The Marine Corps' former commandant, retired Gen. James Amos, has inserted himself into a contentious California congressional race by endorsing the Republican incumbent instead of a fellow Marine veteran hoping to pull off an upset.
Amos, whose tumultuous tenure atop the Marine Corps was marred by allegations — ultimately unfounded — that he abused his authority, offered his endorsement of eight-term Republican Rep. Darrell Issa. The congressman is caught in an unexpectedly close re-election campaign for California's 49th district, which includes the Marines' largest facility on the West Coast.
"A man of honesty and integrity, Congressman Issa doesn't just say what you want to hear, but what you need to hear," Amos said this week in a released statement. "A tireless advocate for veterans, the 42,000 Marines and sailors at Camp Pendleton, and their families have an incomparable ally in Darrell Issa. America and its Marines need Darrell Issa in Congress."
The congressman hopes such high-profile military support will carry extra weight among voters there.
But it also comes as a direct attack on one of the strengths of Issa’s Democratic rival, retired Marine Corps Col. Doug Applegate, an Iraq War veteran. Throughout the campaign, Applegate has attacked Issa as a partisan obstructionist while touting his own military experience.
"It is imperative that your congressional representative knows Camp Pendleton and fights to retain and bring new missions," Applegate’s website states. "I have lived and worked in this district and aboard Camp Pendleton since first stationed there in 1981. If elected to Congress, I will continue to fight for Camp Pendleton and the military families in our community to preserve their benefits and enhance their opportunities."
Earlier this year, retired Joint Chiefs chairmen Adm. Michael Mullen and Army Gen. Martin Dempsey separately admonished high-profile veterans who intervene in political battles, saying it sends a confusing message about military loyalty and responsibilities.
Their comments were prompted by the political party convention speeches this summer by retired Marine Corps Gen. John Allen and retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who've endorsed Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, respectively. The moves didn’t violate Defense Department rules, but did upset many in the military community.
Amos’ endorsement compelled one of his harshest critics to file a complaint with the Defense Department’s Joint Staff Inspector General. Texas attorney Lee Thweatt, who served as a lawyer in the Marine Corps, took issue with the the use of Amos' photos, which show him in uniform, on Issa's campaign websites. That may have violated military rules on politicking, Thweatt contends.
"The larger point, of course, is that it is well past time for retired military officers to stop publicly using their rank to endorse candidates for office, whether they are wearing a uniform or not," he told Military Times. "Regardless of party, it only harms democracy and the idea that the military takes orders from civilian leadership no matter who they are."
Military Times was unable to reach Amos.
A spokesman for Issa's campaign dismissed Thweatt's allegation, though, saying the retired general did not provide the pictures, and disclaimers have been posted in appropriate places.
Applegate’s website includes photos of him in uniform with similar explanations: "Photographs in uniform do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy, or the Department of Defense."
In his endorsement, Amos said he traveled with Issa to Afghanistan where they visited troops during the Christmas holiday in 2009.
"Flying into one austere combat outpost after another, I learned much about the character of this man," Amos' statement says. "I had a front row seat as Darrell moved among my Marines, always asking about their needs, always listening to their concerns. I’ve seen first hand what our young men and women mean to him."
Issa — an Army veteran — was expected to easily win re-election this fall, but recent polls have shown the race within a few percentage points. Democratic backers have begun putting extra money into the district, in hopes of knocking off a prominent Republican and possibly reclaiming control of the House.
Chances of that takeover are slim, given Republicans’ 60-seat margin in the chamber. But polling experts are predicting at least 17 GOP seats are Election Day toss-ups, including the Issa/Applegate contest.
With reporting by Military Times' chief editor Andrew deGrandpre. Leo Shane III covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He can be reached at lshane@militarytimes.com.
Jeff Schogol is a senior reporter at Marine Corps Times. He can be reached at jschogol@marinecorpstimes.com.
Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.
