Obama Cites 'Vital National Interest' of 30,000 More Troops in Afghan War ; Democrats' Reaction to Call for Escalation Shows Divide in Party

Summary

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President Obama on Tuesday night laid out a detailed argument for spending $30 billion to temporarily expand U.S. forces in Afghanistan by 30,000, saying the investment of treasure and troops is necessary to protect America from a resurgent al-Qaida.

But many of the president's fellow Democrats were having none of it.

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Obama Cites 'Vital National Interest' of 30,000 More Troops in Afghan War ; Democrats' Reaction to Call for Escalation Shows Divide in Party

Obama told a hushed crowd of Army cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point that he decided to add the troops because "I am convinced that our security is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan." Yet even before the speech, many Democratic lawmakers put forward a much differe...

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