3 Foreign Policy Reasons Why We Need New Leadership in Washington, Part 1

Press Release

Senator-Soldier Lee Zeldin, Republican and Conservative Party candidate for Congress in New York's First Congressional District, today released the first of a three part series of statements this week on 3 foreign policy reasons why we need new leadership in Washington:

"America is a global power and with that comes the responsibility to lead with an effective, consistent foreign policy. The security challenges our nation face may be complex, but must be met with resolve and a strategic vision that keeps Americans free and safe.

According to a September 2014 Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, only 26% of Americans believe we are safer today than on September 11th, 2001.

The threat ISIS presents to the United States is growing and is brutally real. Last week, President Obama outlined his thoughts on how to move forward, which unfortunately, will absolutely not destroy ISIS. He contradicted himself at times. At one point, the President stated that this conflict would be different from others, because it would not involve boots on the ground. In the same speech, the President also announced he was sending an additional 495 troops to Iraq. No specifics were offered as to what the various skillsets were of these troops, their purpose, or who was in charge.

With regards to who is in charge, this is critically important. General David Petraeus' vision in the winter of 2006-2007 was the key turning point of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was given the resources and flexibility to implement his vision on the ground. We need a leader like a General Petraeus to take a high profile military lead for the US. No matter how much it may be preferable by some to drive our heads into the sand, the fact is that the President's strategy is putting too much faith in unled elements of the Iraqi Army and Law Enforcement who rarely show up to work, let alone demonstrate the resolve to defeat an enemy that makes Al Qaeda look like Boy Scouts.

My opponent will not criticize this administration regardless of whether the President is having his best day in office or his worst, regardless of absolute necessity, nor the outcry from Suffolk County constituents. We need elected officials who will stand up to be a stronger voice for those they represent. We need to send leaders to Washington who will fight harder to keep America safe. If we want to change Washington, we must change the people we send there to represent us."

Source