State of Virginia Archives: on War & Peace
Bob Marshall:
Opposes sending troops overseas without declaration of war
The debate included an inquiry on whether the candidates supported the president sending troops overseas without a declaration of war from Congress. Radtke, Jackson and Marshall all were adamantly against it, but Allen instead attacked Obama for not
supporting potential government opposition in Iran."The concern I have is not whether you have an authorization of force," Allen said. "I really worry about the military readiness of our country, regardless of whether or not there's an authorization."
Source: Washington Examiner on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 25, 2012
Bob Marshall:
No US military in Libyan war without congressional consent
When the moderator asked the four about Obama's decision to involve the U.S. military in the Libyan uprising without congressional consent, Jackson, Marshall and Radtke quickly denounced it roundly.Allen, however, didn't pounce on Obama.
Instead, he recalled the gravity and anxiety of sending U.S. troops into Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist strikes. "In my estimation, it's the most solemn decision a president has to make," Allen said. "I have made that decision as far as
Iraq and Afghanistan."
"The concern I have is not whether we have a (congressional) authorization of force, it's whether or not our military is going to have the equipment, the armament, the up-to-date
technology that is paramount as they're trying to protect our freedoms," he said. "I'm really worried about the military readiness of our country."
Source: 4-NBC Washington on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 26, 2012
Bob McDonnell:
230 Virginians gave lives for War on Terror, including Iraq
Since September 11th, 2001, nearly 14,000 members of the Virginia National Guard have left their families and jobs to defend our freedom. Over 230 Virginians have given their lives in the Global War on Terror. On
December 18th, the last convoy of American soldiers left Iraq for Kuwait, ending our nearly 9 years in that nation. Gentlemen, thank you for your deep commitment to freedom.
Source: 2012 Virginia State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2012
Don Beyer:
Iranian development of nuclear weapons is unacceptable
The biggest threat to Israeli security and one of the biggest international threats today is the potential for Iran to develop nuclear weapons. As President Obama and a broad range of national security voices in both parties have said,
Iranian development of nuclear weapons is unacceptable. Preventing this capability is a paramount and inflexible priority of U.S. national security policy.
I strongly support the President's current course of negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program under the P5 + 1 banner, as well as the continuation of sanctions and negotiations unless and until there is an agreement. If I were a member of Congress,
I would have signed the Hoyer-Cantor letter last month, demonstrating the bipartisan American commitment to strong support for Israel. The scrutiny of Iran must continue to ensure total compliance.
Source: 2014 Virginia House campaign website, FriendsOfDonBeyer.com
Nov 4, 2014
Ed Gillespie:
As Bush spokesperson, defended Iraqi surge & al Qaeda link
Another new arrival in the West Wing set up a rapid-response PR unit hard-wired into General David Petraeus' shop. Ed Gillespie, the new presidential counselor, organized daily conference calls between Washington and the military in Baghdad to map out
ways of selling the surge.From the start of the Bush plan, the White House communications office had been blitzing an e-mail list of as many as 5,000 journalists and others with talking points or rebuttals of criticism, in various
categories--"Myths/Facts" or "Setting the Record Straight" to take issue with negative news articles, and "In Case You Missed It" to distribute positive articles or speeches.
Gillespie arranged several presidential speeches to make strategic arguments,
such as comparing Iraq to Vietnam or warning of Iranian interference. When critics assailed Bush for overstating ties between al-Qaeda and the group called al-Qaeda in Iraq, Gillespie organized a Bush speech to make his case.
Source: Washington Post on 2014 Virginia Senate race
Sep 8, 2007
Ed Gillespie:
Keep troops in Afghanistan; military on table with Iran
There was general agreement on foreign policy: Both Warner and Gillespie agreed that the U.S. should never take military action off the table against Iran, and that Israel is America's closest ally in the Middle East.
On keeping troops in Afghanistan, [the debate moderator] asked whether Gillespie is closer to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) or Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
He did not directly answer, but he sounded a lot closer to the McCain view in arguing that troops should be there "as long as they're serving our national security interests."
Warner said he thinks Colin Powell was right when he said "you break it, you own it."
"Pottery Barn," Gillespie interjected.
Source: Politico.com weblog on 2014 Virginia Senate debate
Jul 26, 2014
George Allen:
Iran is a threat; prevent getting nuclear weapons
On foreign policy, Allen was critical of the Obama administration and talked tough on the situation in the
Middle East. "The biggest threat I think is Iran," Allen said. "If Iran gets nuclear weapons that needs to be prevented."
Source: 2012 Virginia Senate Debate coverage by NBC-12
Sep 20, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
Opposes sending troops overseas without declaration of war
The debate included an inquiry on whether the candidates supported the president sending troops overseas without a declaration of war from Congress. Radtke, Jackson and Marshall all were adamantly against it, but Allen instead attacked Obama for not
supporting potential government opposition in Iran."The concern I have is not whether you have an authorization of force," Allen said. "I really worry about the military readiness of our country, regardless of whether or not there's an authorization."
Source: Washington Examiner on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 25, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
No US military in Libyan war without congressional consent
When the moderator asked the four about Obama's decision to involve the U.S. military in the Libyan uprising without congressional consent, Jackson, Marshall and Radtke quickly denounced it roundly.Allen, however, didn't pounce on Obama.
