State of Louisiana Archives: on War & Peace


Bill Cassidy: Work with partners like Israel to combat terrorist threats

Q: What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?

A: The United States must maintain a strong military and law enforcement community. They protect us from terrorists and must have our support. We need to work with our international partners, like Israel, to combat terrorist threats. We must operate within the powers of the constitution, but be prepared to take action to protect American life.

Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Louisiana Senate race Nov 3, 2020

Clay Higgins: Iran is our enemy; revoke the Iran Deal

Iran is the world's foremost state sponsor of terror. The "Iran Deal" should be immediately revoked as unlawful and contrary to the best interests of America and thus the free world. Iran, as well as every other state sponsor of terror, should not receive one penny of American treasure nor our support. They must be handled with the strictest of cautionary diplomacy and allowed not one inch of free reign[sic] in any endeavor which coincides with American interests. One of my very best friends is Iranian. He was forced to remain here in America in 1979, as a young college student at LSU, when the Shaw was overthrown, our embassy was seized, and the first Ayatollah was empowered. My friend has shared great insight into Iran through the years. Iran is a country of oppressed citizens who long for freedom from a regime of religious zealots who govern in the most horrific manner imaginable. The radical Islamic governing authority in Iran is our enemy. The Iranian people are not.
Source: 2016 Louisiana House campaign website CaptainHiggins.com Dec 10, 2016

Clay Higgins: ISIS must be hunted, identified, and killed

ISIS, which evolved from AQI, grew in size and power because of weak, politically motivated foreign policy. President Obama and Madame Secretary Clinton have direct responsibility for the nightmare of the globalization of Radical Islamic terror. ISIS is the manifestation of middle-ages horror at its worst. ISIS must be hunted, identified, and killed. They must be dismantled and trod into the earth. All options must be on the table. In Congress, I will support all measures that destroys ISIS.
Source: 2016 Louisiana House campaign website CaptainHiggins.com Dec 10, 2016

Mike Johnson: Radical Islamic terrorism MUST be stopped

Recognize that radical Islamic terrorism, both foreign and domestic, MUST be stopped.
Source: 2016 House campaign website MikeJohnsonForLouisiana.com Dec 10, 2016

Foster Campbell: No American intervention in Iraq & Syria beyond air support

Q: Do you support increased American intervention in Iraq and Syria beyond air support?

A: No.

Source: VoteSmart 2016 Louisiana Senate Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2016

Thomas Clements: Help prevent genocide abroad, but not with U.S. lives

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Avoid foreign entanglements"?

A: We are no safer since 9/11/2001. Countries unable [to enforce their own] self defense in this world ask our country for help to prevent genocide--but that should not be at the cost of American lives.

Source: Email interview on 2016 Louisiana Senate race by OnTheIssues Jul 31, 2016

David Vitter: Iran advances their nuclear program while playing the US

Vitter said that while he believes the Obama administration could be preparing to sign a dangerous nuclear deal with Iran, a legislative proposal that would demand congressional oversight of that agreement is misguided. Vitter said that Iran has been "playing us out and advancing their nuclear program in the meantime" during the recent negotiations. He noted that Iran has secured billions in sanctions relief throughout the duration of the talks.

Some lawmakers are pushing for Congress to hold a vote on any final nuclear deal reached with Iran despite the administration's assiduous efforts to leave Capitol Hill out of the process. However, the Senate would need 67 votes to overcome a likely presidential veto and bar Obama from ordering more congressional sanctions relief for Iran. That high threshold concerns Vitter. "Clearly the administration could benefit from something that puts the burden on us," he said.

Source: Free Beacon coverage of 2015 Louisiana gubernatorial race Mar 12, 2015

David Vitter: Iran nuclear deal is non-binding and can be revoked

Vitter was one of the signatories to an open letter sent by 47 Republican senators to Iran's leaders. The missive suggested that a future president or Congress could revoke a nuclear deal and elicited sharp criticism from the administration and proponents of an agreement. Secretary of State John Kerry asserted in congressional testimony that a deal would not be "a legally binding plan," but insisted that such an agreement would not be subject to congressional review. Yet legal experts noted that due to the nonbinding and executive nature of a potential deal, a future administration could easily repeal it.

"The letter is completely fair and accurate in educating the Iranian leaders who presumably don't know the nuances of representative democracy," Vitter said. "They certainly don't act like they do," he added with a laugh.

Source: Free Beacon coverage of 2015 Louisiana gubernatorial race Mar 12, 2015

David Vitter: Military force against ISIS if Arab ground troops involved

Secretary of State John Kerry testified to Congress about the administration's proposed Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) to combat the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, along with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. The plan has no geographic limitations on where U.S. forces could battle IS, but it does contain a three-year sunset clause and a proscription of "enduring offensive ground operations."

Vitter said that he would support a new AUMF "if we get it right." While Vitter did not specifically address the administration's proposal, he said that any authorization should involve ground troops--primarily from regional Arab countries with U.S. training. "No one wants American boots on the ground to have to lead the way," he said. "But I think we need to recognize this is a serious war, and airstrikes alone aren't going to do it."

Source: Free Beacon coverage of 2015 Louisiana gubernatorial race Mar 12, 2015

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2020 Presidential contenders on War & Peace:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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