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November 5, 2007

Voters find candidates lacking leadership on national security

James A. Kimble

Editor's note: This is the fourth in a series of stories examining the top issues of concern for The Eagle-Tribune's 154 voters participating in the presidential campaign coverage project.

When presidential candidates talk about national security and fighting terrorism, how can you tell who is the real deal?

The question may prove to be one of the bigger challenges for voters who consider protecting the homeland a pivotal factor in choosing a presidential candidate.

"If we face another terrorist attack, I want leadership, and that's certainly hard to quantify," said Peter Rayno, 46, a bank vice president in Salem. "I say to myself, 'If we had another Sept. 11, who is the man or woman I would want to come on television in the evening to reassure us?' Ronald Reagan is the type of person I'd want to hear from."

So far, Rayno hasn't found that candidate. And he's not alone.

The Eagle-Tribune polled more than 150 voters in 16 Southern New Hampshire towns. More than half of them | 67 percent | listed national security and terrorism as one of their top 10 concerns.

Voters say while there are many debates about individual national security issues | the war in Iraq, torture, the Patriot Act | no candidate seems capable of speaking in clear terms about their overall position.

Rayno realizes what he is asking for is a bit of the intangible: a president who can project leadership and instill confidence. A decisive and well-informed president must rely on the expertise of intelligence agencies, military leaders and policy-makers, he said.

He said he has liked what he's heard from former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz). And he wants to hear what former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) has to say.

"I don't want anyone to pander on that topic," Rayno said. "I want someone who speaks with resolve, and I want to hear plain talk and firmly understand their commitment. No one has stood out to me so far."

The conundrum is there, whether you're a Democrat or Republican, according to voters.

"All the candidates tell you what you want to hear," said Shawn O'Neil, 40, an engineering director from Danville. "It's hard. I'm a Republican, but Republicans have a lot of issues. The war was mismanaged. But you know what? The Democrats aren't doing any better. They can only say they are not Republicans. That's not a winning ticket."

O'Neil believes the Patriot Act isn't as intrusive as some say. Government should be quick to act, but still observe the tenets of a free society.

"You have to have a system of checks and balances. Our programs should be quick to act, but we need a system of checks and balances with the court system," he said. "If you need to act, then fine, but follow up with the courts within 24 or 48 hours."

He said candidates also need to realize their stance on immigration policy should be part and parcel of their sentiments on national security and fighting terrorism.

Deb Vachon, a teacher from Derry, said she likes Sens. Barrack Obama and John Edwards, but can't find a candidate who will speak about national security in specific terms. She worries about bioterrorism in the United States. She worries about how people can still sneak onto airplanes with weapons or banned materials, despite the best efforts to screen for them at airports.

She said it's understandable that candidates can't divulge certain information about how they propose to protect the home-front, yet they need to find a way to convey they have a definitive plan.

"No one has really gotten into specifics and that has been frustrating," she said.

One way a candidate doesn't want to stand out is by politicizing the issue, said Dan Norris, 36, of Salem.

Norris, an attorney, said he was turned off by the "flip-flop" Sen. Hillary Clinton seems to project with her vote to go to war in Iraq.

"It sends the wrong message to the troops," he said. "If you see any of the Ken Burns' documentary on World War II, it shows how we should react. When America is attacked, that's when we should come together."

By contrast, Norris believes former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has been clearer about taking a tough stance with national security and fighting terrorism.

"I don't want a candidate who is going to politicize the national security issue," Norris added. "It's important that the next president is tough on terrorism in both words and action, both in terms of budget dollars and policy."

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