Yes, I think they would argue that mealy-mouthed bureaucrats forced them to be pc, which would include even George Bush. And I think it resonates with a lot of voters who (without perhaps outright admitting to racism) see people who served and were not treated well.
A lot of echoes of Vietnam in that. The right was convinced we’d have beaten the Viet Cong if those liberals hadn’t made us fight with one arm tied behind our back (aka prevented them from inciting war with China).
Yes, I think that's right although I do think the forever war brain has really seeped into the far-right to the extent that they see the enemy from abroad here at home, leading to the extreme nativism. (There was that after/ during Vietnam, too, but I think it's a bit more intense)
Democrats became the enemy once the Soviet Union collapsed. Not an adversary. It has taken Democrats over 30 years to figure that out.
The lack of a draft really made it worse.
It's kinda ironic that Democrats are embracing forever war architects, Spanberger, the Chaneys, and the GOP is embracing Laura Loomer, Eddie Gallagher, Hegseth, outright racists.
Michael Flynn as well, ousted from the Obama admin for being too racist (when Obama embraced the "violent extremism" approach).
Oathkeepers, all those groups, are largely veterans. And, legitimately, some were very harmed by the forever wars, on disability, etc., And some got their start protesting "sharia law."
How does that square with the near-worship of the military and those who served? I’m genuinely grateful for their sacrifices and those of their families, but the military is almost deified in our country - an overreaction to the poor treatment of Vietnam veterans. Neither is good for society.