WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's new Afghan war strategy is drawing wary reaction from both Republicans and members of his own party on Capitol Hill.
Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold and liberal House Democrats have threatened to try to block funding for the troop increase. But Sen. Carl Levin says he doesn't think that will happen. But the Michigan Democrat who chairs a military oversight panel says Democrats will be looking for ways to pay for the additional troops, including a possible tax.
Republicans are criticizing the setting of a date for troop withdrawals to begin. Officials say Sen. John McCain told Obama at a White House meeting before the speech that declaring a timetable would merely send the Taliban underground until the Americans begin to leave.
McCain later said: "The way that you win wars is to break the enemy's will, not to announce dates that you are leaving."
The administration says July, 2011 is when troops will start coming home, but is not an "end date" for the war.
%@AP Links
<<CUT …278 (12/01/09)>> 00:06 "not specific sates"
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison says it's not necessarily the best thing for the president to say U.S. forces would start leaving Afghanistan in 18 months.
<<CUT …279 (12/01/09)>> 00:06 "to explain that"
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison says President Obama needs to say more about his decision on the number of troops for Afghanistan. (refers to Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan)
<<CUT …223 (12/01/09)>> 00:10 "is a mistake"
Senator Russ Feingold, D-Wis.
Democratic Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin says there's bipartisan opposition to the troop increase.
<<CUT …222 (12/01/09)>> 00:08 "in troop levels"
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, D-Calif.
Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California says she's taking action against the Afghan troop surge.
