Afghanistan, Obama’s Looming Waterloo
By Larry Johnson on September 22, 2009 at 12:47 PM in Current Affairs
Barack Obama is in major trouble and it ain’t on the health care front. His Presidency is in peril over Afghanistan. Talk about tossing a turd in the the punchbowl. The leak to Bobby Woodward over the weekend of General McChrystal’s report outlining the need for at least 40,000 more troops on the ground in Afghanistan puts Obama in the position of either following the recommendation of his personally selected commander and sending more troops or refusing to accept the request and signaling that Afghanistan is not so essential after all. Obama dug his own political grave on this one. If you call a war a “WAR OF NECESSITY” and then refuse or delay giving your military leaders the troops and resources they need to accomplish their mission then you get the blame. There is no where to hide. The leak now puts Obama in the position of two very unpalatable choices–he accepts McChrystal’s plan and ends up appearing very weak as he “caves” to the military and alienates the more liberal members of his party or he rejects McChrystal’s recommendation and obliterates his credibility with the military and will likely lose McChrystal.
According to a report filed by McClatchey’s Nancy Youssef:
Six months after it announced its strategy for Afghanistan, the Obama administration is sending mixed signals about its objectives there and how many troops are needed to achieve them.
The conflicting messages are drawing increasing ire from U.S. commanders in Afghanistan and frustrating military leaders, who’re trying to figure out how to demonstrate that they’re making progress in the 12-18 months that the administration has given them.
Adding to the frustration, according to officials in Kabul and Washington, are White House and Pentagon directives made over the last six weeks that Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, not submit his request for as many as 45,000 additional troops because the administration isn’t ready for it.
In the last two weeks, top administration leaders have suggested that more American troops will be sent to Afghanistan, and then called that suggestion “premature.” Earlier this month, Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that “time is not on our side”; on Thursday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urged the public “to take a deep breath.”
The White House didn’t respond to requests for comment. Officials willing to speak did so only on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.
In Kabul, some members of McChrystal’s staff said they don’t understand why Obama called Afghanistan a “war of necessity” but still hasn’t given them the resources they need to turn things around quickly.
Three officers at the Pentagon and in Kabul told McClatchy that the McChrystal they know would resign before he’d stand behind a faltering policy that he thought would endanger his forces or the strategy.
“Yes, he’ll be a good soldier, but he will only go so far,” a senior official in Kabul said. “He’ll hold his ground. He’s not going to bend to political pressure.”
This episode highlights why Obama is such an amateur. If you make a public declaration that Afghanistan is a war of necessity then you are staking out a position that permits no room for retreat. Remember his “rollout” of his new policy?
Today, I’m announcing a comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. And this marks the conclusion of a careful policy review, led by Bruce, that I ordered as soon as I took office. My administration has heard from our military commanders, as well as our diplomats. We’ve consulted with the Afghan and Pakistani governments, with our partners and our NATO allies, and with other donors and international organizations. We’ve also worked closely with members of Congress here at home. And now I’d like to speak clearly and candidly to the American people. . . .
As President, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people. We are not in Afghanistan to control that country or to dictate its future. We are in Afghanistan to confront a common enemy that threatens the United States, our friends and our allies, and the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan who have suffered the most at the hands of violent extremists.
So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future. That’s the goal that must be achieved. That is a cause that could not be more just. And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: We will defeat you.
To achieve our goals, we need a stronger, smarter and comprehensive strategy. To focus on the greatest threat to our people, America must no longer deny resources to Afghanistan because of the war in Iraq. To enhance the military, governance and economic capacity of Afghanistan and Pakistan, we have to marshal international support. And to defeat an enemy that heeds no borders or laws of war, we must recognize the fundamental connection between the future of Afghanistan and Pakistan — which is why I’ve appointed Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, who is here, to serve as Special Representative for both countries, and to work closely with General Petraeus to integrate our civilian and military efforts.
