FL Senate debate: on Homeland Security


Betty Castor: Support the all volunteer military, not a military draft

Q: Does the long-term nature of the global war on terror require a return to the military draft?

CASTOR: No. I support the all volunteer military and believe our active-duty and reserve forces are doing a great job. We should make the military more attractive as a career by improving pay and benefits for military service and ensuring that the government keeps its commitments to our service members and veterans. We must also stop the second-class treatment of the National Guard and Reserves to attract and retain a strong, volunteer force.

MARTINEZ: No. Every day more patriots volunteer for military service making a draft unnecessary. The US is the most prosperous and thriving nation in the world. Without strong support from our armed forces, our country could easily be defeated by terrorism.

Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press

Mel Martinez: Volunteers for military service make a draft unnecessary

Q: Does the long-term nature of the global war on terror require a return to the military draft?

CASTOR: No. I support the all volunteer military and believe our active-duty and reserve forces are doing a great job. We should make the military more attractive as a career by improving pay and benefits for military service and ensuring that the government keeps its commitments to our service members and veterans. We must also stop the second-class treatment of the National Guard and Reserves to attract and retain a strong, volunteer force.

MARTINEZ: No. Every day more patriots volunteer for military service making a draft unnecessary. The US is the most prosperous and thriving nation in the world. Without strong support from our armed forces, our country could easily be defeated by terrorism.

Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press

  • The above quotations are from Florida Senate debate: Mel Martinez (R) vs. Betty Castor (D), Oct. 18, 2004.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Homeland Security.
  • Click here for more quotes by Mal Martinez on Homeland Security.
  • Click here for more quotes by Betty Castor on Homeland Security.
Other candidates on Homeland Security:
George W. Bush
Dick Cheney
John Edwards
John Kerry

Third Party Candidates:
Michael Baradnik
Peter Camejo
David Cobb
Ralph Nader
Michael Peroutka


Democratic Primaries:
Carol Moseley Braun
Wesley Clark
Howard Dean
Dick Gephardt
Bob Graham
Dennis Kucinich
Joe Lieberman
Al Sharpton
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