With just a few days remaining until Election Day, the nation is at a critical crossroads, both in terms of economic security and national security. In such uncertain times, we must be certain in our president and commander-in-chief.
Unlike Barack Obama, we know John McCain. We know where he stands on the critical issues and we know he is ready to lead in this time of crisis. John McCain has impressed us with his outstanding record and principled leadership during his tenure in elective office.
On economics, McCain is a tough-nosed budget hawk and pro-growth tax-cutter. His economic plan includes targeted tax cuts that will create jobs and help pull the economy out of recession. He supports lowering the corporate tax rate, which is currently the second highest in the world, to encourage businesses to come here, stay here and grow jobs. He supports a cut in the capital gains tax, which has been proven in the past to generate more tax revenue and will help the stock market bounce back, as well as buoy both the economy and the 401(k) plans that have been hard hit by the fiscal crisis.
Unlike Obama, we know that McCain does not support the economic policies of class warfare and redistribution of wealth.
In addition to serious economic challenges, we face numerous foreign policy challenges as well. From the global war on terror, to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to the growing threat from rogue nations like Iran and North Korea, to the rise of new geopolitical competitors such as China and Russia, McCain has the experience and wisdom to protect our country’s vital interests. Most importantly, McCain is a warrior with the resolve and experience to bring about victory, but also knows how precious our soldiers are and will always work to ensure peace.
McCain understands that succeeding in Iraq is vital for the long-term security of the United States, as well as for Israel. As the war in Iraq grew increasingly more violent and unpopular, McCain, unlike Obama, did not call for immediate withdrawal without victory. Instead he urged the president to redouble our efforts and launch the surge — and it worked.
Thanks to the surge, sectarian violence has declined dramatically, Iraqi political leaders control a majority of the Iraqi provinces and more Sunnis are helping coalition forces fight against al Qaida. In fact, conditions on the ground have improved so much that media coverage of what is happening is barely making headlines.
McCain understands that a nuclear Iran would be devastating to the United States and our interests, as well as to Israel. In the first presidential debate, McCain acknowledged that “if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, it is an existential threat to the State of Israel.” But the fact is he has been front-and-center on the issue for nearly two decades, first helping coauthor the Iran-Iraq Arms Non-Proliferation Act in 1992.
Instead of sitting down unconditionally with President Ahmadinejad, as Obama has said he would do, McCain believes in building international pressure that can peacefully, but effectively, change the course of Iran’s actions. He has called for tougher sanctions to limit Iran’s ability to import and refine petroleum products. He supports imposing financial sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran, which helps fund the country’s terrorist activities and weapons proliferation.
He believes in applying full force of the law here at home to prevent business dealings with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. And he joined Sens. Lieberman and Kyl to back an amendment that designated the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization — a measure more than three-quarters of the Senate supported, but Obama did not.
And we know whose side McCain is on when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Unlike Obama, who has flip-flopped on the issue of Jerusalem and was at one time endorsed by leaders of Hamas, McCain will defend Israel unconditionally and has consistently supported Jerusalem as the eternal, undivided capital of Israel.
McCain understands that peace cannot be established until Israel has a true partner for peace. While McCain would like to see peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian leadership, he recognizes that a negotiation developed while terror attacks still occur will never succeed.
At a time when so much is at stake for the nation, we must be vigilant in asking: What do we really know about our leaders?
We know that Barack Obama has developed an impressive cult of personality, but we don’t know much else. In fact, there are endless unanswered questions about his legislative record, his unsavory political and personal associations over the years, and his current political positions that undermine the American spirit. There are too many unknowns to hand over the reigns of the presidency to Barack Obama. John McCain is the proven, steady leader we need in these dangerous and turbulent times.
Matthew Brooks is executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Washington, D.C.