WASHINGTON D.C. — Nevada Senators John Ensign and Harry Reid have issued public statements concerning President Obama’s strategy in Afghanistan. SPJ  has posted each Senator’s statement, taken from their official Senate web pages, below:

Senator John Ensign

"Whether it be Afghanistan or Iraq, I have consistently supported giving our military commanders on the ground the resources they need to accomplish the mission. I have also strongly opposed setting an arbitrary timeline for withdrawal.  Tonight, President Obama announced that he will be sending an additional 30,000 of our husbands, wives, sons and daughters into harm’s way.  This is appreciably less than what was requested by General McChrystal, which is disappointing.  I also fear that the arbitrary July 2011 drawdown sends the wrong message to the Taliban, al-Qaeda, the Afghan government, and our allies. I look forward to General McChrystal coming before Congress and testifying as to whether or not he can accomplish the mission with the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines provided by President Obama.”

From: www.ensign.senate.gov

Senator Harry Reid

“With clarity and conviction, the President presented not only a sound strategy for sending our troops to Afghanistan, but also a clear plan to begin to bring them home. President Obama made a convincing case that sending additional troops to Afghanistan to fight al Qaeda and other terrorist groups is critical to our national security. After years of the previous administration’s neglect, we will finally give this mission the attention and resources it demands.

We know that more troops alone will not be enough. Success requires a comprehensive, integrated military and civilian strategy, and after he carefully considered advice from both military and civilian leaders, I was pleased to hear the President outline exactly such an approach. It was also encouraging to hear the President acknowledge that we are not in this fight alone, that he is working to enhance our allies’ contribution to this effort, and that he will demand accountability from the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

More than anything, I am pleased that he made clear that our resources are not unlimited and our commitment is not open-ended. By laying out a strategy that will begin to bring our mission to a close within the next 18 months, the President drew an essential distinction between his approach to the war and that of the previous administration.

The President’s decision honors our troops, including many from my home state of Nevada, and the sacrifices they are making to protect us here at home. I am convinced that his decision demonstrates the decisive leadership they deserve.”

From:  www.reid.senate.gov