Lawmakers Divided Over Afghanistan Troop Increase

WASHINGTON (AP) - Top lawmakers are sparring over the timing of President Barack Obama’s decision on how to proceed in Afghanistan.
   
Republicans want a quick move to boost troop levels. Democrats are asking for patience.
   
In partisan displays on Sunday morning talk shows, senators from both parties agreed on the need to support whatever Afghan government emerges from the Nov. 7 runoff election between President Hamid Karzai and challenger Abdullah Abdullah.
   
But members of Congress aren’t in agreement on how to do that - and when.
   
GOP lawmakers have criticized Obama for taking too long to decide on a recommendation from the top commander in Afghanistan to substantially increase the number of American troops in Afghanistan. But Democrats say the decision cannot be hasty and must be made only after serious deliberation.