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(Image source: Twitter / @repcleaver)
BY CLIFF JUDY
A government shutdown vehemently opposed by their voting constituents, Congress' approval
rating at an all-time low: What's an elected official to do to save face these days? (Via
Politico)
"It hasn't taken long for people to start feeling the impact of the government shutdown.
Hundreds of World War II veterans took an Honor Flight from Mississippi to Washington
so they could see the World War II Memorial." (Via WTVT)
Perfect.
World War II veterans on an Honor Flight to give them a tour of D.C. and see their memorial
were initially kept out Tuesday because of the government shutdown. But common sense
prevailed, and members of the greatest generation got to go in after all. (Via WOAY & WHIO)
So Wednesday, politician after politician after politician tweeted they were heading
to the memorial. These elected officials from Missouri and Kansas greeted an Honor Flight
out of Kansas City. (Via Twitter / @JerryMoran, @repcleaver, @RepLynnJenkins)
KMBC sent a crew with the more than 90 veterans, and anchor Len Jennings said he saw at least
seven members of Congress at the memorial to greet them.
Midday, Jennings tweeted this picture saying: "MO & KS vets at WWII memorial. @kmbc barely
a dry eye." (Via Twitter / @lenjenningsKMBC)
While it's fantastic these veterans were honored by their elected officials, that hasn't always
been the case.
During four previous Heartland Honor Flights, organizers say members of Congress only showed
up once. I attended two of them as a reporter for KMBC.
To be fair, Congress wasn't in session for three of those flights. Still, impeccable
timing, guys.
Reaction on Twitter was mixed with some followers genuinely appreciative of the politicians'
time and others skeptical they simply showed up as a photo op during the unpopular government
shutdown.
With Congress out of session Wednesday, they had plenty of time to meet, greet and glad-hand.