10th Congressional candidates agree on country's top security risk

Both candidates seeking to be the next congressman for Illinois' suburban 10th District say the United States' greatest national security risk is the threat of nuclear attack.

For Republican Bob Dold, Iran is of particular concern.

"The incessantly belligerent rhetoric from Iran's leadership is a clear indication of their apocalyptic intentions, which is why we must never waver in our determination until Iran's nuclear weapons capability is dismantled," said Dold, a business owner from Kenilworth.

Democrat Dan Seals cited the regimes in Iran, North Korea, Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as the al-Qaida terrorist organization as top threats.

"Our goal in dealing with the countries on that list is to make those regimes choose between the well-being of their people and their pursuit of nuclear weapons," said Seals, a Wilmette consultant and university lecturer. "They cannot have both."

Dold and Seals have discussed their foreign policy stances and other issues with the Daily Herald in questionnaires, e-mails and face-to-face interviews.

One will replace Republican Mark Kirk as the congressman in the 10th District, which includes parts of Cook and Lake counties. Kirk is leaving the House to run for the U.S. Senate.

Both Dold and Seals favor sanctions against Iran and have pledged to support Israel, the U.S. strongest ally in the Middle East.

But they differed on how best to protect the U.S. and its allies from foreign aggressors.

Dold, who's making his first bid for public office, was sharply focused on Iran as an international danger.

He said he would support legislation allowing state and local governments to divest from companies investing in Iran's petroleum and natural gas businesses.

Additionally, for sanctions and diplomacy to work when dealing with Iran, Dold believes it's critical to provide a "credible deterrent threat."

Accordingly, Dold pledged to support missile defense programs that would combat what he called Iran's "growing ballistic missile threat."

Seals, a three-time candidate, said military options should be considered when dealing with Iran.

"This is a country that suggested America was behind the (Sept. 11) attacks and that Israel should be wiped off the map," Seals said. "They must not acquire nuclear weapons.

Seals said the U.S. must use its international muscle to force Russia and China to distance themselves from Iran. That would further isolate Iran politically and economically, he said.

China is also key to peace on the Korean peninsula, Seals said.

"China's interests align with ours, in that they want stability (there)," Seals said. "We should use our leverage to build on that goal and push North Korea toward economic development and away from (the) drug and arms trafficking that funds so much of their economy now."

Dold also said the U.S. should use military deterrence, partnerships with our allies and financial initiatives to promote peace in North Korea.

Maintaining strong relations with Israel has been part of both candidates' platforms a must in the 10th District, considering the area's large Jewish population.

They agree Congress must support peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and both believe the U.S. should not dictate terms to the parties.

Seals supports the creation of an independent Palestinian nation, saying a two-state solution "is the best way to end the conflict there."

Dold avoided answering a question about whether he favors Palestinian statehood, saying other issues must be resolved first.

Chief among them, he said, would be getting the Palestinians to "renounce terror and recognize Israel's right to exist."