Cotton Talks Foreign Policy At NEA Political Animals

This nation faces a series of challenges from people who want to destroy our way of life, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate said Friday.

Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Dardanelle, spoke to about 100 people during the monthly meeting of the NEA Political Animals club at the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.

During his speech, Cotton mostly spoke about foreign policy and taxes. However, he did make some remarks on a lack of debates with his opponent, Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Arkansas.

The Arkansas race is one of the most highly-watched Senate races in the country. Both parties and the candidates’ campaigns have spent money on multi-media advertising and rallying their bases, while issue advocacy groups have spent money on ads and groundwork as well.

Cotton, who received the Bronze Star while serving in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he believes there is a lack of leadership in the White House especially involving ISIS, the terrorist group responsible for the beheading of American journalist James Foley.

“He has no strategy whatsoever,” Cotton said of President Barack Obama.

After his remarks, Cotton spoke to Talk Business & Politics about the foreign policy issue.

He said he has heard from Arkansans in recent weeks about the issues with ISIS, Russia and Ukraine as well as the battle between Israel and Hamas.

“Arkansans are a very patriotic people. (British Prime Minister) David Cameron came back from vacation (to deal with the Foley situation). Ours stayed on vacation,” Cotton said, referring to Obama.

Cotton said some of the terrorists, who may have British or other friendly nation’s citizenship, could have easy access to this country by flying into the United States.

“The goal of Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, Al Queda is to attack and end our western way of life,” Cotton said, noting the role of western nations is to protect freedoms like religion and press. “Mosul, it is like Nineveh, which was cleansed of Christians. Arkansans want to stop the genocide.”

Erik Dorey, deputy campaign manager for Pryor, questioned Cotton’s veracity on the comments.

“There is no question that the actions by ISIS are unconscionable. But for Congressman Cotton to join the ‘Blame America First’ crowd, to do so for purely political reasons, it is irresponsible and not fitting of the office he so desperately seeks to hold,” Dorey said.

OTHER ISSUES
After the speech, Cotton addressed several questions from people who attended the NEA Political Animals Club meeting.

A woman in the crowd asked Cotton about his no votes on the Farm Bill, Violence against Women Act, a jobs bill and opposition to the Affordable Care Act.

“You voted no,” the woman said.

“I voted yes for Arkansas and voted no on the Obama agenda,” Cotton told the woman.

On the farm bill, Cotton said it was heavily weighted toward food stamps and provided a bad situation for farmers.

“Arkansas farmers, less than one half of one percent of spending, went to them. It was a bad bill for Arkansas,” Cotton said.

Dorey countered the issue was important to farmers.

“Congressman Cotton owes Arkansans the truth about how his blind political ambition that led him to support tax breaks for his billionaire backers while slashing retirement benefits for Arkansas seniors, cutting funds for Arkansas Children’s Hospital and his vote against the Farm Bill, which is crucial to the economy of Northeast Arkansas,” Dorey said.

Cotton communications director David Ray said the vote on Children’s Hospital was misleading.

“He (Pryor) is doubling down on his false attacks, which shows his desperation,” Ray said. “On the vote, there was not a loss in funding, not a single penny. In fact, Rep. Cotton has voted five times to fund pediatric research.”

On the debate issue, Cotton said he was ready to debate Pryor at any time.

“It is great to be here. I wish my opponent was here,” Cotton said.

Dorey said Pryor has agreed to two debates – a debate sponsored by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and a debate run by AETN.

“Senator Pryor has said from the beginning he looks forward to debating Congressman Cotton. Because Arkansas deserves Cotton’s explanation of his reckless vote with billionaire backers against the best interest of Arkansans,” Dorey said.

Ray said Cotton has agreed to five televised debates, including one sponsored by the NEA Political Animals Club.

“If Senator Pryor was interested in defending his record, he would debate. However, he has literally run away from a debate,” Ray said, referencing an interview by KATV reporter Janelle Lilley who questioned Pryor about the issue.