cannot recall his exact words, my sense was he definitely implied that he served in Vietnam. I was very familiar with the AG, and like many news photogs, often worked very hard to get a photo that he did not appear in, but I was surprised to learn … that he had not served in Vietnam based on what I heard him say at these events.”

Whatever the truth may be, I think there is little chance that Blumenthal doesn’t get selected tomorrow during the convention.  I suppose there could be a slight chance that his opponent Merrick Alpert can gain enough support to force an August primary, but I just don’t see it happening.  I can’t even find him in any polls.  And there are reports that he’s been blocked by the Democratic Party at every turn.

The best bet will now be the Republican nominee continuing their narrative on Blumenthal.  If they wish to win, they cannot afford to be complacent.  However, they should also expect Team B to do everything they can to spin this in their favor, by pulling up history that will supposedly vindicate Blumenthal.

It ought to be a fun election season.  So much so that I have … plans.  Stay tuned.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07xXs7h5Vwo[/youtube]

You can start at 1:30 for the relevant portion.