By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Wednesday, June 28th, 2017, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore held a press conference at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery to announce the members of his national security coalition and to speak about his vision for protecting our nation and supporting the military if elected as the next US Senator from Alabama.
Flanked by veterans and supporters Judge Roy Moore said, “I’ve had the honor of wearing our uniform and am the only candidate who has served in a combat zone, but it is double honor that these men and women who also served are standing here today to help us launch our national security coalition. If we don’t commit ourselves to national security, no other issue will matter. The leaders of this coalition know this and will be helping us to organize our veterans support network in every county in Alabama.”
Judge Moore announced that the following veterans were joining his campaign as part of his national security coalition: Casey Asher, Ret. Captain, USAF; DeWayne Bridges, USMC; Fidel Fonseca, USA, ret.; Win Johnson, Ret. Lt. Col., USAF; James Lester, Senior Master Sergeant, USAF; Eddie Mitchell, E5, USMC; Harvey Nabors, Petty Officer 2nd Class, USN; Dennis Pierson, Lt. Col., USAF; Keith Rudolf, Tech Sergeant 2nd, USAF; Mike Tate, Ret. Lt. Col., USAF; and Russell Padgett, Ret. Army who served with Judge Moore in the Vietnam War.
Moore said in his statement that the purpose of the national security coalition is to advise Judge Moore on matters of National Security and veterans affairs as well as advocating for Judge Moore within the veteran community.
Judge Moore also released a list of policy positions he will support in the United States Senate.
Judge Roy Moore said that his National Security Policy Principles are: As your next United States Senator, I will help find the funding for President Trump’s military build-up; I will work to end all non-strategic foreign aid and shift those funds to secure our border; I will support increasing troop levels in our United State Marine Corps and Army to make sure we have strike capability with overwhelming force anywhere in the world; I will support funding for a 400 ship Navy with the goal of reaching higher.
Moore wrote that: “History has shown that a great military is structured around a great navy. Experts suggest that a fully capable Navy is one served by 600 ships, and anything less is unacceptable; I will support funding to overhaul and upgrade our Air Force. It is clear that Air superiority led to our magnificent victories in both Gulf War conflicts. We must maintain a strategic advantage at all times. No pilot should ever be sent into combat without full training. Our F-35 and F-22 programs must not be compromised, and we should continue to upgrade and support known combat workhorses like the A-10” (coincidentally A-10s were making several low level flyovers over the capitol while Moore was speaking). Moore emphasized his support for veterans: “I will support more funding for the Veterans Administration. The level of service for our veterans is still unacceptable. We can cut the funding for bloated budgets in federal agencies like the EPA, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Education and shift more funding to the Veterans Administration.”
Judge Moore continued: “As your next United States Senator, I will support President Trump’s plan to make our military the strongest and most ready in the world. We should walk softly and carry a big stick. Our military should be feared by our enemies, respected by our allies, and loved by our people.”
Moore Campaign Chairman Bill Armistead said, “We are very encouraged by the support we have received from veterans across the state. Veterans know better than anyone what it takes to keep our nation safe. As a veteran and military father, Judge Moore will make the needs of our brave men and women in uniform a top priority, whether they are fighting on the battlefield or fighting for their lives in a VA hospital.”
Moore told reporters that he is battling the severe money differences between himself and Luther Strange because, “The people of Alabama know me. They know what I stand for. They believe what I believe.” “It is clear that Washington does not want me and that is fine with me.”
Moore said that he has support from across Alabama: Republicans and Democrats; Blacks as well as Whites; rich and poor; young and old.
The Special Primary Elections are on August 15. The Special General Election is on December 12.
