Former Vietnam Pow Declares, "for America - Ignoring The Top General's Request For More Troops Is Not The Way To Run -- And Win - A War."

Press Release

Today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, 29-year Air Force veteran and former Prisoner of War in Vietnam for nearly seven years, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) pressed the President to swiftly act on advice by General Stanley McChrystal, the top general in Afghanistan, to increase the number of troops if the President wants America to win the war. Johnson also declared that if the White House won't listen to the General, the Congress should. Johnson fears that the Administration runs the risk of repeating a key tactical error in Vietnam -- running the war from the White House and ignoring the advice of the commanders on the ground.

Johnson's floor speech comes in the wake of major news developments on Afghanistan. Recently, General McChyrstal said U.S. military efforts "will likely result in failure" unless more troops are sent in the next year. Meanwhile, the President repeatedly has expressed serious reservations about the need for more troops and discussed how he will not swiftly move forward with plans on Afghanistan. News reports indicate that the President will hear from Gen. McChrystal today likely via secure teleconference to discuss Afghanistan.

Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties. To watch Johnson's floor statement, visit his official You Tube Channel, and view "Let's fight to win" by going to http://www.youtube.com/user/RepSamJohnson.

Remarks delivered on the floor of the U.S. House:

"As a former Prisoner of War in Vietnam, I learned a lot about how not to fight a war -- specifically you can not run a war from the White House and win.

"General McChrystal declared that more troops are needed in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, this Administration has backpedaled on its pledge to the region and now is dragging its heels on the General's request.

"What must our young men and women in uniform think? How must their loved ones back home feel? The Administration's waiting game torpedoes troop morale and begs mission failure.

Congress needs to hear directly from General McChrystal to ensure political motivations in Washington don't override the needs of our commanders -- and our troops.

"For America - ignoring the top general's request for more troops is not the way to run -- and win - a war."

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