issues2000

Topics in the News: Armed Forces Personnel


Ron Paul on Homeland Security : Dec 9, 2007
We have a de-facto draft; we can achieve more in peace

Why is it then that I get the most money as a candidate for the presidency from active military personnel? They're tired of the war too. We already have a de facto draft. These men who have fought valiantly are called up time and time again. Their services are extended from 12 months to 15 months. They've been over there two and three times, and they don't see an end in sight.

This whole idea, we're going through the same argument, the light at the end of the tunnel. We did this in the '60s when I was in the service. And we finally left Vietnam, tragically. But we do much better in peace with Vietnam. We trade with them. They have become Westernized. What we achieved in peace we couldn't achieve in war.

Click for Ron Paul on other issues.   Source: 2007 Republican primary debate on Univision

Bill Richardson on War & Peace : Nov 15, 2007
Donor conference: get EU & Arabs to pay for reconstruction

Q: Is Petraeus correct when he says that the troop increase is bringing security to Iraq?

A: The surge is not working. There is less possibility of a political solution right now. Three out of the 18 benchmarks of the Government Accountability Office have been fulfilled. 65% of the Iraqi people now say it's OK to shoot a US soldier. Our troops are dying. Over 3,800, two today, 60,000 wounded, casualties, mainly mental trauma. We get the troops out in a year, leave no residual forces behind. Not just wave goodbye because we have a responsibility. That is: one, to get a political compromise, a US-led political compromise among the three groups that they share power -- the Sunni, the Shia, the Kurds -- that they share oil revenues, that we have an all-Muslim, all-Arab peacekeeping force, with some European forces, headed by the UN, a donor conference that involves other countries -- European Union, rich Arab states, contributing to the reconstruction of Iraq, where we have spent $500 billion.

Click for Bill Richardson on other issues.   Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada

Mitt Romney on Homeland Security : Oct 21, 2007
FactCheck: Bush cut military budget as much as Bill Clinton

Romney falsely blamed Bill Clinton for the entire post-Cold War reduction in US military forces. Romney said, "During the Clinton years, we reduced the scale of our military dramatically, took 500,000 troops out, cut back our Navy by 80 ships, knocked our Air Force down 25%."

Romney has tried this bit before. In fact, we've called him on it once already: that in inflation-adjusted dollars, defense spending dropped nearly 15% between Reagan's last budget and the final budget of George H.W. Bush four years later--compared with just under 13% between Bush's last budget and Clinton's, a span of eight years. Bush's defense secretary, a guy named Dick Cheney, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in 1992 that "overall, since I've been secretary, we will have taken the five-year defense program down by well over $300 billion. That's the peace dividend. And now we're adding to that another $50 billion."

Click for Mitt Romney on other issues.   Source: FactCheck.org on 2007 GOP primary debate in Orlando

Fred Thompson on Homeland Security : Oct 9, 2007
Spend more than current 4% of budget on military

I think we need to tell the American people the truth, that our security is on the line. We're going to have to do some things differently. We're probably going to have to spend more than 4% of our budget, as we're spending right now, on our military. We are bankrupting the next generation and those yet to be born.
Click for Fred Thompson on other issues.   Source: 2007 Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan

Barack Obama on War & Peace : Sep 26, 2007
Leave troops for protection of Americans & counterterrorism

The first thing I will do is initiate a phased redeployment. Military personnel indicate we can get one brigade to two brigades out per month. I would immediately begin that process. We would get combat troops out of Iraq. The only troops that would remain would be those that have to protect US bases and US civilians, as well as to engage in counterterrorism activities in Iraq.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.   Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College

Hillary Clinton on War & Peace : Sep 23, 2007
No funding that does not move us toward withdrawal

Q: The president is going to submit a new spending bill this week calling for another $200 billion in spending for Iraq. Last May you voted to cut off spending. Will you do so again with this spending bill?

A: I will not vote for any funding that does not move us toward beginning to withdraw our troops, that does not have pressure on the Iraqi government to make the tough political decisions that they have, that does not recognize that there is a diplomatic endeavor that has to be undertaken. This has gone on now, unfortunately, for years, with the president holding on to his failed policy and with Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail deciding to support that failed policy, and it's really the only way that I can register my very strong disapproval of this policy, and I will continue to do so.

Q: But some of this money goes to protect our troops from mines and IEDs.

A: I think the best way to protect our troops is to start bringing them home.

Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.   Source: CNN Late Edition: 2007 presidential series with Wolf Blitzer

Dennis Kucinich on Homeland Security : Sep 13, 2007
Strength through peace

I'll tell you where I'm going to get the money to fund a universal pre-kindergarten program. A 15% cut in the bloated Pentagon budget will yield $75 billion a year that will pay universal pre-kindergarten, as well as more money to fund elementary and secondary education. The government has a major responsibility. After all, an educated populous is core, central to democracy. As you walk up the stairs of the Capitol on your way into the House of Representatives, way over the top of that entrance to th House is a statue of a woman whose arm is outstretched, and she is protecting a child who is sitting blissfully next to a pile of books. The title of that sculpture, which is right at the center of our national experience: Peace Protecting Genius. The goddess of peace protects the child genius. Under a Kucinich administration, peace, strength through peace, focusing on education is going to give our children a chance to unfold in the joy that every child deserves.
Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.   Source: Huffington Post Mash-Up: 2007 Democratic on-line debate

Ron Paul on Homeland Security : Sep 5, 2007
Eliminate FBI & DHS; interpret intelligence intelligently

Q: You say that you would eliminate the IRS, the CIA, the Federal Reserve, the Department of Homeland Security, Medicare. You used to want to end the FBI. But if you get rid of the CIA, let alone the FBI, how would President Paul have any idea, any intelligence of what our enemies, foreign and domestic, are up to?

