Krauthammer: Why isn’t Obama paying closer attention to Afghanistan?
posted at 9:05 pm on September 21, 2009 by Allahpundit
Via the Right Scoop, a rhetorical question par excellence. Has there ever been a president less interested in foreign policy than The One? Does anyone, right or left, think he wouldn’t happily take a pass on international issues for four or eight years to concentrate on remaking America’s economy in his statist image? His Afghanistan posture was always transparently a sop to centrists, to prove that he was a “hawk” on some wars even though he was famously a dove on Iraq. Now he senses some public reluctance to invest further in the “good war” and suddenly he’s “skeptical” about more troops for the counterinsurgency strategy. Same with Iran: My hunch is that he’d happily go on tango-ing with them forever if it meant buying him enough time to pass ObamaCare and cap-and-trade. The irony is, if his domestic priorities go down in flames, his only chance for reelection might be some sort of impressive victory in foreign policy, be it Iranian disarmament or an Israeli/Palestinian peace plan. I wonder how much he’s willing to give up.
Here’s a few minutes of video from the March presser on Afghanistan referenced by Krauthammer lest you doubt Obama’s recent commitment to winning this fight.
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I think Barry is distracted by the sound of all the ACORNS falling on the White House roof.
profitsbeard on September 21, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Don’t bather Barry, as he has the ACORN shredders running 24/7 right now.
Dave R. on September 21, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Bother, i meant.
Dave R. on September 21, 2009 at 9:09 PM
All during the 2008 campaign we heard ad nauseum that the war in Iraq was the “wrong” war and the war in Afghanistan was the “right” war.
So….?
Or was it all just another pack of lies from the Left?
coldwarrior on September 21, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Bozo appeared on 5 shows yesterday and is on another one tonight then off to the UN for the next few days. Bozo doesn’t care about anything but the “fame” that comes with being “president”.
txag92 on September 21, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Psst, AP. You forgot to snarkily mention GB somewhere in this post.
jennifernaz on September 21, 2009 at 9:10 PM
txag92 on September 21, 2009 at 9:10 PM
nail meet head!
Ghoul aid on September 21, 2009 at 9:10 PM
It was said he had too much on his plate, I believe that also explains his Afghan ambivalence. Additionally to succeed in that war he needs to re-commit, something his base loathes. A base he needs to pass “health” reform. Its a tangible example of going all in at the expense of other pressing issues.
rob verdi on September 21, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Better men than Obama are dying because he can’t formulate a mission to win in Afghanistan.
fourdeucer on September 21, 2009 at 9:11 PM
No use in wasting anymore resources on that “nation,” anyway.
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Devastatingly on target.
Fire For Effect!
aquaviva on September 21, 2009 at 9:12 PM
There is a concerted effort to push Zelaya into power tonite. Hilary and Arias just threw their support behind Zelaya again a few minutes ago. Honduras is about to explode tonight.
elduende on September 21, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Obama has an interest in foreign policy: the caveat that those interests empower dictators and despotic regimes.
The irony is that while Obama focuses almost exclusively on domestic policy, one attack here (as a result of his weak foreign policy) and his goose is cooked.
conservative pilgrim on September 21, 2009 at 9:12 PM
“present”
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 9:13 PM
because Barack Obama doesn’t care about Afghani people? Right, Kayne?
mjk on September 21, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Above his pay grade???
Naw..apparently he’s not even sure who or what ACORN is… or the huge wet bite that ACORN took out of all our a$$es to put his dumb a$$ in the White House….
‘Can Ya spell that for me George??’
BigWyo on September 21, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Foreign policy is Joe Biden’s job. Weren’t you listening?
Don’t worry, Ol’ Plugs will be under the bus by 2012.
notropis on September 21, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Obama is much too busy arranging his never-ending television appearances and basketball games to pay attention to such tedious problems as the war in Afghanistan.
LASue on September 21, 2009 at 9:14 PM
He has also has a healthcare plan. Of course, that plan is not written down, with the exception of talking points programmed in TOTUS.
ICBM on September 21, 2009 at 9:14 PM
That was damning by Krauty. Obamas self proclaimed strategory failed, then he says there hasn’t been any. Gone like Acorn. Liar. Scary.
the_nile on September 21, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Dr. K uses language like a nice shiny stiletto. Slices and dices without changing facial expressions. I am glad he is on our side.
d1carter on September 21, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Is it because he’s practicing his Octomom jokes for the Letterman appearance?
Chuck Schick on September 21, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Ogabe doesn’t give one flying fig about Afghanistan and would happily run out of there tomorrow if he could wave his hand and make it so.
