Pelosi: Not much support for more Afghan buildup

If President Obama asks for more troops to send to Afghanistan, he could be rebuffed by Democrats in Congress.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) signaled Thursday that such a request would not be well received.

“I don't think there's much support for sending more troops to Afghanistan in the country or in Congress,” Pelosi said.

On the heels of the deadliest month to date for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, liberals lawmakers are bracing for a report being reviewed by top military commanders that is expected to suggest more resources and troops are needed.

Many of the liberal Democratic lawmakers who led the fight against the Iraq war are now opposing the buildup in Afghanistan, and promising to fight funding for it.

The assessment by Gen. Stanley McChrystal coming out in the next few weeks is widely expected to ask for more troops.

Pelosi said she is “more interested” in a list due Sept. 24 from lawmakers and staff with 50 benchmarks for the government to use in determining whether the U.S. effort is succeeding.

Republicans criticized Pelosi's reluctance to authorize more troops, but said Obama is at fault for not clearly spelling out the military's goals in Afghanistan.

“It doesn't surprise me that she doesn't want to support the troops,” said Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.). "But the president has failed to define the mission.”

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