Sen. Bond praises Bush war efforts

U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, in Perryville, Mo., Monday to announce federal funding of a higher education building renovation project, applauded the Bush administration for quick progress in the war in Afghanistan, including the ground war involving U.S. Marines.

He said: "I think it is another great step. President Bush has put together a great team with Donald Rumsfeld, Colin Powell and the others. We are now in a position that Marines can come in, get established, and help the special forces find al-Qaida. It seems the Taliban are on the run, and now there's a real need to go after terrorist groups themselves ...

"We have had much quicker progress than what was generally expected. I spoke to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and congratulated him ...

"Now the Middle East and the world knows George Bush is serious about going after terrorism."