RUTHFULLY YOURS

olitico reports that Vets for Freedom is backing 10 Iraq or Afghanistan veterans running for Congress in 2010:

The pro-military group Vets for Freedom plans to unveil its list of House endorsements for the 2010 cycle Thursday, backing 10 Republican congressional candidates in an initiative dubbed “OPERATION 10-IN-10.” The organization, which is focused this year on electing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans running for office, will back challengers Allen West (FL-22), Steve Stivers (OH-15), Jonathan Paton (AZ-08), Ilario Pantano (NC-07), Adam Kinzinger (IL-11), Joe Heck (NV-03), Chris Gibson (NY-20) and Brian Rooney (MI-07). The organization will also give support to two open-seat candidates: Kevin Calvey, who’s running for outgoing GOP Rep. Mary Fallin’s seat in Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District, and Tim Griffin, who’s running for retiring Democrat Vic Snyder’s seat in Arkansas’s 2nd.

Vets for Freedom plans to offer grassroots, media and get-out-the-vote support to all 10 House candidates, with an early focus on supporting Rooney in Michigan’s Aug. 3 primary. Executive director Pete Hegseth says in a statement that these contenders are the most competitive veterans running for office this year: “America’s newest warrior class is running to take back Washington, and inject a much-needed dose of courage, honor, and principle into Capitol Hill. These men understand the threats we face as a nation, and what it takes to ensure our war-fighters and commanders in the field—especially in Iraq and Afghanistan—have the resources, strategy, and support they need to win.” Read more about the initiative here.