He could have said, “We are going to study what to do before committing our nation to a course of action.” Yep. He could have said something along those lines. But he did not. Instead he essentially declared, “Read my lips.” Barack is not the first President to make a rash, stupid statement. But who is advising him? Who leaked this? Some speculate that an Obama staffer, like Dennis McDonough, in a bid to ingratiate himself with Woodward spilled the beans but did not anticipate Woodward going forward with the story. My money is on a senior staffer who works for SecDef Bob Gates, who was frustrated by the White House footdragging and vacillation and decided to light a nuclear fire under their ass.
Well, boys and girls, the fire is burning and it ain’t a marshmallow roast. This blaze is likely to consume the Obama Presidency and could be the mortal wound to Mr. Hope’s quest for a legacy. He’ll get a legacy alright–he’ll make folks long for someone with the strength of Jimmy Carter.
(Release: November 13)
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ha! no need to even comment further. Mr. Johnson has it right. Bam is in deep _ _ _ _.
Where is Hillary when we need her ! ?
up barry’s bum mikey
Larry I thought health care was Odrama’s Waterloo?
How many is he allowed to have?
Actually, Pakistan is Obama’s Little Big Horn.
Sorry – Afghanistan (Where is that “edit” function when you need it?)
Look, he’s the president. We do not know where she stands on this issue, but it sure isn’t where you said.
HRC’s not in the opposition party, so quit expecting her to fight him publicly. If her current efforts are consistent with her past (and she is very consistent and hardworking), then she will work toward a good resolution on this one, too.
..lady, have u no manners? Please visit adulthood soon.
CLINTON 2012
cough byte me cough
you are bragging about adulthood when this is the mess we’ve inherited?
Those adults?
Puhlease! Go back to your cave with your chablis & crackers.
Hillary has to strategize so she can have a future when America finally realizes that Obama is a con.
Law 29: Plan All the Way to the End
The ending is everything. Plan all the way to it, taking into account all the possible consequences, obstacles, and twists of fortune that might reverse your hard work and give the glory to others. By planning to the end you will not be overwhelmed by circumstances and you will know when to stop. Gently guide fortune and help determine the future by thinking far ahead.
Law 35: Master the Art of Timing
Never seem to be in a hurry – hurrying betrays a lack of control over yourself, and over time. Always seem patient, as if you know that everything will come to you eventually. Become a detective of the right moment; sniff out the spirit of the times, the trends that will carry you to power. Learn to stand back when the time is not yet ripe, and to strike fiercely when it has reached fruition.
His over the top saturation of the airways, smacks of desperation…which can be smelled from a mile away, evoking repugnance and repulsion. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy…and I mean that in the best possible way…
What would hillary do? She is quoted as saying no more troops to Afghanistan. She is in lock-step with Barry
Wasn’t that what both of them were saying at the time, but Barry was going to leave the wars immediately and HRC wanted phase-out? It seems like so long ago, I forget.
NEW YORK (AFP) – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pushed back against the US military’s blunt warning that the battle against insurgents in Afghanistan would likely be lost within a year without more US troops.
Clinton’s comments in an interview with PBS television late Monday came amid reports that the Pentagon has asked General Stanley McChrystal, the top commander in Afghanistan, to delay a request for more troops.
Clinton expressed “respect” for McChrystal’s assessment that the United States would likely lose the war in Afghanistan within a year without more US forces.
“But I can only tell you there are other assessments from very expert military analysts who have worked in counter-insurgencies that are the exact opposite,” she said.
Her remarks were the latest sign of stiffening resistance within President Barack Obama’s administration to a major escalation in the US commitment in Afghanistan, and a growing rift over the issue between civilian leaders and the military.
I read just the opposite. What is your source?
Yes, Michael!
Wish Hillary was close to the red button and not this meandering multi-faced mealymouthed moron!
I love Larry Johnson’s:
“Obama will make folks long for someone with the strength of….Jimmy Carter!”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
priceless….
