Coleman opposes surge in U.S. troops in Iraq

The Minnesota senator says more troops translates into more targets.

By Brady Averill, Star Tribune

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., said today after a two-day trip to Iraq that he would not support an increase in the number of soldiers in Baghdad.

He said he would "stand against" any effort to send a surge of more troops to Baghdad unless there's a clear vision that it will help end sectarian violence in the city.

"I think it would create more targets. I think we would put more life at risk," he said in a phone call with reporters from Bahrain. Coleman visited Baghdad, Fallujah, Taqaddum and Talil.

Coleman did support expanding the military, saying troops are currently stretched too thin and that a larger force is needed to fight the war on terrorism.

(Continued, here.)