Subject: Global Crisis A Wildcard in November Elections
From: "Liz Schrayer, USGLC" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 11:08:42 -0500 (CDT)

U.S. Global Leadership Coalition

Dear Hunter,

This time last year, I recall a poll that showed a majority of voters
wanting us to "mind our own business internationally," and for most of
this year the election cycle was almost totally dominated by domestic
issues. That's all changed.  Candidates and voters have turned their
attention to the staggering array of humanitarian and security crises
-- from Ebola to ISIS.  Public attitudes have shifted. In a recent
Gallup poll, a whopping 78 percent of Americans said "the situation
with Islamic militants in Iraq and Syria" is extremely or very
important, higher than even the economy. Debates in these final two
weeks are filled with jabs about which candidate will best protect
America's interests in the world.

*  Candidates Not Isolationists. The question for the USGLC
is
not who will win, but whether or not we have educated candidates
about importance of development and diplomacy as a key policy
tool. Through our Smart Vote 2014 
http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=PZVI-hUqmk8yvxPeFWNirw

campaign, our national network has already met with nearly 100
candidates. I have to say, I am optimistic that these
policymakers are not isolationist. While many of them are new to
foreign policy, they understand that America has an important
role in the world and that foreign assistance is a critical
tool. 

*  On the Road with Senators McCain, Isakson and Ayotte. Over the
past few weeks, the USGLC hosted three great friends - Senators
Johnny Isakson, John McCain, and Kelly Ayotte in their
respective home states of Georgia, Arizona, and New Hampshire
with crowds topping more than 400 leaders.  With incredible
partners
including

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=NU4doK-RRbPcq1vy1LMhiQ

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=r6y9jiCbZBElthgQWSUwuw

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=0KYJkZDzkR2W1fUKAyT7Ug

CARE and Coca Cola in Atlanta, Arizona State University and
Intel in Phoenix, and St. Anselm's Institute of Politics in
Manchester, we heard a powerful case for our cause.  As
Senator Isakson said, "We have to support the foreign aid
budget. If we don't, we'll have to buy more bullets."  

Isakson, McCain, Ayotte

*  Military Leaders: "Fighting Extremism Requires Foreign Aid,
Too." In a recent op-ed,

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=40OCfvun0vlW79DakxmzOQ

General Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret.) and Admiral James Stavridis,
USN (Ret.) addressed the current crises saying that foreign aid
is "one of the least appreciated and yet vital means for
advancing America's interests around the world," and concluded
that "our nation, at long last, needs to reject misguided
narratives that question the value of foreign aid."

A final plea: Vote.  Too many of us don't vote, including our
adult kids. With less than two weeks before the elections, call the
campaign offices in your hometown and ask them "what is your position
on America's role in the world?" Remind them that you support global
development and diplomacy because it's the right thing and the smart
thing to do. Despite all the dysfunction in Washington, I still
believe citizen voices make a difference.

Stay tuned for our detailed election analysis and candidate profiles
on November 5th.

Liz Schrayer
Executive Director

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=CWl0FTuXsEEZwMLcM5tUXA

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