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October 7, 2009

Reid: Congress Will Back “Whatever Decision” Obama Makes on Afghan War
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After the meeting, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said lawmakers on
both sides had agreed to support whatever decision Obama makes. Reid
then appeared to immediately back off that statement after being
questioned by a reporter.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: “The one thing that I think was
interesting is that everyone, Democrats and Republicans, said, ‘Whatever
decision you make, we’ll support it,’ basically. So we’ll see.”

Reporter: “So that means if he wants 40,000 troops, that you would fund
40,000 troops?”

Sen. Reid: “Well, I think there was a general discussion there. I hope
people aren’t talking in the abstract, saying whatever decision you
make, we’ll support. That came from a minority.”

Earlier in the day, Obama visited the National Counterterrorism Center
outside Washington, where he vowed to pursue al-Qaeda.

President Obama: “It should now be clear. The United States and our
partners have sent an unmistakable message: We will target al-Qaeda
wherever they take root, we will not yield in our pursuit, and we are
developing the capacity and the cooperation to deny a safe haven to any
who threaten America and its allies.”

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the US invasion of Afghanistan.



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