Republicans, Democrats Clash Over Terror

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Republicans, Democrats Clash Over Terror
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Aug 10, 3:47 PM (ET)

By LIZ SIDOTI

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans and Democrats clashed over the war on terror on Thursday within hours of the disclosure of a thwarted terrorist plot in Britain, each side accusing the other of doing too little to deter the threat of attack.

"We must implement the strong recommendations of the independent 9/11 commission to improve airport security screening at checkpoints," said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, stressing one of the party's principal campaign-year promises in its drive to gain control of Congress.


A woman exits a baggage claim area with a sign, at left, indicating a heightened terror alert at the Oakland International Airport in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006. The U.S. terror alert was lifted to Orange Thursday after the discovery of a terror plot involving planes leaving Britain. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)


Ohio Republicans said the Democratic candidate for the Senate, Rep. Sherrod Brown, had voted against money "for the very types of programs that helped the British thwart these vicious attacks."

"I don't question his patriotism, but the fact is if Sherrod Brown had his way, America would be less safe," said Bob Bennett, chairman of the Ohio Republican Party.

and cronyism. I am so sick of playing the patriotism card. Republicans keep painting issues in broad strokes and devililsh rhetoric and most folks eat it up.

Ohio Republicans said the Democratic candidate for the Senate, Rep. Sherrod Brown, had voted against money "for the very types of programs that helped the British thwart these vicious attacks."

"I don't question his patriotism, but the fact is if Sherrod Brown had his way, America would be less safe," said Bob Bennett, chairman of the Ohio Republican Party.

Brown, who is challenging Republican Sen. Mike DeWine, mentioned the billions on the Iraq war and said the thwarted attacks "underscore the need to refocus our resources on fighting the war on terror."

The charges served as a reminder that with midterm elections less than three months away, not even an alleged attack to blow up passenger planes was off-limits to politics.

n 2002 and 2004, the GOP sought to make the case that there hasn't been an attack on U.S. soil since 2001 because the Bush administration and Republicans have been diligent on national security. The GOP portrayed Democrats as weak on the issue and suggested that Democratic rule could endanger the country.

In a sign that the issues will reverberate beyond this fall, potential 2008 presidential candidates weighed in on the scheme.

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's office said he will activate the National Guard to help with security at Logan International Airport for the first time since the 2001 attacks. And, New York Gov. George Pataki, also a Republican, said the disrupted terror operation "underscores the need for continued vigilance, intelligence gathering and cooperation among law enforcement agencies and the public."

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