Posted on 01/15/2007 5:12:29 PM PST by mdittmar
LANDSTUHL, Germany U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said on Monday that Afghanistan has made some progress, but the country is tottering and needs more troops to finish off Taliban and al-Qaida forces.
Clinton, D-N.Y., was in Germany on Monday with Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and U.S. Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y., after traveling to Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan over the weekend.
The congressional delegation met with wounded servicemembers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Ramstein Air Base before heading back to the United States.
Im encouraged by the progress in Afghanistan, but Afghanistan is tottering, Clinton said. Weve got to get more support there to make sure we try to finish off the Taliban and al-Qaida that are regrouping, coming across the border. We expect a big spring offensive.
The bipartisan group met with Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai in addition to leaders in Iraq and Pakistan. They also met with U.S. commanders in both Afghanistan and Iraq. About 23,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan.
The good news in Afghanistan is that the Afghans are relatively united in the direction they want to go in, Bayh said. The difficulty in Iraq is will the Iraqis step up and do what they need to do to get their country in a better position.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told the group in a meeting on Saturday he expects the country to have full security control of the countrys provinces in six months, McHugh said.
It was very ambitious, McHugh said of the Iraqi leaders timetable. It may not be achievable. But I wasnt going to try and talk them out of it.
Many Democrats have called for a gradual withdrawal of American troops, but President Bush plans to send 21,500 troops to Iraq to stem the violence.
Marine Cpl. William Harrelson, who injured his eye in Iraq and is a patient at Landstuhl, was frank on what he thinks should be done.
Do you think more troops would help? Clinton asked Harrelson.
Its just my opinion, but I think that once Saddam [Hussein] was captured we should have got out, he answered. But I think its also good that were also helping rebuild their security.
One servicemember who saw Clinton in the hallway offered to help her campaign if she decides to run for president. Although she has not made any formal announcement about her presidential ambitions, it is widely speculated that she will make a run for the White House in 2008. Bayh announced last month he was forming a presidential exploratory committee.
The group traveled to Ramstein Air Base to tour the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility after meeting with patients and hospital staff members. McHugh had a scare midway through his visit at Landstuhl.
He became shaky and lightheaded after meeting with some wounded servicemembers and was briefly admitted to the hospital for tests. He was discharged minutes later and said he was dehydrated from the rigors of the trip, adding the group had gotten only about three hours of sleep every night and he worked out every day.
He said Landstuhl is one of the best in the world and joked, I dont think I needed to test it personally, but I did.
fine ! send an additional 100k.
let them stage in Iraq.
God help us if this POS ever gets to be President!
Loose lips sink ships. Already.
Sounds just like what she said a couple of months ago about Iraq, when she was lecturing Rumsfeld. So if Bush decides to send more troops to Afghanistan, what will she say then? That sending more troops is a mistake?
Some talk show host can make a montage of all the contradictory things she's said, just as they did with John Kerry.
These Senators and Congressmen disgust me. They're prancing around the globe trying to be statesmen just to enhance their pathetic profiles and stagnating political careers. I wish the Bush administration would call them on it, these are nothing but high-powered photo-ops at the expense of our troops.
"One servicemember who saw Clinton in the hallway offered to help her campaign if she decides to run for president."
People on pain meds should not be taken seriously.
Thats' because the French Special Forces are (or have already) left because they were taking too many casulties.
Doesn't she know we have the Taliban on the run and scared there? that we defested them. Our success in Afghanistan is unprecedented for any country that has fought there.
Holy Cow- first- "Bush doesn't have enough troops in there' then "Bush shouldn't send more" then "Bush isn't sending enough" Wish they'd make up their minds-
Dems have been screaming for change, Bush gives them a workable change, then they scream Bush shouldn't change now that he is, Round and round we go
The following link does not relate to this thread http://sacredscoop.com
Gag...
Thanks for the laugh, Hillary could ask her friends to volunteer.
And regarding Iraq?
For her its all about posturing for the big one in 08
Isn't she a 'chickenhawk'?
Okay...hit me on the head..
I read that and took offense that the way she said "WE expect a big spring offensive".
I was upset at including herself..as if she is part of the military or administration...but of course, YOU are right.
Why in the heck did she say that???
I heared Sissy Chrissy say tonight..that Evan Bayh is Hillary's choice for her VP.
The reasoning?? Because he is so boring..he won't outshine her like Osama Obama would.
It is also obvious he will follow her around like a puppy dog.
She knows...she doesn't like it...because Pres. Bush did what her husband DIDN'T...
Hopefully that will help keep HER from the White House a second time.
FMCDH(BITS)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.