Posted on 11/30/2007 7:03:54 PM PST by pissant
Columbia , SC – At a press conference held at the South Carolina State Capitol today, Presidential candidate and U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) again called on Bain Capital, a company founded by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, to drop its strategic partnership with Chinese defense contractor Huawei Technologies in a bid to buy U.S. defense contractor 3Com. Hunter also called on Romney to use his continued influence with Bain to terminate the proposed merger between Huawei and 3Com, which, according to a report in today's Washington Times, would threaten U.S. national security.
"As the founder of Bain Capital, Governor Romney has an obligation to utilize his influence within the company to terminate the proposed merger between 3Com and Chinese defense contractor Huawei," said Hunter. "In light of China 's refusal to port several American naval vessels last week, it is increasingly more important that American military technology be protected from foreign companies, such as Huawei, that are closely aligned with the Chinese government."
The Washington Times reported today that U.S. intelligence agencies informed the CFIUS review committee, responsible for examining proposed foreign investment transactions, that a merger between 3Com and Huawei would threaten America 's national security. 3Com presently performs vital cyber-security work for the Department of Defense.
"This proposed deal, which Governor Romney can work to terminate should he choose to do so, is unpatriotic and damaging to national security," continued Hunter. As further detailed in a resolution introduced in the House of Representatives, Huawei has close ties to the military of Communist China and allegedly aided Saddam Hussein and the Taliban.
Earlier this month, Hunter sent a letter to Governor Romney requesting that he use his influence as the founder of Bain to terminate the company's partnership with Huawei, including the proposed merger with 3Com. Hunter, who is ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, has not received a response to the letter.
A copy of the Washington Times article and Hunter's letter to Romney is attached.
There is no such thing as a private company in CHina, unless they are on the black market. Everyone of these outfts is inextricably tied to the PLA
I don’t think it has. This is his 2nd letter to Romney. The first was a few weeks back.
Regardless, Mitt needs to man up.
Our technology at work too, BTW. Clinton should be hanged, both of them.
Evenin’ Kevmo.
I don’t have any problem with that, as long as it’s with a cleated lumberjack boot.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920426/posts
Aren't these the same threads?
Regardless, Mitt needs to man up.
The company doesn't belong to Mitt Romney anymore. He would be completely wrong to try to control the company while he runs for president or to give the appearance of trying to control the company. I like Mr. Hunter, but he's wrong to suggest that Mr. Romney should use his connections with Bain Capital to influence their decisions. Mr. Romney's time to tell Bain Capital what to do has passed.
Bill
I said this was the SECOND letter to Romney, the other a month ago. Look at the dates and language.
It does not matter if Romney is involved anymore or not. The guy has an obligation as a person of prominence, with friends who work there. You see threats to the national security, you address them, period.
Bill
The niceties and protocols and measured approaches etc., associated with former owners and companies mean nothing to me, when national security is involved.
IF he thinks it is insignificant, he should continue to ignore Hunter; if he agrees with Hunter, he needs to speak up. He has no conflict of interest, he’s supposedly separated from them.
And if you understand anything about Hunter’s history, you know he is not trying to score political points, he is trying to pur pressure to kill this thing.
Dragon Hunter
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1882543/posts
” like Mr. Hunter, but the way he’s approached this situation is irresponsible.”
And China potentially using its military might against us in the meantime is responsible?
The support for China could be applied to every other GOP nominee. Duncan Hunter is the only one whose record supports his talk.
There's nothing wrong with Mr. Hunter saying that the deal shouldn't be allowed. One of these articles even mentioned a mechanism by which the United States can deny the companies permission to make this deal. Mr. Hunter certainly should say that this mechanism should be invoked to stop the deal. He can even ask that all other candidates condemn the deal. What's irresponsible is asking the former head of a company to exercise special influence to stop the deal.
I'm sorry to make a big issue about this point, but I had to sit through an hour or so of anti-trust training this week. The number of rules around what people can say is incredible, and I am amazed that we've gotten ourselves into this situation. After listening to that stuff, I'm really not sure that Mr. Romney can do what Mr. Hunter asks without breaking the law or at least treading on questionable ground. I'd like to see the deal stopped, but this letter looks more like a political attack than a sincere approach for a solution.
Bill
Thanks for the ping. Reading now.
What do you think about a Thompson/Hunter ticket? Yes? :)
Nope. I wouldn’t vote for Hunter if Thompson was on the ticket in any form.
This is silly on Hunter’s part. Bad strategy, as he will lose the chance for even a VP slot.
I have come to realize that DH is too narrow in his views to be a national leader. Good man, but provincial.
You said it better than I did, Bill.
DH is showing ineptitude in his Romney attack.
Silly? As America continues to allow the PLA to obtain our technologies? Hunter has been fighting the short sighted fools over China for 2 decades. It may be the #1 reason why he is needed in the WH.
bttt. Good issue; kind of a litmus test. Not just re Romney, but all the candidates should answer-up on this one.
What Hunter is doing reminds me of what Jerry Brown did in Democratic primaries of the past: not seriously running, but agitating on issues.
WFTR has made good points on what Romney is able or not able to do re these demands made by Hunter.
Maybe “juvenile” is a better term than “silly.”
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