Democratic Senate Challenger; member of State Senate
End the war in Iraq with a diplomatic surge
Both candidates proclaimed support for the military, but Hagan called for ending the war in Iraq with a “diplomatic surge,” a commonly heard but ill-defined term. Dole was even more vague, expressing frustration with the
Bush administration’s handling of the war but worrying that “precipitous withdrawal” would lead to further instability.
Source: 2008 N.C. Senate Debate reported in Greensboro News-Record
Jun 25, 2008
The Iraq war had not made the U.S. safer
On the war in Iraq, which Dole has supported and Hagan has opposed, both muted their position. “We have got to end this war in Iraq,” said Hagan, adding that the war had not made the U.S. safer, had made new enemies and had alienated allies. But she said
the war needed to be ended “in a responsible fashion” with the country mounting “a diplomatic surge.”
Dole warned against “a precipitous withdrawal” but said Iraq needs to begin picking up the costs of reconstruction.
Source: 2008 N.C. Senate Debate reported in Raleigh News & Observer
Jun 22, 2008
A responsible withdrawal to re-focus on defeating al Qaeda
The first job of government is keeping the American people safe, and ensuring that we have strong intelligence and homeland security agencies. Kay believes the decision to invade Iraq without a plan, without the proper number of troops, and without prope
equipment to keep our troops safe was mismanagement of the highest order. She supports a responsible withdrawal so that we can re-focus on defeating al Qaeda, improving our country’s reputation around the world and rebuilding our military strength.
Source: Campaign website, www.kayhagan.com, “Issues”
May 21, 2008
Sanctions on Iran to end nuclear program.
Hagan signed Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act
Expresses the sense of Congress that:
diplomatic efforts to address Iran's illicit nuclear efforts, unconventional and ballistic missile development programs, and support for international terrorism are more likely to be effective if the President is empowered with explicit authority to impose additional sanctions on the government of Iran;
US concerns regarding Iran are strictly the result of that government's actions; and
the people of the United States have feelings of friendship for the people of Iran and regret that developments in recent decades have created impediments to that friendship.
States that it should be US policy to:
support international diplomatic efforts to end Iran's uranium enrichment program and its nuclear weapons program;
encourage foreign governments to direct state-owned and private entities to cease all investment in, and support of, Iran's energy sector and all exports of refined petroleum products to Iran;
impose sanctions
on the Central Bank of Iran and any other Iranian financial institution engaged in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups; and
work with allies to protect the international financial system from deceptive and illicit practices by Iranian financial institutions involved in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups.
Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to direct the President to impose sanctions if a person has made an investment of $20 million or more (or any combination of investments of at least $5 million which in the aggregate equals or exceeds $20 million in any 12-month period) that directly and significantly contributed to Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources. (Under current law the sanction thresholds are $40 million, $10 million, and $40 million, respectively.)
