Ditherpalooza.
You know Obama's long-delayed decision on troop levels for Afghanistan? The one Gen. McChrystal sent to the White House about two months ago? And that Cheney claimed Obama was dithering on three weeks ago? That Afghanistan troop request? Yeah, well, tonight Obama decided to throw out all the options and start over.
President Barack Obama does not plan to accept any of the Afghanistan war options presented by his national security team, pushing instead for revisions to clarify how and when U.S. troops would turn over responsibility to the Afghan government, a senior administration official said Wednesday.Nice Veteran's Day gift to the troops, CinC.
That push follows strong reservations about a possible troop buildup expressed by the U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, according to a second top administration official. In strongly worded classified cables to Washington, Eikenberry said he had misgivings about sending in new troops while there are still so many questions about the leadership of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Obama is still close to announcing his revamped war strategy — most likely shortly after he returns from a trip to Asia that ends on Nov. 19.
But the president raised questions at a war council meeting Wednesday that could alter the dynamic of both how many additional troops are sent to Afghanistan and what the timeline would be for their presence in the war zone, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Obama's thinking.
Obama finds time to golf. He finds time to tour Asia. He finds time to appear on Letterman.
I'm curious: when is he going to find time to lead?
I'm curious: when is he going to find time to lead?
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11/11/2009 8:30 PM
uberVU - social comments wrote:
This post was mentioned on Twitter by ExurbanJon: BREAKING: "Ditherpalooza: Obama throws out all 4 #Afghanistan troop options" http://is.gd/4T1OS #tcot #hhrs (Happy Veteran's Day from POTUS)
The arguments against the troop increase in Afghanistan are eerily similar to the arguments against the Iraq surge; i.e. without a more stable, less corrupt government it is a waste.
But, wait. Bush did the surge, security improved and now the Iraqi government is gaining in legitimacy and effectiveness.
It just seems so obvious that you cannot expect effective government without adequate security. Isn't there an old adage about trying to put the cart before the horse? Guess they never heard that in Chicago, or at Harvard Law.
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Dig a little deeper in lefty theology. The arguments weren't over whether or not a surge would actually work. It was about liberals taking all the billions spent on Iraq and paving the 'hood with widescreens, Xboxes, grills and gold rimmed thugmobiles.
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I hope this is not a case of Mr. Obama "freezing" in the face of making a decision where he cannot possibly make everyone happy. That would be my main worry, if someone, say, were to be elected president before they were ready.
I'll be praying for wisdom for him. Leading the free world is truly an awesome responsibility.
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Hey, it's not as if this is important like pimping for the Olympics.
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Zero: "Present!"
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