The Afghanistan surge strategy promoted by President Barack Obama tonight is getting a mixed bag of support from New Hampshire Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen applauded the president's "clear mission and a clear endgame in Afghanistan.”
She said in a statement:
"After years of mismanagement of this war, we need a strategy that protects our national security and prevents a resurgence of terrorist safe havens in this region. As the President said, we must balance discussion of troop levels with consideration of Afghan governance and security capabilities, the role of Pakistan, the possibility of additional resources from our NATO allies, and the many other challenges we face as a nation.
“The decision to send more American troops into this hostile and dangerous region of the world is not one to take lightly. I agree with President Obama that our objective needs to ultimately be focused on transferring responsibility to the people of Afghanistan."
Republican U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, like other Republicans, too favors a surge. John McCain, the Republican senator and presidential campaign standard bearer for the GOP, supports the surge, except the part about a specific exit date.
In a statement before the president's address, Gregg said:
"It is imperative that we provide our commanders and heroic troops with the reinforcements they need to meet the evolving security concerns and accomplish their missions safely and effectively, but it is also past time for the Government of Afghanistan to govern effectively and transparently. There is a direct correlation between the success of our policy in Afghanistan and the success – and sustainability – of the Government of Afghanistan. You can’t have one without the other."
The statement from U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes from the Second District sounds like a hedge, neither strongly for, nor strongly against the surge.
He said, in full:
“It was clear from the President's speech this evening that he has consulted closely with our military leaders and approached our future plan in Afghanistan with deliberation and thoughtfulness. Before we send our armed forces into harm's way we must clearly define an achievable military mission, within the context of an achievable broader strategic plan, set benchmarks to measure progress, and have a clear exit strategy. This is especially true in the complex situation in Afghanistan and the region. Going after the terrorists who attacked our country on September 11 was the right thing to do, but it was never meant to be an open-ended commitment. In the coming weeks, as we deliberate the proposed deployment of troops and resources, I will examine the full details and exercise independent judgment and oversight in considering the plan. Protecting our national security in a dangerous world is my highest priority, and it is important for our country and our brave troops that we get this right.”
While Shaheen and Hodes responded immediately after the president's address, Democratic U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter of the First District had not offered a statement by the time of this post.
In the meantime, Congress will talk about the Obama strategy and be talked about.There will be talk of Congressional efforts to withhold funding for this effort. There will be talk of a war tax to pay for the effort.
And while they talk, the troops will deploy, including 150 members of the New Hampshire National Guard by the end of the month.
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