Press Releases

“Though he has waited far too long to lead on this issue, President Obama finally has begun a serious dialogue with the American people regarding his proposed strategy to combat ISIS. Having no specific detail at this point, I’m generally supportive of his intent, but we’ve heard tough rhetoric before.  The President mentioned tonight that American leadership abroad has been “constant.”  Respectfully, Mr. President, were that true, we wouldn’t be in this position right now.  The end result of Libya, Syria and other foreign crises has been, in fact, a breathtaking failure of leadership.

We must have a clear objective moving forward and an endgame strategy. The President mentioned that ISIS has no vision; I vehemently disagree.  In fact, ISIS has an extremely clear vision – a caliphate:  the complete and utter destruction of Western Civilization.  And they’re becoming more capable with every passing moment.  ISIS poses a clear threat to the United States.  Waiting until they plan – or execute - an attack will cost American lives, which we learned on September 11, 2001 and in Benghazi two years ago.  Other nations throughout Europe and the Middle East have recognized that the time to act is long overdue, and they’re seeking U.S. support and leadership.  If we’re serious about destroying this threat and its radical ideology, our coalition must conduct simultaneous operations in Iraq and Syria to deny ISIS a safe haven to plot and plan terrorist attacks. Air strikes alone will not defeat ISIS. Our allies are willing to lead the fight on the ground, but they won’t succeed without U.S. support in areas like intelligence, refueling and special operations. 

Americans are right to be skeptical about another foreign military operation in this part of the world. There are no good options and some tough questions to answer.  I have some questions of my own:  1) Why doesn’t military action of this scope require Congressional approval?  2) Who has command and control? 3) How is success measured? 4) Is the threat defined as a group operating within certain geographic parameters, or as the broader ideology ISIS seeks to spread even further throughout the world? 5) We’re already more than $17 trillion in debt – who’s paying for this? 6) How do we conduct operations in Syria without making the situation even worse, and then being responsible for cleaning it up?  7) When enemy combatants are captured, where will they be held?  Our fellow Americans – especially our troops - deserve these answers before we commit any further resources.

I want to have confidence in the President’s strategy and his stewardship, but I have strong concerns.  When U.S. forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011, his Administration failed to negotiate an agreement that would’ve allowed a limited U.S. military presence to help the Iraqis keep extremist groups from filling the power vacuum. Instead, these ultra-radical jihadist groups have grown rapidly in both Iraq and Syria and…here we are.  From a military perspective, I’m also continually frustrated that the President keeps telling our enemies what we will and won’t do regarding combat operations; it demonstrates a lack of tactical, strategic and, frankly, common sense.

Americans understandably are war weary, but this enemy is not.  Madmen that revel in savage acts of torture are not individuals who respond to diplomacy.  “Hope” is not a course of action – this is not going to get better until we take an active, decisive and vigilant role.  ISIS’ brutal tactics highlight the worst of which humanity is capable and they must be stopped.”

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