Does the Wisconsin Attorney General Have an Important Role in the War on Terrorism?

Does the Wisconsin Attorney General play a crucial role in combating terrorism?

The candidate I work for says, without hesitation, yes.

His primary opponent has said otherwise.

It's created a bit of a 'dust up' as Owen puts it, after reporters asked why JB Van Hollen had included fighting terrorism as part of his crime fighting focus.

Here is the release JB Van Hollen issued yesterday.

Van Hollen Knows State Attorneys General Have Major Role in War on Terror
Says Opponent Doesn't Understand the Scope of the Job

[Madison, WI...] Former United States Attorney JB Van Hollen says that State Attorneys General can and must play a fundamental role in the war on terrorism.

This is in sharp contrast to his primary opponent, Paul Bucher, who at an Attorney General forum in Downtown Milwaukee earlier this year, said “This isn’t a federal law enforcement agency. This isn’t about terrorism.”

“I am shocked, quite frankly, that Paul Bucher really doesn’t know that President Bush has entrusted the state attorneys general with a significant role in fighting terrorism here at home,” said Van Hollen. “As the former United States Attorney one of my priorities was terrorism prevention and working with all other law enforcement agencies to collect intelligence. My district was one of the first in the nation to share intelligence between various federal, state and local law enforcement.”

- The National Strategy for Homeland Security spells out that the states have a “major role in homeland security[.]”

- Zacarias Moussaoui the French Moroccan member of Al Qaeda, was arrested while in flight training in Minnesota weeks before the 911 attacks

- In February a federal grand jury indicted three Toledo-area men for terrorist activities. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said it was work by the F.B.I. and the Toledo Joint Terrorism Task Force that led to the indictments.

Bucher’s comments came during a panel discussion hosted by prominent radio talk show host Charlie Sykes. The Insight 2006 program was broadcast live in front of an audience of several hundred.

“Terrorism is a threat in Wisconsin. It would be naïve and irresponsible to assume otherwise,” said Van Hollen. “The Attorney General must, like all law enforcement, remain vigilant regarding all possible threats to public safety.”

Van Hollen has argued that current Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager has not focused enough time or resources on the fight against terrorism.

“But even Peg Lautenschlager understands anti-terror efforts are a part of her job,” Van Hollen said.

The DOJ’s Division of Criminal Investigation’s Special Assignments Bureau is responsible for issues involving domestic security and terrorism. This includes looking out for organized plots to disrupt homeland security by committing widespread violence, conducting bioterrorism and interrupting economic activity. The DOJ’s Special Assignments Bureau is also the Wisconsin liaison for INTERPOL, the agency which promotes mutual assistance among law enforcement authorities in the prevention of international crimes.

"Twenty eight county district attorneys, 20 county sheriffs and 36 prominent elected Republican legislators are backing my campaign because they know I have the experience and integrity to fight crime as Attorney General,” said Van Hollen. “This includes fighting cyber-crime, the scourge of methamphetamine, and the threat posed by potential terrorists here.”

Understanding the State of Wisconsin’s role in the fight against terrorism underscores the main difference JB Van Hollen will bring to the Department of Justice: a renewed, firm, and aggressive focus on criminal justice, which promotes inter-agency cooperation, not partisan activism.

As a cornerstone of his vision for the office of Attorney General, Van Hollen will build off his experience as a former federal prosecutor to establish and lead Multi-jurisdictional Action Teams, or MATs. These teams, which would pool the resources and expertise of local and state law enforcement agencies, would engage in a cooperative effort to not only investigate and prosecute crime but also to make internal procedural changes that reflect best practices and suggest needed changes in policy.

Van Hollen would establish a MAT to help coordinate anti-terror efforts in Wisconsin.

“The Wisconsin Attorney General and my primary opponent are taking a 20th Century approach to 21st Century criminal justice issues,” said Van Hollen.

Van Hollen, who is endorsed by the most district attorneys and sheriffs of any candidate for attorney general, is the former United States Attorney for Western Wisconsin, where he served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for 44 of the state’s 72 counties. Before being appointed to that position by President Bush, he also formerly served as the district attorney in both Ashland and Bayfield Counties.
Paid for by Van Hollen for Attorney General, Margaret Farrow, treasurer.

I would not be surprised if the Bucher campaign flip flops here and tries to trot out an anti-terrorism plan relatively quickly.

Meanwhile, I'd expect Falk and Lautenschlager to ignore this issue, much as they have most other real crime issues as they woo special interests, continue to out-liberal each other, and fight their way to the front of the stage at the next major activists' rally.

JB Van Hollen will continue to focus on the sweeping reforms he'll initiate as he tours the state promoting his vision and priorities for the Wisconsin Department of Justice.