GOP vilifies domestic violence victim

In an August 25 special election for the Kentucky Senate, the Republicans have launched an attack so sleazy that it's blowing up squarely in their faces.

What's even more stinging for the GOP is that it's backfired so badly that this seat is about to flip to the Democrats because of it.

Dr. Jack Ditty, a Republican dermatologist, is facing Democratic State Rep. Robin Webb in this important election. The Republicans have made this a campaign not about the issues, but about Webb's personal life.

In the early '90s, Webb was a victim of domestic violence and was advised by her doctor to put her law practice on hold because of post-traumatic stress disorder. She and her children also had other health problems at the time. When Webb recovered, the Kentucky Bar Association voted 13 to 0 to reinstate her practice.

The GOP thinks it's fair to assail someone for being the victim of domestic violence and related medical conditions. But the only thing these attacks have accomplished is to make the Republicans appear anachronistic and out of step - which they are. Voters admire Robin Webb once the real story is told.

PTSD is very real. And let me tell you, it is one of the hardest conditions to recover from. If someone makes a significant recovery from PTSD, then surely they're strong enough to serve in public office.

One of the largest groups of Americans to suffer from PTSD is our brave war veterans. If an Iraq War vet who had PTSD was running for office, would the GOP attack them? Probably.

That's because the Republicans have no issues to run on. So they resort to sleazy personal attacks. But this time it's backfiring - at a time when the GOP can least afford it.

(Source: http://kykurmudgeon.bloginky.com/2009/07/26/senate-maneuvering-end-game-redistricting)