Lawmakers split on timing of Afghan choice

[unhappycamper]

Lawmakers split on timing of Afghan choice
By Matthew Lee - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Oct 25, 2009 13:36:01 EDT

WASHINGTON — Top lawmakers sparred Sunday over the timing of President Barack Obama’s decision on how to move ahead in Afghanistan, with Republicans urging a quick move to boost troop levels and Democrats counseling patience.

In partisan displays, senators generally agreed on the need to support whatever Afghan government emerges from a Nov. 7 run-off election between President Hamid Karzai and challenger Abdullah Abdullah. But they differed on exactly how to do that and when.

Republicans said Obama must sign off soon on a recommendation from the top commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, to substantially increase the number of American troops there by 40,000. Democrats warned against a hasty decision on any increase.

“Clearly, time is of the essence here,” said Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the second-ranking Republican. “I’m afraid that with every passing day we risk the future success of the mission.”

“I think it’s taken too long,” added Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. “Why not follow the advice of his hand-picked general?”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/10/ap_afghanistan_debate_102509/



unhappycamper comment: I'm against anything Kyl, Hatch, Graham, McConnell or Bonehead are for.