There are detractors to LTC (ret) Allen West, and he may face a tough election in 2012, but he is very clear that he understands today's threats, and has the spine to do something about them. Some suggested he should have run for President, but his continued service in Congress is important.
"The Preamble of the Constitution of the United States defines the Federal Government’s role in “providing for the common defense” of our great country. It is not only the primary mission of our government, but the most important obligation our elected leaders have upon accepting the oath of office. As a 22-year Army Veteran who served in Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, and as a Civilian Advisor to the Afghan Army in Operation Enduring Freedom, I understand both the gravity of giving the order, and the challenge of carrying it out."
"Make no mistake, we are a nation at war against a totalitarian theocratic political ideology that glorifies death rather than celebrating life. To defeat it, we must stay on the offensive. From Afghanistan and Iraq to the Greater Middle East and South America, radical Islam is on the march. And while our attention is focused on combating global terrorism, we must not forget other looming threats just on the horizon in China, North Korea, Venezuela, Russia & Iran. These nations and their leaders represent the biggest threat to our great nation. As your Congressman, I will work to reestablish American Exceptionalism by growing and modernizing America’s Armed forces to ensure that we are prepared for the strategic challenges ahead. Like President Reagan, I believe that peace is best kept through a strong national defense." Allen West for Congress
This is in sharp contrast to the misguided calls of his opponent to cut the Department of Defense and retreat from Victories in Afghanistan (and Iraq, I guess he doesn't know we're not there anymore):
"We need our troops to withdraw in July and be fully out of Afghanistan by 2014." Patrick Erin Murphy campaign page
Or his opponent Lois Frankel, who does not even address National Security as an Issue.
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