Thank you for your service.
To say that these days has become almost clichéd, right up there with “have a nice day.” Meant to acknowledge the sacrifice made by our military personnel and other watchdogs of our safety and well-being, these words are often spoken more reflexively than sincerely.
That’s especially true when uttered by government officials who disrespect women and people of color who’ve served honorably by treating them as second-class heroes. If that.
Earlier this month, Seth Mouton — proud son of Marblehead, decorated Marine Corps combat vet, six-term U.S. congressman — lost his bid for the Democratic nomination to unseat Sen. Ed Markey. The outcome was hardly a surprise; Markey had led in most polls by a comfortable margin. The campaign, though sometimes heated, was not really a clash of opposing political beliefs and priorities.
Markey, 80, ran on his record as a liberal-to-progressive lawmaker. Moulton, 47, aligned with him on most issues while arguing for younger party leadership. We won’t rehash what many felt were Moulton’s strategic missteps and gee-I-wish-he-hadn’t-said-that moments.
He lost, case closed.
And we remind readers that as a nonprofit, the Current cannot endorse candidates for office, local or otherwise. Thus, we did not take editorial sides in the Moulton-Markey race, nor in the primary election to fill Moulton’s seat in November.
That said, we believe Moulton’s record of serving his country and 6th District constituents should not be swept aside while he considers his next career steps.
A Harvard College graduate, he joined the Marines shortly before 9/11 and did four tours of duty in Iraq, leading infantry platoons during some of that war’s heaviest fighting. Battle-tested yet critical of the war itself, he later acquired credentials in the business and academic worlds before jumping into politics. Meanwhile, his support for fellow vets struggling to receive adequate care never wavered, eventually becoming a centerpiece of his legislative agenda.
Anyone who has attended his Veterans Day town halls knows how profoundly Moulton has been shaped by his wartime experiences — including reckoning with his own PTSD symptoms. His efforts to pass laws establishing the 988 national mental-health crisis hotline and Veterans ACCESS Act speak for themselves. His sponsorship of a war powers resolution keeping U.S. troops out of Iran looks pretty smart, too, as does his opposition to insider trading in prediction markets by the politically connected. More outrage on that front, please.
Still, does any of this matter in our current political environment, with its toxic culture-war clashes and “gotcha” media campaigns? And what about the widespread belief that Moulton’s unseemly “ambition” doomed his Senate campaign?
A few thoughts here.
One, the number of military vets currently serving in the House (79) and Senate (18) is a relatively small cohort of the current Capitol Hill gang; even fewer came under enemy fire while in uniform. Moulton has worked tirelessly recruiting vets like himself to run for office. Liberal or conservative, they share risk-all life experiences that our country claims to value. Give Moulton credit for steering them towards next-level patriotic service.
Two, we recall another ambitious young Massachusetts Democrat, also Ivy League educated, who effectively transitioned from combat vet to antiwar critic to seasoned politician-diplomat. Moulton may not be another John Kerry, true. Yet Kerry’s own ambitions, seldom downplayed, served him well as a senator, presidential candidate, secretary of state and master negotiator — notably on the Iran nuclear pact torn up by the current administration, leading to the mess we’re in now.
Three, while his message was targeted at his fellow Democrats, both parties would be well-served to heed Moulton’s call for new leadership and fresh ideas. The time is now. Not 2028. Moulton’s message was on target here.
Will Capitol Hill function better with Moulton sitting on the sidelines? Possibly, although it could hardly get more dysfunctional. Will Moulton himself be better off leaving the D.C. infighting to others? Maybe. That’s for him to assess.
But before he leaves office in January, we think he deserves a final salute. That and some quality family time at home in Marblehead.
So, thank you for your service, Congressman Moulton, past, present, and future. We look forward to your next act.