A: Well, you might ask a better question. Before 9/11, we were spending $40 billion a year, and the FBI was producing numerous information about people being trained on airplanes, to fly them but not land them. And they totally ignored them. So it's the inefficiency of the bureaucracy that is the problem. So, increasing this with the Department of Homeland Security and spending more money doesn't absolve us of the problem. Yes, we have every right in the world to know something about intelligence gathering. But we have to have intelligent people interpreting this information.

Click for Ron Paul on other issues.   Source: 2007 GOP debate at UNH, sponsored by Fox News

Ron Paul on War & Peace : Sep 5, 2007
How many more lives lost just to save face?

PAUL: [to Hunter]: We have lost over 5,000 Americans killed in Afghanistan & Iraq, plus the civilians killed. How many more you want to lose? How long are you going to be there? What do we have to pay to save face? That's all we're doing, is saving face. It's time we came home.

HUNTER: Let me just tell you what they've done. In Anbar Province, we were having 1,350 attacks a month last October. By the blood, sweat and tears of the US Marines out there, we pulled it down 80%. They've pulled down civilian casualties 74%. We've got 129 battalions in the Iraqi army that we're training up. That's the right way to win. It's called victory. That's how we leave Iraq.

Q: No matter how long it takes?

HUNTER: If you think we're going to be there for a long time, you don't understand the determination of the US Marines and the US Army. We're going to turn it over.

Click for Ron Paul on other issues.   Source: 2007 GOP debate at UNH, sponsored by Fox News

Duncan Hunter on War & Peace : Sep 5, 2007
How to leave Iraq: "It's called victory"

PAUL: [to Hunter]: We have lost over 5,000 Americans killed in Afghanistan & Iraq, plus the civilians killed. How many more you want to lose? How long are you going to be there? What do we have to pay to save face? That's all we're doing, is saving face. It's time we came home.

HUNTER: Let me just tell you what they've done. In Anbar Province, we were having 1,350 attacks a month last October. By the blood, sweat and tears of the US Marines out there, we pulled it down 80%. They've pulled down civilian casualties 74%. We've got 129 battalions in the Iraqi army that we're training up. That's the right way to win. It's called victory. That's how we leave Iraq.

Q: No matter how long it takes?

HUNTER: If you think we're going to be there for a long time, you don't understand the determination of the US Marines and the US Army. We're going to turn it over.

Click for Duncan Hunter on other issues.   Source: [X-ref Paul] 2007 GOP debate at UNH, sponsored by Fox News

Chris Dodd on Homeland Security : Aug 9, 2007
Supports repealing Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell

Q: Would you support a congressional repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"?

A: Support.

Q: Do you support modifying the Social Security System to pay survivor benefits to the same sex partners of gay and lesbian people?

A: Support.

Q: Do you support fair and equal tax treatment of same sex couples on the same basis as married couples?

A: Support.

Q: Do you support domestic partner coverage for gay and lesbian employees of the civilian federal workforce?

A: Support.

Click for Chris Dodd on other issues.   Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate--written questionnaire

Chris Dodd on Homeland Security : Aug 8, 2007
Star Wars program is wrong priority for 21st century

Spending $12 billion every month in Iraq has got to stop if we're going to have a different set of priorities in our country. We need to look at our defense systems and decide which defense systems we need in order to face the threats that we face in the 21st century. Looking at some of these programs out there, such as the Star Wars program--the missile defense system--I think, frankly, we need a different set of priorities.
Click for Chris Dodd on other issues.   Source: 2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum

Dennis Kucinich on War & Peace : Jun 28, 2007
FactCheck: $2 trillion for Iraq? High, but accurate estimate

Kucinich used a figure on the high side when estimating the eventual cost of the Iraq war. Kucinich said, "[The US] will spend anywhere from $1 trillion to $2 trillion on this war."

There's some support for Kucinich's figure. It depends on how long the war continues and what one counts as a cost. The Iraq war already has cost $448 billion, counting emergency appropriations. If current Pentagon requests are approved, the cost for Iraq will reach $564 billion. And depending on how soon and how quickly troops can be withdrawn from Iraq, total funding for Iraq & the GWOT [Global War on Terror] could reach from about $980 billion to $1.4 trillion by 2017. So far 74% of GWOT spending has been for the war in Iraq.

Other studies put Iraq costs even higher Kucinich may have been referring to a Feb. 2006 report [which] estimated that the total cost of the war in Iraq could range from $1 trillion to $2 trillion, including such things as higher fuel prices and future health care costs for wounded soldiers.

Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.   Source: FactCheck.org on 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard U.

Mike Gravel on Homeland Security : Jun 28, 2007
Cut Pentagon by more than 15%; we're squandering money

KUCINICH [to Gravel]: Spending up to $2 trillion on this war, that is money out of the educational lives of our children. I'm ready to see at least a 15% reduction in that bloated Pentagon budget, stop funding war, start funding education.

GRAVEL: Dennis, you're a little too modest on that. I think we can cut a little more than 15%, very much so. You have heard these nostrums before. You've heard it 10 years ago, you've heard 20 years ago--why doesn't it change? The Democratic Party hasn't done appreciably better than the Republican Party in solving these problems. It has to be solved the people, not by your leaders. When he's talking about the money we're squandering--21 million Americans could have a four-year college scholarship for the money we've squandered in Iraq--7.6 million teachers could have been hired last year if we weren't squandering this money. Now, how do you think we got into this problem? There is linkage!

Click for Mike Gravel on other issues.   Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University

Fred Thompson on Homeland Security : Jun 6, 2007
The day after Iraq: They have 100-year plan; we need one too

We ought to be thinking about the day after Iraq. We have a threat out there like we've never faced before. This has been something that's been going on for a few hundred years, and our enemies have another 100-year plan. We have a plan basically to get us through the next election.

And we've got a military that's still in the works, as far as transformation is concerned, to deal with that kind of a threat. We're spending much less than we need to, to face that threat.

Click for Fred Thompson on other issues.   Source: Fox News "Hannity & Colmes" interview

Dennis Kucinich on Homeland Security : Jun 3, 2007
Cut military spending by 25%; fund diplomacy instead

We need to cut military spending overall by about 25 percent. There's a lot of waste here we're talking about. Money hasn't been focused on the troops per se. This $97 billion that went for this war? This isn't going to the troops. A small fraction goes to the troops. So we need to have a strong military. We need to encourage people to be serving in our country's military, but we've got to end the US commitment to war as an instrument of diplomacy.
Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.   Source: 2007 Dem. debate at Saint Anselm College

Ron Paul on Homeland Security : May 15, 2007
DHS is unmanageable bureaucracy--eliminate it

Q: You would eliminate the Department of Homeland Security?

A: DHS is a monstrous type of bureaucracy. It was supposed to be streamlining our security and it's unmanageable. I mean, just think of the efficiency of FEMA in its efforts to take care of the floods and the hurricanes.

Q: You would eliminate DHS in the midst of a war?

A: We should not go to more bureaucracy. It didn't work. We were spending $40 billion on security prior to 9/11, and they had all the information they needed there to deal with the threat, and it was inefficiency. So what do we do? We add a gigantic bureaucracy, which they're still working on trying to put it together, and a tremendous amount of increase in f

Click for Ron Paul on other issues.   Source: 2007 Republican Debate in South Carolina

John McCain on Homeland Security : May 3, 2007
Clean up waste in defense acquisition

Q: What specific programs would you cut if you were president?

A: Line-item veto is the best tool. We need it very badly. There are a whole variety of programs that need to be cut, & I would start in cleaning up defense acquisition. The cost overruns associated with the purchase of our weapons systems is completely out of control. There's a $160 million combat ship that is now $400 million. We've got to get that under control first. Let's stop the pork- barrel spending; then we'll go at programs.

Click for John McCain on other issues.   Source: 2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC

Mitt Romney on War & Peace : May 3, 2007
Osama bin Laden will die for the outrage he has exacted

Q: When speaking about Osama bin Laden last week, Gov. Romney said, "It's not worth moving heaven & Earth, spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person." Sen. McCain called that naive. Who's right?

GILMORE: We have to do everything that we can do to get this guy, because he is a symbol to the people who believe that they have a duty to destroy Western civilization.

ROMNEY: Of course we get bin Laden & track him wherever he has to go, and make sure he pays for the outrage he exacted upon America.

Q: Can we move heaven and earth to do it?

ROMNEY: We'll move everything to get him. But this is not all about one person, because after we get him, there's going to be another and another. This is a worldwide jihadist effort to try and cause the collapse of all moderate Islamic governments and replace them with a caliphate. This is a global effort we're going to have to lead to overcome this jihadist effort. It's more than Osama bin Laden. But he is going to pay, and he will die.

Click for Mitt Romney on other issues.   Source: 2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC

Duncan Hunter on Homeland Security : May 3, 2007
Rebuild national defense for emerging threats

I've been chairman of the Armed Services Committee for the last four years. I've helped to rebuild national defense. We have worked hard to make sure that our people have enough pay, that they've got the ammunition & equipment, while at the same time looking over the horizon to look at the new threat of an emerging China and an Iran that is pursuing nuclear weapons and a Korea that already has some and is moving to get the means for delivery. So a strong national defense is what I would pursue.
Click for Duncan Hunter on other issues.   Source: 2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC

John McCain on War & Peace : May 3, 2007
Follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell

Q: When speaking about Osama bin Laden last week, Gov. Romney said, "It's not worth moving heaven and Earth, spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person." Sen. McCain called that naive. Who's right?

