WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- Senator Richard Burr served as the keynote speaker at the Fedcon Summit this morning.
During his visit to the Port City we caught up with him on several topics including the threat of ISIS, and the race for U.S. Senate.
Burr says the United States needs boots on the ground to effectively fight ISIS. He says President Obama's pledge not to send troops overseas is "not doable."
He thinks the U.S. should have started fighting this war a year and a half ago, but because it did not, we are now fighting a war on two fronts instead of one.
North Carolina's senior senator says he wishes the President would listen to what his military leaders are advising.
"Some have said most recently it would take 10,000 to 15,000 troops to be successful. If we are going to engage with ISIS, let's engage to be successful," he said.
According to Burr, to successfully carry out air strikes, Special Forces needs to report where high value targets are to take out ISIS leadership.
Burr also talked about his thoughts about a battle back in the Tar Heel state, the fight for the U.S. Senate seat.
He predicts fellow Republican and Speaker of the House Thom Tillis to pull ahead in the polls. Burr says in the next ten days Tillis will lead incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan.
Burr says Tillis has been outspent three to one since July, and has done everything he can to win.
"This is a state that recognizes proven leadership, and I think he has done that in the General Assembly."
The race for the North Carolina U.S. Senate seat has been one of the most expensive races in the entire country.
