Tuesday
Dec152009
McCain Supports Afghanistan Troop Surge, But Is Wary Of Timetable
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 5:17PM
Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) gave high praise Tuesday to President Barack Obama’s decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, but warned that the proposed withdrawal timetable could be devastating to the mission.
“I worry about that a great deal," said McCain during a discussion at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think tank. "General McChrystal, in questioning by the House Armed Services Committee, was asked if he made that recommendation or ever referred to a date for withdrawal. He said no."
Earlier this month President Obama announced a 30,000 troop increase in Afghanistan along with plans to begin withdrawing forces in 18 months.
McCain urged the importance of victory in Afghanistan and argued that the failure could be completely devastating to the region.
“We cannot afford to lose this conflict. The repercussions of failure will reverberate for decades,” said McCain. “I will be an ally in this effort... I will work to get this policy the votes, the resources and the time it needs to work.”
McCain urged the President to gain support not only from Congress, but from the public as well.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) gave high praise Tuesday to President Barack Obama’s decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, but warned that the proposed withdrawal timetable could be devastating to the mission.
“I worry about that a great deal," said McCain during a discussion at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think tank. "General McChrystal, in questioning by the House Armed Services Committee, was asked if he made that recommendation or ever referred to a date for withdrawal. He said no."
Earlier this month President Obama announced a 30,000 troop increase in Afghanistan along with plans to begin withdrawing forces in 18 months.
McCain urged the importance of victory in Afghanistan and argued that the failure could be completely devastating to the region.
“We cannot afford to lose this conflict. The repercussions of failure will reverberate for decades,” said McCain. “I will be an ally in this effort... I will work to get this policy the votes, the resources and the time it needs to work.”
McCain urged the President to gain support not only from Congress, but from the public as well.
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