August 12, 2006 :: UPI :: News
As the midterm elections approach, Republicans are looking to ballistic missile defense as a major campaign issue. Polls have shown that the American public overwhelmingly supports missile defense, even more so given North Korea’s recent tests launches and Iran’s drive to acquire nuclear weapons. The Democrats, having attempted to block deployments under President Bush, are vulnerable on the issue. On Thursday, August 10, Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman circulated a paper attacking the Democratic voting record. “During the Bush administration, Democrats have voted against missile defense at least nine times,” the paper states. “When Democrats were in control of Congress they cut billions from missile defense.” The paper lists all the votes, by name and number, and adds that “Democrats would have [left] us helpless against North Korea’s missiles,” a reference to North Korea’s test launch of seven ballistic missiles on July 4, one of which was the long-range Taep’o-dong 2.
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