Excellent analysis Larry. He is boxed in politically on Afghanistan. Just like health care. The difference between now and the campaign is all people except captive media are keeping track of his lies and his reversals, because their future is at stake. No free passes any more. The buck stops on his desk. Nowhere to hide, and no one to blame but himself.
If I were a bona fide progressive and supported him in the campaign, I would be talking to myself right now and wondering where I went wrong. This is what happens however when passion is lord of reason like Shakespeare said.
I blame a complicit media for all of this. They enabled the president during his campaign every step of the way. If he had to stand up to serious vetting and experienced any consequences for his flip flopping statements and policy reversals on the trail — he would see actions and statements have consequences and he and we would not be in this position today.
However, had they vetted him instead of enabling him, it is likely he would not have been elected in the first place.
He is an amateur and quite used to saying things like “that was boneheaded, I didn’t know, he’s not the ______ I knew, I didn’t know they were getting a bunch of federal money, I was never there” etc. He is also used to getting away with it, much to the frustration of those of us watching.
Great article, Larry. Thank you.
Spot on Ani. The death of the Fourth Estate is a serious threat to our democracy, and this is a perfect example.
Ani
Great commentary on what could have been, had this idiot been properly vetted and treated like any other candidate during the so-called “campaign”….
He who lives by his rhetorics and campaign promises dies with his rhetorics and campaign promises…karma!
Larry, you’re right when you said Obama will likely lose McChrystal. There is an article on meme talking about him resigning if he does not get the resources he needs:
http://www.memeorandum.com/090922/p12#a090922p12
But, sadly, where does that leave our troops!?
We are all screwed more so for our military.
Exactly where I was, with every word Larry wrote. Whether Robert McNamara or Barack Obama, there is some part of humanity missing when a man can say, ‘I could have ended the war sooner but I didn’t'; or, when he can sacrifice the lives of his countrymen and women because he wanted the job of CIC more than he wanted them to have a leader who knew what s/he was doing. I cannot imagine each additional death or mutilation loses him even minutes of sleep.
Wasn’t there a general before McChrystal who wanted more troops and he was—removed?
Yes looks like the new one will be packing his bags soon too.
This is mindblowing we have troops on the ground and CIC does not know what to do.
Yes, this will become a defining moment in his presidency.
So many voted for him because they said he was anti-war,etc,etc,. The idea that Obama would send in more soldiers instead of pulling them out will make them have a nervous breakdown.
Well many would like to watch we tried to make them open their eyes and ears it was all kumbya. We do not see or hear. Maybe this will make them all wake up with a bang.
I could never understand his words remember his words that troops will be out of Iraq in 12 months and then in the next breath they were going to Afghanistan? He runs in circles its spinning out of control.
Thanks Larry for keeping us updated.
Does it make any sense that he won’t pull out all of the troops because they would come home and be an additional burden on the jobs market, and he won’t send more troops which would further alienate his Bots (or aren’t we using the term Bots anymore?)
Thanks Larry for making helping me understand what happened over the weekend. I believe footdragging is well put, that is why he is to busy pushing Health Care Reform with the help MSM and Letterman. He wants to try cover it up with something WE THE PEOPLE don’t want. The POTUS is dealing with Afghanistan that is above his Pay Grade. God Help Us!
As a good soldier, how far will General McChrystal go in his challenge to Obama? Will he resign if Obama rejects his recommendation?
I would have to believe that a McChrystal resignation would be a coup de grace to the Obama administration foreign policy.
As is, everyone is saying “no” to Obama:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1253198168048&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
The one lesson from Vietnam is if you fight a war, you fight to win or don’t fight at all. Also listen to your generals in the field of of battle and do not play politics with our soldiers’ lives.
But, sadly, where does that leave our troops!?
