Reactions to the CNN/Heritage Foundation/AEI Debate in Washington, DC, Nov. 22, 2011

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney’s Special Adviser on Foreign Policy and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman made the following statement after tonight’s debate in Washington, DC:

“I believe Mitt Romney clearly won tonight’s debate with a compelling presentation of a foreign policy based on American strength and resolve. The United States and the international system are at an inflection point as they face the prospect of new nuclear-armed powers like Iran and North Korea, a rising China, the continued terrorism of radical Jihadism, and a turbulent Middle East. Mitt Romney understands that this is a dangerous time for America to shrink our military, retreat from the world, or defer to other actors. All Americans can rest assured that Governor Romney will secure both our interests and ideals with a strong national defense, resolute diplomacy, and a renewal of American leadership.”

Eric Edelman Was Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from 2005 to 2009. Edelman served as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey (2003 to 2005), U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Finland (1998 to 2001), and Principal Deputy Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs (2001 to 2003).

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Romney for President
Nov. 22, 2011 10:01 PM

DOV ZAKHEIM: MITT ROMNEY WILL RESTORE OUR MILITARY

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney’s Special Adviser on Foreign Policy and former Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) Dov Zakheim made the following statement after tonight’s debate in Washington, DC:

“Mitt Romney won tonight’s debate by demonstrating that he is the best candidate to restore our military, defend American interests, and foster peace abroad. Governor Romney deeply understands that preserving U.S. national security requires a strong military. In the face of multiple, massive, and dangerous cuts to the defense budget under President Obama, America needs a principled and determined leader in the White House who will keep faith with our uniformed men and women, repair our special relationships with friends and allies, and ensure America’s leadership role in the world. That leader is Mitt Romney.”

Background on Dov Zakheim:

Dov Zakheim Was Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) from 2001 to 2004. Zakheim served as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Planning and Resources (1985 to 1987).

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Jon Huntsman for President
Nov. 22, 2011 10:02 PM

Huntsman Shows He Is The One Voters Can Trust To Lead

Manchester, NH - After tonight's CNN National Security Debate, Huntsman campaign manager Matt David released the following statement:

"In these tumultuous times, America needs a Commander-in-Chief they can trust to offer clear leadership. At this evening’s GOP debate, Jon Huntsman distinguished himself as the only candidate with the foreign policy acumen and vision to lead.

"Governor Huntsman demonstrated a clear and articulate understanding of the world’s complex challenges, and offered a detailed plan to transform America’s military and defense posture for the 21st Century.

"Pandering sound bites won’t deter Iran’s nuclear threat, boost exports, or deal effectively with rising powers such as China and India. Jon Huntsman alone possesses the substantive solutions, experience and statesmanship necessary to defeat President Obama and restore America’s strength at home and abroad.

"We have a trust deficit in this country. The American people no longer trust the empty rhetoric and unfulfilled promises coming from their elected leaders, and from our opponents. Jon Huntsman’s positions are driven by conviction – not convenience – and he will restore trust in our nation’s institutions of power."

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Rick Santorum for President
Nov. 22, 2011 10:20 PM

SANTORUM ISN'T POLITICALLY CORRECT, HE'S JUST CORRECT

Washington, DC - At this evening's CNN/Heritage Foundation/AEI Republican National Security Debate, Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum (R-PA) showed he is the one candidate ready and able to answer the 3am phone call to ensure our nation's security and safety.

Hogan Gidley, National Communications Director, said: "Rick Santorum isn't politically correct, he's just correct. Should we be profiling grandma? No, we should profile the people who fit the description of radical Islamic terrorists. Senator Santorum is the one candidate with the experience, knowledge, and the willingness to level with the American people about the threats and challenges facing America."

SANTORUM SAID:

On Profiling:

"We should be looking to find the bomber, not the bomb. To put the enormous responsibility on the Federal government and TSA is too much. I voted to allow privatization of the TSA. But the issue is the PATRIOT Act, we are at war. The last time we had a threat like this at home, Lincoln ran over civil rights because we had a domestic threat. But I disagree with Governor Huntsman. We have had the debate (on the PATRIOT Act and profiling) and it does show the values of our country."

