Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.): 'The president needs to get out of this war before he owns this war'

[bigtree]

. . . little late for that, I'm afraid.


11/13/09 09:45 AM ET

President Barack Obama "needs to get out of this war before he owns this war," one Democratic lawmaker said of the country's current mission in Afghanistan.

The White House's committment to continuing its military operations there is merely "hardening opposition to the U.S.," depleting much needed military and financial resources and lending legitimacy to a government that otherwise lacks it, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) told MSNBC last night.

Consequently, sending the 40,000 additional troops to Afghanistan Gen. Stanley McChrystal first requested in September would be a grave mistake, the congressman added. Rather, the United States should focus more on withdrawing military personnel from "safe cities" with sound leadership, and the White House should devote its primary attention to Pakistan, he said.

"Our staying there is actually strengthening our opposition, because we're occupying a foreign country," he told host Chris Matthews. "And, in fact, if we followed McChrystal's advice, we would be up to 100,000 troops. That's how many Russia had. Russia killed a million Afghans and they still lost the war and lost their empire."

"We can't win a war that is based upon generating support for a government that is not deserving of the loyalty of its people," Moran added.


read: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/67647-moran-he-needs-to-get-out-of-this-war-before-he-owns-this-war

[Mari333]

1. yay for jim

knr

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. K&R!

:thumbsup:

[leveymg]

3. That's my Congressman! ALWAYS a pleasure to vote and campaign for Jim. eom

[Kolesar]

4. I wrote to the president this week and told him it is time to end that war

We must start the groundswell here.

[WI_DEM]

5. Correct and I think that is what Obama is trying to do.

[bigtree]

6. the congressman is as concerned as I am

. . . that operations are 'continuing' and of the counterproductive effects of our presence and activity. I've no doubt that the president wants to present a path to an exit. I'm not as convinced though, that the goals he has outlined will compel him to make any substantial start in that direction anytime soon.

[madrchsod]

7. he owned it the day he was sworn in

what he does with the war will decide his fate

[Craftsman]

8. To late, he owns it now

It comes with the job.

[timeforpeace]

9. As he well knows, Obama has owned it for quite some time.

[Craftsman]

10. He took ownership teh day he took the oath of office, thats the job