Miller Questions Opponents’ Judgment Regarding Bergdahl
Photo Credit: SenateDemocratsJoe Miller today questioned the judgment of Senator Mark Begich and GOP primary opponent Mead Treadwell regarding the prisoner swap of five top Taliban leaders for American defector Bowe Bergdahl. Primary senate challenger Dan Sullivan has made no known public statements concerning this egregious act by the Obama Administration.
Following a White House briefing about the prisoner swap last week, Begich told The Hill, “There are still some questions, but a lot of them are answered,” he said. “We don’t leave any of our military personnel behind.”
Miller responded, “How Mark Begich could side with the President regarding the release of five Taliban prisoners for one American soldier who deserted his post is unfathomable. The Obama Administration broke the law and has put American military personnel at risk around the world.”
Treadwell issued contradictory statements regarding the Bergdahl release. In the first, issued May 31, he praised “those who worked tirelessly to liberate” Bergdahl and thanked God for his safe return. In the second, issued Friday, he called the Administration lawless for making the swap, stating it “sets a dangerous precedent.”
Miller issued a statement last Monday condemning the Obama Administration’s lawless act as “white flag diplomacy” that will only embolden our enemies.
Miller characterized Treadwell’s initial statement as “dumbfounding.” “There was ample evidence at the time of Treadwell’s first statement that trading five senior terrorist leaders, handpicked by the Taliban, for an anti-American deserter was not in our national security interests,” said Miller.
Treadwell’s statement raises serious questions about his capacity to make important decisions that will affect Alaska’s military community: (1) Is he prone to make hasty uninformed decisions in an attempt to curry favor with the public?; (2) Does he lack the judgment to deal with important national security issues?; (3) Does he have the integrity to admit when he is wrong and correct course?
“Both Mark Begich and Mead Treadwell have exercised poor judgment regarding the Bergdahl release, and Dan Sullivan’s views are still unknown in a matter with profound national security implications,” said Miller. “Alaskans deserve a senator whose judgment will be determined by principle not politics, and one who will not be afraid to speak out on issues that impact Alaska’s substantial military personnel.”
