More on Tammy Duckworth from the Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles Times has run a profile of Tammy Duckworth, the Asian American Iraqi War veteran running for Congress in Illinois. Here's an excerpt which sheds more light on some of Duckworth's positions:

Each time she reaches a possible ally or potential financial supporter on the phone, the double amputee takes a quick breath and launches into her pitch.

"Hi, this is Tammy Duckworth," she says. "I'm running for Congress, and I'd love to talk to you about my ideas for improving healthcare."

"Yes," she says to those who ask, "I'm the one who was injured."

The life of this 38-year-old political novice was radically changed in November 2004 when her helicopter was shot down over Baghdad, leaving her with catastrophic wounds.

As the Democratic candidate running in the Republican stronghold of DuPage County, the loss of her legs and the severe injuries to her right arm have done more than distinguish her from rivals. The wounds, which inspired her to enter the public spotlight, underscore some of her campaign messages — including a desire to hold the White House more accountable for the nation's military presence in Iraq.