Anti-Bush veterans PAC announced

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- A group of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan announced Thursday that they have formed a PAC to back candidates who want the United States to change course.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America hope to raise $10 million this year for the political action committee, The Los Angeles Times reported.

"These are people we want to send to Washington to articulate a better understanding of the war," said Jon Soltz, IAVA's executive director, served as an Army captain in Iraq. "We need credible knowledge inside Washington to change the course of this war."

While the group is non-partisan, its platform is critical of President George Bush's handling of the war, calling on the administration to set benchmarks for success and accusing officials of shortchanging troops on equipment. Soltz campaigned for Democratic candidate John Kerry in 2004, coordinating veterans outreach in Pennsylvania.

Ten veterans have entered congressional races so far, with eight running for the House as Democrats and one as a Republican. In Ohio, Paul Hackett, a Marine reservist who lost a special election for a House seat last year, is challenging Republican Sen. Mike DeWine.