in
jews
the d
elections

U.S. Senate Candidates

DEMOCRAT

During the campaign
season, incumbent
Michigan Democratic
Sen. Debbie Stabenow
and her opponent,
Republican businessman
John James, came
into the Jewish News’
Southfi eld offi ce to Debbie Stabenow
answer questions Q: Historically, support for Israel has
bipartisan, but now the issue
about their policies been
seems to have been politicized. How
and priorities. Here are can we address this?
DS: It’s critical to have bipartisan
highlights from those support
for Israel and, I would argue
conversations. that, in fact, it has been, despite the

JACKIE HEADAPOHL MANAGING EDITOR

political rhetoric. Funding for Israel
has remained strong as has funding for

REPUBLICAN

John James

Q: Historically, support for Israel has
been bipartisan, but now the issue seems
to have been politicized. How would you
address this?
JJ: No issue should be a partisan issue.
It’s sad that things have come down to

16

October 18 • 2018

jn

joint research that Israel and the U.S.
do in agriculture technology, for exam-
ple. My commitment to Israel is strong
and will remain strong. I support a
two-state solution and Israel’s right to
defend itself. I believe it’s is important
that the U.S. be an honest peace broker
to try to bring people together.
Q: Now that the Trump administra-
tion has pulled out of the Iran Nuclear
agreement, what do you see as a path
forward to mitigate a nuclear Iran?
DS: I supported the agreement
— not because it was perfect — but
because we had credible evidence
that Iran was very close to having the
capacity to build a nuclear weapon.
Even as I supported the agreement, at
the same time I supported and was a
co-sponsor of continuing sanctions on
Iran for its ballistic missiles and terror-
ist activity.
Pulling out of the deal was not a
well-thought-out plan by the White
House. I also know from meeting with
leaders of other countries that it makes
it more difficult for other countries to

trust the agreements the U.S. makes.
Q: What are your thoughts on trade?
DS: Trade is always complicated
in Michigan. We’re the fifth largest
exporting state. We have more than $3
billion that goes back and forth across
the bridge every day, and we have an
integrated automotive supply chain
between Canada and the U.S. We need
a set of policies that levels the playing
field so we’re exporting our products
and not our jobs.
Also, Michigan farmers need mar-
kets. Our farmers are in a difficult spot
right now because they are being used
in this trade war. The retaliatory tariffs
put on Michigan agricultural products
are putting our farmers at risk. The
answer is not to provide farmers subsi-
dies — which are paid for by adding to
the deficit. Our farmers say they want
trade — not aid. I certainly want to
help farmers, and we have a risk man-
agement system, crop insurance and
other ways to support farmers, all of
which I helped to develop and support.
We do, however, need strong trade

that. I think it’s tearing this nation apart.
I was an army officer for 12½ years,
counting West Point, and then went into
business. I have always had to work with
diverse people to accomplish tough mis-
sions both in combat and in business. I
believe what makes us great as a nation
is our diversity.
I was always raised to believe that
Israel is the rightful home of the Jews
and we must stand by God’s chosen
people. There must be zero public space
between Israel and the United States of
America. We must do everything we can
to preserve that relationship. That’s not a
partisan issue and it blows my mind that
it’s become a partisan issue.
Q: Now that the Trump administra-
tion has pulled out of the Iran Nuclear
agreement, what do you see as a path
forward to mitigate a nuclear Iran?
JJ: We must make sure that Iran is
never in the position to develop a nucle-
ar weapon or intercontinental ballistic
missile. We must make sure that Iran
is never able to destabilize the world

community or the U.S. through cyber,
terror or proxy means. And that means
using every single tool in our toolbox to
include economic sanctions and the like.
And that means leaving every option on
the table.
Our public pronouncement of align-
ment with Israel is the first and most
necessary step — the security funding,
the missile defense system, moving the
embassy to Jerusalem … These pub-
lic stances, I believe, are indicating to
Tehran that Israel and the United States
are in lockstep.
I was always taught that when some-
body tells you who they are, you believe
them. When Iran says, “death to Israel”
or “death to America,” I believe them.
Even former Secretary of State John
Kerry said the $150 billion the previous
administration gave to Iran would finds
its way into terrorists’ hands. To reverse
that, we need to make sure that we stand
with Israel and work with the world to
contain Iran because we cannot afford to
kick the can down the road.