Ad Spot Features America’s Most Prominent National Security Officials
WASHINGTON, DC — The American Edge Project, a coalition of two dozen domestic organizations, today launched a new ad campaign spotlighting the critical role American technology plays in supporting and safeguarding our national and economic security. The spot, titled “Change Course,” features three of the most prominent national security officials of the past two decades; the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael J. Morell, and former White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor, Frances F. Townsend.
“American technology underpins our nation’s economic prosperity and national security,” said Doug Kelly, CEO of American Edge. “Our adversaries – China and Russia in particular – are working hard to supplant America’s technological preeminence and overtake us in pioneering the transformative technologies of tomorrow. We can’t afford to allow that to happen. Rather than passing legislation that handcuffs our technology companies, Washington lawmakers must work diligently to strengthen, not undercut, American technology.
Watch “Change Course” here.
SCRIPT:
“I served as the Deputy Director and Acting Director of the CIA.
“I served as the Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor to President George W. Bush.
“I served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“We all agree that American technology is vital to our national security.
“With authoritarian regimes abusing the Internet for tyrannical purposes, we need America’s tech innovators more than ever.
“American technology fosters a free and open Internet.
“It strengthens our security at home, while deterring threats abroad.
“…and it promotes innovation and drives economic growth.
“American adversaries like China and Russia want to surpass the United States in developing tomorrow’s technologies.
“Misguided policy approaches that undermine America’s tech innovators could have dangerous unintended consequences.
“We can’t allow our adversaries to win the tech race.
“If our leaders don’t change course, American citizens and businesses will become more dependent on authoritarian regimes for our technology.
“We must strengthen, not weaken American technology.”
BACKGROUND:
The American Edge Project is a coalition of domestic organizations representing a cross-section of U.S. innovators who are dedicated to telling the story about technology’s positive influence on America’s economy and the vital role innovation plays in our society. Former New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, former U.S. Representative Chris Carney, and former Federal Election Commission Chairman Bradley A. Smith are directors of the American Edge Project.
AEP’s National Security Advisory Board is comprised of Former White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend; retired four-star General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., United States Marine Corps (USMC), who served as former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael J. Morell.
Former U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Economic Advisory Board. Former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and former U.S. Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Open & Accessible Internet Advisory Board.
Visit AmericanEdgeProject.org
###