Democrats Hold America’s Security is America’s Business Rally
MEMPHIS, TN — While Washington Republicans held their leadership conference in Memphis, Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke called on the potential GOP presidential candidates in 2008 to answer the many grave questions Americans have about our ports’ security and our nation’s overall homeland security. “The presidential contenders should use this opportunity to outline where they stand on outsourcing our nation’s port security to foreign governments,” Tuke said. “They should explain why they failed to act on the Dubai deal, and they should explain why they have obstructed Democratic efforts to improve port security and adequately fund homeland security through our nation’s first responders.”
On Friday, Tuke hosted an America’s Security is America’s Business rally in front of B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street. He was joined by state Senator Steve Cohen, candidate for Shelby County district attorney Gail Mathes, fire fighters, police officers, and other first responders. The Democratic Party also unveiled a mobile billboard that called on Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, to come clean about where they stand on the outsourcing of our nation’s port security to foreign countries. The mobile billboard circulated around the Memphis area while Republicans were in town for the Southern Republican Leadership Conference.
“Frist needs to explain why he supported a deal to turn security at six U.S. ports over to a company owned by a country with known ties to terrorist organizations,” Tuke said. “He needs to explain why he turned his back on the American people, who overwhelmingly disapproved of the deal.”
Also, Tuke called on Frist to explain why Senate Republicans have repeatedly blocked attempts by Democrats to increase funding for first responders. Since 2003, Senate Republicans have fought against nine efforts to provide more money for local law enforcement, fire fighters, emergency personnel, and bio-terrorism workers.
“Homeland security begins with hometown security,” Tuke said. “Frist has obstructed every attempt to provide our first responders with the funds they need to do their jobs. Now, he’s supporting the latest Bush Administration budget, which slashes over $1 billion from programs designed to assist local law enforcement agencies.”
Such a lack of understanding of vital national security issues is troubling in people that aspire to the presidency, Tuke said. “If they want to lead us, they need to show they understand how to keep us safe.”
