Americans are looking for leadership not finger pointing and excuses for the implementation of ill-advised policies"
WASHINGTONU.S. Sen. John Cornyn a member of Senate Republican leadership issued the following statement in reaction to President Obamas national security address today at the National Archives Museum.
President Obama and I have agreed on many national security decisions he has made since taking office namely retaining Defense Secretary Gates and implementing a surge strategy in Afghanistan. However his insistence on downgrading the Global War On Terror to a law enforcement action is not one of them and I believe it will make America less safe.
His attacks today on those with differing opinions on how to best keep our nation safe reeked of the very same fear mongering that he derided moments earlier. His persistent reminders that he inherited these problems are unproductive and trite. Americans are looking for leadership not finger pointing and excuses for the implementation of ill-advised policies.
Treating al Qaeda and other liked-minded terrorists as common criminals will only incentivize their despicable tactics such as targeting and hiding among civilians and otherwise flouting the laws of war. Had these same misguided decisions been made in the wake of 9/11 by the previous Administration I believe our nation might very well have seen successful follow-on attacks at the hands of al Qaeda resulting in additional American deaths. Monday morning quarterbacking of the national security decisions made during those dark days is wrong and misplaced.
Are we really going to insist that the jihadist with a suitcase nuke captured in Times Square be read his Miranda rights potentially closing off the chance to garner valuable intelligence that might save hundreds or thousands of American lives?
Embracing a strategy in which the criminal justice paradigm is used to fight terrorism is misguided and reckless. It is my sincere hope that his strategy doesnt gain further traction."
