Commander-in-Chief

Obama: I Won't Rush Troop Decision

Acknowledges copter crash fatalities at FL Navy base.

President Barack Obama appeared before more than 3,000 servicemen and women Monday at a Navy base in Jacksonville, Florida. He began with a somber mention of the 14 Americans killed in Monday's helicopter crash in Afghanistan: "Like all thsoe who give their lives in service to America, they were doing their duty, and they were doing this nation proud." He followed with a promite to "never rush the decision of sending you into harm's way." This week, Obama will sign a bill that will increase the Defense budget, including spending on the Navy and Marine Corps. Later tonight, Obama will appear at a Democratic fundraiser, and tomorrow he will head to the town of Arcadia to discuss the nation's power grid.