As President Barack Obama apparently is on the verge of a decision on the war in Afghanistan, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin says she is meeting with administration officials to get a complete picture of the situation.

The South Dakota Democrat says her main concern is strategy.  Herseth Sandlin says the decision whether to send more troops or whether the existing force is adequate is secondary to the question of what the U.S. mission is.  She says the nation has a clear national security interest in the border areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan because they can provide safe haven to Al Quaeda and the Taliban.

Herseth Sandlin says public discontent and the war's cost in troops and money should shift the focus to measured goals and an understanding of the mission.