Terri Lynn Land Can’t Accurately Answer Basic Foreign Policy Questions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News from Progress Michigan

June 20, 2014

Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org

Terri Lynn Land Can’t Accurately Answer Basic Foreign Policy Questions

Land should not get a pass for fudging the facts 

MICHIGAN — During a press scrum following a candidate forum with the Small Business Association of Michigan, Terri Lynn Land was asked about how she would handle the situation in Iraq. Land’s answer is proof she lacks even a basic understanding of international events.

“Well, the president has obviously said that Al Qaeda has, you know, on the run. Well, it’s obviously not true,” Land said during the scrum, according to audio obtained by Progress Michigan. “So the president has to lead, he’s the chief and commander and he needs to lead and show us a vision and a plan on how he’s going to solve the problems and the issues.”

According to numerous national media outlets, the problems in Iraq have escalated to new levels due to the surge of a terrorist group known as ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham). This group has been characterized as being more radical than Al Qaeda. In fact, Al Qaeda has even denounced ISIS as being too extreme in their beliefs and practices.

“Though any performance would have to be better than the abysmal job she did on on Mackinac Island, Land seems to be getting a pass for her latest blundering of facts,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “It’s clear from Land’s answer that she doesn’t even have a basic understanding of major world events. ISIS is not Al Qaeda and that’s a very important distinction when looking at the situation in Iraq. First, it was her lack of understanding about Net Neutrality and her ‘free Internet’ gaffe, and now this. Land’s knowledge of key policy areas is extremely troubling.”

When asked a follow-up question on if she believes the U.S. should launch airstrikes in Iraq, Land said, “I believe the president needs to have a clear vision and a clear plan that he can let us know what that is, but I do not believe we need boots on the ground.”

“As a U.S. Senator, Land will face high-pressure, high-stakes situations related to foreign and domestic policy,” Scott continued. “How can she effectively lead when she doesn’t even have a minimal grasp on basic foreign policy? If Land believes that President Obama should release a plan of action to the public, then we believe Land should do the same. If Land wants to be a leader, then she needs to act like one.”

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