On Time Lines For Afghan Withdrawal:

"We are not fighting a tactic (terrorism), we are fighting radical Islam. All the radical Islamists are saying just wait America out - they are weak, they will set time limits and we will tell the people in Afghanistan and Iraq that we will be the strong horse in the region."

On Foreign Aid To Africa:

"I believe it is essential. Africa was on the brink of chaos, where radical Islamists could take hold. While humanitarian in nature, (the aid) was essential for our national security.... We must promote our values. We are the shining city on the Hill."

On Compromise:

"If the things you have to give up make the things you are trying to do harder, no. By raising taxes, what the Democrats are trying to do is slow down the economy. You don't undermine the ability of our economy to grow. This president has poisoned the well. He's divided group from group to position himself to win this election. I have a long record of bipartisan accomplishment. I point to Welfare Reform. We instituted work requirements, time limits on welfare. Yes, I compromised on some child care, transportation, but we 100% changed the welfare system because we stuck to our principles."

On Highly Skilled Immigrants:

"As a son of a legal immigrant, I strongly believe in legal immigration because we are the shining city a hill unto the world. A huge percentage of legal immigrants come here want to innovate. That's one of the reasons I put forward my economic plan to take advantage of legal immigration and encourage innovation. We need to make sure things are made in America. We need to make sure we create an environment to help innovation and create income mobility. That is why I have called for a zeroing out of the corporate tax for manufacturers, regulatory reform, repatriation of foreign profits, and increasing energy exploration to improve income mobility. Greatness has come from (legal) immigrants who have worked hard, created businesses, and created jobs."

On The Most Under Discussed Foreign Policy Threat:

"I have spent a lot of time concerned with the militant socialists and radical Islamists bonding together in Central and South America... We have sent all the wrong signals to Central and South America. We need to build a solid hemisphere and they need to know we are in solidarity."

To learn more about former Senator Rick Santorum, please visit www.RickSantorum.com.

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RickPerry.org
Nov. 22, 2011 10:29 PM

Gov. Rick Perry Sets Agenda in Foreign Policy Debate on Zero-based Foreign Aid, Misguided Defense Cuts and Sanctions on Iran and Syria
President Obama supercommittee budget failures threaten U.S. defense, Perry says

 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Texas Gov. Rick Perry broke through and set the agenda in tonight's American Enterprise Institute/Heritage Foundation/CNN foreign policy debate on issues including zero-based foreign aid budgeting, strong sanctions against Iran and Syria and the danger of the looming defense cuts because of Washington's budget failures.

"We need to sanction the Iranian Central Bank. That would be one of the most powerful ways to impact the Iranian regime," Gov. Perry said. "Another option in the region is a no-fly zone over Syria so that nation and Iran understand America is serious about fighting nuclear proliferation and terror in the region. This president refuses to do that and it's another show of lack of leadership from the President of the United States."

During the debate, Gov. Perry spoke about his commitment to leading our county with strength and making policy decisions based on his unshakeable belief in American exceptionalism. Creating a strong economy and job creation environment is key to strong foreign and defense policies. Gov. Perry said he believes that our young men and women serving overseas deserve to be represented by a president who will make strategic decisions based on strategic information from military leaders on the ground. In contrast, President Obama has repeatedly made foreign policy decisions based on the political climate rather than America's vital interests, threatening our nation's standing in the world.

The governor added, "I don't think anybody is particularly surprised that a supercommittee failed. It was a super failure. This president has been an absolute failure when it came to this budget process and the looming and deep defense cuts are totally and absolutely irresponsible. Even President Obama's own Secretary of Defense says the cuts are irresponsible. If Leon Panetta is an honorable man, he should resign in protest."

During the debate, Gov. Perry addressed his plan to start all U.S. foreign aid budget decisions at zero, ensuring that the country is distributing aid wisely. The governor spoke again about his dedication to approving aid that is in America's best interest for deserving nations, like our close Middle Eastern ally, Israel.

Gov. Perry is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he volunteered his service from 1972-1977 and served as a tactical airlift pilot. He is the only presidential candidate who volunteered to serve. As governor of Texas, he is commander of the Texas National Guard, which in recent years was deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and to border security operations.

