Former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton backs Sen. Clinton

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http://seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071208/NEWS/712080326/-1/NEWS06



Former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton backs Sen. Clinton
By Beth LaMontagne
December 08, 2007

PORTSMOUTH — Former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton said he sees a bright future for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard after his visit Friday with military and union officials on behalf of Sen. Hillary Clinton.

"I think the future of the shipyard is bright and I know it would be bright in a Clinton administration because I know Hillary is committed to keeping that shipyard open," he said in an interview with the Herald.

Dalton headed the Navy during the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure hearings and according to previous Herald reports he fought to keep the shipyard open at that time.

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Clinton is "very familiar with the submarine force," and sees the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as an important asset, said Dalton. He also supports her plan to rebuild the military and send both Republican and Democratic diplomats overseas to build diplomatic relations with foreign governments.

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Dalton first became acquainted with Clinton in 1991 during the presidential campaign of Bill Clinton. Dalton supported former president Clinton as well as General Wesley Clark's presidential bid in 2004.