Graham lauds war effort in wake of review: ‘I will stand with the president’

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) complimented the commander in chief on the Afghanistan war Sunday in the wake of a review of U.S. efforts there.

Graham’s comments also come in the wake of an ABC News/Washington Post poll last week in which a record 60 percent of respondents said the war is “not worth fighting.”

“To those who look at polls when it comes to war, do so at your own peril,” Graham said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

He said the war effort would take patience, particularly considering the problem of poor governance in Kabul and challenges in Pakistan’s fight against terrorists, but “we’re beginning to turn the tide.” Complimenting an administration withdrawal target of 2014, Graham said, “I will stand with the president.”

Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.), appearing with Graham, called the administration review a “sober assessment, an objective assessment.”

“The real problem here is from Pakistan,” Levin said, and the government giving safe haven to extremists.

“They’re generally with us in a lot of ways … but they also are buying what they consider to be peace with some of these terrorist groups.”