As President Barack Obama continues to ponder the future of American troops in Afghanistan, U.S. Rep. David Price stressed this week that the matter isn’t just one for the military.
"Nobody thinks this should be a rushed decision – or a decision that should just be about the military,” Price said. “We have to be aware of the security requirements to back up national policy – not military action for its own sake.”
Price, a Chapel Hill Democrat, returned Monday from a week-long swing through the Middle East, reports Barb Barrett. While there, he spent three days in Afghanistan meeting with troops, generals and Afghan government officials.
Price said in an interview he doesn’t expect to brief the White House on the visit, but he did speak with the State Department before the trip, and he stressed afterward that Obama shouldn’t rush into a decision on Afghanistan.
"He should take the time and consideration he needs to to make the decision in a careful and responsible way,” Price said.
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Price said Obama should look at Afghanistan’s long-term needs as an emerging democracy and whether military support can assist that effort.
“We not talking about a Jeffersonian democracy here. We’re talking about some modicum of stability,” Price said.
And he pointed out that Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai remains something of an unknown entity.
“The decision on military troop levels has to be made without full knowledge of Karzai’s intentions or capabilities,” Price said.
Price is chairman of the House Democracy Partnership, formally known as the House Democracy Assistance Commission. The partnership offers a mentoring and guidance program between members of Congress and parliamentarians in emerging democracies around the world.
Comments
Re: Price: It's more than a military decision
January 12, 2010 - 10:35pm — yuying520Uh, David? The President's been "deciding" for almost a year. He's had the Petraeus recommendations for almost three months. On the campaign trail last year, he said 10,000 more troops were needed. Was that a rushed, ill-considered announcement, too, or just another Obama campaign pledge that came with an expiration date?
This President has just about become Emperor Nero II.
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Re: Price: It's more than a military decision
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Re: Price: It's more than a military decision
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Re: Price: It's more than a military decision
November 23, 2009 - 8:56am — libertypointI hope all progressives are happy now that we got rid of that fascist warmonger George Bush the Younger and replace him with a peace president.
Re: Price: It's more than a military decision
November 23, 2009 - 8:34am — SaintPinehurstMM - at the rate this President is going, he won't have made a decision until this time next year. How is that fair for the troops he supposedly leads? The military isn't bullying him, but I imagine they'd really like him to make up his freakin' mind.
By the way... surge in casualties in Afghanistan? Happened on Obama's watch.
Flawed election in Afghanistan? Happened on Obama's watch.
Declining morale among US troops in Afghanistan? Ooops... Obama's watch.
A year ago, Afghanistan was the "just war" to Obama... now its just another example of his inexperience. And another campaign position that came with an expiration date.
Re: Price: It's more than a military decision
November 23, 2009 - 3:54am — MalleusMaleficarumObama should not let the military bully him into making a snap judgment to keep us mired down in Afghanistan in perpetuity. Obama is doing the right thing - by seeking a strategy that defines a way out - Americans do not want to be in Afghanistan today - and this time next year - the majority will be aching for a way out. The US military has not been able to stabilize Afghanistan in 8 long years of an expensive war that has cost America a lot in blood, treasure and international standing. Obama must find a way out of the quagmire and that does not mean sending more Blackwater Xe's to infiltrate a nation where they have been active for the past 8 years. America is not a military dictatorship any longer - Obama must rely on diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. Bush tried unilateral military interventions - and lost two major wars. Cleaning up Bush's mess is not a Sunday picnic - and anybody who thinks it should be a rush job with troops and Blackwater must have been living on another planet this past 8 years.
Re: Price: It's more than a military decision
November 21, 2009 - 4:29pm — sligosawHe Obama will send what is needed. I am all for sending more undercover people dressed like the locals to infiltrate the enemy maybe even the government. Send more Blackwater XE in to undermine the taliban and capture Ben Laden Besides they can get away with stuff. Play like the other countries. Takes one to know one.
Re: Price: It's more than a military decision
November 20, 2009 - 9:57pm — SaintPinehurstUh, David? The President's been "deciding" for almost a year. He's had the Petraeus recommendations for almost three months. On the campaign trail last year, he said 10,000 more troops were needed. Was that a rushed, ill-considered announcement, too, or just another Obama campaign pledge that came with an expiration date?
This President has just about become Emperor Nero II.