Obama: No Troop Cuts in Afghanistan

Debate over military tactics in Afghanistan were at a fever-pitch Tuesday, but The New York Times reports that a meeting between President Obama and congressional leaders was civil—though not without its clashes. Obama promised he would not slash the number of troops in Afghanistan, trying to dispel the notion that the only options in Afghanistan are either doubling down or cutting out. Responding to a comment from John McCain that "This should not be a leisurely process," the president reportedly said, "John, I can assure you this won't be leisurely," adding, "No one feels more urgency to get this right than I do." Responding to General Stanley McChrystal's recent rebuke of Vice President Biden's proposal to scale back on Afpak, Obama allegedly voiced interest in Biden's ideas: "I'm the one who hired [Biden]," Obama reportedly said. "I put him there to give me a frank assessment." The 75-minute meeting was conducted in the State Dining Room and included the president, Vice President Biden, and some 30 members of Congress.