Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued the following statement in response to President Obama's speech at West Point:

"I support the President's plan. It has been carefully deliberated and debated by the senior officials in the Administration. The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs all have come together in agreement on this course of action, which was recommended by one of America's finest generals.  It recognizes the severity of the situation, calls for strong cooperation from NATO partners, and avoids an open-ended commitment.

I do not believe we should attempt to make Afghanistan into a Jeffersonian Democracy. We must respect the tribal culture and tradition of the country. However, Taliban forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan, al Qaeda, the Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and other extremist groups represent a real and significant threat to the security of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Unchecked, they threaten the United States and our allies as well.

I believe that both Republicans and Democrats should support this decision, which will allow us to reverse the Taliban's gains and deny terrorists a safe haven while limiting the duration of our commitment."

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