Former Veterans Affairs official jabs Romney over war in Afghanistan

Mitt Romney handed Democrats an opportunity last week when he didn't mention U.S. troops or the war in Afghanistan in his acceptance speech, and they wasted no time in grabbing it.

On the first night of the Democratic convention in Charlotte, disabled Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth -- a candidate for Congress and a former Veterans Affairs official -- praised President Obama for "ending the war in Iraq, refocusing on Afghanistan and eradicating terrorist leaders including bin Laden." She said Romney had a chance last week to show his support for the troops he wants to command. "But he chose to criticize President Obama instead of even uttering the word 'Afghanistan.'

"Barack Obama will never ignore our troops. He will fight for them," Duckworth said, as the crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

Duckworth, a helicopter pilot in Iraq, lost both legs and damaged her right arm after insurgents hit her helicopter. Democrats have scheduled several prominent foreign policy experts to speak at the convention. Among them are Vice President Joe Biden, a former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and John Kerry, the current chairman.