A number of people have questioned whether Pat LaMarche, as Governor, would have the authority to prevent National Guard troops from being sent to Iraq. The answer, according to both the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal government is "yes." The Supreme Court, in the case of Perpich v. Department of Defense, said that if a "mission were to interfere with the State Guard's capacity to respond to local emergencies, the Montgomery Amendment would permit the Governor to veto the proposed mission."

Pat's position is that sending more Guard troops would interfere with her ability as Governor to address local emergencies, including taking care of the elderly and other vulnerable citizens during the upcoming winter. The Bush and Baldacci administrations' failure to come up with a sensible energy policy will leave many out in the cold this winter. High fuel prices, a potentially harsh winter and the incumbent's refusal of help from President Chavez of Venezuela will make the situation even more dangerous.

Deploying Maine's National Guard overseas would interfere with the Guard's ability to address this critical local need. Our troops will do better staying in Maine and helping avoid a disaster by assisting people in winterizing their homes and in performing other essential tasks to keep Maine people warm and well this winter.

It is well worth noting that the Supreme Court also said "that a governor might also properly withhold consent to an active duty order if the order were so intrusive that it deprived the State of the power to train its forces effectively for local service: Under the current statutory scheme, the States are assured of the use of their National Guard units for any legitimate state purpose."