McCain: Allies Need to Help Us in Afghanistan

By: John Bentley
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bentley:

(PORTSMOUTH, OHIO) While John McCain has vociferously supported the surge strategy in Iraq, he has been less vocal about the ongoing war in Afghanistan. He called on NATO and other allies of the U.S. to send more troops today, but stopped short of advocating additional American soldiers be deployed to the region until he spoke with commanders on the ground.

"I would like to have our allies make a bigger commitment, both in personnel and other ways," he said. "I'd like to hear from our military leaders, our chairman of the joint chiefs, as well as the military commanders there."

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs hasn't been shy about asking for help. The current chairman, Admiral Michael Mullen, recently said he has immediate need for three more brigades in Afghanistan, which would amount to roughly 11,000 troops. General Egon Ramms, the German head of Allied Joint Force Command, has said European countries should provide an additional 5,000 to 6,000 troops.

There are currently 55,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan, of which 30,000 are American. The bulk of the remaining troops come from Britain, Canada, France, and the Netherlands, which leaves 19 other NATO countries that either have very few troops serving in the region or none at all.

McCain's rival, Barack Obama, has made sending additional troops to Afghanistan one of the cornerstones of his foreign policy.

"It's time to refocus our attention on the war we have to win in Afghanistan," Obama said last week. "It is time to go after the al Qaeda leadership where it actually exists."

There are other considerations that need to be taken into account, according to McCain, such as the political situations along the Afghan/Pakistan border and the "effectiveness" of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

"It isn't just increased troop presence that's necessary," McCain said. "We need to address the issue in a broad variety of areas:"

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by rgrxx175 July 10, 2008 5:26 PM EDT: why don''t we ask the russians, oh my bad the got there a$$ kicked by the Afghans; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 July 10, 2008 2:26 PM EDT: I might remind people (my friendz) that Iran was one of the original allies in Afghanistan to assist in the alleviation of the Taliban and Al-Quaida Sunni proliferation. Iran is a Fundamental
Shiite Society, the Sunni threats from both Al-Quaida and Saddam Hussein have been taken on by the United State%u2019s Invasion of both neighboring countries to Iran. I don%u2019t understand why Iran would ever think the United States could be an aggressor and possible military opponent when acting in earnest against their sworn enemies?

Maybe, it all has to do with both George Bush and John McCain%u2019s constant War Mongering and threats of Military Actions Against Iran and, of course the price of Oil?; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 July 10, 2008 2:19 AM EDT: %u201CI would like to have our allies make a bigger commitment, both in personnel and other ways,%u201D he said. %u201CI%u2019d like to hear from our military leaders, our chairman of the joint chiefs, as well as the military commanders there.%u201D
**********************************

LMAO. McCain, you are a day late and a dollar short, calling for our "allies" in Afghanistan. If your hero GWB wouldn''t have dropped the ball in Afghanistan and run off half-cocked into Iraq, Afghanistan would be a non issue right now. He badgered those allies into supporting him in Iraq so I think they have about had it with you Republican war lords. George blew it, and you blew it by supporting him and his insane, failed policies.; Reply to this comment


by undrmyboot3 July 9, 2008 11:00 PM EDT: *John McCain gives DIRECT REWARDS to reporters for POSITIVE REPORTING about him. He is essentially BUYING REPORTERS- HE IS PAYING THEM OFF.

How can you trust reporters who are paid off by McCain?

The McCain campaign recently acknowledged that seats on the new "Straight Talk" airplane are assigned to reward "positive" reporters with special access seating in the front of the plane. The special seats are REWARDED TO REPORTERS WHO PROVIDE POSITIVE COVERAGE TO McCAIN. The Washington Post reports that Sen. John McCain''s new campaign airplane %u201Cfeatures a special area%u201D where %u201CMcCain will conduct group interviews with the press.%u201D Top McCain aide Mark Salter said "Only the good reporters would get to sit in the special section. You%u2019ll have to earn it." So how can these reporters %u201Cearn%u201D a seat? Never challenge the Senator.

These special seats provide direct access to McCain, access denied to other reporters. "ACCESS IS MONEY." Reporters are rewarded by their bosses and employers for gaining access to candidates. More access means MORE MONEY AND MORE PROMOTIONS.

This is nothing less than FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL BRIBERY TO REPORTERS THAT PROVIDE McCAIN WITH POSITIVE COVERAGE.

HORSERACE should create a new section, "WHO IS THE McCAIN CAMPAIGN REWARDING TODAY?" It would report the daily seating assignments on the McCain plane. Who got the "SPECIAL ACCESS SEATS"? Who is being punished for critical reporting and is sitting in the back of the plane??; Reply to this comment