Ashdown Calls on Hatch to Support Troops
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brett Garner (brett@peteashdown.org)
Office: (801) 983-7383

*****PRESS RELEASE****

Ashdown Calls on Hatch to Support Troops

SALT LAKE CITY, UT--Pete Ashdown, Democratic nominee for US Senate in
Utah, released the following statement responding to his opponent's
assertions in yesterday's Tooele Transcript-Bulletin
and today's Salt Lake Tribune:

"My opponent continues to trot out the falsehood that Democrats are bad
for national security.  I find this offensive, false, and deceptive. It
shows a fundamental lack of respect for and confidence in the abilities
of America's troops, our intelligence services, our law enforcement
agencies, and general disrespect for the American people.   According to
my opponent's flawed logic, America's bravest servants would be so
distraught by a Democratic victory, that they would just forget that we
are at war and they would quit in droves.  I hold a greater confidence
in our troops and civil servants.

"Furthermore, Democrats have shown that they have been more competent in
national security matters.  When I think of strong Democrats, I think of
Harry Truman, who won World War II.  He had another comparison I agree
with, one as true today as it was in 1948 when he said it in Springville:
'It has been the policy of the Democratic Party to be for the people. 
It has been the policy of the Republican Party to be for the special
interests.'  Senator Hatch wants to scare people into voting Republican
so he can help out his Hollywood buddies and out-of-state contributors. 
I want people to vote for me so all Americans can: be safe from terror,
have clean, cheap energy; affordable health care; and be secure from
unwarranted government intrusion.

"I also want to comment on the US District Court striking down the NSA
warrantless eavesdropping program.  I believe that the Court made the
right decision, recognizing that the administration overstepped its
Constitutional authority.  I have previously expressed concerns about
the President taking unilateral steps to eavesdrop, without asking for a
warrant, and without asking Congress to revise the Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Act.  Certainly national security is a concern that should
not be diminished. However, our Constitution does not deny warranted
investigation. What it sets down are the rules for how that is to take
place. When wiretaps, emails, or other communications are spied upon
without proper court order, then we as Americans are losing a
significant portion of our freedom.  The Constitution puts restraint on
government for good reason; government rarely restrains itself."