Franken wants to visit Afghanistan before deciding on Obama plan

DFL U.S. Sen. Al Franken says he wants to visit Afghanistan to gather more information about President Obama's plan to send 30,000 more troops to the region.

Franken met with former diplomats, college professors, a military official and human rights workers this afternoon in St. Paul to discuss Obama's strategy. After the meeting, he told reporters that he's inclined to support Obama's plan but is still weighing his options.

"There are obviously tremendous questions as to whether this can succeed and I don't think we know the answer to that and that's why the question, what do we need to look at to see if we're succeeding is such a good question that came out of today," Franken said.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited Afghanistan last weekend. She said American support in Afghanistan must be tied to improvements in that country's government and economy.

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