Massachusetts Legislators React to Obama Afghanistan Announcement

President Barack Obama announced a drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan Wednesday night.

The plan that would bring home 30,000 soldiers over the next two years.

Here are the reactions of Massachusetts legislators to the news:

Senator Scott Brown

“I believe President Obama is well-intentioned in wanting to bring home our troops as soon as possible, but we have to be careful not to sacrifice the security gains we have made. I plan to continue to talk to the generals and leaders making these decisions in order to have all the facts. I have also requested to go to Afghanistan this summer, which will give me additional perspective about the conditions on the ground.”

Senator John Kerry

“The President correctly laid out the next phase of our strategy in Afghanistan – a transition to Afghan control that begins by redeploying the 33,000 surge troops starting next month and ending next summer, and puts the Afghans in complete control by 2014.  In doing so, he kept the commitment he made to the American people 18 months ago at West Point.  As a result of the gains made since the course correction outlined at West Point, we’re now operating from a position of strength. We have halted the Taliban’s momentum, particularly in the south.  Bin Laden’s death was a fundamental blow to Al Qaeda, and its ability to strike has been disrupted significantly.  By increasing the resources and capacity of the Afghan security forces and its civilian sector, we have given Afghans the chance to build and defend their own country. Our ability to capitalize on the surge and bring home 33,000 troops over the next 15 months is a testament to the success of the strategy and the courageous sacrifices of our young men and women in uniform and their civilian counterparts.”

U.S. Representative Jim McGovern

“The drawdown of American forces that the President announced tonight is insufficient.  The President is right that we need to shift our strategy in Afghanistan.  But a counter-terrorism strategy doesn’t need 70,000 boots on the ground, any more than it needed 100,000 boots on the ground.  What the president needs to tell us is how – and when – he’s going to bring all the troops home.  The American people – and, increasingly, the Congress – believe that instead of nation-building in Afghanistan, we need to do some more nation-building right here at home.”