OPINION:
So, Wisconsin Republican Senate candidate and former Marine Kevin Nicholson “questions the “cognitive thought process” of veterans who are Democrats” (“Bipartisan veterans backlash against GOP Senate candidate,” Web May 3). Mr. Nicholson recently said, of his challenger in the race: “I disagree with a thought process that leads you to vote for a Democrat like Tammy Baldwin, who doesn’t take any of these issues on national security seriously.”
However, Ms. Baldwin has spoken on the Senate floor about the impact of climate change, which the Department of Defense states is a threat multiplier that can enable terrorism and other forms of violence. The U.S. military has expressed concern about climate change since the George W. Bush administration, and dozens of Defense documents on this issue can be accessed at climateandsecurity.org.
With the GOP routinely dismissing the climate threat, it’s important for voters to know whether Mr. Nicholson breaks with his party and supports our military in this important area. Notably, Republican Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, another former Marine, is a member of the House of Representative’s bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus.
Mr. Nicholson touts himself as a straight talker, and he should be called upon to explain his view on the relationship between climate change and national security.
TERRY HANSEN
Oak Creek, Wisconsin
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