Following is the complete transcript of Governor Palin’s Facebook Note on Obama’s decision on Afghanistan:
Three months ago, I joined a number of Americans in urging PresidentObama to provide the resources necessary to achieve our goals inAfghanistan. Tonight, I am glad he mostly heeded that advice (Palin, 2009, ¶1).
At long last, President Obama decided to give his military commandersmuch of what they need to accomplish their mission in Afghanistan. Inthe end, he decided to endorse a “surge” for Afghanistan, applying thecounterinsurgency principles of “clear, hold and build” that worked sowell in Iraq. Given that he opposed the surge in Iraq, it is even morewelcome that he now supports a surge in Afghanistan (Palin, 2009, ¶2).
This approach means, as Senator John McCain has noted, that “We nowhave an opportunity to build a bipartisan consensus in support of avital national security priority: defeating Al-Qaeda and its violentextremist allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and ensuring that thesecountries never again serve as bases for terrorist attacks againstAmerica and our allies” (Palin, 2009, ¶3)
We should be clear, however, that fewer troops mean assuming more risk.Talk of an exit date also risks sending the wrong message. We should bein Afghanistan to win, not to set a timetable for withdrawal thatsignals a lack of resolve to our friends, and lets our enemies believethey can wait us out. As long as we’re in to win, and as long as trooplevel decisions are based on conditions on the ground and the advice ofour military commanders, I support President Obama’s decision (Palin, 2009, ¶4).
- Sarah Palin
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