——————————————–
In harm’s way, with an incompetent commander in chief. Let us hope that people like James Jones, one of the few competent people in the Administration, put their career on the line for the troops, when people like Axelrod admonish him to temporize on McCrystal’s request. Like it or not he must back the general. If he does not McCrystal will resign, rather than be the fall guy for Mr. Obama on Afghanistan. The picture of Hitler raving in the bunker comes to mind. Surely it is not that bad at this point, and he comparison is invalid. Perish the thought.
Ralph Peters offers a third alternative.
Obama can experience his proverbial political flameouts as many times as is needed to get him out of office. Healthcare, Afganistan, stimulus package failure, unemployment rate, etc. The lefty libs are never going to be happy because they just want more and more power. If, and that is a debatable if, Obama truly thinks of the country first, he’ll make the correct decision, not just the politically advantageous one. Don’t hold your breath, though.
My only concern is that he not take the country with him.
oops – Afghanistan
Thanks for the great post Larry.
Obama’s Narcissism has placed our troops in great peril.
I’m waiting for a Presidential implosion and this may be it. The media blitz isn’t working, the lies look merely like lies and now we have are own sons and daughters in the military “put on hold” for the President’s convenience, confusion and/or incompetence. Will McChrystal resign? From what I’ve read about McChrystal, this isn’t a man who will be put on hold forever, particularly when his own men and women are at risk. The Prez will go into another round of performance art tommorrow at the UN, and then G-20 conference in Pittsburgh.
And the call has been put out: Obama is a weak sister, unable to turn the US economy around, tied up with questionable healthcare reform proposals, refusing to come up with a strategy in Afghanistan and ticking the Europeans off with a noncommitment on climate issues.
From all appearances, America is on the ropes and our Prom-date President seems more interested in appearing on network TV than addressing any real problems.
We are so screwed!
Thanks for the updated article, Larry.
performance art….RIMSHOT…best line of the week!!
To me the most interesting thing is that the military showed Obama disrespect by leaking this information. They see him as weak.
PS: This is Jimmy Carter on steroids, just as I feared way back during the 2008 primary season. Of course, I never doubted Carter’s motivation for wanting to do the right thing. I figured he was merely impotent when it came to “the leadership thing.”
But Obama? I’m beginning to feel very, very queasy. I hope I’m wrong.
Did you hear about The Liar in Chief, he stated at the UN that Cap & Trade has already been passed, but did not say that it was still pending in the Senate. When is he going to stop lying. He must think the Head of States from other countries don’t fact check.
What an utter crap-miester. Really.
If you missed it, here’s Hillary’s interview on the PBS News Hour last night about Afganistan:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/military/july-dec09/clinton_09-21.html
And here is link for a transcript of the interview:
http://www.isria.com/pages/22_September_2009_37.php
Very interesting. Larry, what do you think about this quote?
HILLARY CLINTON: Well and I respect that because clearly he is the commander on the ground, but I can only tell you there are other assessments from, you know, very expert military analysts who have worked in counter insurgencies that are the exact opposite. So what our goal is, is to take all of this incoming data and sort it out.
Is it true that there are varying analysis, and McChrystal’s is just one component of the overall strategy? Of course, he’s the General, but I’m curious about her statement.
Important story, Larry. Thanks.
I knew this sort of thing would happen if Obama won. One person talks him into something and then another talks him out of it, and so on. He doesn’t have the experience to make the best decisions himself. I don’t think he even has the experience to best judge who to listen to and who to ignore.
It will be a bumpy 3 plus more years…
I have to add this: I wish most people were carefully following what is going on in the Middle East. The MSM is not doing a thorough job. You have to hunt for news.
You’re right Tricia about the msm.They didn’t fail to tally and announce on a daily basis the fallen soldiers during the Bush admin.
And now for a little levity…an earworm for the day…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U4kDzwZAMk
Notice the bots at the table…
It is 2am Mr. CIC, stop playing one on televison and get on with actually working.
