WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's request for "a clearer understanding" of the war on terrorism, Gary L. Bauer, Chairman of the Campaign for Working Families Political Action Committee, made the following statement today as he mailed a letter to Mr. Daschle explaining the necessity of continued U.S. military action.
"It's unfortunate that not even six months after September 11th, leaders of the Democratic Party are already calling our war effort into question. They have been unrelenting in their criticism of the President over domestic issues. From economic stimulus to energy independence to judicial nominations, Senator Daschle has used every obstructionist tactic to deny the President any legislative victories on the home front.
"Now, it appears that Senator Daschle is departing from the time-honored axiom of American foreign policy, 'Politics ends at the water's edge.' Mr. Daschle's thinly veiled criticism of the President's leadership in this war is little more than a desperate political attempt to undermine the President's popularity as we begin the mid-term elections," stated Bauer.
Below is the text of Mr. Bauer's letter to Senator Tom Daschle.
Dear Senator Daschle,
I read press reports this morning, which indicate that you and a few of your Senate colleagues need "a clearer understanding" of where the war against terrorism is headed. I am sure many Americans are just as puzzled by your evident confusion as I am. The President has regularly stated in simple terms the goals of this war. He has specifically addressed the Congress on the matter and sent a myriad of administration officials to testify before Congress in great detail.
Knowing how busy you must be with other priorities, such as preventing our country from becoming energy self-sufficient and derailing tax cuts for working families, I felt an obligation to try to summarize the war effort for you.
On September 11, 2001 the people of the United States were subjected to a brutal attack against innocent civilians. Thousands died and millions endured significant economic and emotional pain. The perpetrators of this attack are members of an international terrorist network known as Al Qaeda, which was based in Afghanistan but has tentacles extending into dozens of other countries. These terrorists and the states that support them are feverishly working even now to produce weapons of mass destruction, which they intend to use on the people of the United States and our allies with the hope of inflicting even greater destruction.
The war against terrorism, so ably waged by the current administration (in stark contrast to the efforts of the preceding administration which was plagued by a variety of distractions), aims to seek and destroy those terrorists before they wreak further devastation against innocent civilians. In addition, this administration has served notice to several hostile countries, namely Iran, Iraq and North Korea, that we will not idly sit by and await another devastating blow before responding. (By the way, the totalitarian governments of these three countries are evil. I know that may sound "intolerant" and "judgmental," but truth commands respect.)
In case you missed this part, Senator, the war will not be brief. It will require a degree of perseverance and resolution that has been in short supply here in Washington, D.C. since Ronald Reagan won the Cold War. Victory can be accomplished with the assistance of our allies abroad and, hopefully, with the cooperation of the opposition party here at home. I remain optimistic that our war effort will have the full support of both, but such hope has now been called into question.
Perhaps this brief summary will suffice until the President is able to offer "a clear understanding." In the meantime, you may try watching the evening news or speaking with your constituents in South Dakota.
Sincerely,
Gary L. Bauer
Chairman |
