Issue Position: National Security

Issue Position

President Obama recently stated that we are at war with Al Qaeda, and I agree with him. Unfortunately, we part ways after that, as his policies do not match his rhetoric.

There are two ways that we can deal with Al Qaeda and its terror affiliates. We can acknowledge that a foreign enemy has declared war on us and that we must engage them as enemy combatants, or we can ignore everything we have learned since the 9/11 attacks and treat terrorism as a law enforcement issue and terrorists as mere criminals. Unfortunately, President Obama and the Democrats have opted for the latter, and on this issue I strenuously and respectfully disagree with them.

The latest example of their attitude toward this national security threat involves their handling of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist who nearly destroyed an airliner and killed hundreds of Americans on Christmas Day. The Nigerian bomber had been trained in terrorist camps in Yemen and received other assistance from the terror organization. He has information regarding its networks, contacts, finances, methods, possibly even details about future attempts. Indeed, when he was first arrested, he proudly boasted that there twenty other bombers being prepared for similar attacks.

Who are these 20 other bombers? What are their plans? Who were the people who trained Abdulmutallab, who assisted him, financed him, armed him and sent him to America to kill Americans? We don't know, because Abdulmutallab stopped talking once the government provided him with a defense lawyer. The Administration initiated civilian proceedings, he was arraigned in federal court, and he has been afforded all of the rights, protections and privileges of an American citizen. And he pleaded "not guilty".

If President Obama truly believed that we were at war, Abdulmutallab would be treated as an enemy combatant, not an ordinary criminal. Under existing legislation, which has been found to be constitutional by our Supreme Court, the Nigerian terrorist could have been held and questioned in military custody, and tried before a military commission. By failing to do so, the Administration has limited our ability to protect the nation, roll up terrorist networks, degrade their offensive capability, prevent future attacks, and save American lives.

Even worse, the administration continues to send mixed messages. They favor missile strikes against those in Yemen who planned the attack, and a defense lawyer for the terrorist who actually carried it out. Terrorists captured in Iraq and Afghanistan are interrogated, while those who are caught trying to murder ordinary citizens are read Miranda. And they favor military commissions for some, like those who carried out the U.S. Cole attack, and civilian trials for others.

I strongly believe we need to formulate a cohesive policy that recognizes that we are at war with a foreign enemy and end once and for all the pre-9/11 approach that left us vulnerable on that horrible day nine years ago. This is why I strongly support the use of drone strikes in Yemen and the tribal areas of Pakistan, why I oppose a civilian trial for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in New York City, and why I am dead set against bringing Guantánamo detainees to U.S. soil.

Twenty-two U.S. senators, including ranking members of the Intelligence, Judiciary, and Armed Services Committees, recently signed a letter objecting to President Obama's decision to try Abdulmutallab in a civilian court. If I were currently serving in the U.S. Senate, I would have signed on to that letter. Paul Hodes has remained silent. I call on him to tell the voters where he stands on this vital issue. The people of New Hampshire have a right to know what his priority is, to get the terrorists who armed the Underwear Bomber before they harm us, or to get the Underwear Bomber a defense lawyer.

Supporting Our Troops

As a military spouse, I know that our men and women in uniform deserve the strong support of the American people. Bravely fighting on the front lines to protect our country, we need to ensure that they have the necessary support to achieve their missions.

Toward that end, the President and Congress are currently making decisions that could affect troop morale. I believe military leaders, not politicians, should take the lead in examining this issue. Generals and commanders in the field know best how any changes would impact the rank and file. With our country fighting two wars, it would be imprudent to make any changes at this time -- particularly if they don't have broad support across our military community.

Source