General Zinni, Republican Presidential Surrogates Discuss Critical Role of American Global Leadership

Development, Diplomacy Alongside Defense Key to National and Economic Security

MANCHESTER, N.H., Dec. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New Hampshire leaders from the business, military, faith and non-profit communities came together this morning for a town hall meeting with Republican Presidential campaigns on America's role in the world and the importance of development and diplomacy, alongside defense, to our security and prosperity.   

Hosted by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College, and honorary host Senator John E. Sununu, Four Star General Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret.), former Commander in Chief of U.S. Central Command, began the town hall by stressing how critical economic development programs and fighting global poverty are to our national security.  

"American engagement has always been indispensable, and never more so than today," General Zinni said.  "That is why the citizens of New Hampshire must call on all the candidates for President of the United States to embrace a smart power strategy that invests in all the tools of our foreign policy, including development and diplomacy, to keep us safe." 

Following General Zinni's address, WMUR's Tom Griffith moderated a panel of high-level surrogates for Republican Presidential campaigns:  Paul Bonicelli for Governor Perry; former Executive Councilor and State Representative Bill Cahill for Senator Santorum; former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman for Governor Romney; State Senator Jim Forsythe for Congressman Paul; former Reagan National Security Advisor Bud McFarlane for Speaker Gingrich; and, Randy Schriver for Governor Huntsman. 

"I have seen firsthand that strategic investments in U.S. global leadership are among the most efficient and effective ways to keep us safe and create jobs," said Steve Duprey, CEO of Duprey Service Company. "It is my hope that our nation's leaders, whether they represent New Hampshire in Congress or are running for President, will see the value as well."

"New Hampshire residents will play a critical role in selecting the next President of the United States, and they have called on elected leaders to support our development and diplomacy programs to keep us safe and create jobs," said USGLC Executive Director Liz Schrayer. "With just weeks to go before ballots are cast, we call on all Presidential candidates to stand up for a smart power approach to U.S. foreign policy."

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world. 

SOURCE U.S. Global Leadership Coalition