Organizing for America

DEBATE REALITY CHECK: WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE

TONIGHT:

McCain: “My reading of the threat from Iran is that if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, it is an existential threat to the state of Israel and it is a threat to the region because the other countries in the region will feel a compelling requirement to acquire nuclear weapons as well.”
McCain: “But have no doubt, but have no doubt that the Iranians continue on the path to the acquisition of a nuclear weapon as we speak tonight, and it is a threat not only in the region but around the world.”
THE FACTS: OBAMA WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE TO KEEP WMDs OUT OF THE HANDS OF TERRORISTS WHILE MCCAIN HAS SHOWN NO LEADERSHIP ON NON-PROLIFERATION ISSUES

Obama And Lugar Passed Law Boosting U.S. Efforts To Keep WMDs And Other Dangerous Weapons Out Of The Hands Of Terrorists. In 2006, Obama and Lugar introduced The Cooperative Proliferation Detection Act, which was passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously on May 26, 2006 and was eventually incorporated into the Department of State Authorities Act of 2006 and signed into law on January 11, 2007. … The legislation authored by Chairman Lugar and Senator Obama enhances: (1) U.S. cooperation with foreign governments to destroy conventional weapons stockpiles around the world; and (2) the United States' ability to provide assistance to foreign governments aimed at helping them detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction. …The initiative was modeled after the Nunn-Lugar program that focuses on weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union. The legislation was signed into law on January 11, 2007, as a part of H.R. 6060, the Department of State Authorities Act of 2006.” [P.L. 109-472 , 1/11/07; House Report 109-706 , 9/3/06; S. 2566 , 109th Congress; S.1949 , 109th Congress; Senate Report 110-40 , 3/29/07]

Ø Lugar-Obama Strengthens The Ability “To Detect And Intercept Illegal Shipments Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction That Could Be Used In A Nuclear, Chemical, Or Biological Weapon.” Obama and Lugar: “The other part of the legislation would strengthen the ability of America's friends and allies to detect and intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction or material that could be used in a nuclear, chemical or biological weapon.” [Washington Post, 12/3/05 ]
For 26 years In Washington, McCain Showed No Leadership On Preventing Nuclear Proliferation/Nuclear Terrorism. Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association stated: “The majority of people following the issue would point out McCain has not taken a leadership role on nonproliferation during his career in the Senate.” In response to the Obama campaign statement from spokesman Bill Burton that “John McCain has not led on nonproliferation issues when he had the chance in the Senate", the non-partisan website politicalfact.com concluded: “a look at McCain’s record on nonproliferation shows he mostly showed up for key votes but didn’t influence debates” and “we don't find much in McCain's Senate record to refute the charge of the Obama camp. We say, True.” [Politifact, accessed 9/24/08 ]

Nuclear Experts Said McCain’s Speech On Non-Proliferation “Did Not Break Significant New Ground.” “Nuclear experts said McCain did not break significant new ground, but they welcomed the focus on the issue. ‘McCain's speech, while vague in several key areas, reflects the emerging bipartisan consensus in favor of renewed U.S. leadership on nuclear disarmament that is needed to win support for steps needed to shore up the beleaguered global nonproliferation system,’ said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association. He said it was ‘a welcome start’ that candidates are focused ‘on this underreported issue in the campaign.’” [Washington Post, 5/28/08 ]