NRCC - Where's Shea-Porter on Troop Surge?

It seems a bit strange that Carol Shea-Porter, who made her name as a candidate protesting the war, is now avoiding the issue altogether.  This week President Obama laid out his plan to send additional troops to Afghanistan and set out a July 2011 timetable for withdrawal, yet the anti-war Congresswoman doesn’t have much to say.  In The Hill newspaper today, Aaron Blake writes:

In the House, the best illustration of the differing approaches was a group of 47 freshman Democrats who drafted a letter in 2008 asking for a renewed focus on Afghanistan. Of that group, Reps. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.), Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.) and Tim Walz (D-Minn.) weren’t ready to commit after Tuesday’s speech, while Reps. Michael Arcuri (D-N.Y.), Bill Foster (D-Ill.) and Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) expressed support. (Aaron Blake, Democrats in tough races differ in reactions to Afghanistan plan, The Hill, 12/3/2009)

At first she was looking to flip-flop, but now it seems like she’s just not interested in talking about Afghanistan…

No comment on Shea-Porter’s homepage…

No comment in the Press Release section of her website…

The New Hampshire Union Leader can’t seem to find a comment…

Gregg, Shaheen, Hodes Weigh in on Obama Proposal

By Hsiang-Ching Tseng

Special to the Union Leader

December 1, 2009

Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., said he thinks President Barack Obama has made the right decision to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, but he questioned the wisdom of setting a timetable for beginning to withdraw U.S. troops.

Gregg spoke last night after attending a meeting with the President and 30 other legislators at the White House before Obama departed for his speech at West Point.

"There aren't any good options here," Gregg said. "Afghanistan is not an easy situation for us or for Afghan people, but within the context of the options that are available, I do think he's made the right decision, because he's followed the advice of the commanders on the ground."

[Full Story]

And Foster’s Daily Democrat was able to get this half no comment, half no explanation from Shea-Porter’s office…

Pols React to Obama’s Afghanistan Mission

By Adam Krauss

December 2, 2009

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091202/BLOGS10/912029956

UPDATE: Rep. Shea-Porter's office just emailed over a statement, adding to her comments that she is inclined to oppose the troop buildup.

"I have not heard anything to change my mind. However, as a member of the Armed Services Committee, I look forward to hearing from Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen tomorrow, and General McChrystal and Ambassador Eikenberry next week."