“I am glad that the President is moving in the direction of the policy that I have advocated for years. But the most substantial increase will come when an additional Army brigade is deployed five months from now – in February, after the President has left office. His plan comes up short – it is not enough troops, and not enough resources, with not enough urgency.”

–Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), in remarks today in response to President Bush’s plan to redeploy troops from Iraq and to send additional troops to Afghanistan (ABC).

“Today’s announcement of additional withdrawals of American forces in Iraq demonstrates what success in our efforts there can look like. American troops are returning home in success and with honor because of the improvements in security that followed implementation of the surge strategy. Today’s announcement makes clear that the planned withdrawal of up to 8,000 troops is based, as it should be, on conditions on the ground and the advice of our military commanders in the field.”

–Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), in a statement on President Bush’s announcement.