News

Evans Condemns Obama for Endangering Georgia Troops by Putting Politics First

11/25/2009

Noting political advisors in war meeting, Evans says "The 48th and 802nd deserve better"

(CUMMING) - Leading Republican candidate for Congress Mike Evans denounced President Obama for endangering Georgia's troops in Afghanistan by including political advisors in his war council meetings and "rejecting the troop increase our generals have asked for because the president wants to win the hearts and minds of left-wing voters more than he wants to protect our soldiers and win the war."

Evans was referring to the presence of Obama political advisors David Axelrod and Robert Gibbs in the first war council meeting that the president held on Afghanistan to discuss reinforcements requested by commanders in the field.

The 48th Infantry Combat Brigade from Georgia, including members from across the 9th Congressional District, is currently on the ground in Afghanistan and has taken substantial losses. The 802nd Ordnance Company from Gainesville shipped for Afghanistan just this week. Both units could benefit from reinforcements asked for by Afghanistan commanding GEN Stanley McChrystal - a request Obama took months to consider and recently rejected without warning for what appears to be political reasons.

Evans cited former Bush administration political advisor Karl Rove, who indicated his shock at seeing Axelrod and Gibbs in the meetings. Rove noted those in roles identical to Axelrod and Gibbs in prior administrations were not allowed in war council meetings. Rove also said war council meetings on Afghanistan and Iraq have never included any type of political or communication advisors until Obama (see below for extended quote from Rove).

"America is at war, and our soldiers are in harm's way," said Evans. "Spin has no place at the war strategy table. If I am elected to Congress, I will use that position to support our troops by doing everything in my power to persuade, cajole, or shame this Administration into putting our soldiers above left-wing politics."

"Liberty comes at a price to be paid in blood, but that price must not be inflated to purchase our president and his political team 'maneuvering room' with the far-left," said Evans.

<< Back