Arlen Specter Follows Joe Sestak’s Lead on Afghanistan Policy

By SESTAK FOR SENATE

MEDIA, PA – Democratic Congressman Joe Sestak’s Senate campaign issued the following statement today:

“Once again, Arlen Specter is following the leadership of Joe Sestak on a critical issue – this time going along with Joe’s position on Afghanistan by saying that we should only increase troop levels if it is indispensible in our war against Al Qaeda. Joe has said for months that the mission in Afghanistan-Pakistan must be the eradication of the safe haven of Al-Qaeda in Pakistan — which is a requirement for our national security — and that is a condition for a measured increase in troops.

“From the Public Option and the Employee’s Free Choice Act, to repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and now conditions for increasing troops in Afghanistan, Arlen Specter has followed Joe’s lead on the important issues. Fortunately, Specter is, for now, copying the positions of a former Admiral who will do whatever he believes is best for our country. Joe will always tell people exactly where he stands. That is what the people of Pennsylvania are most looking for — leaders who tackle problems before they become crises, state their positions clearly and honestly, and will not base decisions on political calculation.”

Background:

On Fox News Sunday, Arlen Specter said, we should only increase troop levels if it is “indispensible in our war against Al Qaeda.” Then, we “have to do whatever it takes.” (1)
Joe has made clear that the mission in Afghanistan must be the “eradication of the safe haven of the Al-Qaeda in Pakistan.” If that is the goal, then he can “support a measured increase” in troops. (2)
With his unique background as the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to Congress and as Director of Defense Policy under President Clinton in the White House, Joe believes that “our presence in Afghanistan is indispensable in the fight against al-Qaeda.” (3)

(1) Arlen Specter on Fox News Sunday, November 22, 2009-

“I do not believe we ought to add troops in Afghanistan unless it is indispensable in our war against Al Qaeda. If it is, then we have to do whatever it takes, because Al Qaeda is out to annihilate us.”

(2) Congressman Sestak on Fox News, October 5-

http://www.youtube.com/sestak2010#p/search/4/P-tm0hRZDYw

“If we actually establish the correct goal, which is not Afghanistan, it’s the eradication of the safe haven of the Al-Qaeda in Pakistan, because they’re no longer in Afghanistan, then I can support a measured increase, as long as that is what the goal is, with an exit strategy that gives us benchmarks for measuring success or failure – because this cannot be an open-ended commitment – so that we can leave behind in Afghanistan, as we eventually redeploy, the conditions for the probability Al-Qaeda can’t move back there.”

(3) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 8, 2009-

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09281/1003823-109.stm

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