WASHINGTON (CNN) - A leading Democrat on Capitol Hill urged President Barack Obama to heed the advice of his top commander in Afghanistan, who is calling for more troops.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Sunday that U.S. troops would be put in "jeopardy" if Obama does not listen to Gen. Stanley McChrystal.
"I don't know how you put somebody in who's as crackerjack as General McChrystal, who gives the president very solid recommendations, and not take those recommendations if you're not going to pull out," the California senator said on ABC's "This Week."
McChrystal is reportedly asking for up to 40,000 extra troops. Some reports say there is an option on the table to send 60,000 additional troops, almost doubling the U.S. force now in the country.
"If you don't want to take the recommendations, then you ... put your people in such jeopardy, just like the base in Nuristan," Feinstein said.
She was referring to the October 3 attack that pinned down U.S. forces at a remote base in Afghanistan's Nuristan province. The United States says about 200 insurgents had been planning the attack for days.
"We lost eight of our men," Feinstein said, of the Nuristan attack. "We didn't have the ability to defend them, and now the base is closing, and effectively we're - we're retreating away from it."
Feinstein was one of many members of Congress who sat down and discussed the situation in Afghanistan with Obama last week. Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," she called on Obama to make a decision "sooner, rather than later." That's a turnaround from her position two weeks ago when she expressed support for Obama's wait-and-see approach on Afghanistan.
"I think the president is correct to take his time, to really examine what the alternatives are at this time," she said on "Fox News Sunday on September 27."
From CNN Politics
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Has Feinstein actually read the WHOLE McChrystal report or is she just basing her opinion on the parts leaked to the press?? where was she and all the other mouthpieces from the Senate for the past eight years??
Remember when Hillary asked who you'd want to answer the 3 am phone call? Obama would've let it ring for 2 months.
At last a Democrat with a brain.
The AMERICAN people, I am referring to the citizens of the United States, want the troops to COME HOME!
I don't care what members of congress want, they really want to be reelected.
It is naive of this Administration to suggest that they can work with the Taliban and it's only Al Queda who is the enemy. What role should a group who kills men who shave and women who dare to go to school play in the government of Afghanistan? When they said they only want to stay in Afghanistan and have no interest in any other areas, ask Pakistan how that worked out in the Swat Valley. The Administration is contemplating nothing less than appeasement and history shows that doesn't work. It just lets you enemies know your as weak as they think.
Better watch out, Dianne, you might just get the 'haters' to tolerate(but not like) you!!!
Why, it is only our brave young dedicated US soldiers that are being sacrificed. We all know the next ekection is absolutely more important than our young men. But, I will give BHO credit for trying to find out how he should go. I got a call reguarding a survey the DNC is conducting asking me if I thought the Afgan. war should continue and if it does will it impact my past voting record. HMMMM. I am sure the results will be in soon so BHO can make his decision. God bless all of you that have young men fighting and especially those that will loose them while BHO is tracking polls.
I trust Obama's judgement and I think it is wise to take his time in making a decision.
Diane Feinstein has not had anything good to say about Obama before or after he became President. She wanted Hilary Clinton to win and it shows in every statement she makes.
I had to read this twice to believe that Dianne Feinstein actually came out for increasing the troops as necessary in Afghanistan. She is absolutely correct. It's time to take control of the fight, win and move along.
Finally, a democrat with some sense!
Feinstein needs to go visit the farmers here in California that she cut off water to and put them in food lines and unemployment.............to save a stupid fish.
Sen Feinstein-
Do you realize that 45,000 American citizens are dying each year because of congress inability to act on health reform?
Is there REALLY an alternative?
In sending the troops over...please equip them with rifles/guns that do not clog in firefight ....there must be some type of thermal/element (sand?) guard to put on them....
As your California constituent - I say to you, Senator Feinstein - you FINALLY got one right!
Wow, even ultra-liberal Feinstein wants Obama to make a decision. Doesn't she know that 'present' is the only way he votes?
It is hard to believe that Diane Feinstein is from San Francisco.
I think now would be a good time for her to just come out of the closet and pull a Specter. She acts more Republican then Democrat.
We had our chance to win the war and the hearts and minds of the Afgan people and we let it slip away into Iraq.
We now are losing the war and winning the battles. But at what cost.
McCrystal idea calls for bringing troop visibly into the population in Afghanastan, I think this puts our troops in more danger from snipper fire and IED mishaps than anything else. Additionally, I think there is a diplomatic solution to the situation in Afghanistan. It's clear that the Taliban does not want any foreigners, US or Al Geida in their region, so it stands to reason that if the Al queida came back to gain a stronghold, the Taliban would fight them off. Our best bet would be to have Afghanistan leaders come to an agreement with the Taliban to not allow Al guieda to get a stronghold. I think Afghanistan and and Taliban would be willing to come to some agreement without US interference. The reality is that the Taliban is did not Attack the US on 9/11, they are just protecting their territory from foreigners, US and Al guieda.
mr obama take your time and make the right choice and don t become another vietnam bush took his time to go in afghanistan them bush forgot about afghanistan 40 mm kathy and preston
I would agree with the 60000 troops increase only if the GOPers agree to levy some taxes to pay for it right now. Not sending them and pay for it with debt and whining about the deficit. It's not fair to have it both ways. It should be fair play. We have not paid for the wasteful Iraq war whereas we complaining the deficit is too high while all president Bush was doing is to swell the deficit in the name of national security and no one dared question it. Now is time to use our intelligence. More troops should be positively correlated to higher taxes for those who can pay it. Not tax cuts and more spending. Who's paying? Who's responsible?
Wait, now I have to think about this. What kind of leader is this? One with no instiincts, no military savy, no experience, actually, only words. I say good luck because this guy doesn't have a clue.
Feinstein is getting to be a regular on Faux News. I wonder is she is a closet Repub. She has been acting like one lately.
After 8 – years, it is time for us to withdraw from Afghanistan. We are wasting valuable resources and accomplishing nothing.
Whatever, W has not listened for 8 years. Suddenly, under Obama, when it is way too late, Obama is informed to qucikly act...
Obie, take your time and figure out what the Afghan wants..
40,000 more troops, Heck NO,we need that money here for more Welfare[ Spread the wealth ].........Right Democrats..