Rep. Filner blasts newspaper cartoon of his GOP opponent, a wounded Iraq veteran

Rep. Bob Filner (D-Chula Vista) has added his criticism to those of readers who feel that a newspaper cartoon showing his GOP opponent, a wounded Iraq veteran, was inappropriate.

"The cartoon was in poor taste and does not reflect the Imperial Valley's strong support for our troops and veterans," Filner said in reference to a political cartoon in the Imperial Valley Press.

The cartoon showed a poster of  Filner's opponent Nick Popaditch. On the poster Popaditch is wearing a patch on his right eye; two skateboard-riding youths are puzzled about whether he is a spy, a pirate or a sitcom character.

The former Marine gunnery sergeant lost the sight in his right eye in the battle for Fallouja in 2004.

Filner and Popaditch are rivals in the 51st Congressional District, which covers Imperial County and much of the border region of San Diego County.

Filner, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said he hopes the newspaper "would educate the public on how we can support our troops as they return home."

Popaditch said he was not bothered by the cartoon. "I've got much thicker skin than that," he said. "It's not going to hurt me in any way."

But he said he was concerned that other wounded veterans might feel that the cartoon suggests that it is acceptable to poke fun at war wounds.

In a phone call, editor Brad Jennings apologized to Popaditch. He has promised an apology in Tuesday's paper. Jennings said the cartoon was meant to satirize how ill-informed many voters are about the Iraq war.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Comments

[Ed Long]

Well, I heard Filner was invited to Join Popaditch in a town hall meeting in Imperial Valley right before this cartoon came out, and Filner agreed--and then declined. What is he afraid of? Popaditch talked to hundreds of people for hours, and said he would not leave until every question was answered. (I was not there, but several people who were told me.)

Imperial Valley has been a Filner strength in prior elections, but something is happening in the 51st District. I hear people talking (I do business there), and they like this Marine. He walks the streets, talks to the farmers, stops by the cafes, and enages everyone. He is an everyday guy who has seen it and done it and is now tired of what he sees happening in Washington. Then, the next day after the Townhall, after Gunny hits a home run, this cartoon runs in the paper. I think Filner's fingerprints are all over this one.

I think Filner is AFRAID of this Marine Corps opponent who has a serious well organized campaign and his funds are growing. And he is recognizable. And smart as a tack.

I predict Filner is going down. Several people, including some of my customers who have voted for Filner in the pass, say they are tired of Filner and are going to vote for Popaditch. I know one farmer who wrote Popaditch the limit for a personal check--and he has NEVER donated to anyone before and said he has not voted since 1988.

I guess we shall see in November.

Ed

[Bob]

I'm sure that the Press did not mean to attack Popaditch by satirizing war wounds. I'm sure they just wanted to make a statement about the Iraq war. I'm sure they didn't mean it as something to support Mr. Filner. The only thing I'm not sure about is why anyone now takes that paper and the cartoonist has a job.

This is an absolutely disgusting partisan attack. Don't bother with issues, just go a disability. What else does one expect from the liberal press?