To: Interested Parties
From: The National Security Network
Re: National Security Issues in the Domestic Policy Debate

An election that many expected to be dominated by national security issues is now entering its sixth week overwhelmed by the economy.  Yet this election has also showcased how – in a globalized age – domestic and international issues interlink until the boundary between the two is almost impossible to draw.  Wars and terrorism overseas raise questions of homeland security, privacy, and constitutional law at home – questions which so far have played almost no role in the campaign.  The debt owed to the veterans of America’s wars extends to questions of health care, employment and mortgage security.  Wednesday's final Presidential debate will undoubtedly be dominated by the economic crisis, but a number of these issues that link our ability to succeed in the world with our ability to do right at home also deserve the candidates’, and Americans’, attention.

Addressing the challenges facing America’s veterans. The U.S. has been fighting in Afghanistan for seven years and more than five in Iraq. Keeping our promises to veterans of these and other wars is a critical priority for the next administration. Both candidates claim to have excellent record on veterans issues, but do their actions align with their rhetoric? This year, both candidates have had poor attendance in the Senate, as McCain has missed six of the nine votes on veterans issues and Obama has missed four. But while Senator Obama was a co-sponsor of the new 21st Century GI Bill, Senator McCain opposed the bill and missed the vote to attend a fundraiser. The non-partisan Disabled American Veterans gave Sen. McCain a 20 percent rating for his voting record on veterans' issues.  Similarly, the non-partisan Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a "D" grade for his poor voting record on veterans' issues, including his votes against additional body armor for troops in combat and additional funding for PTSD and TBI screening and treatment.  McCain has also repeatedly voted against increasing funding for veterans’ health care and veterans’ benefits.  Senator Obama received an 80 percent rating from Disabled American Veterans and received a “B” grade from the IAVA.

Maintaining our constitutional values while keeping America secure.  As news outlets continue to report on American intelligence organizations spying on U.S. citizens and the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks remain in legal limbo at Guantanamo, it is important to get the candidates’ views on how we balance our constitutional values and security.  The Bush administration's policies have not only violated our basic values and traditions; but seven years after the 9/11 attacks, they have also failed to bring terrorists to justice while damaging the credibility of our justice system and our democracy in the eyes of the world.  Obama has been a staunch opponent of the Bush administration’s misguided policies and has committed to reviewing President Bush’s executive orders if elected.  Initially, McCain admirably opposed his party on the question of torture.  However, he then changed his position, voting against a bill that would have applied the Army Field Manual interrogation rule to the CIA.   

Protecting the Homeland.  As opposed to 2004, homeland security has receded into the background during this year’s campaign.  Critical issues that could mean the difference between a failed and successful terrorist attack on the United States remain unaddressed.  Our ports remain vulnerable, chemical plants are still unsecured, and a recent bipartisan report from members of the 9/11 Commission gave the Bush administration a C for its work on preventing nuclear terrorism.  The government’s inept response to Hurricane Katrina further highlighted the administration’s failings on homeland security.  McCain has repeatedly voted against funding for first responders and voted against creating a homeland security trust fund to implement the 41 recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.  Obama has supported these initiatives and worked with Senator Richard Lugar on the question of unsecured nuclear material.  Both candidates should be asked to explain what they plan to do to protect Americans from a terrorist attack and what actions they would take to ensure that in the case of an attack the government is ready to respond.

Making America more energy secure.  Both candidates will undoubtedly promote their plans for reducing dependence on foreign oil and lowering gas prices.  However, it’s important to remember that foreign policy also has a direct impact on gas prices.  When tensions escalate in unstable oil producing regions, Americans feel it at the pump.  Experts believe that a security premium of between 10-30% has been built into the current price of oil.  This problem is most acute when it comes to Iran – a major producer that could block the Strait of Hormuz, stopping the shipment of 25 percent of the world’s oil.  Russia is also a serious player – producing much of the natural gas that powers significant parts of Europe.  Yet, Senator McCain has made reckless statements about both these countries:  singing “bomb, bomb, bomb Iran” at a campaign stop – and saying at the last debate that Russia may be “evil.”  These types of statements do nothing to calm international oil markets, and should be taken into account when evaluating the two candidates’ energy plans.

Cooperating with others on the international dimensions of the economic crisis.  We live in a globalized world and it is impossible to separate the US economy from the global economy.   We see evidence of this in the collapse of the European and Asian markets shortly following Wall Street’s drop.  Because of this interconnectedness, it is necessary for any approach to deal with the crisis to be a global and multilateral one.  Central banks worldwide have already begun to address the crisis with coordinated responses.  If policy makers hope to limit the damage, it is necessary for leaders to work together.  Unfortunately, John McCain has a history of being condescending and insulting to the very countries with which the United States must cooperate.  McCain has a long track record of denigrating the French and the Germans – once referring to them as our “adversaries.”  He has proposed the creation of a League of Democracies – an institution that would draw the ire of Russia and China by excluding them.  He has also used inflammatory language towards Russia and even advocated kicking Russia out of the G8.  He even refused to promise a meeting with our Spanish allies.  We need to hear how the two candidates plan to address our domestic economic troubles with our global partners – partners that would likely have a difficult working relationship with Senator McCain.