President Obama said today he has faith in his Afghanistan war plan, and that newly disclosed documents "point to the same challenges" that led to the policy in the first place.  "These documents don't reveal any issues that haven't already informed our public debate on Afghanistan," Obama said in his first public comments on the release of once-secret reports by the WikiLeaks website.  Obama also called on members of Congress to pass a war funding bill.  The president spoke after meeting with the Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress at the White House, where they discussed a policy that also includes a new small business loan program, energy legislation, and Senate confirmations of Obama nominees.  The more than 90,000 once-secret documents only cover the time period from 2004 to 2009, noted Obama, who unveiled his Afghanistan policy in late 2009.  The problems cited in the documents include civilian casualties, allegations of corruption within the Afghanistan government, and claims that Taliban insurgents are receiving help from neighboring Pakistan.  Here is Obama's full comments on Afghanistan:  I also urged the House leaders to pass the necessary funding to support our efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan. I know much has been written about this in recent days as a result of the substantial leak of documents from Afghanistan covering a period from 2004 to 2009.  While I'm concerned about the disclosure of sensitive information from the battlefield that could potentially jeopardize individuals or operations, the fact is these documents don't reveal any issues that haven't already informed our public debate on Afghanistan; indeed, they point to the same challenges that led me to conduct an extensive review of our policy last fall.  So let me underscore what I've said many times: For seven years, we failed to implement a strategy adequate to the challenge in this region, the region from which the 9/11 attacks were waged and other attacks against the United States and our friends and allies have been planned.  That's why we've substantially increased our commitment there, insisted upon greater accountability from our partners in Afghanistan and Pakistan, developed a new strategy that can work, and put in place a team, including one of our finest generals, to execute that plan. Now we have to see that strategy through.  And as I told the leaders, I hope the House will act today to join the Senate, which voted unanimously in favor of this funding, to ensure that our troops have the resources they need and that we're able to do what's necessary for our national security.  On another issue, the president said is he is not giving up plans to develop new sources of clean energy, and climate legislation designed to address global warming, despite reports that the Senate is unable to come together on such a sweeping bill.  The Gulf Coast oil spill proves that "our current energy policy is unsustainable," Obama said.  Obama again protested what he described as obstructionism by Senate Republicans. He said he asked Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to end delays on some of his nominees, particularly for judicial vacancies.  "If we want our judicial system to work, we need judges on our benches," Obama said.  The two parties should also get together on a loan program for owners willing to hire new people, Obama said.  "We shouldn't let America's small businesses be held hostage to partisan politics," Obama said, "and certainly not at this critical time."
Obama: Afghan documents 'point to same challenges' behind his war policy - The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidency