Letter to Obama: Freeze Afghanistan Force

By Jonathan Allen | September 16, 2009 4:22 PM | | Comments (0)

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., is preparing to send a bipartisan letter to President Obama opposing an anticipated request for more troops in Afghanistan.

"We oppose any increase in U.S. troops in Afghanistan, especially in light of the fact that there is no exit strategy," said McGovern, who is still circulating the letter for signatures.

The top American official in Iraq, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, is expected to make an official request for more troops soon.

North Carolina Rep. Walter B. Jones, a one-time supporter of the Iraq War who became its most fierce GOP critic in Congress, is signing on to the McGovern letter, ensuring it has support in both parties.

"The president needs to slow down," said Jones, who represents the Marine base Camp Lejeune. "We're going to be more demanding of 'What are we trying to achieve?' because our troops are worn out."

Indeed, both men question American objectives in Afghanistan nearly eight years after an invasion that was a response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

They say other members of both parties are likely to add their names before the letter is sent.

McGovern said he doesn't take the action lightly.

"I like [President] Obama. I don't want to be against him," he said.

Several senior House Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John P. Murtha, D-Pa., have expressed strong reservations about ramping up the U.S. force in Afghanistan or noted that there is little support for the idea.

But it ultimately may be difficult for them to deny a president, particularly one of their own party, the troops he requests for an ongoing war.

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Categories: Democratic Party, Legislation, Progressive Movement

Tags: Afghanistan, Jones, McGovern, Obama, Pelosi

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