THE WORST WAY TO BE A HOUSEHOLD NAME – AT 8:55 P.M. ET:  Three weeks ago, Democratic Attorney General Dick Blumenthal of Connecticut was on his way to an easy ride into the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Chris Dodd.  Blue state, reputable guy, no problem.

Then it came out that he'd lied about his military record.  It wasn't a little white or even multicultural lie.  It was a big fib – he said he'd been in Vietnam, and he hadn't gone near the place. 

Now Blumenthal is the buzz of much of the political world.  He also may be entering the political vocabulary of the nation in the worst possible way, as ABC News reports:

Vice President Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden hosted a poolside barbecue for wounded veterans and their families last night at the Vice president’s residence, one complete with bluegrass music, honey-mustard-pulled-pork, and a Bidenism.

Speaking to the veterans -- residents of the Mologne House at Walter Reed Army Medical Center -- the Vice President spoke about the experience of troops returning from Vietnam.

"I didn't serve in Vietnam,” he noted. “I don't want to make a Blumenthal mistake here -- our attorney general from Connecticut, God love him."

The vice president was referring to the recent admission by the Democratic Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal that at times he has exaggerated his war record. Blumenthal served in the Marine Reserves during Vietnam, but never actually went there, though at times he has told audiences about being “in” Vietnam.

Later on in his remarks, the vice president added "I have a bad habit of saying exactly what I think."

COMMENT:  Message to Blumenthal:  Maybe it's time to go.  Run an antique shop.  Maybe paint landscapes.  Many things to do in this world, Dick. 

Amazing what a little newspaper exposure can do to a guy. 

Oh, another message to Blumenthal:  If you do run an antique shop, and someone comes in with an original copy of the Gettysburg Address, don't say you heard it live.

May 26, 2010