 The governor shared key pieces of his Overhaul Washington plan, which will establish a part-time, citizen Congress, cut congressional salaries, end lifetime appointments of federal judges, issue an immediate moratorium on new and pending federal regulations, and dismantle wasteful, redundant federal agencies. This plan builds upon other bold policy proposals Gov. Perry has presented in recent weeks, including his Cut, Balance and Grow and Energizing American Jobs and Security plans. Cut, Balance and Grow cuts personal and corporate tax rates to a lower, flat 20 percent rate, cuts federal spending, ends earmarks and corporate loopholes and calls for a federal Balanced Budget Amendment. Energizing American Jobs and Security will create up to 1.2 million jobs in every sector, reduce our nation's dependence on hostile foreign oil, revitalize manufacturing and help contain the cost of electricity and fuel.

The success and security of our nation depend heavily on the strength of our economy. Gov. Perry has the strongest job creation record of any candidate in the race. In addition, Texas has created more than one million jobs under the governor's tenure. Conversely, the nation has lost two million jobs while President Obama has been in office.

For information setting the record straight about various statements made during the debate, please visit http://www.rickperry.org/cnn-heritage-aei-debate-recap/ or follow @PerryTruthTeam on Twitter. For more information about Gov. Rick Perry's record, presidential campaign and plan to get America working again, please visit: www.rickperry.org. 

Bachmann for President
Nov. 22, 2011 11:50 PM

Bachmann Demonstrates Command of Foreign Policy at CNN National Security Debate

Washington, D.C. - Republican presidential candidate and member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Michele Bachmann demonstrated clear leadership and national security expertise when debating foreign policy issues with her GOP colleagues tonight at the CNN debate.

After thanking United States troops and their families for their service to our nation, Bachmann turned her attention to the topic of domestic terrorism. She acknowledged with new technologies and determined terrorists, under President Obama, we do not have the essential tools at our disposal to protect the American people. Bachmann critiqued the president for neutering the CIA and weakening the U.S.’s ability to effectively interrogate terrorists.

Bachmann, an unwavering supporter of Israel, has consistently critiqued President Obama for leading from behind on vital foreign relations initiatives including preventing a nuclear Iran and protecting our partner Israel. When asked about aid to Pakistan, Bachmann responded saying the answer to the question is two fold -Pakistan is a “nation that lies” but the same time “they do share intelligence data with us, regarding al Qaeda. We need to demand more. Whatever our action is it must ultimately be about helping the United States, and our sovereignty, our safety, and our security.”

She continued, “I would continue that aid, but I do think that the Obama policy of keeping your fingers crossed, is not working in Pakistan. [Pakistan is] too nuclear to fail.”

When Bachmann was directed to address a potential Israel strike on Iran, she responded saying, “Why is it that we are talking about Israel having to make a strike Iran? It’s because Iran has announced that they plan to strike Israel. They’ve stated as recently as August - just before President Ahmadinejad came to the UN General Assembly, he has said that if he has a nuclear weapon, he will use it to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. At the time when we needed a leader most, we didn’t have one. That’s what I’ll do differently as the president of the United States. I’ll lead.”

One of the largest national security threats to the United States is our growing debt, and Bachmann has been consistently outspoken about the need to cut spending and reduce the debt to keep our standing as a global superpower. Bachmann pointed out the irrelevance of the failed Super Committee and the ill-advised debt deal that spawned it, citing the $11 trillion in debt the U.S. government will rack up over ten years if Washington does not radically alter President Obama's reckless spending spree. She explained that this is a dereliction of duty and fundamentally a security issue.

“This isn’t monopoly money. What we need to recognize is that when we are sending interest money over to China, with who we are highly in hoc, we aren’t just sending our money, we’re sending our power,” Bachmann said. “What will happen is that our national security and our military will decrease, and our money will increase China’s military. Our money will be used to grow China’s military at the expense of the United States military; that should give every American pause.”

Closing out the debate, Bachmann was clear on her stance on the DREAM Act and amnesty for illegal immigrants. Disagreeing with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, she said, “I don’t agree that we should make 11 million workers who are here illegally legal. We need to move away from magnets, not offer more.”

