McCain Campaign Conference Call On Barack Obama And Terrorism

Today, Secretary John Lehman, former CIA Director Jim Woolsey, McCain 2008 Director of Foreign Policy and National Security Randy Scheunemann and McCain 2008 Senior Policy Advisor Kori Schake held a conference call on Barack Obama's remarks concerning terrorism:

Former CIA Director James Woolsey:

"The criminal justice, totally criminal justice, approach to dealing with international terrorists, particularly when they are suicidal and are able to pull off plots like 9/11, has not worked. It was tried for essentially eight years, from the first year of the first Clinton administration to up until 9/11 during the first year of the first Bush administration. It was a miserable failure."

Secretary John Lehman:

"What Senator Obama said that this is the right approach -- the way we went about it in the 93 bombing was the correct approach -- shows a very deep first ignorance of the fact and very, very dangerous policy."

Advisor Kori Schake:

"I think it's important to emphasize two points that the 9/11 Commission concluded. First, that the existing mechanisms for handling terrorist acts have been trial and punishment, and that's inadequate to the threat posed by Al Qaeda. And that second, by favoring just one tool by neglecting others, we leave ourselves vulnerable and weak in our national effort. If the law enforcement approach were adequate, you wouldn't have had September 11th, and that Senator McCain favors good faith efforts like the Military Commissions Act to better protect Americans."

Advisor Randy Schuenemann:

"To put this in a little bit of a larger context, once again we have seen that Senator Obama is a perfect manifestation of a September 10th mindset. He brings the attitude, the failures of judgment, the weakness and the misunderstanding of the nature of our adversaries, and the dangers posed by them to a series of policy positions.

"This is just his latest statement of how the 1993 World Trade Center case was handled in a long line of positions that reveal that he does not understand the nature of the enemies we face. He wants to retreat from Iraq, which Al Qaeda has called the central front in their war against us. He opposed FISA and terrorist surveillance programs because he wants to be able to have folks sue the telecommunications industry that cooperated with American national security officials in good faith. He opposed the designation of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group.

"And the reality is he is not even factually right in his statement when he says that the people responsible for the World Trade Center bombing are currently in U.S. prisons, incapacitated. As the bipartisan 2004 Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report pointed out, one of the individuals, Abdul Yasim, got away to Iraq and has not been brought to justice. So whether its ignorance of the facts, misunderstanding of the threat we face, the only conclusion we can reach is if Senator Obama did receive that 3:00 a.m. phone call that was so often talked about in the primaries, I guess his response would be to call the lawyers in the Justice Department. And with that, let me open it up to questions."

...

"I have no doubt that we will hear in the course of the day that the Obama campaign will say we're practicing the quote politics of fear, and the reality is what Senator Obama's statement reflects last night is that he's advocating a policy of delusion that ignores what happened in the failed approach of the 1990s which allowed al Qaeda to thrive and prosper unmolested and that policy clearly made America less safe and more vulnerable."

...

"It appears that all detainees held at Guantanamo do have the Habeas rights, and this is one of the reasons, under the Supreme Courts closely divided and strongly argues decision, and this is one of the reasons Senator McCain is so concerned about it and I think someone should frankly ask Senator Obama if he believes that if Osama Bin Laden were captured and taken to Guantanamo whether he should have Habeas rights."

Listen To The Full Conference Call.

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW WEB AD, "EXPERIENCE"

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today launched a new web ad, entitled "Experience," contrasting Governor Mitt Romney and John McCain's experience on the issues of foreign policy and national security. The web ad will appear on targeted news and information websites in key states.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger and former CIA Director R. James Woolsey issued the following statement:

