Chicago, IL- The following letter was released today by leading national security experts including former Senior State Department Official Greg Craig, former Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig, Major General Scott Gration (ret.), former Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Tony McPeak (ret.) and former Senior State Department Official Susan E. Rice in support of Senator Barack Obama and his preparedness to serve as Commander in Chief.

Below is the Text of the Letter:

To Whom It May Concern,

During last night's debate, Barack Obama demonstrated that he has the best judgment to be Commander-in-Chief and turn the page on the kind of diplomacy that has marked the last 7 years.

It was clear from last night that Barack Obama has the best understanding of how to deal with the complex challenges that America faces in the world.  It is time America had a President who will use all the instruments of our power against our toughest adversaries.

First and foremost, Senator Obama's opposition to the Iraq war from the beginning and his warning of a " U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences" demonstrate the sound judgment we look for in a Commander in Chief.    He is right that the right time to consider how to end a war is before it begins, and we were especially pleased to hear him say, "When I am President of the United States, when I send our troops into battle, I am going to be absolutely sure that it is based on sound intelligence, and I'm going to tell the truth to the American people, as well as the families who are being asked to sacrifice."

At the same time, Senator Obama also showed he understands all the instruments of power available to the President, including tough minded diplomacy.   As Senator Obama pointed out, John F. Kennedy stood up to the Soviets; he also said, "Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate."  Ronald Reagan called the Soviet Union an Evil Empire, but he also personally negotiated arms agreements with Mikhail Gorbachev.

The American people are tired of a war in Iraq that has cost us dearly.  They want real change and strong leadership; last night, Senator Obama showed that he is the candidate who is ready to lead.

Signed,
 

Gregory Craig

Richard J. Danzig

Major General Scott Gration (ret.)

General Merrill Anthony "Tony" McPeak (ret.

Susan Rice
 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 24, 2007
Contact: Obama Press Office