LAS VEGAS -- Hundreds of veterans are in Las Vegas for the annual Blinded Veterans Association at the Golden Nugget. Wednesday's speakers included Senator Dean Heller and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.
Democratic Congresswoman Berkley is looking to unseat Republican Senator Heller in the 2012 election, and the question was whether this event was considered a campaign stop for them.
Congresswoman Berkley tip-toed around the question. But Senator Heller says with the election more than a year away, the event was not about being re-elected.
"It is too early, and we ought to be worrying about what's going on today. We are 15, 16 months out. Why we think we need to pound the pavement at this point, I think, is a little premature. If she wants to do it that's fine, I won't engage," said Heller.
"I have been one of the leading advocates for veterans since coming to Congress, when I first served on the Veterans Affairs Committee. My vets mean a lot to me. The fact that the Blind Veterans of America are here in my district at a convention, there is no other place that I rather be," said Berkley.
Both leaders spoke to a room filled with veterans from many wars. The National Blind Veterans Association has this conference every year for many reason, including the sharing of new technology and services available through the Department of Veterans Affairs, and also patient care, and services.
Jean Davis is a lifetime member of the association, and wants politicians to be more aware of veterans needs. Davis says there needs to be more awareness about the services available to vets and more efforts to get vets off the streets.
Secretary of the VA Eric Shinseki was also at the conference. He discussed a goal he has to eliminate the homelessness of vets in three years, something vets on hand hope Berkley and Heller can help accomplish.
Senator Dean Heller
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley
