|
Conventions Make Political Arguments of 9/11 |
|
|
|
|
by Mickey McCarter
|
|
Thursday, 04 September 2008 |
Republicans, Democrats make Al Qaeda an election issue
Both Republicans and Democrats have invoked the terrorist attacks of 9/11 during their political conventions in arguments that the other side is unprepared to deal with the threat of Al Qaeda and similar threats.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani delivered a key note address to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, criticizing Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama for not taking the threat of terrorist activity seriously.
"For four days in Denver [during the Democratic National Convention] and for the past eighteen months Democrats have been afraid to use the words 'Islamic Terrorism.' During their convention, the Democrats rarely mentioned the attacks of September 11," Guiliani asserted.
"They are in a state of denial about the threat that faces us now and in the future," he continued. "You need to face your enemy in order to defeat them. [Republican presidential candidate] John McCain will face this threat and lead us on to victory."
Guiliani cited McCain's support for the troop surge in Iraq, largely credited with bringing a greater level of security to the war-torn nation in the past year, as evidence that the nominee is smart about combating terrorism. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had declared America's fight in Iraq lost prior to the success of the surge, Guiliani argued, demonstrating the Democratic Party's poor judgment.
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin kept up the criticism of Democrats in her convention speech Wednesday, claiming Obama would be too soft on terrorists.
"Terrorist states are seeking new-clear weapons without delay...he wants to meet them without preconditions," Palin protested. "Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America...he's worried that someone won't read them their rights?"
During the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colo., last week, Obama actually did discuss Al Qaeda, accusing Republicans in the Bush administration of botching the job of capturing or killing terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.
"For while Senator McCain was turning his sights to Iraq just days after 9/11, I stood up and opposed this war, knowing that it would distract us from the real threats we face," Obama stated. "When John McCain said we could just 'muddle through' in Afghanistan, I argued for more resources and more troops to finish the fight against the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11, and made clear that we must take out Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants if we have them in our sights. John McCain likes to say that he'll follow bin Laden to the Gates of Hell--but he won't even go to the cave where he lives."
Obama added that Al Qaeda operates in 80 nations and therefore the US-led occupation of Iraq was not a valid strategy for combating the terrorist organization.
|
Mickey McCarter |
| About the author: |
| eNewsletter Editor/Senior Washington Correspondent,
is a journalist with more than a decade of experience in reporting
on
military affairs and information technology.
|
| Read More >> | |
Columns 
