You Gotta Fight, for Our Right, to Missile Defense

James Carafano / May 19, 2010

Yesterday, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) clashed head on with Obama administration officials in the first hearing over New START, a proposed nuclear arms control treaty that the White House has submitted to the Senate for ratification. DeMint hammered home the point that the treaty would limit how future presidents could pursue missile defenses.

Secretary Gates brushed off the concerns as did the Committee Chair John Kerry dismissing the notion that the White House has come up with anything but the perfect missile defense plan. But others argue the White House plan is inadequate, furthermore in the future conditions and threats may change—why should the United States have to go back to Russia to get permission to defend itself. Senator Kerry has no problem seeking a permission slip from the Russians. As  The New York Times reported, Senator DeMint thinks it is a terrible idea: “With his response, Senator Kerry proved why Americans have a hard time fully trusting the left to put American interests first in foreign affairs.” (more…)