CLAREMONT, N.H. – Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards criticized Rush Limbaugh on Friday for referring to some members of the military as "phony soldiers."
Edwards and the campaign of fellow Democrat Chris Dodd took issue with the radio talk show host's characterization of Iraq war veterans who have spoken out against the war. Limbaugh was responding to a caller who argued that anti-war groups "never talk to real soldiers."
"They like to pull these soldiers that come up out of the blue and talk to the media," the caller said.
"The phony soldiers," Limbaugh responded.
Campaigning in New Hampshire, Edwards called on Republicans to denounce Limbaugh in the same way they came down on Democrats after the liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org ran an advertisement criticizing Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq.
"All these Republicans went running to the mic and the TV cameras when MoveOn ran their ad about General Petraeus. Now let's see if they really mean it," Edwards said. "Let's see if they'll speak out against Rush Limbaugh. Let's see if they'll challenge him about men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States."
Dodd's spokesman, Hari Sevugan, also weighed in.
"It's ironic, if not remotely surprising, that Rush Limbaugh — who makes his living shooting his mouth off — would impugn the patriotism and service of American troops simply because they have voiced their opposition to this failed policy," he said in statement. "It's clear that he has no idea what the brave men and women of our armed forces are ostensibly fighting for."
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox