We applaud President Obama's care in considering his strategy toward Afghanistan. The time he took to hear all sides, to consider the evidence, and to weight the cost, is a mark of his strong leadership.
In this case, however, we are disappointed by the President's decision.
Fundamentally, this decision reveals a change in the mission and goals of the war. We originally invaded Afghanistan to root out insurgents who would harm the American people. General McChrystal recently called in his report for "a significant change in our strategy and the way that we think and operate." One key component of this changed strategy is turning the focus from securing terrain and destroying enemy forces to "the struggle to gain the support of the people."
This is language of entanglement and nation-building; this is the language of the Iraq war.
More:
http://blog.loweforcongress.com/2009/12/response-to-afghan-troop-surge.html- Ben Lowe (Candidate IL06)