If a video clip of Richard Blumenthal stating at a 2008 Norwalk event that he served in Vietnam is a smoking gun, the attorney general’s supporters are hoping that the full video might put some of the fire out.<\/p>\n
Early in his speech, Blumenthal clearly states that he served “during the Vietnam era,” although a few minutes later, he makes a reference to “the days that I served in Vietnam.”<\/p>\n
The full clip, first reported by the Associated Press today, is being widely circulated by the Blumenthal campaign, which is clearly relishing this glimmer of positive news. <\/p>\n
“It shows exactly what he said yesterday,” said Blumenthal spokeswoman Maura Downes, referring to Blumenthal’s admission that he “misspoke” about his record on “a few occasions.”<\/p>\n
“In that same speech, he very clearly stated what his service was,” Downes said.<\/p>\n
And where did the complete, 5 minute, 45 second clip turn up? On Linda McMahon’s YouTube channel. (And not<\/em> on the New York Times website. The Times broke the story about Blumenthal’s misrepresentation of his military record and gave prominent play to the brief clip but as of 2:34 p.m., the longer version did not appear to be posted on the newspaper’s website.)<\/p>\n UPDATE: When asked whether the Times intends to post the full video on its website, Spokeswoman Diane C. McNulty said in an email that it is the paper’s policy not to discuss “what will or will not be published in future editions of The New York Times.”<\/p>\n On larger questions about the paper’s Blumenthal reporting, McNulty said the following:<\/p>\n “The New York Times in its reporting uncovered Mr. Blumenthal’s long and well established pattern of misleading his constituents about his Vietnam War service, which he acknowledged in an interview with The Times. Mr. Blumenthal needs to be candid with his constituents about whether he went to Vietnam or not, since his official military records clearly indicate he did not.<\/p>\n The video doesn’t change our story. Saying that he served ‘during Vietnam’ doesn’t negate his later statement. It doesn’t indicate one way or the other whether he went to Vietnam.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n