[Kaslin]

From this mornings Press Briefing

Q Majority Leader Reid says despite the President's announcement this morning, the war in Afghanistan is still suffering at the expense of Iraq. What's your response to that?

MS. PERINO: Look, I don't know who briefs Senator Reid and I don't know what sort of staff work he gets or the updates that he gets. I think the best information comes from the Commander-in-Chief and also from the Department of Defense. I think you heard from the President today, not only has the United States increased the number of troops in Afghanistan, but so have so many other countries, because we recognize that we're dealing with a ruthless enemy.

And the President was pleased to be able to announce today that he will bring home an additional 8,000 troops based on the success that we've been able to achieve in Iraq. But we have said, and we've said since April, that we would be doing more in Afghanistan and that's what he announced today.

Q He says the "more" more is not enough.

MS. PERINO: Well, you know, when Senator Reid becomes Commander-in-Chief he'll have a little bit more credibility on that score.

Go Dana Go

[Kaslin]

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, right, adjusts U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's shirt cuff during their meeting at Chigi palace, Premier's office, in Rome, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Cheney's visit to Italy is part of a tour that also took him to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Over the weekend he addressed a conference of global business and political leader and issued a strong rebuke of Russia's actions in Georgia last month.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, right, and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney talk during their meeting at Chigi palace, Premier's office, in Rome, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Cheney's visit to Italy is part of a tour that also took him to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Over the weekend he addressed a conference of global business and political leader and issued a strong rebuke of Russia's actions in Georgia last month.

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney talks to journalists during a joint press conference with Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, not seen, at Chigi palace, Premier's office, in Rome, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Cheney's visit to Italy is part of a tour that also took him to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Over the weekend he addressed a conference of global business and political leader and issued a strong rebuke of Russia's actions in Georgia last month.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, right, and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney shake hands during their meeting at Chigi palace, Premier's office, in Rome, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Cheney's visit to Italy is part of a tour that also took him to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Over the weekend he addressed a conference of global business and political leader and issued a strong rebuke of Russia's actions in Georgia last month.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, right, and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney shake hands at the end of a joint press conference at Chigi palace, Premier's office, in Rome, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Cheney's visit to Italy is part of a tour that also took him to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Over the weekend he addressed a conference of global business and political leader and issued a strong rebuke of Russia's actions in Georgia last month.