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SALT LAKE CITY -- A surprise issue has emerged in Utah's U.S. Senate race: testing of nuclear weapons in Nevada.
Both Republican candidates say they would support underground tests of nuclear weapons if the Pentagon makes a case for it. But the Democrat in the race says, "no way."
Both Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater's fathers were Downwinders.
This all started when Republican Mike Lee signed a "Peace Through Strength Pledge" promoted by conservative think tanks. It calls for such things as secure borders, no constitutional rights for terrorists and a nation free of Islamic Law.
It also supports nuclear testing.
Nevada testing of nuclear weapons above ground was banned in 1963.
Underground blasts continued until 1992, when President George H. W. Bush ordered a moratorium. If the Pentagon asks to resume underground testing, Republicans Tim Bridgewater and Mike Lee would likely be on board.
"If they could establish the need, I would support that, so long as they could assure us that it wouldn't create the kinds of health problems that occurred when they tested back in the 40s and 50s," said Lee.
Bridgewater agrees. "If our military experts deemed it necessary in order to maintain our arsenal, I would support limited underground testing, yes," he said.
A visiting arms control expert, campaigning with environmentalists for nuclear arms reductions, said tests are unnecessary and dangerous.
"There's no question that the radioactive fallout from nuclear tests, both in the atmosphere and the underground Nevada test site, has harmed American citizens and resulted in thousands of deaths," said Joe Cirincione, president of the Plowshares Fund.
Related:
US Sen. Bennett will not pursue a write-in campaign
Sen. Bob Bennett says he will let his political career end without a further fight. Thursday, Bennett announced he will not be a write-in candidate for his Senate seat.Democratic candidate Sam Granato denounced his two Republican opponents for their support of testing.
"Who knows what might go wrong? Look at a perfect example, offshore drilling right now," he said. "I don't know that we can believe our government all the way to say, ‘It will be fine.'"
Bridgewater defended his position, saying he would only support nuclear testing if it was necessary for the safety of Americans.
"I think it can be done safely, but my clear preference is to not go down that road unless absolutely necessary," he said.
Lee says it may be a means to peace. "I do think it's important to focus on the fact that we've got to achieve peace through strength," he said.
Granato says there is no need for it. "We're not waving the white flag," he said. "We want to stay militarily effective, but we certainly don't need the testing."
The two Republicans also expressed discomfort with an arms reduction agreement between President Obama and Russia.
Lee said he doesn't want to see the U.S. disarm itself. Bridgewater said Russia got the better half of the deal.
E-mail: hollenhorst@ksl.com
