Montana veterans have accused former Marine and Senator Conrad Burns’ of having a “record of failure.” No, these vets are not out to prove that Burns did not serve honorably. Instead, they are highlighting Burns’ repeated votes against increased funding for veterans’ programs, while he served on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee.

Taking the lead in the group is retired Montana Supreme Court Justice William Hunt, a World War II army veteran and Democrat. Hunt says that despite Burns’ pro-military rhetoric, veterans supporters ought to vote for state Senator Jon Tester (D).

But the outrage is not just limited to Democrats.

At the veterans' news conference, former college Republican and Iraq war veteran Jed Fitch went one step further than Hunt, saying: “I just can’t believe [President Bush] is the leader of the free world and Burns is his lackey.”