GILMORE: We have to do everything that we can do to get this guy, because he is a symbol to the people who believe that they have a duty to destroy Western civilization.

ROMNEY: Of course we make sure bin Laden pays for the outrage he exacted upon America.

Q: Can we move heaven and earth to do it?

ROMNEY: We'll move everything to get him. But this is not all about one person, because after we get him, there's going to be another. But he is going to pay, and he will die.

McCAIN: Osama bin Laden is responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent Americans. He's now orchestrating other attacks on the United States of America. We will do whatever is necessary. We will track him down. We will capture him. We will bring him to justice, and I will follow him to the gates of hell

Click for John McCain on other issues.   Source: 2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC

Joe Biden on War & Peace : Apr 29, 2007
Not micromanaging war to authorize & define mission

Q: When you were here in January, I asked you about Iraq, and you said:
BIDEN: I think it is unconstitutional to say we're going to tell you, "You can go, but we're going to micromanage the war." When we wrote the Constitution, the intention was to give the commander in chief the authority how to use the forces when you authorize him to be able to use the forces.
(Videotape, January 7, 2007)
Q: [By linking spending authorization to a withdrawal date,] aren't you now micromanaging?

BIDEN: Not at all. We have authority to tell him how to use the forces. We have a responsibility to tell him what the mission is. He does not have the authority to engage in a mission of the use of our force that we do not authorize. And that's the thrust of what we're trying to do here. We're trying to fundamentally change what this president is using our forces for. He's in the midst of a civil war with a flawed objective of establishing a strong central government.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: Meet the Press: 2007 "Meet the Candidates" series

Joe Biden on War & Peace : Apr 29, 2007
Start moving combat troops out of harm's way now

Q: Your vote on Thursday was reported as: "The Senate approved $124 billion Iraq war spending bill that would force troop withdrawals to begin as early as July 1." Why did you vote for a bill that had a timetable for withdrawal?

A: That language is actually the language that Carl Levin and I drafted, which said that, "Mr. President, you got to start moving combat troops out of harm's way now." This tries to get this president to change his strategy. He operates on the premise that, if we put enough troops in the middle of a civil war, we can give breeding room to a group of people in Baghdad to get together and form a strong central government that's a democracy. That will not happen in your lifetime or mine. I said that four years ago; I say it now. The only rational purpose for troops in Iraq now: train Iraqis, prevent al-Qaeda from occupying large chunks of territory, and we should begin to decentralize the government. That's the underlying essence of what the language in this bill is about.

Click for Joe Biden on other issues.   Source: Meet the Press: 2007 "Meet the Candidates" series

Dennis Kucinich on War & Peace : Apr 10, 2007
Bring in UN troops, and pay reparations to Iraq

My Iraq plan in H.R. 1234 includes: stop the funding and the occupation, withdraw the troops as you close the bases, create a parallel process which involves the United Nations, move peace-keeping troops in, as our troops leave, and have the simultaneous return of all US contractors.

We should be providing funding for that UN mission, at least 50% of the troops should come from Muslim nations, and should remain there until the Iraq government is capable of having its own security. We have to have a program of reconciliation between the Shiites, the Sunnis and the Kurds. the US occupation prevents that from happening. We should not partition Iraq.

We need a program of reparations. The Iraqi people have had enormous destruction to their lives, to their property, and the US has a moral obligation to repair that bridge. We need to have a serious reparation program that addresses the fact that perhaps as many as a million innocent civilians have been killed.

Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.   Source: Virtual Town Hall on Iraq, sponsored by MoveOn.org

Bill Richardson on Homeland Security : Mar 24, 2007
Reorder priorities: shift $400B from war to human needs

This is how I would pay for my health care plan. Number one, we reorder priorities in this country. We get out of Iraq and put the $400 billion that we have in Iraq and shift it to human needs. Number two, we spend 2 trillion on health care. We shift and reorder priorities in terms of reducing inefficiencies in our system. And number three, we would offer options for all Americans to get health care coverage.
Click for Bill Richardson on other issues.   Source: SEIU Democratic Health Care Forum in Las Vegas

John Edwards on Homeland Security : Mar 14, 2007
End $250 registration fee for veterans getting healthcare

A few years ago, there was a registration fee put in place for veterans. Veterans were required to pay a $250 registration fee to get the healthcare they were entitled to. Men and women who have served this country, who have worn the uniform of the United States of America, asked to pay a registration fee to get healthcare? Let me tell you my view: they paid their registration fee when they put on the uniform of the United States of America.
Click for John Edwards on other issues.   Source: 2007 IAFF Presidential Forum in Washington DC

Chris Dodd on Homeland Security : Mar 4, 2007
Transfer funds from $2B weekly in Iraq, to helping veterans

Q: Sen. Lieberman suggested he would be open to raising taxes to get more money for veterans, for troops coming home, if necessary, to make sure they get world-class treatment. Are you open to raising taxes to help the veterans?

A: You don't have to necessarily raise the taxes, just some different priorities. We're spending $2 billion a week in Iraq. Frankly, by redeploying those forces soon, not doing what we're doing today here, a lot of those resources could be used to deal exactly with these veterans. You don't have to raise taxes to do that. You have to re-order our priorities.

