Soldier in Uniform Campaigns on National TV for GOP Presidential Candidate Rep. Ron Paul

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

A serviceman identified as U.S. Army Corporal Jesse Thorsen campaigned in uniform tonight for Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) at Paul's Iowa presidential campaign headquarters.

Thorsen was called on stage by Paul to address the crowd during Paul's speech marking his third place finish in the Iowa caucuses. Thorsen endorsed Paul on stage while in uniform.

Earlier in the evening, Thorsen did a live interview in uniform with CNN's Dana Bash. The interview was cut short as the feed froze. However, in the brief time on air, Thorsen spoke of his support for Paul and gave his opinion on U.S. military policy and said that Iran was Israel's problem, not that of the U.S.

[JohnKinAK]

According to this web site Iowa Military there are only 443 active duty military in Iowa. If he's the guy from Florida only stationed Iowa then did he change his residency to Iowa? Is this also a case of voter fraud?

[noinfringers2]

As a draftee in WWII I was made clearly and forcefully aware that there was to be no politicking when wearing any G.I. clothing. I do suspect that many taboos then are accepted as ‘rights’ in the modern military.

[bd476]

It is possible that there are two men named Jesse Thorsen born in the same year. Yet I still think that the one in uniform looks very much like the guy in the mug shot. The guy in the mug shot appears to have broken his nose shortly before the mug shot was taken.

Here's a close up screen grab from Kristinn's link.

[VeniVidiVici]

Better (another) mug shot pic

[cmomm44]

Right-—when I was in (WW2 period) military stayed out, at least publicly, from politics——who cares if a soldier, saileor, marine,air force or coast guard likes some politico? -—he evidently likes the spotlight and enjoys being used by a politician for his own ends (hope he got paid well for the gig)-—don’t get me started on my opinions about the big brouhaha made up about todays military (who are all volunteers and chose their line of work)

[ansel12]

I’m thinking that you are right on this guy.

[bd476]

Harmless Teddy Bear wrote: "He was arrested in 2006? That would have been during the time of his claimed service and would not have gone over well."

If it's the same guy who was charged with probation violation, burglary of a dwelling, grand theft of a "fire..." (firearm?) and illegal possession of "bugl..." then his claimed ten years active duty service but today his rank is only Corporal makes more sense.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

He would have been tossed out on his ear.

The US Army does not take kindly to solders who commit felonies.

[VeniVidiVici]

Arrest record for mug shot in #64.

[VeniVidiVici]

I think it’s great you WWII vets are still in the thick of the fight, here on FR defending our country from enemies foreign and domestic. :-)

[volunbeer]

Thank you for your service. As an Officer a little more recently I can say without a doubt that most of my younger troops did not give much thought to politics beyond strong opinions. They paid even less attention to “ethics” rules that would govern political campaigning.

I think the Congressman took advantage of this foolish young man. The Congressman should definitely know better and know what his publicity stunt would cost the kid.

I expected my troops to make mistakes but I was expected to know better. I would expect no less from a long term Congressman. Just my .02.

[EDINVA]

Bet no one asked or told in your day, either. This is the all new, politically correct Army.

[exDemMom]

This. I don’t expect a Corporal to know all the ethics rules that govern government employees. I do expect a Congressman to know this is wrong.

Given the amount of training the Army requires us to attend every quarter, there is no excuse for this guy not to know that politicking in uniform is not allowed. This would have been covered in ethics training, which is an annual requirement, and would certainly cover the do's and don'ts of political activity during election season.

[exDemMom]

This. I don’t expect a Corporal to know all the ethics rules that govern government employees. I do expect a Congressman to know this is wrong.

Given the amount of training the Army requires us to attend every quarter, there is no excuse for this guy not to know that politicking in uniform is not allowed. This would have been covered in ethics training, which is an annual requirement, and would certainly cover the do's and don'ts of political activity during election season.

[John D]

Whoa. If he’s active duty, that could be a problem. My recollection is that its illegal to be in uniform to support a candidate while on active service.

It is illegal, if it is true. When though, has the truth gotten in the way of the Cut and Run and his band of surrender monkeys spin? Paul will just say "the UCMJ is unconstitutional, and I am the only person who is qualified to determine the constitutionality of any law."

[MrEdd]

You would have been facing a reduction in rank at a minimum for this, and not only was this tought in bootcamp, it was part of the practical knowledge on which troops were annually tested.

[rideharddiefast]

Actually, if he’s been in for 10 years and he’s a CPL, his career never really started.

I was wondering something like that about Appeasement Paul. He was in the Air Force for 5 years and did not receive even one promotion. I do not know how long a person can remain in the Air Force as a captain without being promoted. I doubt if it is much more than five years. I wonder if he was forced out.

[HenpeckedCon]

“Actually, if he’s been in for 10 years and he’s a CPL, his career never really started.”

I'd also like to know what his MOS is? There are very few corporals in the US Army. The vast majority of E4’s in the army are private eagle class, IE spec 4’s.

[thefactor]

He has a fan page on facebook now. I posted his mugshot on the page. 5 minutes later the pic was down and the page is now private.