Howard Dean on Homeland Security Former VT Governor; Former Democratic Candidate for President

Switch funding from Star Wars to human intelligence

Saddam is a distraction; focus on Al Qaeda

DEAN: I actually don’t believe that, because given the time that’s elapsed, we could have done the proper thing, which George Bush’s father did, and put together a coalition to go after somebody who was a regional threat but not a threat to the US. We need a concentrated attack on Al Qaeda and on Osama bin Laden. Saddam Hussein has been a distraction.

No SDI deployment until it’s proven to work

America is about value of freedom not just military strength

Realign defense funds away from Star Wars

"This doesn't mean we can't realign spending," Dean says. Dismissing Bush's strategic defense program as "Star Wars," Dean says he would continue missile defense research, but at the very least hold off on deployment until scientists were certain the system would be effective.

Redirect military spending rather than reduce defense budget

Missile defense programs only within ABM Treaty compliance

Shift $1B per year from missile defense to threat reduction

Focus Pentagon budget on military personnel’s needs

Focus war budget on protecting vital infrastructure

Anti-war, but has national security experience as governor

DEAN: I do have national security experience. Every single governor since September 11 has had to deal with security issues in homeland security. That’s why I don’t think the president is doing a particularly good job.

Deal with terrorism as a joint federal-state responsibility.

• Handling Information Needs.
  Many of the operational, programmatic, and funding activities associated with terrorism consequence management preparedness are classified because of national security. Thus, the sharing of critical information is hampered. State governments must be viewed as strong partners in the US’ national security efforts, particularly as related to terrorism.
• Managing Consequences.
  Managing the short- and long-term consequences of terrorism is among the responsibilities of state and local government supplemented by the resources of the federal government, coordinated by FEMA.
• Supporting Public-Private Cooperation.
  Terrorism preparedness efforts should be inclusive of key private sector entities such as defining the appropriate roles and responsibilities for public and private health and medical communities.
• Clarifying the Role of the National Guard.
  The role of the National Guard in terrorism response activities is to support federal, state, and local response agencies with equipment, facilities, and personnel. Any assignment of responsibility should enhance the nation’s terrorism consequence management capability and provide for the contingency of the National Guard being called to assist active and reserve components in dealing with a major military conflict.
• Federal Responsibility
  Governors recognize the need to coordinate programs among federal agencies to address domestic terrorism and appreciate the efforts of the National Domestic Preparedness Office. However, they encourage greater clarification of the currently fragmented structure of federal responsibilities and support increased cooperation among federal agencies to better enable states to plan for domestic terrorism responses. Governors urge appropriate funding, maximum coordination of program components, and coordinated service delivery within states and localities.

Include states in anti-terrorism planning.

The Issue

NGA’s Position