Q: The Congress, led by the Democrats, took $3 billion out of the budget that was designated for the facilities for returning troops from Iraq and spent that money on domestic projects.

A: That's because the Republicans who controlled the last Congress didn't get a budget done, including the amendment that I offered for $20 billion, to deal exactly with this issue, which were rejected by the Republican majority.

Click for Chris Dodd on other issues.   Source: CNN Late Edition: 2007 presidential series with Wolf Blitzer

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Oct 17, 2006
Need to be both strong and smart on national defense

Obama takes an unexceptional position on defense spending, i.e., we need to be strong but we need to be smart about it. However, some papers reported the story as "Obama chides other Democrats on defense." Of course, it is not true. The rumor got started that way, in the lead of an AP article on Obama's Sept. 18 speech to Iowa Democrats. Six other articles reporting on the same event failed to mention the mythical attack on other Democrats.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.   Source: Should Barack Obama be President, by F. Zimmerman, p. 50

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Oct 1, 2006
Grow size of military to maintain rotation schedules

Our most complex military challenge will involve putting boots on the ground in the ungoverned or hostile regions where terrorists thrive. That requires a smarter balance between what we spend on fancy hardware and what we spend on our men and women in uniform. That should mean growing the size of our armed forces to maintain reasonable rotation schedules, keeping our troops properly equipped, and training them in the skills they'll need to succeed in increasingly complex and difficult missions.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.   Source: The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama, p.307

Tom Tancredo on Homeland Security : Jun 6, 2006
Technology can't defeat religion-fueled suicide bombers

Congress appropriated more than $400 billion for the Department of Defense last year. Most of it went for the support of a traditional military infrastructure. Yet our most dangerous enemy does not spend money on weapons, systems, ships, or plans. It utilizes suicide bombers and inexpensive equipment: improvised explosive devices, anthrax, and suitcase nuclear devices. Our enemy does not need to be part of a national military, nor does he need to follow orders from anyone empowered by a secular authority.

This phenomenon has rendered much of our war plans ineffective. When the fuel for a suicide bomber is religion, no technology can defeat him. It is impossible to create a sensor to ferret out the individual who sees death as the doorway to a world of endless sensual pleasure. Additionally, the enemy knows that after he blows himself and his victims to bits, his mother will be giving thanks to God and she will receive Saudi cash.

Click for Tom Tancredo on other issues.   Source: In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo, p. 76-77

John Edwards on Homeland Security : Jun 2, 2005
Iraq/Afghan soldiers shouldn't beg or pay for benefits

We don't think it's right for our soldiers to come back from Iraq or Afghanistan and have to beg for their back pay. We don't think it's right for our veterans to have to pay $250 registration fee to get the health care that they're entitled to. Here's what we believe: we believe those men and women paid their registration fee when they put on the uniform of the United States of America. That's what we believe.
Click for John Edwards on other issues.   Source: 2005 Take Back America Conference

John McCain on Homeland Security : Nov 1, 2004
Eliminate defense pork, but increase most other defense

Click for John McCain on other issues.   Source: Congressional 2004 National Political Awareness Test

Barack Obama on War & Peace : Oct 26, 2004
Saddam did not own and was not providing WMD to terrorists

It's simply not true that Saddam was providing weapons of mass destruction to terrorists. This incursion into Iraq has resulted in a situation in which terrorist recruits are up. It's been acknowledged, now, by the Pentagon, that the insurgents active in Iraq are far higher. Terrorist attacks worldwide are the highest in 20 years. The notion that somehow we're less vulnerable in the US as a consequence of spending 200 billion dollars and sacrificing thousands of lives is simply not borne out by the facts
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.   Source: IL Senate Debate

Chris Dodd on Homeland Security : Oct 11, 2004
Voted for 20 pay increases for the military

The idea that I would vote against pay increases for the soldiers is just unfounded. I have voted for 20 pay increases for the military, several in recent years.
Click for Chris Dodd on other issues.   Source: CT Senate Debate, in Stamford Advocate

John Edwards on Homeland Security : Aug 10, 2004
Keep our promises to American veterans

There are countless veterans who fought our wars who are now fighting year after year for the benefits they earned. Bush refuses to fully fund veterans' health care. While boasting of cutting waitlists for VA health care, the Bush administration has done so by excluding nearly 500,000 veterans from enrolling. Bush has strongly opposed granting our nation's veterans full disability and retirement pay. We will end the game of playing politics with funding for veterans health care by making it mandatory. We will end the "disabled veterans tax," under which military retirees who receive both veteran's pensions and disability compensation must surrender a dollar from their military retirement pay for every dollar they get for military compensation. America deserves a commander-in-chief who will fight for a constant standard of decency and respect for those who serve their country in our armed forces-on active duty and as veterans. It should be no other way and in our administration, it will be no other way
Click for John Edwards on other issues.   Source: [Xref Kerry] Our Plan for America , p. 22

John Edwards on Homeland Security : Aug 10, 2004
Expand active duty and Army's forces to security peace

