Berkley meets with leaders in Afghanistan

Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008 | 12:06 p.m.

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WASHINGTON -- Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley made her first trip to Afghanistan this weekend to meet with political and military leaders as part of a congressional fact-finding effort.

As the war in Afghanistan intensifies amid calls for additional American troops, Berkley wanted "an assessment, especially given reports that things are getting rougher, not better," her chief of staff Richard Urey said Sunday.

Berkeley and five other members of Congress left Friday on the trip. They first visited a U.S. Military hospital in Germany and met with troops. They will also visit an American Air Force base.

Most of their time in Afghanistan is being spent in Kabul, the capital, and the immediate vicinity. Berkley was meeting with U.S. military officials as well as officials from the Afghan government and U.S. embassy, Urey said.

The trip was a first for the five-term congresswoman. She made her first trip to Iraq in December 2006, meeting with U.S. General David Petraeus, then the top American commander in Iraq, and others.

As operations in Afghanistan are taking on renewed urgency, lawmakers are increasingly returning their attention to the country. Earlier this year, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other lawmakers made an August visit.

Berkley is expected to return to the U.S. on Tuesday.

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By Johnathan_Abbinett (Johnathan Abbinett)

Oct. 12, 2008

3:03 p.m.

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KUDOS to Shelley Berkley for being a staunch supporter of Our Troops, Military Families and Disabled Vets!

I'm all for "VTBO" - voting the bums out. But, Shelley Berkley is one of the few that deserve to be overwhelmingly re-elected and returned to the U. S. House of Represenatatives!

Shelley Berkley "talks-the-talk" AND "walks-the-walk"!
By 2zero

Oct. 12, 2008

3:50 p.m.

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She voted for the bailout? VTBO
By Johnathan_Abbinett (Johnathan Abbinett)

Oct. 12, 2008

11:59 p.m.

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I'm convinced that 95% of the Republican Party and 75% of the Democratic Party are corrupt to the core - so, only about 30% are in D.C. for the right reasons and trying to do the right thing! Deciding who you will, or won't, vote for based on a single vote is really sophmoric!

Shelley Berkley is not perfect, but she is in the 30% that deserves to be re-elected!