Or perhaps more appropriately…Stonewall Jackson and the Minutemen…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ6C8LMhcWQ
I had almost forgotten about this one…
Personally, I am rooting for those who want to hold off sending more troops. Hillary said there are equally qualified military advisors who advise exactly the opposite of what General McChrystal has advised. Maybe someone could leak a copy of the dissenting advisors’ reports and we could have a better idea of what’s really going on.
So why put General McChrystal into a position and not listen?
He’s closer to the ground then many in Washington!
He may be closer to the ground but maybe he can’t see the forest for the trees this time. Maybe he is just wrong this time. I would much rather see Obama commit and recognize an error in judgement in choosing a military commander at this point in time and not 5 or 10 years from now after thousands of US soldiers and probably many more innocent civilians have died.
Wait a moment what about the troops that are out there now? Where not looking at 5-10 yrs ahead have you seen how many soldiers have been killed recently from the States, UK and other European countries??
While he twiddles his thumbs and goes on a TV walkabout many more of our troops are dying!!
I am sure its O who cannot see the wood for the trees.
I doubt its General McChrystal he has years of experience and sure he’s had long enough to assess the situation on the ground.
Plus you need to leave Hillary out of this she works for O she has to support his stance.
You have to think that he’s in trouble when he lets Hillary have a say…
that would be good..
I, too, would love to be the fly on the wall and know exactly what’s going on in these decision-making conferences, instead of being appalled at what seems to be indecisiveness and utter confusion. The President set this up by prematurely announcing “he had a plan, a strategy.” Turning on a dime, he merely looks like a weak sister, who can’t make up his mind on anything.
That being said, I question the wisdom of pitching headlong into a war in Afghanistan. We’re already stretched thin and the history in the region is grim. Plus, I think the Americans are war weary and sick of military missions that don’t seem to square with the facts and have bloody, unsatisying endings. I had no problem with the US going into Afghanistan and taking out Osama bin Ladin and his motley crew. But GW made a U-turn into Iraq, something I never agreed with.
There’s a reason Afghanistan was referred to as the Soviet Union’s Vietnam. I don’t want to see Americans repeating the same, sad history.
But President Obama needs to step up to the plate, stop with the glorious and/or reckless words and start being a leader with American welfare at the top of the list. He wants to be a citizen of the world, let him move elsewhere.
Confusion and indecisiveness is a dangerous mix for everyone.
Well, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that the American people, to a large extent, should take the blame for whatever happens to our POTUS at this point. (And I will excuse only those people who knew from the beginning we should not have elected him–so don’t scream at me all you NQ regulars.)
1. They allowed the DNC and the MSN to “select” him as the Democratic nominee. They refused to listen to the information that WAS indeed out there about his lack of qualification and about the bad company he keeps. They refused to listen to the informtion that WAS out there about the stolen primary.
2. See above about the general election.
3. They allowed the stimulus boondoggle to happen without a whimper of protest, and they continued to allow all kinds of EXPENSIVE behavior on the part of our current administration.
4. They seem to want EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE. With our current RISING debt, they are concerned now about healthcare, and they will probably buy into the administration’s lies that his reform won’t cost. Or they won’t buy in, but because Obana gets what he wants with this Congress that they elected, it’s the same thing.
5. They allow him to be ubiquitous on the t.v. screens across the country rather than saying strongly that he should get off the airwaves and into the Oval Office and do his job.
6. They accepted his statements about Afghanistan and Pakistan without considering the cost and without understanding that he was inept and making only a political point. The cost is extremely high. First, the soliders’ lives should be valued by our country far more than many are willing to value them. Most simply don’t pay attention to them. And sending these troops will cost and they should be sent with everything they need to get this done. And they should decide to stop considering everything else but this for a change, including healthcare reform at this time.
I know we are sacrificing because of the economy, but I still now that most of us live far more affluent lives than I did growing up after WWWII (yes, I am a Boomer). We got by with so much less than we have now. Can’t we all just do more and get behind the troops and behind the mission?
But then, that would take a President who could articulate that mission, make it clear, inspire us to support it–as everyone did in WWII. And it would take a president with the guts to see it through.