The war isn’t sexy enough for Ogabe, it doesn’t feed his ego, the media-whores aren’t going to get on their knees to listen to him talk about it. Not to mention that he doesn’t much care for the military in general or soldiers in particular being that the armed forces are composed mostly of those little people that he would rather not have around him.
Bishop on September 21, 2009 at 9:18 PM
No idea what he was saying , no idea what he is being told , no idea of what to do next , and the media will never hold him accountable .
borntoraisehogs on September 21, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Oh but our Dictator-In-Training-Pants really is paying attention to Afghanistan…… He thinks farmers over there can use some seeds…… and fertilizer too. A whole boatload of fertilizer…. literally.
From Robert Spencer’s site (Jihad Watch)…..
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2009/09/us-distributes-fertilizer-to-afghanis-afghanis-use-fertilizer-make-bombs-to-blow-up-americans.html
But you shouldn’t really worry, because distribution of the fertilizer is being handled by Teh Awsum Gubmint of Afghanistan.
What could go wrong ?
Cheers !
Kenny Solomon
Momma, don’t let your babies grow up to be Liberals.
E T Cartman on September 21, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Well of course he just doesn’t have time for Afghanistan! He is too busy preparing his remarks for his next public appearance. Do you think it is easy to read those speaches as though he has written them?
This man knows only how to campaign. He is the magician with sleight of hand giving pretty speeches while his minions scurry around behind the scenes, working to undermine our government and our way of life.
maryo on September 21, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Hes trying to silence his creepy friends on the left.
bluegrass on September 21, 2009 at 9:20 PM
He is. He’s helping his team win.
Terry_Dyne on September 21, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Remember that the word victory embarasses barry:
“I’m always worried about using the word ‘victory,’ because, you know, it invokes this notion of Emperor Hirohito coming down and signing a surrender to MacArthur,” Obama told ABC News.
For the full story:
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2009/07/24/obama-muffs-history-says-we-don-t-want-victory-afghanistan-will-
uber-con on September 21, 2009 at 9:22 PM
I have so much respect for Mr. Krauthammer. I find him to be objective and very intelligent. He is dead on about Obama and his inconsistancies. This issue affects me and my family, not just immediate but extended as well. As I have said before I have friends over there and they need the support of the American people and the elected officials in Washington DC. The fact that they have not received any indication of support from “the powers the be” is disgusting and unforgivable to me. I know the vast majority of Americans support our troops, my concern is not with them. It is however with those is DC who make these types of decisions.
God bless our troops and their families. They need your strength more than anything now.
milwife88 on September 21, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Hey. I have a nephew in Afghanistan in the Hellman province. I don’t want this nice young man, or any of our wonderful soldiers to take a bullet for Obama when POTUS isn’t doing his constitutional duty as commander in chief, executing a stategy that has us winning. No deaths in vain.
oldguy on September 21, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Obama doesn’t have time to run the Afghan war!
He’s got enough on his plate already. He’s got to worry about GM, Chrysler, ACORN, Rush and Fox News. And then there’s all those speeches he has to give and TV shows to he needs to be on to push health care.
Obama doesn’t want to run the Afghan war, silly!
JellyToast on September 21, 2009 at 9:23 PM
HEY you partisan demagogue , the war can wait, the health care plan for 2013 is crucial for the elections in 2010 and 2012 so there’s no time to write it down.
the_nile on September 21, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Actually, I think Rush was right today. Obama doesn’t care about our troops or Afghanistan. In fact, I dare say Obama would love for our military to be straddled with a defeat at the hands of muslim terrorists.
YEAH, I SAID IT!
SouthernGent on September 21, 2009 at 9:23 PM
How much he’s willing to give up? Don’t you mean how much he’s willing to force Israel to give in to?
Wow, did Krauthammer ever nail him.
ProfessorMiao on September 21, 2009 at 9:23 PM
It isn’t soup yet, needs to simmer a bit longer. Afghanistan is simmering just fine, just the way The Obama wants it.
When public opinion takes to the street demanding an end to the bleeding The Obama will graciously read a brilliant speech and bring the boys home.
Women will swoon, men will choke up lower lip quivering, and The Obama will score big points for his real politic.
Skandia Recluse on September 21, 2009 at 9:24 PM
It’s both embarrassing and dangerous. I drink more heavily, obviously I flit around on Twitter and watch “reality” tv to stop thinking about how scary the world is with Obama at the helm. Thank GOD that we have some shred of intelligence left to dismantle (er, partially) the recent terror cell. I hold no such hope (aside from the basic awesomeness of our military sans Obama) overseas.
