Saturday, December 18, 2010

Sarah Palin: Senate Republicans - Vote No on New START

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin continued her voice of opposition against the New START treaty with an op-ed for National Review. I don't pretend to be a nuclear arms expert, but she makes some very compelling arguments against the treaty. The following passage regarding constraints on our ability to deploy additional missile defense systems echoes my main concern with the treaty.
New START recognizes a link between offensive and defensive weapons – a position the Russians have sought for years. Russia claims the treaty constrains U.S. missile defenses and that they will withdraw from the treaty if we pursue missile defenses. This linkage virtually guarantees that either we limit our missile defenses or the Russians will withdraw from the treaty. The Obama administration claims that this is not the case; but if that is true, why agree to linking offensive and defensive weapons in the treaty? At the height of the Cold War, President Reagan pursued missile defense while also pursuing verifiable arms control with the then-Soviet Union. That position was right in the 1980’s, and it is still right today. We cannot and must not give up the right to missile defense to protect our population – whether the missiles that threaten us come from Russia, Iran, China, North Korea, or anywhere else. I fought the Obama administration’s plans to cut funds for missile defense in Alaska while I was Governor, and I will continue to speak out for missile defenses that will protect our people and our allies.
Arizona Senator, John McCain has similar reservations regarding the missile defense provisions of the treaty.

Palin goes on to highlight several other concerns.
*New START actually requires the U.S. to reduce our nuclear weapons and allows the Russians to increase theirs.

*New START’s verification regime is weaker than the treaty it replaces, making it harder for us to detect Russian cheating.

*The limitation on the U.S. ability to convert nuclear systems to conventional systems.

*The lack of restriction on Russian sea launched cruise missiles.

*Recent reports that Russia moved tactical nuclear weapons (which are not covered by New START) closer to our NATO allies, demonstrate that the Obama administration has failed to convince Russia to act in a manner that does not threaten our allies.
President Obama seems to be in full court press mode, urging swift passage to "ensure our national security." The urgency of his message is reminiscent of his push to pass his government take-over of health care. Senators, let's take our time and do it right this time. Vote no on New START.

Read the entire op-ed HERE.

10 comments:

Doug NYC GOP said...

Very good to see Sarah joining Mitt Romney in pointing out the concerns regarding this treaty.

Mitt Romney's was the lone voice on July 6th, when he first raised the issue. He then faced lots of oppostion to his stand, which was obviously was not arrived at by putting his finger in the wind.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/05/AR2010070502657.html

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/243540/eight-problems-new-start-mitt-romney

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128460461

Bill589 said...

Read both Mitt's and Sarah's, one after the other. Some speak Harvard English, some speak Oxford English, Palin speaks American.

Russians call her "The Huntress." (For them, and conservatives, this is a compliment.) They don't seem to be as concerned about Mitt. (I never noticed anything anyway.) We know who they fear.

Anonymous said...

Better LATE than never.

zeke

Right Wingnut said...

Zeke,

She spoke out against the treaty before Mitt did, but has now laid out all of the reasons. The timing could not be better.

Hats off to both for taking a stand.

Right Wingnut said...

In case you want proof of her prior opposition...

http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2010/04/pre-srlc-open-threadobama-on-sarah.html

http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2010/04/sarah-palins-keynote-at-southern.html

http://www.conservatives4palin.com/2010/11/governor-palin-open-letter-to.html

kelly said...

Kelly,

I'm glad the she and Mitt are looking out for our best interests. Obama sure isn't.

Anonymous said...

"Better LATE than never." Yes, that would apply to Mr. Romney especially when it comes to the tax deal.

OHIO JOE

hamaca said...

"I'm glad the she and Mitt are looking out for our best interests. Obama sure isn't."

This.

I'm less concerned who said what first.

Revolution 2012 said...

OJ,

Lowry of the NRO had a chart the other day of those who opposed the Tax Bill. Palin was AWOL!

phil said...

Rev is correct.

Palin was not listed on the NRO chart as coming out against the bill.