On CBS, Obama Ignores His Lack Of Leadership On Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, July 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Obama Says Afghanistan Is The Central Front Of The War On Terror, But Failed To Lead As Chair Of Subcommittee With Jurisdiction Over The Region:
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Obama: "We have to understand that the situation is precarious and urgent here in Afghanistan. I believe this has to be our central focus, the central front on our battle against terrorism." (CBS' "Face The Nation," 7/20/08)
The Subcommittee On European Affairs Has Jurisdiction Over The Countries Of Europe As Well As NATO Activities. "Jurisdiction: The subcommittee deals with all matters concerning U.S. relations with the countries on the continent of Europe... and with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe." (U.S. Senate Committee On Foreign Relations Website, foreign.senate.gov, Accessed 2/27/07)
-- As Chairman Of The Subcommittee On European Affairs, Obama Could Have Held Hearings On The Role Of NATO In Afghanistan. "[A]mbassador John Ritch, who served for two decades as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's senior staffer on European affairs and East-West relations...[P]oints out that as subcommittee chair, Obama could have examined a wide variety of urgent matters, from the role of NATO in Afghanistan and Iraq to European energy policy and European responses to climate change..." (Joe Conason, "Obama's European Problem," Salon.com, www.salon.com, 12/29/07)
Obama Says He Has Called For Increased Troop Levels In Afghanistan, But Failed To Vote For Funding For The Troops Already There:
Obama: "I believe U.S. troop levels need to increase. For at least a year now I have called for two additional brigades, perhaps three." (CBS' "Face The Nation," 7/20/08)
Obama Voted Against Providing $94.4 Billion In Critical Funding For The Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan. (H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Passed 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama Voted Nay)
The Emergency Spending Bill Provided The Following For U.S. Operations In Afghanistan:
$40 million for new power generation
$314 million for rural road rebuilding
$155 million for rural development
$19 million for agriculture
$174 million for Provincial Reconstruction Teams
$25 million for governance capacity building
$10 million for a Civilian Assistance Program
$79 million to support Diplomatic and Consular Programs
$16 million for Migration and Refugee Assistance
$16 million for International Disaster and Famine Assistance for
Internally Displaced Persons Assistance
$47 million for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement
activities
(Stephen Daggett, Amy Belasco, Pat Towell, Susan B. Epstein, Connie Veillette, Curt Tarnoff, Rhoda Margesson, and Bart Elias, "FY 2007 Supplemental Appropriations For Defense, Foreign Affairs, And Other Purposes," Congressional Research Service, 7/2/07)
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