Diane on September 21, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Calling Obama a liar insults liars.
Dusty on September 21, 2009 at 9:24 PM
How pathetic is Obama’s foreign policy? The press is tired of asking The One about it; they’re asking Bill Clinton to give him pointers. Slick Willie is on CNN tonight to give Nobama some advice. We’re screwed.
Philly on September 21, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Because the Prezisadunce dosn’t want to fight over a blanket
macncheez on September 21, 2009 at 9:25 PM
It’s no secret that many, many Dems firmly believe that the best thing for the world would be for America to be taken down several notches due to losing a war. They tried their hardest to ensure Iraq would turn into another Vietnam, to no avail. I don’t put it past them to throw in the towel on Afghanistan, despite their insistence over the last eight years that it was the “good” war.
Barry thinks he can just handle things via remote control and drone strikes in FATA and NWFP in Pakistan.
Christien on September 21, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Could have guessed this. Obama is a hard left Dem. He doesn’t have the DNA and balls to continue the war in Afghanistan. The brave troops lost are still hero’s to me but just like Vietnam, it’s looking to be all in vain. Such a waste.
BTW AP, I missed it but Olby made a stupid joke at halftime in last night’s football game. See if you can get video.
Hummer53 on September 21, 2009 at 9:25 PM
You drink heavily too?
Let’s be friends.
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 9:25 PM
You drink heavily too?
Let’s be friends.
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 9:25 PM
I don’t know about you but I buy Mike’s Hard Lemonade by the case now.
milwife88 on September 21, 2009 at 9:28 PM
highly doubtful by this appeaser-in-chief
cmsinaz on September 21, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I was about to say Carter, but he loved dabbling in the Israel-Egypt rift. Indeed.
MadisonConservative on September 21, 2009 at 9:28 PM
He swiftly brought the hammer to his head.
the_nile on September 21, 2009 at 9:28 PM
A list of apologies in one pocket
And a white flag in the other.
Another campaigne promise broken by the man who played on your sympathies.
bluegrass on September 21, 2009 at 9:29 PM
The Obama Doctrine on Foreign Policy
1) Hope the dictators and unfriendly states will change their behavior by giving them what they want without reciprocation to the U.S.
2) Change his behavior toward allies when they refuse to bend to his wishes.
ICBM on September 21, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Charles Krauthammer lands rounds broadside on SS Obama. The thing about Obama, before the election, is that his career was 5 minutes long–he had no track record. Fast forward to Jan-Sep timeframe, his record is being etched into stone and Charles is doing right by calling him on it and refreshing everyone’s collective memory. Obama says what needs to be said–that day–the heck with the future.
Charles K. is a national asset and master of the turn of phrase. Certainly a rare bird these days, ‘cept at HotAir.
ted c on September 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM
It’s cute you drink Mike’s Hard. I may mock your choice of drink, but I wholly sympathize with your wholesale purchases.
:P
I’ve been drinking a bit more myself.
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM
RETREAT!
Philly on September 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM
and this is from the commander In chief who said he thought about joining the military in his younger days but here was no war going on and no need for him to join.
Wonder what Joe Wilson would say about that.
bluegrass on September 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM
CK IS RIGHT ON TARGET, AS USUAL.
I POSTED ON THIS EARLIER TODAY…
I WROTE THAT OBAMACARE HAS BECOME OBAMA’S IRAQ WAR – IN THE SENSE THAT LEFTIES LIKE OBAMA COMPLAINED THAT THE IRAQ WAR WAS A DISTRACTION FROM THE “REAL WAR”/”GOOD WAR” IN AFGHANISTAN.
OBAMA HAS SPENT ALL HIS TIME ON OBAMACARE – TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE ECONOMY, IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.
reliapundit on September 21, 2009 at 9:31 PM
OT:
Did anyone else hear Dick Morris (on Hannity–yeah, I know, I was flipping channels) say that ACORN had a $800K debt to the IRS for unpaid taxes (probably employment taxes–FICA and FUTA) in summer 2008 when Obama’s campaign transferred a comparable amount to ACORN?
Hmmmmm.
I also heard that the IRS has slapped a $500K lien on ACORN in New Orleans for unpaid employment taxes. When the IRS is filing a lien, the taxes have gone unpaid for a long time and the taxpayer has been unable or unwilling to pay its outstanding liability.
And ACORN supposedly owns $20M of real estate in New York City?
What the hell is going on here?
