Politician Caught in Scandal

U.S. Senate candidate from Connecticut is defending his honor today against allegations that he lied about serving in Vietnam, saying, "I am proud of my service in the Unites States Marine Corps."

"I have misspoken about my service and I regret that, and I take full responsibility," said Blumenthal.

A front page story in the New York Times Tuesday says Richard Blumenthal avoided going to Vietnam.

So how does he explain what he said just two years ago, saying, "We have learned something very important since the days that I served in Vietnam and you exemplify it," said Blumenthal.

One problem—he never went to Vietnam. The stakes are enormous.

Blumenthal's selective service record shows he was given 5 deferments between 1965 and 1970. During those years he worked at the Washington Post and as an assistant at the Nixon White House. In 1970 he joined the Marine Corps reserve for six years, but was never sent into combat.

Bluementhal, Connecticut's attorney general, is the running in the democratic primary for the U.S. Senate nomination.

"I will not allow anyone to take a few misplaced words and impune my record of service to our country," said Blumenthal.