By host Tom Ashbrook:

American wars breed American politicians. Out of World War II came John F. Kennedy, George H. W. Bush, and George McGovern. Out of Vietnam came those who went (John Kerry, John McCain), and those who didn’t (Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney).

Now, the Iraq war is sending veterans to the stump. Democrats are hungry to get their Iraq war veterans — their “Fighting Dems” — before the voters in the 2006 midterm elections. Republican Iraq vets are also launching their campaigns for Congress.

Hear a conversation on the war and the state of the nation, with Iraq war veterans who are home from the front and running for Congress.

Guests:

Bryan Lentz (D), Major in the Army Reserve, served in Iraq from January 2004- October 2004, and is running in Pennsylvania’s 7th District

Tim Dunn, Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Core Reserve, served in Iraq from May 2004-November 2004and running in North Carolina’s 8th District

Van Taylor, Major in the Marine Corps Reserve, served in Iraq for 6 months in 2003, and running in the Texas 17th District against seven term Democrat Chet Edwards

On point News Analyst Jack Beatty