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EXCERPT FROM FUNDRAISING EMAIL from Friends of Herman Cain

Nov. 22, 2011 10:12 PM

Dear Patriots

I hope you were able to watch tonight’s Republican foreign policy debate. I believe I was able to clearly explain my philosophy about America’s international affairs and how I believe the Obama Administration has been so dangerously incompetent with our overseas dealings.

Unlike President Obama, I believe America should treat our allies better than we do our enemies. That means we should embrace traditional allies like Great Britain instead of coddling dictators like Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez.

Unlike President Obama, I believe America needs to stand up to Iran. We should build our missile shield in Eastern Europe to protect our interests from Iranian missiles.

And, unlike President Obama, I don’t believe in spreading America’s wealth all across the globe in the form of “foreign aid.” Our economy is in a shambles and our government is broke. We should only provide aid to foreign countries that are either our allies or who have suffered a great humanitarian disaster.

The differences between Barack Obama and me on nearly every issue are clear. We are politically polar opposites. It doesn’t matter if we are discussing foreign policy or the economic future of America. I am a consistent conservative who can solve our nation’s problems...

American Enterprise Institute

AEI foreign policy and defense experts react to the debate:

"While it is a triumph to have a serious debate in Washington about any topic, the fact that no one brought up the crisis in the Eurozone, that China was not a greater focus, and that the notion of the cut-and-run strategy for Afghanistan did not earn complete derision reminds us that there's a lot of work to be done before we can have complete confidence in the men and women who are seeking to be our next commander-in-chief."

--Danielle Pletka
Vice President of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies

"In tonight's debate, we heard three kinds of candidates. Some spoke airily of the need to think strategically rather than tactically, but ended up thinking magically. Some thumped the rostrum about the president's right to overrule his military, without considering their own unpreparedness to make such decisions. And some spoke responsibly about wrestling with the very real dangers that face Americans today, and the need to act with determination to defend our nation. Americans should choose their candidate from among the last group."

--Frederick W. Kagan
Resident Scholar and Director, AEI Critical Threats Project

"China's rise--the largest single security and foreign policy issue facing the nation, and the focus of the Obama Administration's "strategic pivot"--was barely mentioned."

--Thomas Donnelly
Resident Fellow and Director, Center for Defense Studies

"There was a lot of unity of opinion, excepting Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman who preach a kind of isolationist, leftist view, but that's a minority view."

--Marc Thiessen
Visiting Fellow

"I was struck by the amount of attention the candidates paid to Pakistan and their broad grasp of the key issues the US faces in that troubled country. Preventing jihadist groups from getting a hold of a nuclear weapon in Pakistan--or enough fissile material to construct a so-called dirty bomb-- will be one of the most important challenges any president will face. It's good to see the candidates treat the issue with the seriousness it deserves."

--Sadanand Dhume
Resident Fellow

Democratic National Committee

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s Statement on GOP Presidential Debate on National Security

Following the Republican presidential debate on national security held in Washington, D.C. tonight, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

“Tonight Mitt Romney’s extreme views on immigration came into clear focus. He once again went to the right of every other Republican presidential candidate, refusing to agree with others on the stage that tearing apart families is wrong or that we shouldn't implement an extreme and inhumane immigration policy. This kind of attitude is harmful to our country, our nation’s families, and our standing in the world. It certainly runs counter to what we stand for and doesn’t reflect our values as Americans.

“The candidates tonight offered nothing more than another round of empty sound bites, false attacks and serious inconsistencies. Their performance was a stark contrast to the President’s robust foreign policy achievements. The fact is, the American people need leaders on the international stage who are decisive, consistent, and committed to strengthening our country, not undermining it, and Mitt Romney and the rest of the GOP field fail that test."

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PRESS RELEASE from CNN
November 23, 2011

CNN’S GOP NATIONAL SECURITY DEBATE WAS #1 LAST NIGHT
DRAWS 3.6 MILLION VIEWERS AND ONE MILLION IN KEY DEMO 25-54

AC 360 Top-Rated at 10 pm

According to Nielsen Fast National data, CNN’s GOP National Security Debate (8:00-10:00pm*), moderated by Wolf Blitzer, delivered 3.599 million total viewers and 1.041 million in the key demo 25-54 last night, Tuesday, November 22. This debate topped CNBC’s 11/09 debate (993k), CNN’s 6/13 debate (918k) and FNC’s 5/5 debate (854k)in the key demo 25-54. CNN was, by far, #1 during the 8-10pm time period last night among cable news networks.