"We couldn't disagree more with Governor Romney's recent suggestion that foreign policy experience really doesn't matter when it comes to evaluating who should be our next president and commander in chief. America is at war. Our military forces are engaged in Iraq, in Afghanistan and elsewhere against a determined, vicious enemy. We are facing serious challenges, in a nuclear-armed Pakistan, in Latin America with the rise of Hugo Chavez, and in other corners of the globe. In such dangerous times, John McCain has the necessary experience and judgment to strengthen our national security and lead our nation and allies. He has had extensive contact with foreign leaders and military officials. John McCain has been on the ground in many of the world's hot spots, including several trips to Iraq and Afghanistan, and also the tribal areas of Waziristan. As an ex-Navy pilot and POW, he understands first-hand how political decisions in Washington impact those serving in our Armed Forces. On Iraq, John McCain's experience and judgment served him well. For years, despite public opinion, he called for a surge of forces and a new strategy in Iraq to prevail against our enemies -- a strategy that is now succeeding. In contrast, Governor Romney, with no national security experience, was a follower on Iraq, while John McCain showed strong leadership and vision."

VIEW THE NEW WEB AD HERE: http://www.johnmccain.com/tvads/
Script for "Experience" (:30-Web)
ANNCR: "Mitt Romney says the next president doesn't need foreign policy experience."
John McCain for president."
JOHN MCCAIN: "I'm John McCain and I approve this message."

AD FACTS: JOHN MCCAIN 2008, "EXPERIENCE"

New York Post Today Compares Romney And McCain's Responses To Pakistan CrisisNew York Post Today Mocks Romney's Response To Pakistan Crisis, While Calling McCain "The One Candidate Who Seems To Understand That A Sound Pakistan Policy Requires Something More Than Glib Slogans." "The Pakistani political crisis has presented Americans with a real test of which of the nation's would-be presidents are fit for the Oval Office. Most fail. Certainly, few seemed to appreciate the depth of the crisis. ... Mitt Romney said the 'terrible devastating handiwork' of Benazir Bhutto's assassination demonstrated the continuing threat that terrorism presents. You think? ... That left John McCain as the one candidate who seems to understand that a sound Pakistan policy requires something more than glib slogans." (Editorial, "Candidates & Crisis," New York Post, 1/1/08)

Romney Has Recently Said That The Next President Doesn't Need Foreign Policy ExperienceRomney: "If We Want Somebody Who Has A Lot Of Experience In Foreign Policy, We Can Simply Go To The State Department." "Well, if we want somebody who has a lot of experience in foreign policy, we can simply go to the State Department and pluck out one of the tens of thousands of people who work there. They, of course, have been doing foreign policy all their careers. But that's not how we choose a president. A president is not a foreign policy expert." (Fox News' "Hannity & Colmes," 12/29/07)

Romney: "If Foreign Policy Experience Were The Measure For Selecting A President, We'd Just Go To The State Department." CNN'S ANDERSON COOPER: "So foreign policy experience, per se, is not essential, just experience?" ROMNEY: "Well, if -- if foreign policy experience were the measure for selecting a president, we'd just go to the State Department and pick up one of the thousands and thousands of people who've spent their whole life in foreign policy, and frankly, becoming a United States senator does not make one a foreign policy expert, either." (CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360," 12/27/07)

Romney: "That's Not What The Nation Needs In A President." "If the answer for leading this country is someone that has a lot of foreign policy experience, we can just go down to the State Department and pick up any one of the tens of thousands of people who've spent all their life in foreign policy ... That's not what the nation needs in a president. The person that is president of the United States, we look to have leadership skills." (Dave Wedge, "Mitt Still Sees Foreign Expertise As Overrated," Boston Herald, 12/28/07)

· Watch Romney Say That The Next President Doesn't Need Foreign Policy ExperienceJohn McCain's "Experience In Foreign Affairs And In Military Issues Is Unmatched In The Field"

Salmon Press (NH): "[McCain's] Military Record Is Truly Heroic -- In Stark Contrast To Those Of His Opponents ... His Experience In Foreign Affairs And In Military Issues Is Unmatched In The Field." "[John McCain's] military record is truly heroic -- in stark contrast to those of his opponents. As a congressman and senator from Arizona he has exhibited the ability to attract both sides of the political aisle. And yet he is a conservative in the best sense of the word: principled, unwilling to cave for political gain and an unbowed enemy of wasteful spending. His experience in foreign affairs and in military issues is unmatched in the field." (Editorial, "New Hampshire's Salmon Press Endorses Sen. John McCain," Salmon Press, 12/13/07)