BuckeyeSam on September 21, 2009 at 9:31 PM
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM
At least it’s not Zima…for that there is no excuse. I do enjoy a crown and coke more often that I used to.
milwife88 on September 21, 2009 at 9:32 PM
In the heart of every man is the longing to be a soldier. Except if you’re Barack Obama, then it’s just something cool to say in order to show how cool he is–it doesn’t mean jack or squat, sort of like everything else he says.
ted c on September 21, 2009 at 9:33 PM
I’m sure the Israelis and Hondurans wish he were even LESS interested.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on September 21, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Thankfully I get free wine from work, so I’ve been drinking that more, lately.
Higher alcohol, ya know..
takes the Obama-Edge off
I’m getting off topic
*scurries*
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Omg. What an awful truth.
ekuspa40 on September 21, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Obama said he would accept to become a one termer over health care , winning the war in Afghanistan not so much.
the_nile on September 21, 2009 at 9:33 PM
As Rush once said (very close paraphrasing): Obama wants to BE President. He doesn’t want to DO President.
Josiah on September 21, 2009 at 9:34 PM
The answer is simple. He doesn’t care. His focus in on changing the country with his domestic agenda. Afghanistan for him is just something that gets in the way.
Jim-Rose on September 21, 2009 at 9:34 PM
your right on ted c
bluegrass on September 21, 2009 at 9:34 PM
+1
cmsinaz on September 21, 2009 at 9:35 PM
I’m watching Sunday Obamafest clips on Hannity. Gag me. Retreat and appeasement are The Obama Doctrine.
Philly on September 21, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Acorns roasting on an open fire…….
Lincoln Cadillac on September 21, 2009 at 9:36 PM
On 8-9 SEP, 4 US Marines were killed near Ganjgal, Afghanistan in the Kunar Province. Our guys were ambushed and repeated calls for air and artillery support were denied. Two of those Marines were killed by a rocket or RPG when neither could return fire—one of them had already been wounded, the other—was providing him with lifesaving medical aid. Our Marines obviously could not move to protective cover nor deliver adequate covering fire to save the lives of these two Marines.
Of course, he’s not paying attention to Afghanistan. Our Marines and soldiers are fighting hard and dying there. On the bright side, those guys don’t pile letters on his desk like those in need of “healthcare reform” do–a sniveling fact that causes the POTUS great concern.
ted c on September 21, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Maybe our guys over there can build a basketball goal on the front line and welcome him to come and show them that 3 pointer he loved so in the campaign.
Well I thought it was a good idea!
bluegrass on September 21, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Actually, Obama’s foreign policy reminds me of McCain’s political strategy: Appease your enemies and knife your allies in the back.
Any time you want desperately to sit at the popular kids’ table at lunch, this is the most seductive route, and it kinda sorta works for you, if you ignore the fact that your new “friends” have absolutely no respect for you, and your old ones are just shaking their heads, muttering “WTF???”
And, of course, the bullies in this schoolyard are soon to be armed with nukes.
notropis on September 21, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Obama’s Rules of Engagement in Afghanistan
Deny troops in contact fire support assets that could save their lives.
A wise sage once said that the best preventive medicine on the battlefield is one thing–overwhelming firepower.
ted c on September 21, 2009 at 9:38 PM
I missed that, but I read a story that said Obama is amending campaign disclosures to hide the payments made to ACORN.
flyfisher on September 21, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Obama to our troops;
Seven Percent Solution on September 21, 2009 at 9:39 PM
He did say that we “took our eyes off the ball” when we invaded Iraq and “under resourced” AFghanistan…. you might be on to something.
ted c on September 21, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Well, there goes Fox being all nasty to Obama again. No wonder Obama won’t go on their network. He’s perfectly justified in stiffing them! Isn’t that YOUR line, AP?
PackerBronco on September 21, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Cases of Boone’s Farm.
Yeah, yeah. It’s cheap and plentiful. Nuff said.
MadisonConservative on September 21, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Bow to the Saudi King.
JellyToast on September 21, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Oh Lord. Slick Willie is discussing eugenics with Larry King. What could possibly go wrong?
Philly on September 21, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Don’t just do something, Barry, stand there!
Knott Buyinit on September 21, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Things liven up after Bill O’Reilly.
Next to Juan Williams , Bill O’Reilly is Bambi best supporter.
bluegrass on September 21, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Sad. The blind leading the blind.
flyfisher on September 21, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Neither GEN McChrystal nor GEN Petraeus are going to be left holding the bag on this one. There’s not a leftie in his whole administration worthy to scrape the Afghani dust off these men’s boots.
Consider this, if we “won” in Afghanistan–would Obama welcome troops home in a parade? Has he ever been over to WRAMC or Bethesda to visit wounded warriors? Has he taken his basketball game down to the Center for the Intrepid near Brooke Army Medical Center–a state of the art facility where our guys learn to use prosthetics after the loss of a limb…? Have we seen him jogging with soldiers around the White House…?
