By Jon Whiten
Despite his recent attempt to move the election's discourse from the Iraq War to Bob Menendez's ethics, and his effort at distancing himself from said war by calling for Donald Rumsfeld's resignation, a question-and-answer session released today clearly shows that Tom Kean, Jr. remains a strong supporter of the Iraq War.
Members of Military Families Speak Out's (MFSO) Bergen and Essex County Chapters recently met with both Senate candidates to discuss the Iraq War. Tom Kean, Jr. refused to answer four of the nine questions when interviewed, promising that he would give his answers in writing, only to back out of that two weeks later. Despite being told that MFSO does not endorse candidates, the campaign said that since MFSO would probably support Menendez, they weren't going to finish the questions.
The Q&A session shows what those of us who follow politics closely already know -- Menendez is very strong on the war, and has been since before it started (he voted against 2002's authorization to use force in Iraq), and Kean Jr. wants to "stay the course." What startled me the most was that Kean, Jr. didn't explain -- or perhaps just didn't have -- thoughts on the unanswered questions, especially one about what he'd do to support veterans if elected.
For someone seemingly trying to put himself above an increasingly unpopular war, Kean, Jr.'s lack of concrete plans is troubling. To me, it says that he doesn't want to think about the war -- rather, he will "stay the course" until he's blue in the face, and smartly make public proclamations that are, in the grand scheme of things, very minor (calling for Rumsfeld's ouster, saying we didn't send enough troops to start, etc.), but get huge splashes in the press ("Kean steps to forefront of president's GOP critics," Page 1, Star-Ledger, 9/10).
What follows after the jump is the full Q&A with both candidates.
Have you been to Bethesda or other military hospitals to visit wounded troops or veterans?
Kean, Jr.: No. I have not visited these hospitals. I am not allowed to because I am a candidate for office.
Menendez: Yes. I visit Walter Reed Hospital regularly. Any elected official can visit military or Veterans Hospital, and I encourage my colleagues to visit as well, to understand the consequences of war.
Should US troops remain in Iraq?
Kean, Jr.: Yes. The US troops should remain until there is a stable government and the borders are secure. There should not be a timetable for withdrawal.
Menendez: No. The troops should not remain in Iraq. I voted for the Kerry Amendment which provides a timetable for withdrawal within the year.
Did you, or would you have voted, in hindsight for the resolution to send troops to Iraq?
Kean, Jr.: Yes.
Menendez: No. I voted against the resolution to send the U.S. troops to Iraq. I believe it was a war of choice, and not in the national security interest of the United States.
Would you consider joining the military so that the U.S. can meet the conditions you propose need to be met (stable government and secure borders)?
Kean, Jr.: Did not answer
Menendez: I am beyond the age requirements for military service to our nation and I am calling for troops to be withdrawn from Iraq.
Would you encourage your children to join the military so the U.S. can meet the conditions you propose need to be met?
Kean, Jr.: I cannot tell my children what to do.
Menendez: I will not vote to send other people’s sons or daughters to fight in a war if I wouldn’t be willing to send my own son or daughter.
What is the logic of troops staying in Iraq when our troops are targets?
Kean, Jr.: Did not answer
Menendez: This was a war of choice, not of necessity. I believe we need to bring our troops home.
What have you done while you have been in office to help returning troops or veterans?
Kean, Jr.: I talked with a member of Congress about these issues.
Menendez: I introduced the Veterans Identity Protection Act to protect veterans from personal identity theft by providing free credit monitoring and introduced the Veterans Navigator bill to help new veterans transition into the VA health system and ensure all veterans receive quality care. Additionally I co-sponsored the Salute to Veterans, the Armed Forces Act, the Honor Our Fallen Prisoners of War Act, and the New GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century to improve benefits for servicemen and women, veterans, and their families.
If the civil war continues, will you call for the administration to set a timetable for bringing the troops home?
Kean, Jr.: Did not answer
Menendez: I voted for the Kerry Amendment which provides a timetable to bring the troops home.
If you are elected to the Senate, what will you do to ensure that our troops and veterans get proper transitional services, health care, mental heath treatment, education, housing, and jobs?
Kean, Jr.: Did not answer
Menendez: I have consistently fought for increased funding for the Veterans Administration. I have introduced the Veterans Navigator bill to help new veterans transition into the VA health system and ensure all veterans receive quality care. Additionally, I was an original co-sponsor of the New GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century to improve benefits for servicemen and women, veterans, and their families.
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