Secretary John Lehman...One on One

Before the very contentious debate that took place Sunday night between Congressman Charlie Dent and challenger Siobhan Bennett, at the JCC in Allentown, there was a slightly more civil exchange between Presidential surrogates, former Reagan Administration Secretary of the Navy, Dr. John Lehman, representing Senarot McCain, and New Jersey Congressman, John Rothman (D) 9th District, representing Senator Obama.

Sec. Lehman has had a distinguished career in both public service and the private sector. He is currently a member of the 9-11 Commission, as well as a member of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. A Pennsylvania native, born in Philadelphia, he is a cousin to the late Grace Kelly and servies as Chairman of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. He has homes in Bucks County and Manhattan.

Lehman and McCain, both former Naval Aviators, have been friends for nearly thirty-five years. During his opening statement as McCain's spokesperson, Lehman recounted the familiar biography of courage and character that has been a hallmark of McCain's campaign. But this old friend pointed out some lesser known stories of the years after McCain's release from a Vietnam prison camp, and the success he experienced as a squadron leader, turning his men in to a top performing team. Such examples of hands-on leadership, before an audience of likely voters, are useful in an election that remains razor close in a swing state whose polls are within the margin of error.

After the Presidential portioin of the debate ended, Sec. Lehman sat down with me for a candid conversation.

Asked if he thought McCain had the temperment to be President, Lehman said, I've never seen John lose his temper. I've worked for people who have tempers and it's not John McCain. I've seen him be curt; I've seen him be emotional when Bush attacked him and his family in the South Carolina Primary, but I've never seen him angry.

Seguing to the Secretary's area of expertise, the military and national security, I asked if the McCain campaign had a plan, not just an overview, but a real nuts and bolts plan, to stabilize Afghanistan. "John has called for three more brigades, plus an increase in NATO troops. There will also be a major initiative for non-military assistance specifically aimed at schools and agriculture."

Some members of NATO have been notoriously reticent about troop involvement in Afghanistan. Lehman stated that McCain's relationships with the new, more conservative leaders of France and Germany will bring results. "They can't afford to have Afghanistan return to being a base for Al Queda terrorists."

Lehman believes that the recent attack on the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, also leads to Al Queda and their goal to weaken the country's newly elected President, Asif Ali Zardari. "Their goal is to destabilize the government." Lehman said.

Returning to domestic issues, when asked what he's hearing out on the campaign trail while stumping for John McCain, Lehman said, "Energy and the economy, but when I have the chance to talk in depth, national security is on their minds."

The conversation ended as it began, with Secretary Lehman emphasizing John McCain's leadership. "McCain's judgement is such that it's a matter of record. He is the only candidate to deal with this real and present danger that we face. He has proved to be right, time after time, from the bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon in 1983 to the Surge twenty-five years later."

Asked in closing, how he thought the campaign was going, he smiled and said, "Very well."

Note: My thanks to fellow blogger, Chris Casey, for the photo of my interview with Sec. Lehman.