Rick Perry - The War in Afghanistan
Summary
Governor Perry has been mostly silent on the war in Afghanistan. He has visited the troops there a couple of times and expressed support for Texas troops and empathy for those at home and abroad. However, as Governor, Perry has not commented on the validity or execution of the war.
CBS Foreign Policy Debate
On November 12, 2011 Governor Perry participated in the CBS foreign policy debate. He is asked about his views on the situation on the ground in Afghanistan.
Scott Pelley: Thank you, Congressman. Governor Perry, what's your appraisal of the combat situation on the ground in Afghanistan today and what would you change?
Rick Perry: Let me answer-- the previous question very quickly for-- if I-- if I may.
Scott Pelley: Governor, I'd like to move on, could you give us a sense of your --of your appraisal of the combat situation?
Rick Perry: --I have a minute. And I can do both in one minute, I'll promise you.
Scott Pelley: There-- there you go.
Rick Perry: And the issue that has not been raised is that this country can sanction the Iranian Central Bank right now and shut down that country's economy. And that's what this president needs to do and the American people need to stand up and force him to make that stand today. Now let me address this issue of Afghanistan and how we deal with it. The mission must be completed there. The idea that we will have wasted our treasure and the lives of young Americans to not secure Afghanistan is not appropriate.
But the idea that we would give a timetable to our enemy is irresponsible from a military standpoint, it's irresponsible from the lives of our young men and women. And it is irresponsible leadership of this president to give a timetable to pull out of any country that we're in conflict with.
Scott Pelley: But Governor, if I can just follow up for 30 seconds. The question was, "What's your appraisal of the combat situation on the ground there, and what would you change as commander in chief?"
Rick Perry: Well, obviously, we're discussing with our commanders on the field-- about what's going on in-- Afghanistan. I think we're makin' progress there. The issue is training up the Afghan security forces so that we're comfortable that they can-- protect that citizenry and continue to take the war to the terrorists that are using Afghanistan and Pakistan, I might add. It is a very complex part of the world. But I think that our military is doin' the best job that they can-- considering-- the lack of support that they're getting from this administration-- telegraphing to the enemy when we're gonna pull out.