We will expand America's active duty forces by 40,000; double the Army's Special Forces capability within 4 years, while adding a special operations helicopter squadron to the Air Force; increase by 50 percent the number of civil affairs troops trained in the special responsibilities of reconstruction; increase our military police, because order is critical to establishing the conditions that allow peace to take hold; and add 500 "psychological operations" personnel and augment their language training.
Click for John Edwards on other issues.   Source: [Xref Kerry] Our Plan for America , p. 19

John Edwards on Homeland Security : Aug 10, 2004
Ensure Americans in uniform receive benefits they deserve

We will enact a Military Family Bill of Rights that includes a commitment to full, mandatory funding of veterans' health care; a commitment to competitive pay for service members, including special compensations for those in combat zones; up-to-date and accurate notice to military families about deployments and rotations that send troops away from home or back home; financial help for families affected by extended deployments; a guarantee of adequate housing for military families, beginning with the accelerated construction by private developers of new housing on or near military bases; full access for all military personnel, whether active duty, National Guard, or Reserves, to TRICARE; full funding for Department of Defense schools serving military families, which Bush has sought to cut; a new $250,000 gratuity for families of service members killed in a combat zone; and doubling the period during which families of service members killed in action can continue to live in military housing.
Click for John Edwards on other issues.   Source: [Xref Kerry] Our Plan for America , p. 21

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Jul 12, 2004
Balance domestic intelligence reform with civil liberty risk

[The US should] strengthen and improve intelligence capabilities. We must reform our domestic intelligence capabilities in a manner that balances the risks of impeding on the civil liberties of our citizens and increase international cooperation on all fronts. We should also give the Director of Intelligence the authority he or she needs over budget and personnel to be effective and accountable.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.   Source: Press Release, "Renewal of American Leadership "

Barack Obama on Homeland Security : Jul 12, 2004
Increase funding to decommission Russian nukes

More than a decade after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Russia still has more nearly 20,000 nuclear weapons and enough nuclear material to produce 50,000 more. At the current rate of spending, it will take 13 years to secure all the potential bomb material from the old Soviet Republic. We should increase funding to do it in four years. We must also strengthen the existing Non-Proliferation Treaty, and lead in the efforts to prevent countries with the proven capability to build WMDs from doing so.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.   Source: Press Release, "Renewal of American Leadership "

Tommy Thompson on War & Peace : Feb 29, 2004
Saddam starved Iraqi people of basic health care

Iraq in the 1970s had a wonderful medical system, was one of the best in the region. It was a magnet for people to come and get taken care of. And under Saddam Hussein's leadership, he starved it. He was only putting in $16 million a year. And he was only paying 65 cents per Iraqi citizen for medical care.

They didn't even have light bulbs. And he was depriving children with cancer from drugs so that they would drive up the infant mortality, so he could blame the US for the blockade. It was just an insidious example of a maniac that has really tried to ruin this great country. And now we're trying to rebuild it.

And I got to tell you, it's coming around. And the people, the doctors, and the people are so supportive.

Click for Tommy Thompson on other issues.   Source: CNN Sunday Morning interview with Heidi Collins

Dennis Kucinich on Homeland Security : Sep 25, 2003
$550B defense budget implies more taxes

[We should all] make the connection between the rising deficit and the war in Iraq. Because unless we commit ourselves to get out of Iraq-get the UN in and get the US out-we're going to see rising deficits. Are we going to have tax cuts for the wealthy and then ask people later on to increase their taxes? Are we going to have the Pentagon budget go to $550 billion within eight years and ask the people to pay more taxes? I think we have to reorder our priorities. It begins with getting out of Iraq.
Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.   Source: Debate at Pace University in Lower Manhattan

John Edwards on War & Peace : Sep 9, 2003
Allies in Iraq would reduce burden on troops & taxpayers

Q: If we cannot get international forces to Iraq, should we increase the US presence or leave?

EDWARDS: I don't accept that premise. We have to have the help of our friends and allies around the world. [First], to help relieve the burden on American troops and be able to bring some of these troops home. Second, to reduce the burden on the American taxpayer. We need to lead in a way that brings others to us and creates respect for America, because at the end of the day [that will make] a safer world.

Click for John Edwards on other issues.   Source: Congressional Black Caucus Institute debate

John Edwards on War & Peace : Sep 4, 2003
Problems in Iraq are because Bush has not led

Q: The administration is expected to ask the Congress for $80 billion to continue the mission in Iraq. Will you support that spending?

EDWARDS: The administration needs to say to the Congress and to the American people what this war is going to cost over the long term; how long they think we're going to be there. The reason we are in this situation is because this president has not led. He has not addressed the problem of bringing in others. He has not gone to the UN in the way that he should have.

Click for John Edwards on other issues.   Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico

Dennis Kucinich on Homeland Security : Aug 1, 2003
Confront the bloat and waste in Pentagon budget

The US military is the strongest in the world by far, and will remain so. But Democrats cannot lead the nation without being strong enough to confront the bloat and waste in the Pentagon budget. Our military budget is almost as big as that of all other countries combined. I don't agree with other Democrats that we can continue to increase military spending, and still deliver on our domestic agenda for middle class and working Americans. We can't. That's voodoo budgeting.
Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.   Source: Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues"

Bill Richardson on Homeland Security : Oct 24, 2002
Spend $250K annually to fight base closures

I want to talk with you about a very important issue that is on the horizon. I am talking about our military bases - Kirtland, Cannon, Holloman, and White Sands Missile Range. Washington is planning another round of base closures in 2005 and we need to be ready.