I am just plain sick of this “War on Terrorism.” I want it to be planned out and fought to the end for a change.
I have always thought of myself as a passivist, but I’ve done a lot of growing and changing these last few years.
The president now needs to put on his Commander-in-Chief coat and become that for us all.
But that won’t happen with this guy. I am just depressed for our soldiers.
I agree with you and I am one of those who blew the whistle on this guy from the beginning.
We, as a country, are guilty of criminal stupidity. Time after time we elect cardboard cutouts instead of professionals with credentials: Reagan, GWB and now Obama.
We need to wake up to our responsibilities as citizens, resist the propaganda and use critical thinking instead of magical thinking.
Remember: “You get whatever you choose.” (Eagles, ‘Those Shoes’)
It’s not fair or accurate to lump Reagan and GWB in the inexperienced set with Obama. Both Reagan and Bush were Governors of two of the largest (population wise) states in this country. Each of them spent the bulk of their term(s) actually governing instead of running for higher office. Both men also started out their careers in something other than politics so they had some experience making their marks in the private sector, giving them a more rounded life narrative. By comparison, Obama’s leadership/governing experience is minute. The people who voted for him should be ashamed, and they shouldn’t blame a complicit media for covering up his past, the information was available.
If you feel that being elected and serving successfully as a Governor of a large state still makes a candidate a cardboard cutout, just what kind of credentials would you settle for? It seems like you’re confusing experience and credentials with your own particular ideology.
Now that we’re stuck with Obama, I understand the impulse to demand a better track record (or at least SOME kind of record) for our potential Presidential candidates, but if you raise the bar TOO high, no one will get over it.
Onofre’s Arm
Ditto to your comments about Reagan and GWB. I didn’t vote for either of them but they were hundred times better than our current Parasite in Chief.
Obama does not have TIME to deal with this problem of soldiers dying for nothing in Afganistan. He has to get ready to #1 defy the constitution once again and sit as head of the UN security counsel and #2 make preparations to gut our military as Carter did by trying to get rid of most of our weapons.
We all know that he and his hatefull wife and Hillary find the military distastefull to their progressive agendas because they know in the end it will be the military that will step to the aid of the American people and stop their takeover agendas.
That damn constitution, and those stupid soldiers whom believe in it will be their undoing and they know it. Hell just look what they did in Honduras, and they are only a 3rd world constitutional government, just think what it will be like here!
And yes I said Hillary, I have freinds that were around her during Bills administration active in the military and he always spoke of how hatefull she was to them and the remarks she would make as they would snap to and salute when Bill walked by.
I can only imagine Michelle making those same comments now as she feigns comfort for military families who have lost members in their stupid war where Obama says winning is not the main reason to be there. They all make me want to hurl.
Excellent, Larry. So many Waterloos in so short a time. Maybe we need to give him credit for blowing it so magnificently badly. Well done, another screwup, Prez. Amateur.
I have terrible angst for the troups–
Yep.
But on Barry’s two choices, you forgot to mention, I know you are inferring that, but….on the 2nd scenario, if he flips of McChrystal and doesn’t go with his reccomend’, not only does he alienate the Military, but he completely screws up Afghanistan and his promises.
Now, of course, I believe we shouldn’t be at war with aFghanistan. We should be conducting much smarter foreign policy than Barry Obambi has embarked on. Using high level intel, undercover ops, etc, but this is not a military action they should be undertaking and surely not dropping blindly bombs and missiles on innocent civilians. Not a winning strategy that has been added to his, now obvious, ILL PLANNED action.
But Obama has promised his money makers war…and big spending for his Corporations and power grabbers over in Afghan, so he is pissing BOTH groups off….or I should say 3 groups, the ones also that believe a military action is necessary to help Afghans, Obambi is losing on all 3.
