Health, part of my work over the last 20 years has been in Jewish and Israel advocacy and in working with governments to safeguard Jewish communities in North America. I am at least as familiar with the threat posed by radical Islam as by anyone here. I know the real parameters of the threat. I think that both candidates do too, but the difference is in how they are prepared to leverage it to create fear or support their candidacy.
Rhetoric is important to win elections. Also, to whip up fear, to help win elections. But Terrorists, radical Islamic especially, aren’t beaten by a fearful or mob-mentality ruled populace. They are beaten by relentless pursuit, by the resilience of an uncowed, unbent, and unbeaten populace, and by an utterly ruthless policy of pursuing the terrorists wherever they are.
They aren’t beaten by telling Americans that there is a bomb inside every burka, or that all Muslims should be kept out. They also aren’t beaten by denying there’s a problem, or by giving in to the most terror promoting regime in the world.
Mr. Trump will deal with the threat to the extent that it attains or extends power for him.
Mrs. Clinton will deal with the threat as incrementally as possible because she is more comfortable with the status quo.
They are both wrong about it, but in different ways.