Instead, he recalled the gravity and anxiety of sending U.S. troops into Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist strikes. "In my estimation, it's the most solemn decision a president has to make," Allen said. "I have made that decision as far as
Iraq and Afghanistan."
"The concern I have is not whether we have a (congressional) authorization of force, it's whether or not our military is going to have the equipment, the armament, the up-to-date
technology that is paramount as they're trying to protect our freedoms," he said. "I'm really worried about the military readiness of our country."
Source: 4-NBC Washington on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 26, 2012
Mark Warner:
Keep military action on the table against Iran
There was general agreement on foreign policy: Both Warner and Gillespie agreed that the U.S. should never take military action off the table against Iran, and that Israel is America's closest ally in the Middle East.
On keeping troops in Afghanistan, [the debate moderator]asked whether Gillespie is closer to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) or Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
He did not directly answer, but he sounded a lot closer to the McCain view in arguing that troops should be there "as long as they're serving our national security interests."
Warner said he thinks Colin Powell was right when he said "you break it, you own it."
"Pottery Barn," Gillespie interjected.
Source: Politico.com weblog on 2014 Virginia Senate debate
Jul 26, 2014
Tim Kaine:
Supported Obama's stopping the Iraq War
Allen. "Were you or were you not advocating for their agenda? And their agenda surely wasn't consistent with what's in the best interests of the people of
Virginia.""Wiping out al-Qaeda?" Kaine responded "Stopping the Iraq War? Saving the auto industry? Is that not being consistent with Virginia's interests? I just see it a different way than you do, George."
The candidates were asked about conservative proposals to declare that life begins at conception. Kaine opposed this, explaining that it would not only outlaw abortion, but would outlaw contraception such as the birth control pill and intra-uterine
devices.
Allen said that defining life as beginning at conception would not outlaw contraception, as "contraception" means stopping conception--that is, preventing fertilization from taking place.
Source: Eric Kleefeld reporting on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Dec 7, 2011
Tim Kaine:
Visited VA National Guard members in Green Zone in Baghdad
Tonight, thousands of Virginians are serving to keep us safe. Since 9/11, over 7,200 members of the Virginia National Guard have been activated at home and abroad to support the war against terror.I was thrilled to welcome the 654th Military Police
Company--Virginia Guard troops from all over the Commonwealth--back from Iraq. I visited the 654th in the Green Zone in Baghdad in March and, as Commander in Chief of the Virginia Guard, expressed the gratitude of all Virginians for their service.
Source: 2007 State of the State address to Virginia Assembly
Jan 10, 2007
Corey Stewart:
Iran continues to be a state-sponsor of terrorism
Q: Support Trump withdrawal from treaty limiting Iran's nuclear capability in return for lifting economic sanctions?
Tim Kaine (D): Opposes withdrawal. Damages diplomatic credibility, weakens alliances. Reopens the door for Iran to start enriching uranium.
Corey Stewart (R): Supports withdrawal. "Iran continues to be a state-sponsor of terrorism across the planet."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Tim Kaine:
Withdrawing from Iran nuke treaty weakens alliances
Q: Support Trump withdrawal from treaty limiting Iran's nuclear capability in return for lifting economic sanctions?
Tim Kaine (D): Opposes withdrawal. Damages diplomatic credibility, weakens alliances. Reopens the door for Iran to start enriching uranium.
Corey Stewart (R): Supports withdrawal. "Iran continues to be a state-sponsor of terrorism across the planet."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Daniel Gade:
Opposed to open-ended commitment of troops
The power to declare war resides in Congress, not the Executive. Since the end of World War II, Congress has shirked this responsibility. I believe that we should commit troops only a) in defense of a vital national interest b) when there is a defined
end state and c) when military force is the only remaining option. I am opposed to the open-ended commitment of troops around the world.
Source: 2020 Virginia Senate campaign website GadeForVirginia.com
Dec 25, 2019
Mark Herring:
Fights taking military construction money for border wall
"I have said from the beginning that President Trump's plan to concoct a fake national emergency and divert critical funding for his border wall is unlawful, but now, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be downright irresponsible," said
Attorney General Herring. "We now find ourselves in the middle of a true national emergency and this federal funding should be used to protect people, not for vanity projects that go against our American values."
Source: A.G. press release for 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Mar 30, 2020
Daniel Gade:
Support requiring congressional approval of military actions
Q: Oppose military attacks on Iran without congressional approval?Daniel Gade: Yes. Views specific Iran War Powers Act as an "attempt to embarrass Trump," but supports idea of requiring congressional approval.
Mark Warner: Yes. Trump should have consulted Congress. Attack turned "anti-Iranian fervor into anti-American fervor."
Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 Virginia Senate race
Sep 30, 2020
Mark Warner:
Important to consult on war with Congress & allies
There is usually a Congressional consulting process. It's both constitutionally required, but it's also important because one, you potentially get members of Congress to buy in ahead of time, and two they may ask that hard question that's not asked in
an insular group. And you consult your allies, because we don't want to go this alone. By not consulting particularly with our NATO allies, NATO forces in Iraq have already stopped training the Iraqi troops. That does not make us stronger.
Source: Meet the Press interview for 2020 Virginia senate race
Jan 5, 2020
Corey Stewart:
Avoid foreign entanglements
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Avoid foreign entanglements"?
A: Support
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Virginia Senate candidate
May 18, 2018
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026