New Hampshire Union Leader: "McCain Is By Far The Most Informed Candidate On Military And Foreign Affairs." "McCain is by far the most informed candidate on military and foreign affairs. In our interviews with nearly all of the presidential candidates, only McCain offered a comprehensive and detailed strategic vision for maintaining America's position as the world's lone superpower." (Editorial, "Commander In Chief: McCain Is The Best Choice," New Hampshire Union Leader, 12/25/07)

· Union Leader: "Of All The Candidates For President, It Was John McCain And Only John McCain Who Not Only Opposed Donald Rumsfeld's Iraq Strategy From The Start But Offered A Viable Alternative For Winning ..." "Of all the candidates for President, it was John McCain and only John McCain who not only opposed Donald Rumsfeld's Iraq strategy from the start but offered a viable alternative for winning that ill-fated war. When the Democrats cried 'Retreat!' and other Republicans shouted 'Stay the course!' McCain listened to the commanders on the ground. He discerned the path to victory early, and only after the President finally did what McCain had urged for years did the tide begin to turn in our favor. That is the kind of judgment America needs in the oval office." (Editorial, "Commander In Chief: McCain Is The Best Choice," New Hampshire Union Leader, 12/25/07)

· Union Leader: "America Needs A Leader Whose Own Judgment In Matters Of War And Peace Can Be Trusted Implicitly. John McCain Is That Leader." "There is no greater issue in this election than keeping America safe from its enemies. Romney and other Republicans might have similar foreign policy agendas, but none has the proven judgment on foreign affairs that Sen. McCain has. America needs a leader whose own judgment in matters of war and peace can be trusted implicitly. John McCain is that leader." (Editorial, "Commander In Chief: McCain Is The Best Choice," New Hampshire Union Leader, 12/25/07)

Portsmouth Herald: "[McCain] Is A Strong Military Man Prepared From Day One To Defend Our Nation Against Its Enemies. Of All The Republicans Running, He Is By Far The Best Qualified To Lead Our Country." "John McCain has been leading the country from his seat in the U.S. Senate for 20 years. He is a man of integrity and honor who would help the Republicans rid themselves of the stench of Jack Abramoff and other lobbyists and allow the GOP to reclaim its status as the party of fiscal restraint. He is a strong military man prepared from day one to defend our nation against its enemies. Of all the Republicans running, he is by far the best qualified to lead our country." (Editorial, "Vote Sen. McCain In GOP Primary," Portsmouth Herald, 12/16/07)

Romney "Lacks Any Background In The Military Or Foreign Policy,"

Romney "Lacks Any Background In The Military Or Foreign Policy." "[T]he one-term governor lacks any background in the military or foreign policy." (Jonathan Martin, "McCain Hits Romney On Bin Laden Comment," Politico.com, 4/28/07)

Romney's Iraq Position "Has Been A Study In Flexibility"

The Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes: "[Romney's] Position On Iraq Has Been A Study In Flexibility ..." (Fred Barnes, "McCain Helps Himself," The Weekly Standard, 9/6/07)In October 2007, Romney Told New Hampshire Union Leader That Iraq Would Not Be "The Big, Dividing Issue" Of 2008 Election And That Hillary Clinton Is "Not Going To Be Demanding A Dramatically Different Course In Iraq Than The Republican Nominee Will." "He predicted that the Iraq war will not be 'the big, dividing issue in 08, believe it or not.' 'Come the fall of 08, for all of Hillary's rhetoric, she's not going to be demanding a dramatically different course in Iraq than the Republican nominee will,' Romney said. He said that by next fall, U.S. troops will 'be playing more of a support role' and 'the gap (between the political parties) will not be as huge.' He said almost all Republican candidates have criticized President George W. Bush's handling of the war, while Clinton, who he assumes will win the Democratic nomination, 'voted to go into Iraq' and should not 'pretend like you were in a different place.' 'I'm not convinced they're going to beat us on this,' he said." (John DiStaso, "Romney: U.S. At Critical Juncture," New Hampshire Union Leader, 10/30/07)