From 8-10pm, CNN topped FNC by +93% among total viewers (3.599 million vs. 1.862 million) and +152% among 25-54 (1.041 million vs. 413k). CNN also topped MSNBC by +343% among total viewers (3.599 million vs.812k) and by +413% among 25-54 (1.041 million vs. 203k).

Following the debate, CNN’s AC 360 ranked first in cable news at 10pm in total viewers averaging 1.427 million, FNC followed with 1.298m and MSNBC posted 723k.

In the key demographic 25-54 CNN delivered 405k at 10pm, while FNC trailed with 365k and MSNBC averaged 209k.

*Fast National Data is representative of 8:00p-10:00p. Final Data will reflect actual debate time of 8:00p-9:59p.

PRESS RELEASE from Council on American-Islamic Relations via PRNewswire-USNewswire

CAIR Decries Santorum's Call for Profiling of Muslims

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on the Republican Party to repudiate GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum's call for profiling of American Muslims.

In a debate aired on CNN last night, Santorum was asked if he would support ethnic and religious profiling. CNN's Wolf Blitzer, the debate's moderator, asked Santorum: "So just to be precise, is it ethnic profiling, religious profiling, who would be profiled?"

"The folks who are most likely to be committing these crimes," replied Santorum. "Obviously Muslims would be someone you'd look at, absolutely."

Video: Rick Santorum Calls for Profiling of Muslims
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va6PVE7QkUY

In a statement released today, CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor said:

"Last night, Rick Santorum casually tossed aside every American's constitutional right to equal protection under the law in favor of discriminatory profiling of Muslims. Mr. Santorum's obvious lack of appreciation for the Constitution and for the rejection of profiling by top law enforcement experts raises reasonable questions about his ability to lead our multi-faith nation.

"The International Association of Chiefs of Police and other security specialists reject racial profiling. President Bush called it 'wrong.' In 2009, President Obama pledged to end the counterproductive practice.

"We remind Mr. Santorum that the Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him), a man of Middle Eastern heritage, would fit his 'profile.'

"It is time for all Republican presidential candidates to reject Islamophobic rhetoric. Just as past candidates have learned the folly of targeting other religious or ethnic minorities, serious presidential hopefuls must reject the use anti-Muslim smears and the exploitation of Islamophobia for cheap political gain."

CAIR also thanked another GOP presidential candidate, Representative Ron Paul of Texas, for rejecting profiling and refusing to sacrifice the rule of law.

A CAIR Legislative Fact Sheet states that profiling is unconstitutional, hinders anti-terrorism efforts and "diverts precious law enforcement resources away from investigations of individuals who have been linked to terrorist activity by specific and credible evidence."

SEE: CAIR Legislative Fact Sheet on Profiling
http://tinyurl.com/7wf3v7y

Earlier this year, Santorum called "Sharia," or Islamic principles, "evil." He told a group in New Hampshire: "We need to define it and say what it is. And it is evil." In a past "lecture on Islam," Santorum falsely claimed the Quran, Islam's revealed text, was written in "Islamic."

SEE: Santorum, GOP Continue Anti-Sharia Campaign
http://tinyurl.com/4ml97xd

Last week, CAIR called on state and national GOP leaders to demand the resignation of a Tennessee lawmaker after he suggested in a radio interview that U.S. Muslims should "go back to where they came from" if they objected to his recent call for the removal of all Muslims serving in the military.

CAIR: TN GOP Rep. Tells Muslims to 'Go Back to Where They Came From'
http://bit.ly/uetuEF

A number of recent reports have documented the disturbing growth and promotion of Islamophobia in American society.

CAIR: Same Hate, New Target
http://tinyurl.com/66enzm8
Center for American Progress: Fear, Inc.
http://tinyurl.com/7cozjxg
Southern Poverty Law Center: Jihad Against Islam
http://tinyurl.com/3qsv2v8
People for the American Way: The Right-Wing Playbook on Anti-Muslim Extremism
http://tinyurl.com/6j9fttw

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.