What national leaders are unwilling to say publicly is that, if we leave, we make it that much easier for the Taliban and Al Qaeda to destabilize Pakistan and grab the nukes there. Then we'll have problems that will make 9/11 seem like a church picnic.RNC Chair Michael Steele, unable to open his mouth without inserting a foot in it, has chosen to politicize this admittedly unpopular conflict, calling it "a war of Obama's choosing". He adds, "[T]he one thing you don't do is engage in a land war in Afghanistan."
LV Congrssman Charlie Dent has just issued a statement siding with President Obama over his own party chair.
“First, the United States was attacked by Al Qaeda on September 11, 2001, with aid and sanctuary provided by the Afghan Taliban, the governing coalition of Afghanistan at the time. These facts are irrefutable and led to America's military involvement in Afghanistan. Any suggestion that America's role in the region was motivated by some other purpose must be corrected immediately.
"Second, this war is America's war, not President Obama's war. To suggest otherwise is simply unfair and incorrect.
"American and allied troops are engaged in an ongoing struggle to ensure that radical, Islamist extremists may never launch future attacks on our homeland or find aid, comfort and sanctuary in Afghanistan.
"During this critical transition of military command, it is essential and imperative that Congress demonstrate resolve and show solidarity with the troops, their new Commander, General David Petraeus, and their mission.”
