Zeldin Releases National Security Video

MASTIC, NY (04/08/2008)(readMedia)-- The endorsed Republican candidate for New York’s First Congressional District today released his latest campaign video, this time focusing on the national security aspect of his campaign platform.

Army veteran and GOP candidate Lee Zeldin, running to represent the Eastern Long Island district, renewed his call to support our troops in the field with the equipment, supplies and training necessary to execute Gen. David Petraeus’ plan for victory.

To coincide with the release of the video, Zeldin issued the following statement:

As a veteran of the Iraq War, candidate for the United States Congress, and an American directly opposed to the actions of politicians seeking political capital from defeat in Iraq, I fully acknowledge and respect these concerns. However, my conscience, values and experience give me no choice but to oppose any effort to cut off funding for troops currently serving in harm's way.

The United States can choose to continue helping the Iraqis develop a stable society that will become a valuable partner in fighting terror or risk the creation of a vacuum likely to be filled by radicals who mean us harm. Terrorists have declared Iraq the central front in their war against the west, and hope to sustain violence until American public opinion becomes so negative that we withdraw from Iraq and they can gain control of an influential Middle Eastern nation.

My opponent argues that we should cut our losses. Unconscionably, he continues to try and block the ammunition, supplies and equipment necessary for our currently-deployed troops manning our front lines. Troops should be held at the tip of our nation's diplomatic spear, not at the tip of a political spear.

The 21st Century Warrior deserves every bit of support the Allies received during World War II. While the adversaries have changed, those opposed to freedom will forever be our nation's greatest enemies. Thankfully, our troops are the brightest and best trained in the world. They simply require the time and support necessary to accomplish the mission.

We should all take great pride in recognizing that since assuming command of our forces in January 2007, General David Petraeus has overseen a successful campaign where the surge has worked, sectarian violence has been significantly reduced, and we continue to hand over control of provinces to the Iraqi government. Along the way, we've cultivated an agile and brilliant military that is the envy of the world because of our valor, adaptability and patriotism.

We must honor the sacrifices so many of our great Americans have made and ensure that their losses have not been in vain. Our troops must not return home from Iraq with their heads down under the white flag of surrender. They've worked too hard and sacrificed too much for anything less and Congress has the moral obligation to give them everything necessary to leave the battlefield victorious, with their heads held high.

Zeldin served as an aide to State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle. The Shirley resident studied at the University at Albany, graduated from Albany Law School, and earned his commission through Army ROTC. He was a paratrooper, prosecutor and magistrate with the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps. In the summer of 2006, he was a JAG attorney deployed to Iraq. He is currently an attorney at Raiser & Kenniff on Long Island.

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For more information on Lee’s campaign please visit us at www.zeldin08.com

Paid for by Lee Zeldin for Congress