We must stand up to protect our four military bases, and the thousands of jobs they provide. Over 24,000 military and civilian personnel-plus thousands of contractor employees-work at these bases. Their economic impact to the state is over $5 billion dollars. I will request an annual appropriation of up to $250,000 through 2005 [to fight] the threat of base closures.

My record shows that I have always supported a strong national defense. And I've always fought to protect New Mexico's bases. I have voted for military pay raises, better housing, and improvements to all our bases in New Mexico.

Click for Bill Richardson on other issues.   Source: Campaign web site, RichardsonForGovernor.com, "Priorities"

Bill Richardson on Homeland Security : Oct 24, 2002
Homeland Security Department at federal AND state level

Bill Richardson today praised President's Bush's call for a National Homeland Security Cabinet Secretary and announced his intention to give the New Mexico Homeland Security Director state cabinet status.

"We should have a cabinet level officer for Homeland Security in New Mexico. Last month I announced my intention to consolidate existing emergency preparedness personnel in New Mexico under a single Director. Today, I am in total agreement with the President and I propose we give our Homeland Security Director state cabinet status," Richardson said.

"This proposal does not entail a new bureaucracy nor will it require additional employees. It is a consolidation and streamlining of existing agencies and personnel in order to better coordinate our emergency preparedness and to provide greater public safety for the people of New Mexico," Richardson said.

Click for Bill Richardson on other issues.   Source: Campaign web site, RichardsonForGovernor.com, "Priorities"

Dennis Kucinich on War & Peace : Feb 17, 2002
We authorized a response to 9/11, not war without end

Let us pray that our country will stop this war. We licensed a response to those who helped bring the terror of September 11. But we the people and our elected representatives must reserve the right to measure the response, and to correct the response.
Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.   Source: Speech to the So. Cal. ADA, in Prayer for America, p. 15-16

Dennis Kucinich on Homeland Security : Feb 17, 2002
We did not authorize a permanent war economy

We did not authorize a permanent war economy. Yet we are upon the threshold of a permanent war economy. The president has requested a $45.6 billion increase in military spending. All defense-related programs will cost close to $400 billion.

Consider that the Department of Defense has never passed an independent audit. Yet the defense budget grows with more money for weapons systems to fight a cold war which ended, weapons systems in search of new enemies to create new wars. This has nothing to do with fighting terror.

This has everything to do with fueling a military industrial machine with the treasure of our nation, risking the future of our nation, risking democracy itself with the militarization of thought which follows the militarization of the budget.

Let us pray for our children. Our children deserve a world without end. Not a war without end.

Click for Dennis Kucinich on other issues.   Source: Speech to the So. Cal. ADA, in Prayer for America, p. 16-17

Al Gore on Homeland Security : Oct 17, 2000
The best technology makes U.S. military the best

Q: What is the proper role for the military?

GORE: The US has to be strong in order to promote peace and stability. We need to make sure that our personnel are adequately paid and that their pay is comparable to the competition from the private sector. I have supported the largest pay raise in many a year. I support another one now. I also support modernization of our tactical weaponry. I think one of the ways we’ve been able to be so successful in Kosovo and other places is by having the technological edge. Now, readiness. I propose $100 billion for this purpose.

BUSH: We have an opportunity to use the great technology of the United States to make our military lighter, harder to find, more lethal. We have an opportunity to keep the peace. I’m going to ask the secretary of defense to develop a plan so we’re making sure we’re not spending our money on political projects, but on projects to make sure our soldiers are well-paid, well-housed and have the best equipment in the world.

Click for Al Gore on other issues.   Source: St. Louis debate

Al Gore on Homeland Security : Sep 7, 2000
Help with landmine removal; ban them in 2006 but not now

On land mines: “Gore has said he supports the current policy” [which is to spend tens of millions per year assisting with landmine removal, but to not sign the treaty banning mines]. “Gore adds that he intends to sign the treaty in 2006,” said a land mine expert. “But disturbingly, Gore has said recently that we may need to re-negotiate some parts of the treaty. Bush has not spoken out on the issue.”
Click for Al Gore on other issues.   Source: NPR’s “Morning Edition”

Al Gore on Homeland Security : May 27, 2000
Personnel: better pay; housing; family services; healthcare

Click for Al Gore on other issues.   Source: AlGore2000.com “Briefing Room”: Armed Force Journal speech

Al Gore on Homeland Security : May 11, 2000
$1.2 billion in new education money for veterans

Al Gore courted veterans yesterday with $1.2 billion in new education money for them, their families, and their survivors. “Those who fight for our security should never have to fight for the education they need to succeed,” Gore said at a VFW post.

Gore’s plan would increase monthly payments to veterans and families by 25%, from $536 to $670. Gore said that would be the largest increase in their education funding since the program began 16 years ago as part of the GI Bill. Benefits also would be indexed to inflation and veterans could use the money for other types of learning during school breaks. Gore said no new money would be needed to pay for the increased benefits since they would be covered by the money available from the Veterans Administration. “We don’t give our veterans anything,” Gore concluded. “You have earned what you get with blood, sweat, and tears.”