In September 2007, Romney Called The Iraq War "A Mess." "Mitt Romney called the war in Iraq 'a mess' and gave a detailed explanation of how he would end it 'relatively soon' while maintaining stability in the region as he spoke at a town hall meeting in Nashua on Labor Day." ("Romney Shares With Voters His Get-Out-Of-Iraq Strategy," Boston Herald, 9/5/07)

In September 2007, Romney Hedged On Success Of Surge, Saying It's "Apparently Working." ROMNEY: "What I've indicated is very consistent with what the president is speaking about and what we're hearing from Iraq right now, and that is that the surge is apparently working. ... If the surge is working ..." MCCAIN: "Governor, the surge is working. The surge is working, sir." ROMNEY: "That's just what I said." MCCAIN: "It is working. No, not 'apparently'; it's working. It's working because we've got a great general. We've got a good strategy. Anbar province, things have improved." (Fox News Republican Presidential Debate, Durham, NH, 9/5/06)
· The New York Times' Katharine Q. Seeyle: "Mr. Romney Just Demonstrated Why Some Voters View Him As Slick." (Katharine Q. Seeyle, "Live Blogging The G.O.P. Debate," The New York Times' "The Caucus," Blog, 9/5/07

In July 2007, Romney Said "He Is Willing To Change Course In Iraq." "Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney said Saturday he is willing to change course in Iraq -- as some Republican senators have now done -- and is keeping an eye on the recent troop surge there." (Susan Spencer-Wendel, "Romney Says He's Flexible On Iraq," Palm Beach Post, 7/8/07)

In June 2007, Romney Said He "Wants The Administration To Publicize The 'Metrics' It Will Be Using To Evaluate Progress In Iraq This Fall ..." "Romney wants the administration to publicize the 'metrics' it will be using to evaluate progress in Iraq this fall, when several reports on the Iraq involvement are due." (Kenneth T. Walsh, "Romney Sticks With Bush Iraq Policy," US News & World Report, 6/28/07)

In April 2007, Romney Endorsed Plan For Secret "Timetables And Milestones" For Iraq Withdrawal. ABC'S ROBIN ROBERTS: "Do you believe there should be a timetable in withdrawing the troops?" ROMNEY: "Well, there's no question but that the president and Prime Minister Maliki have to have a series of timetables and milestones that they speak about. But those shouldn't be for public pronouncement. You don't want the enemy to understand how long they have to wait in the weeds until you're going to be gone." (ABC's "Good Morning America," 4/3/07)

· Romney "Endorsed Setting 'Timetables And Milestones' For Iraq Policy But Keeping Them Private -- An Approach Notably Supported By Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor (Ark.)." "Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, newly minted winner of the GOP's first-quarter presidential fundraising sweepstakes, on Wednesday endorsed setting 'timetables and milestones' for Iraq policy but keeping them private -- an approach notably supported by Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor (Ark.)." (Elana Schor, "Romney Advocates Non-Public Iraq Benchmarks," The Hill, 4/4/07)

· Watch Romney Endorse Private Timetables For Iraq Withdrawal

In April 2007, Romney Said "It's Not Worth Moving Heaven And Earth Spending Billions Of Dollars Just Trying To Catch" Osama Bin Laden. "[Romney] said the country would be safer by only 'a small percentage' and would see 'a very insignificant increase in safety' if al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was caught because another terrorist would rise to power. 'It's not worth moving heaven and earth spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person,' Romney said." (Liz Sidoti, "AP Interview: Romney Says He's Not The Only One Switching Positions, Rivals Do It Too," The Associated Press, 4/26/07)

Romney's Failure to Mention Iraq During January 2007 National Review Summit Speech Called "Bizarre And Just Wrong And Almost Offensive" By Editor Rich Lowry.

