Would you be surprised to hear that Republicans are joining Democrats to praise President Obama’s new plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan?
Maybe not — after all, Obama does want to send 4,000 new troops to Afghanistan, bringing the estimated U.S. military presence there to 60,000. But Republicans’ ardor for the Obama plan centers on their assumption that it’s inspired by George W. Bush’s “surge” plan for Iraq. (The GOP, if you remember, continues to credit Bush’s 2007 escalation of the Iraq war as the key to “victory” there … meanwhile, a car bomb explosion in Baghdad yesterday killed 26.)
After the jump, you can see which Republicans are happily crediting Bush’s “surge” for inspiring Obama.
Here’s Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY):
I commend the President’s announced strategy for Afghanistan today which includes a surge of forces and a renewed commitment to dismantling Al Qaeda and combating the Taliban. Republicans are supportive of these national objectives and will work with the administration to develop policies to secure greater cooperation from the government of Pakistan to rid the tribal areas of terrorist sanctuaries. We are fortunate to have Secretary Gates, Admiral Mullen and General Petraeus manage this surge and the counterinsurgency strategy as well.
And here’s Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX):
I commend President Obama on his plan for a surge in Afghanistan, which is our front line in the Global War On Terror. Victory there is imperative, and President Obama and our troops on the ground in Afghanistan have my full support. I will do everything in my power to ensure that Congress provides any and all resources required to accomplish the mission.
…
It is my hope that President Obama’s surge in Afghanistan achieves results similar to the surge in Iraq, enabling victory and bringing our fighting men and women home as soon as possible.
They’re not comparing it to Bush’s “surge” — yet — but even the National Review likes Obama’s Afghanistan plan.