Click for Al Gore on other issues.   Source: Associated Press in Boston Globe, p. A36

John McCain on Homeland Security : Mar 2, 2000
“Rogue state rollback” avoids use of US troops

Q: You’ve talked about something that you have called “rogue state rollback,” which means, as I understand it, arming and paying for rebel armies in countries like Iraq to overthrow governments that we don’t like. Will we have a moral obligation under your policy to send American armed forces to help those folks out? A: No, that’s a very narrow interpretation of “rogue state rollback.” That means that you do whatever you can, whether it be the use of propaganda, whether it be used to organize groups outside the country, whether it be arming and training and equipping, depending on what the possibilities are. No, this is an attempt to avoid US military involvement. We do what we can to overthrow these countries which pose a clear and present danger to the security of the US. So you really kind of have two choices: you react militarily, risking American lives, or you try to overthrow that government.
Click for John McCain on other issues.   Source: GOP debate in Los Angeles

Rudy Giuliani on War & Peace : Feb 17, 2000
Iraq: More inspections; counter OPEC’s oil production cuts

Giuliani criticized the Clinton administration as “unfocused on foreign policy,” referring to its “failure to have any inspections in Iraq in a year.” He also called for the spigot on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to be opened to counter OPEC’s yearlong cut in oil production. Giuliani said that his criticisms had prompted President Clinton to announce today a fresh federal allocation of $125 million in emergency cash subsidies to help poor people pay for heating oil.
Click for Rudy Giuliani on other issues.   Source: Thomas Lueck, New York Times

Al Gore on Homeland Security : Feb 3, 2000
Sensible increases in defense spending

Background: The US government spends about 16% of its budget on defense, down from about 50% in the early 1960s. The number of active-duty troops has dropped by about one third since the end of the Cold War. Gore’s views:: Wants unspecified “sensible” increase in defense spending. Has helped negotiate arms reduction and nuclear stability arrangements. As senator, voted for SDI and B-2s. Supported military force in Persian Gulf War and the nuclear test ban treaty.
Click for Al Gore on other issues.   Source: NyTimes.com Politics Library

John McCain on Homeland Security : Oct 29, 1999
$6.4B of military spending waste is a disgrace

The President and the Congress have allowed the military to deteriorate. I identified $6.4 billion worth of waste, worth of projects we don’t need or want. It is enraging. I get angry when we spend $350 million on a carrier the Navy doesn’t want or need; 500 and some-million dollars on an airplane, a C-130, that the Air Force has said for years they don’t need. And meanwhile, we have 12,000 enlisted families on food stamps. That’s a disgrace! I am going to fix it as president.
Click for John McCain on other issues.   Source: Republican Debate at Dartmouth College

John McCain on Homeland Security : Aug 3, 1999
Raise military pay to avoid military draft

McCain opposes reviving a military draft even though enlistments are down and the services could be forced to return to selective conscription if they can’t fill the ranks with higher pay and improved benefits. The modern military requires technical skills to operate today’s sophisticated weapons, and it takes a long time to acquire those skills, McCain said. McCain blamed Congress for the shortage, saying it has failed to provide the necessary funding to raise military pay & benefits.
Click for John McCain on other issues.   Source: Associated Press

John McCain on Homeland Security : Aug 3, 1999
Military personnel on food stamps is a national disgrace

The military is not seen as an attractive option, McCain said. McCain told the local Rotary Club that there are 11,000 military personnel on food stamps. “That’s a national disgrace,” he said.
Click for John McCain on other issues.   Source: Associated Press

John McCain on Homeland Security : Apr 30, 1999
Europeans should spend more on defense, within NATO

As we approach the 50th anniversary of NATO, the Atlantic Alliance is in pretty bad shape. Our allies are spending far too little on their own defense to maintain the alliance as an effective military force. [And Europeans have a] growing determination to develop a defense identity separate from NATO. We [should encourage defense growth] only within the institutions of NATO. Defense structures accountable to the WEU or any other organization other than the alliance will ultimately kill the alliance.
Click for John McCain on other issues.   Source: www.mccain2000.com/ “Position Papers” 4/30/99

Bill Richardson on Homeland Security : Nov 1, 1996
Eliminate funding for SDI

Click for Bill Richardson on other issues.   Source: 1996 Congressional National Political Awareness Test

  • Additional quotations related to Armed Forces Personnel issues can be found under Homeland Security.
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Candidates on Homeland Security:
Republican Possibilities:
Chmn.John Cox
Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Gov.Mike Huckabee
Rep.Duncan Hunter
Amb.Alan Keyes
Sen.John McCain
Rep.Ron Paul
Gov.Mitt Romney
Sen.Fred Thompson 		Democratic Possibilities:
Sen.Joe Biden
Sen.Hillary Clinton
Sen.Chris Dodd
Sen.John Edwards
Sen.Mike Gravel
Rep.Dennis Kucinich
Sen.Barack Obama
Gov.Bill Richardson 		Green Party Possibilities:
Rep.Cynthia McKinney
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