"Put aside how rambling and unfocused [the speech] was. Maybe that can be chalked up to a bad night or fatigue. But to speak for 50 minutes or so and not to talk about the Iraq war before a conservative audience at a crucial moment in that war is bizarre and just wrong and almost offensive in my view. This doesn't seem like an oversight. [Romney] went out of his way to check off every conservative box -- except the one that is politically risky at the moment." (Rich Lowry, "The Romney Speech," National Review's "The Corner" Blog, corner.nationalreview.com, 1/29/07)

In Late December 2006, Romney Deferred When Asked About Surge, Saying "I'm Still A Governor." "I'm not going to weigh in. I'm still a governor. I'm not running for national office at this stage. I'm not going to weigh in on specific tactics about whether we should go from 140,000 to 170,000. That's something I expect the President to decide over the next couple of weeks and announce that to the nation. I want to hear what he has to say." (Robert Bluey, "Q&A: Mitt Romney Discusses Iraq War, Reagan's Influence And Gay Marriage," www.humanevents.com, 12/28/06)

Mike Huckabee Truth Squad

Response to Misleading Club For Growth Attack Ad
Governor Huckabee's record on taxes as a steward of the public's money has been CLEAR and consistent as a conservative with strong pro-growth.policies. The Club for Growth misrepresents this record. [read more]

Response To Ann Coulter
Ann Coulter's comments are based on a response I made during a radio call-in show in which a caller asked what I thought about the Supreme Court ruling on Lawrence v. Texas. At the time I had not read the ruling and was basing my opinion on the summary by the caller. After reading the decision I believe it is obvious that the ruling was wrongly decided. [read more]

Response To Romney On Foreign Policy
Once again, Governor Romney has highlighted his willingness to do an “about face” on the serious issues facing the American people – especially those involving the nation’s foreign policy. [read more]

Response to Romney December 17 Attack Ad
TRUTH: Governor Huckabee was tougher on methamphetamine manufacturers than Governor Romney. In a new attack ad released today, Governor Romney attempts to contrast his position on drugs with that of Governor Huckabee. [read more]

Response To Fred Thompson Mailer
Setting the record straight on negative attacks from Senator Thompson. [read more]

Response To The Drudge Report
On December 10, the Drudge Report linked to an article in The Arkansas Leader titled, "Why parole a monster like Green." Drudge links to the article as if it were a new story rather than an editorial 2004. [read more]

Former Huckabee Aide Denounces Huffpo Distortion
A report on the left-wing blog, The Huffington Post makes allegations against Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee that are inaccurate and distort the truth. [read more]

Governor Huckabee's Response to the Wayne Dumond Incident
This is the transcript from his answer at the press conference today on the Wayne Dumond Case. Governor Huckabee was asked if he had pressured the parole board to release Dumond. [read more]

Response to Ernie Dumas
His assessment would have been easier had he simply asked whether Arkansans were better off under Clinton or under Governor Huckabee.. [read more]

Driver's Licenses for Illegal Immigrants
Governor Huckabee opposes giving driver's licenses to illegals and supports legislation to prevent states from doing so. [read more]

Response to Club for Growth
Since January, the Club for Growth has attacked the Governor Huckabee's credentials as a fiscal conservative. The first salvo came with the release of their white paper, ""Is Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee a Pro-Growth, Economic Conservative?" An honest examination of Huckabee's tenure as governor would have to conclude that he is the most pro-growth, economic conservative with executive experience in the race. [read more]

Response to Fred Thompson on Abortion and the HLA
On Fox News Sunday [11/25/07], Sen. Fred Thompson claimed that Gov. Huckabee "supported the same thing that I've been saying as late as last year, leave [abortion] up to that states, essentially." This is simply not true. [read more]

Immigration Facts- The Governor opposes and will never allow amnesty. [read more]

Ethics
The overwhelming majority of ethics complaints filed against Governor Huckabee in the state of Arkansas were regularly dismissed and / or proven to be frivolous. [read more]

Wayne Dumond StoryIt has been reported that Governor Huckabee released, pardoned, or granted parole to convicted rapist Wayne Dumond. That is not true. [read more]

A Letter From Rick Calhoun, Former Chairman of the Arkansas Eagle Forum
Now is the time for Christian conservatives to unite behind the only candidate in the upcoming presidential contest who shares our values and vision for America. [read more]