Disabled American Veterans

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The Disabled American Veterans, or DAV, is an organization for disabled veterans that helps them and their families through various means. It currently has over 1.2 million members.

The DAV was controversal during the 2006 election cycle. It rated over 150 Democrats at 100% and only 2 Democrats under 50%. On the flip side they rated only 2 Republicans over 50% and 160 Republicans received a 0% rating. The ratings were a source of many negative ads paid for by Democrats running against incumbant Republicans during the 2006 campaign cycle. [1]

One example of the partisan ratings would be Congressman Christopher Smith (R-NJ). DAV issued a press release praising Congressman Smith “for his steadfast advocacy on behalf our nation’s veterans,” said he “led the Veterans’ Affairs Committee in a fair, balanced, and bipartisan fashion,” and continued with references to his “solid record of accomplishments and steadfast commitment to the men and women who have served and sacrificed for our nation.”

The DAV press release praising Congressman Smith continues with “under Smith's leadership, the Veterans’ Affairs Committee repeatedly recommended significant increases in funding for veterans health care and other programs.” DAV then gave him a 40% rating in 2005. [2]