stephanie
11-22-2007, 04:10 AM
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By: William Dillon
11/22/2007
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By Amy Vinchattle/The Tribune
Republican candidate for president Fred Thompson speaks during a “Meet Fred Thompson” event Wednesday at Café Diem in Ames.
By William Dillon
Staff Writer
Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson said Wednesday the United States needs to increase military spending to better finance its troops and intelligence, calling national security the top obligation of a U.S. president.
"There are a lot of people in need, there are a lot of things that need funding, there are a lot of government programs and so forth, but preserving the security and safety of the American people is the No. 1 obligation of any government and the No. 1 obligation of any people," he said during a stop at Café Diem in downtown Ames.
Thompson portrayed himself as the best-qualified candidate in the race to negotiate with the worst enemies of the United States, citing his time spent as a committee chairman that oversaw the operations of government and as a leader on the homeland security bill, as well as traveling the world to meet with leaders of China, Russia, Pakistan and all the other "hot spots."
"I have met with our CIA officers in far-away places in soundproof rooms, filling me in on - and other members of the intelligence committee on - what was going on in that part of the world," he said.
He said securing the nation's borders also is essential to better ensure national security.
"I don't know why any terrorist would come through an airport or a seaport anymore when they can walk across the border with a grapefruit size amount of the wrong kind of materials that they could put in the hands of the wrong kinds of experts that could destroy an American city," he said.
On Iraq, Thompson said the United States needs to get out of the area as soon as possible but not until the operation can be deemed a success.
"If we are perceived to be driven out of anywhere where al-Qaeda or anyone else draws the battle line, it is going to make for a more dangerous United States of America," he said.
read the rest...
http://www.midiowanews.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=19048681&BRD=2700&PAG=461&dept_id=554432&rfi=6
By: William Dillon
11/22/2007
Email to a friendPost a CommentPrinter-friendly
By Amy Vinchattle/The Tribune
Republican candidate for president Fred Thompson speaks during a “Meet Fred Thompson” event Wednesday at Café Diem in Ames.
By William Dillon
Staff Writer
Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson said Wednesday the United States needs to increase military spending to better finance its troops and intelligence, calling national security the top obligation of a U.S. president.
"There are a lot of people in need, there are a lot of things that need funding, there are a lot of government programs and so forth, but preserving the security and safety of the American people is the No. 1 obligation of any government and the No. 1 obligation of any people," he said during a stop at Café Diem in downtown Ames.
Thompson portrayed himself as the best-qualified candidate in the race to negotiate with the worst enemies of the United States, citing his time spent as a committee chairman that oversaw the operations of government and as a leader on the homeland security bill, as well as traveling the world to meet with leaders of China, Russia, Pakistan and all the other "hot spots."
"I have met with our CIA officers in far-away places in soundproof rooms, filling me in on - and other members of the intelligence committee on - what was going on in that part of the world," he said.
He said securing the nation's borders also is essential to better ensure national security.
"I don't know why any terrorist would come through an airport or a seaport anymore when they can walk across the border with a grapefruit size amount of the wrong kind of materials that they could put in the hands of the wrong kinds of experts that could destroy an American city," he said.
On Iraq, Thompson said the United States needs to get out of the area as soon as possible but not until the operation can be deemed a success.
"If we are perceived to be driven out of anywhere where al-Qaeda or anyone else draws the battle line, it is going to make for a more dangerous United States of America," he said.
read the rest...
http://www.midiowanews.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=19048681&BRD=2700&PAG=461&dept_id=554432&rfi=6