US Congressman Murtha:"600,000 troops needed to win Afghan War"

[CougarKing]

Wasn't Congressman Murtha a USMC officer during the Vietnam War?

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/090303/w030393A.html

Top Democrat says it will take 600,000 troops to win Afghan war
Published: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 | 2:22 PM ET
Canadian Press News
WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressman John Murtha says the situation in Afghanistan is so challenging that he estimates it would take 600,000 troops to get the country under control.

The Pennsylvania Democrat, who chairs the powerful subcommittee that funds the military, says his figure is based on the country's history of war and its size.

He also says he's uncomfortable with President Barack Obama's decision to increase the number of troops in the country by 17,000 before a goal is clearly defined.

But he says he anticipates a plan will be developed to train Afghans, and then the U.S. military will get out.

Obama recently announced new troops would be sent to Afghanistan to augment the 38,000 there...

 

[ModlrMike]

CourgarDaddy, the link seems broken. Here's the fixed LINK

 

[Journeyman]

Wasn't Congressman Murtha a USMC officer during the Vietnam War?

The gospel according to his Congressional website and Wikipedia:

Murtha in joined the Marines 1952, and was selected for Officer Candidate School after serving as a drill instructor at Parris Island.

He remained in the Reserves after his discharge from active duty, volunteering for Vietnam, serving as a battalion S-2 from 1966 to 1967. He received the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After 37 years service, he retired from the Reserves as a Colonel in 1990, receiving the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

He was the first Vietnam War veteran elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Not too shabby, I guess.

 

[tomahawk6]

Murtha is widely despised within the military community- particularly among Marines. He should know that even if we had the troops we couldnt sustain them given logistics constraints. Second that many troops would be painted as an occupation which would probably unify the tribes against us.