Two or Three More Brigades to Afghanistan

Speaking to a town hall meeting today in Albuquerque, New Mexico, John McCain said:

"Senator Obama will tell you we can't win in Afghanistan without losing in Iraq. In fact, he has it exactly backwards. It is precisely the success of the surge in Iraq that shows us the way to succeed in Afghanistan.

"I know how to win wars. And if I'm elected president, I will turn around the war in Afghanistan, just as we have turned around the war in Iraq, with a comprehensive strategy for victory.

"The status quo is not acceptable. Security in Afghanistan has deteriorated, and our enemies are on the offensive. From the moment the next president walks into the Oval Office, he will face critical decisions and crucial decisions about Afghanistan.

"In trying to sound tough, [Obama] has made it harder for the people whose support we most need to provide it. I won't bluster and I won't make idle threats. But understand this, when I am commander in chief, there will be nowhere the terrorists can run and nowhere they can hide. I will get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.”

McCain called for sending three more brigades of troops to Afghanistan. On Monday, Barack Obama called for sending at least two more brigades. A brigade can be up to around 4,000 troops.