Priorities.
ted c on September 21, 2009 at 9:45 PM
ted c on September 21, 2009 at 9:37 PM
A family friend has a son in the Marines who spent 2 years in Iraq, his job was identifying bodies and body parts to ship back home. He is going to Afghanistan in October due to the increase in fatalities.
fourdeucer on September 21, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I’ll bet Letterman asks Barry about his Afghan strategy.
Right between “Will It Float?” and “Top 10 Palin Wardrobe Malfunctions”.
profitsbeard on September 21, 2009 at 9:45 PM
God be with him. I own a little land over there myself. Afghanistan is okay, as long as you don’t look down–just about 15-30 deg up, the mountains are pretty neat looking, treacherous, but neat looking. Heckuva lot better than the views in Iraq.
ted c on September 21, 2009 at 9:47 PM
My personal favorite is Schell’s Pale Ale, but it’s a bit spendy, especially at the rate I’m being forced to consume.
So my first idea was to “fortify” it with the occasional shot of Valu-Rite. But then I drove up to the Schell’s brewery in New Ulm, Minnesota, where I found that I could purchase it, fairly reasonably, by the keg. A weekend of garage sales provided the KegMeister, and now I’m set.
(It’s also part of my H1N1/terror attack/Y2K survival package. My mug? FMCDH, baby, FMCDH.)
notropis on September 21, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Obama is not paying closer attention to Afghanistan because Obama does not care.
Phil Byler on September 21, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Because, as long as it doesn’t hurt him much politically, he doesn’t care about it much one way or the other. It was just a campaign tactic to try to out maneuver Bush. He is too busy trying to subjugate America to concerned himself with some 7th century mullah’s hemorrhoid anyway.
MB4 on September 21, 2009 at 9:50 PM
If there were pundit trading cards how many Keith Olbermanns would you have to trade to get your hands on one Charles Krauthammer?
trapeze on September 21, 2009 at 9:52 PM
That’s tasty water you have there. Might I interest you in some Grolsche, Grey Goose or Bacardi? Let’s have a wifey party.
Diane on September 21, 2009 at 9:52 PM
I agree with this analysis. His “ball” is wealth redistribution and socialization of cars, health, banks, loans and such. He appointed envoys et al. to handle all of that “noise”–I just wonder when the Taliban is going to get a lecture on stopping all the bickering and listen to his plan. Holding breath 1..2…3…4… thud.
ted c on September 21, 2009 at 9:52 PM
GrolscheGrolschoopsies.
Diane on September 21, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Grey Goose?
high roller
blatantblue on September 21, 2009 at 9:53 PM
For those interested, a link: Schell’s Brewery.
notropis on September 21, 2009 at 9:53 PM
The stunning lack of leadership is epic. He is just like a high-school quarterback who finds himself in a NFL game being blitzed when it is 3rd and long. Everything is moving to fast.
Just like John Kerry, he was for it before he was against it. His lack of direction is amazing.
I would like to retouch the missile shield issue. If we accept that Obama is correct that a naval based system will be as effective as a land based system but less expensive, OK. Then why did he not have meeting with the Poles and Chechz to discuss this so they were on board. To add insult to injury, he announces it the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Poland by the Russians.
As the gaffes continue, you begin to wonder if the Wizard of Obama really has Joe Biden as the man behind the curtain. I am stunned how someone so “smart” can be so “stupid”
turbeda on September 21, 2009 at 9:54 PM
He did ask him. Got a non answer.
“On Afghanistan, the president said that he will not make a decision whether to send more troops until he decides on a strategy following a comprehensive review. The top commander in Iraq has warned that more troops are needed for the U.S. to have a chance to emerge victorious. “
the_nile on September 21, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Obama just figures he’ll be able to skate through if he can pull off “plausible neglect” on Afghanistan. Everyone knew his campaign assertions were just a ruse, and they voted for him anyway. With voters like that, he just may be able to get away with it.
KickandSwimMom on September 21, 2009 at 9:56 PM
I love how the dumbfuck Obama stops every sentence like it’s his last word, until he realizes that somehow the speech continues on TOTUS. He obviously has no idea what it says — how did anyone ever sell the idea that “he writes his own speeches”. The devil you say. He barely even reads them.
As for Kraut’s point, it’s devastating. In March he announced the end of analysis and the beginning of the new strategy. In September he doesn’t know what the heck we’re even doing there. Is he a liar or a dope?
Jaibones on September 21, 2009 at 9:56 PM
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