DISADVANTAGE/PLAN CAUSES MISSILE DEFENSE
MOBILIZATION OF SUPPORTERS IS CRITICAL FOR DEPLOYMENT DECISION FOR NMD
MOBILIZATION OF MISSILE DEFENSE PARTISANS IN CONGRESS WILL DOOM EXISTING ABM & ARMS REDUCTION TALKS
EDITORIAL, The Christian Science Monitor September 17, 1999, Pg. 10 HEADLINE: Arms Control: Still a Must // ln-10/99-acs
The biggest question mark in all of this is the willingness of partisans in Congress to let the negotiating process move ahead unhindered, since relations with Russia are shaping up as a campaign issue. Successful arms-control talks take far-reaching vision. Few things matter more than reducing the threat of nuclear war.
Wise negotiators - and the political leaders that must implement their work - will fit both limits on warheads and the development of credible defenses within that goal.
PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP IS ESSENTIAL FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF AN NMD POLICY
Baker Spring, Research Fellow in National Security Policy, The Heritage Foundation, 2001, Defending America from Missile Attack
http://www.heritage.org/mandate/priorities/chap9.html //VT2002acslnPresidential leadership is critically important to the successful deployment of an effective missile defense system. The President Bush must act quickly and with authority as the Commander in Chief to implement the policies outlined above. One way to do this is by issuing presidential orders.
THE PRESIDENT WILL NEED TO MOBILIZE PUBLIC SUPPORT IN ORDER TO GET AN NMD SYSTEM
Baker Spring, Research Fellow in National Security Policy, The Heritage Foundation, 2001, Defending America from Missile Attack
http://www.heritage.org/mandate/priorities/chap9.html //VT2002acslnMobilize public opinion behind his initiatives. Public opinion on deploying a missile defense system can affect the programs both positively and negatively. Currently, public opinion polls indicate strong support for deploying a missile defense system. According to a March 2000 poll conducted for the Coalition to Protect Americans Now, 73 percent of the 1,000 registered voters surveyed supported deployment when they were told of the growing threat.
16 However, voters seldom list missile defense as an immediate concern when they are asked what issues are important to them in general terms. According to a John McLaughlin and Associates poll conducted on June 4-5, 2000, 1,000 likely voters listed national defense next to last among the issues that concern them.17