4 Iraq Vets to Run

The Washington Post is reporting that four veterans of the Iraq war are planning on running for Congress next year.

Amy Walter, a political handicapper and senior editor at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said the candidates' experience will help distinguish them from their opponents. And for the Democrats, whose party has had long-standing problems proving its toughness, their Iraq tours will give them credibility on national security issues. But she attributed Hackett's showing to a number of factors that had little to do with his service -- and said other veterans will need more than just the Iraq issue to come out on top.