I would probably guess you’re also right about the leak coming from SOD office. Especially after Obama made Gates have to backtrack from his original plan with the missile defense. Now having a mobile missile defense on ships that takes forever to get from point a to point b and is energy and time wasting. But better, why are we spending an arm and leg to create a missile defense system that wont defend us for long range missiles, but will only work in defending short and medium range missiles for Europe. Should that then go under the header of NATO, but not on our tab? Things that make you go hmmm.
The president now needs to put on his Commander-in-Chief coat and become that for us all.
BO, in my humble opinion, is incapable of such an action. Point is that he can’t explain what the policy is without an “um” to the American people, how the hell is he going to explain it to people who must execute?
He has NO leadership skills, just vague generalities of “notions”, that display a gross lack of experience in this area. While BO has said that he “is not an expert” and has other people that are to consult with, what I am interested in is what is the opposing view point?
I get that many are mindful of the Soviet experience in Afghanistan, and wish not to repeat it, but does one not have to offer a viable alternative to what the commanders on the ground are asking for?
This all smells of the Classic “Rumsfield Screwdriver” but with a twist. The military is doing a clear build and hold action to address a Taliban insurgency. That requires boots on the ground a lot of effort and a prolonged commitment to the mission and people of Afghanistan.
While these forces can retreat to the Pakistan side of the border, the Afghan people have seen this play before. I seriously doubt that BO has any idea what he is doing and voting present once again. This time more than a kid stuck under a Rezko fence will die from his “laziness”
Not to make little the loss of a childs life, but what is the other side of this coin???.
You mean in other words, Obammay is a man without a plan? No sir, that is wrong. Obammy will play the race card-that is the plan–Gen. Stanley McChrystal will simply become another white racist and Obamaniac will appologize for all the inconveniences the American troops have caused the Islamic Taliban and pledge to donate one trillion gallons of white wash to renew the Afghanistan neighborhoods. Just like his friend Rezko rebuilt the southside Chicago low rent districts.
Damn! Its hard to win a war and campaign at the same time. I mean like, look, Obammy has a flailing economy, healthcare on the brink (of something), immigration out the ying yang, poll numbers tumbling, Dialy KOS calling the perpetual campaigner a coward, even the Christ had 3 1/2 years to get His message out to his converts. Dang it Larry J., do you expect the Kenyan Messiah to accomplish more in 200 days than that other God did in 3 1/2 years? Give him a break. Or perhaps,better yet, give him a shorter rope. And may the gods have no mercy on his lieing ass as he goes teats up out the side door accompanied by Meanchael in her frayed flowered shower curtain decor. God bless. Amen.
via Politico’s Ben Smith:
Initiative, opened with a tribute to his Democratic predecessor’s raw political talent.
“He looks you in the eye, feels your pain, he makes you feel like you’re the only person in the room. What could I say?” Obama asked. “I was vulnerable, just as all of you have been vulnerable to his charms.”
______________________________________
Obama: WRONG. It is also Bill Clinton’s grit, strength, and sheer intelligence that sets him apart. Oh Barky……..ya jealous?
What was this in reference to, Michael? I did not read the Politico piece but agree with Obama’s assessment: Bill Clinton [for all his personal flaws] was/is the real deal, a real-time political genius. I tend to think that’s why the right-wing hated him so. He was a political conjurer that they simply could not slay.
And God knows, they tried.
Was he perfect? Hardly. That being said, despite the Lewinsky mess and all the other sexual misadventurers, Bill Clinton is still the best politician and orator of my living memory. He absolutely stands out from all the pretenders to the throne.
He was a good president. I think he had the potential of being a great president.
I guess history will make the final call.
I am in Spam.
ari plus one
My Christian friends from Pakistan still believe that Obama is the Muslim Manchurian Candidate. How else to show the US is weak and lacks credibility? One way may be to pull out of Afghanistan, retreating to the bomb from the sky policy of Clinton. How many Afghani women and girls who learned to read will die because of Mr. O.
They would be right.
which is where you shall stay