…about Obama’s Afghanistan indecision. If the AP’s Jennifer Loven and Doyle MacManus of the La Times are starting to ask the tough questions (almost sounding like Dick Cheney in his “dithering Obama” speech), then you know Obama has passed the point where even some of his supporters may be wondering why he’s taking so long to decide something they think he should have decided quite some time ago.
Obama’s testiness when challenged—something he’s clearly unused to and for which he has no tolerance—can’t possibly help matters for him, either.
And is Obama a fiscal conservative—on defense, that is? Or is the Afghanistan hesitation actually about much more than money—perhaps the fact that although Obama talked a tough Afghanistan line during his campaign, following through there was never his intent?
After all, on many other issues (such as, for example, health care reform), he certainly doesn’t think we need to take a moment to deliberate. “The fierce urgency of now” and all that.
Previously a lifelong Democrat, born in New York and living in New England, surrounded by liberals on all sides, I've found myself slowly but surely 
November 16th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I noticed that Hillary Clinton attempted to deflect the blame back to Bush regarding Afghanistan.
Not sure how well that is going to work now, seems like it would cast more doubt on Obama’s ability to lead than anything else.
Sour grapes is no way to run an administration.
November 16th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
There is no indecision. Obama, like most progressives, decided decades ago that there would be no additional troops sent against the enemies of America, because they are only enemies because greedy and ignorant people like you and I mishandled them. All his statements during the campaign were merely lies, as many of his supporters knew, and his current waffling is mere searching for political cover to withdraw.
This decision has been a foregone conclusion since day one of the Obama presidency, and entering into discussions with progressives about what might be best in Afghanistan only perpetuates the myth that this is up for discussion.
November 16th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Using Bush as a foil has just begun. After all, the Democrats are still running against Hoover as a do nothing president even though Roosevelt adopted and implemented Hoover’s intrusive and counterproductive programs. The question is whether Bush will supplant Hoover or whether they will become the boogie man twins for the Democrats.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Health care — not required by the Constitution — must pass right now, cost be damned!!
Defense Spending — required by the Constitution — ah say ah say, hold on, now, we got to think about this.
Welcome to the ass backward world of the Democrat…
November 16th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Obama’s quandry regarding Afghanistan is how to surrender without looking like he’s surrendering. He wants to surrender, he will surrender, he’s just searching for a cover story.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
As soon as he can afford to tick people off he will leave Afghanistan. I suspect after Health Care has been disposed of one way or the other.
As for Liberals (read Leftists and the people who follow them)….yeah they best be worried a bit because if the Islamists win it’s the High Jump for them!
November 17th, 2009 at 3:48 am
“…is Obama a fiscal conservative—on defense, that is? Or is the Afghanistan hesitation actually about much more than money—perhaps the fact that although Obama talked a tough Afghanistan line during his campaign, following through there was never his intent?”
The latter, unquestionably….
November 17th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Just to keep the group connected with the personal interest side, my fourth son is awaiting deployment to Afghanistan in Feb with the USMC. Going/not going…Afghanistan/Iraq…enough troops/not enough troops – these are big issues in my family.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:51 am
AVI: God bless. Please thank your son for his service.
Michael and AVI: so the plan is to abandon the people of Afghanistan (and, presumably, Iraq), just the way we abandoned the people of South Vietnam? Unspeakable.
respectfully,
Daniel in Brookline