WASHINGTON D.C. (WRN) - Wisconsin Senate Democrat Russ Feingold is threatening to block funding for the 30,000 troops President Obama wants to send to Afghanistan. Feingold calls it the wrong approach for containing al-Qaida. But Obama told West Point cadets Tuesday night the effort is necessary to deny al-Qaida a safe haven, and to reduce momentum by the Taliban. He said America’s security is at stake – and he promised Americans who are tired of the war that he’ll start bringing units home in 18 months. Wisconsin’s other senator, Democrat Herb Kohl, said the U.S. cannot walk away from Afghanistan now. And Kohl said lawmakers should give Obama’s strategy a chance to work. But Republicans said the way to win a war is to wear down the enemy, not announce when they’ll be pulling out. Michigan Senate Democrat Carl Levin, who chairs a military oversight panel, said he did not believe Democrats would pull funding – or try to force the president’s hand to get them out sooner. Wausau House Democrat David Obey has called for a surtax to pay for the new surge. Levin mentions a possible tax increase for the rich – or a small federal gas tax hike that would be phased out if fuel prices go dramatically higher.