Obama to troops: “I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm’s way”
posted at 9:24 pm on October 26, 2009 by Allahpundit
A noble and altogether proper sentiment, made somewhat less so by (a) reports of how much golf he’s been playing and (b) the inconvenient truth that there are troops in the field being endangered by the lack of reinforcements. I can only assume he’s defining “rush” here as “any speed faster than the speed I feel like going.” If not, then the obvious question — asked a thousand times but still unanswered as far as I know — is why this strategic reassessment wasn’t undertaken when he decided to replace McKiernan with McChrystal earlier this year. Especially since Bush’s own assessment last year provided “helpful” information, per Gibbs’s own admission.
According to ABC, it sounds like the new yardstick for “rush” is anytime before mid-November:
Sources tell ABC News that as of now President Obama will likely announce his decision about a new strategy in Afghanistan at some point between the Afghan run-off election, November 7, and the president’s departure for Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, November 11.
There is a chance the announcement may be delayed until the president’s return from the Asia trip on Friday, November 20, but as of now the plan is to have the announcement in that window.
Sources emphasize that no decision has yet been made, but as of now it looks as though the president is leaning towards sending more troops to Afghanistan, though not as many as Gen. Stanley McChrystal requested, 40,000.
Be sure to read this Danger Room piece on today’s helicopter nightmare in Afghanistan after you watch the clip. Boots on the ground aren’t the only thing we need more of.
Blowback
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Barack Obama is interested in socializing America and building the architecture for his left wing utopia. He cares about his ideology and his political agenda and his legacy. That’s it. He doesn’t give a damn about the troops.
D0WNT0WN on October 26, 2009 at 9:25 PM
I spent 24 years in the world’s finest Navy. I can’t imagine how skeevy those sailors in the background must feel.
Corky on October 26, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Hey 0bama, I’ve got news for you!… The troops are already IN harms way!!!
4shoes on October 26, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Perhaps your indecision and inaction, Big O, leaves them as sitting ducks. Have you ever thought of that big guy?
Plus, I will never rush a military decision when my presidential career hinges on Obamacare you know.
Oink on October 26, 2009 at 9:27 PM
But those already there. Well..you’re on you own.
Caper29 on October 26, 2009 at 9:27 PM
omg… this guy has to me mentally ill….
moonbatkiller on October 26, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Worst president ever.
The End.
Oink on October 26, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Seven Percent Solution on October 26, 2009 at 9:28 PM
“But once you’re there….”
nolapol on October 26, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I would add (c) if Obama’s dithering on this issue weren’t in stark contrast to his insistence that we need health care “reform” NOWNOWNOW or MILLIONS of Americans will DIE.
TheQuestion on October 26, 2009 at 9:29 PM
F\’n LIAR. He\’s only calculuating the political advantages or disadvantages for any decision he makes. He doesn\’t give a sh!t about the troops and they all know it.
Fishoutofwater on October 26, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Well, there was that one guy……nah, you’re right.
jimmy2shoes on October 26, 2009 at 9:29 PM
He loves having people behind him for the photo ops. Tomorrow=elderly. The next day=pregnant women. The day after that=baby strollers.
Still campaigning.
shick on October 26, 2009 at 9:29 PM
This is a swipe at Bush and his “rush to war” with Iraq. Yes, it doesn’t exactly fit our current situation, but that’s what got him here and it’s all he knows how to do.
JDwinston on October 26, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Taking a swing at their former commander-in-chief? What a scumbag.
Red Cloud on October 26, 2009 at 9:32 PM
even if it means aiding those that are already in harm’s way?
But he is a scholar, isn’t he?
Geochelone on October 26, 2009 at 9:32 PM
I haven’t heard the word “skeevy” since the early ’70s on the DD-715.
1921 C DRUM on October 26, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Of course he won’t.
He’ll leave your ass out to die while he incessantly fiddles in between rounds of golf.
Dave R. on October 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Meanwhile, those of you that are already there… well, just hang out to dry.
PrincipledPilgrim on October 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM
How can you announce when a decision will be made? Without that decision having been made?
Romeo13 on October 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM
The dithering is his strategy. He’s trying to bleed our troops and make things bad enough to prompt calls for withdrawal. The Precedent is a flat-out traitor. Plain and simple.
progressoverpeace on October 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Great. He can’t rush this decision where time is a crucial factor, but he and the dems must force their damned, poorly thought out healthcare bill through ASAP??? It makes no sense whatsoever.
4shoes on October 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM
A village in Chicago is missing its idiot.
Geochelone on October 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM
I’m in the Air Foce and about to deploy in a couple weeks. I just want him to sh*t or get off the pot. I don’t care if he sends troops or brings us all home. I’m and tired of any president half adding war. Rs Ds it dosen’t matter. Fight to win or bring us home.
nazarioj001 on October 26, 2009 at 9:34 PM
This is one cold dude. I don’t think he has a caring bone in his body. After what happened today in Afghanistan he should stay off the court and the links until he comes up with a decision and plan.
Kissmygrits on October 26, 2009 at 9:34 PM
another round of golf first
—–
the man has no integrity whatsoever….
cmsinaz on October 26, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Every military person I know (including my brother and my father) is/would be lining up and ready to put himself/herself “in harm’s way” to defend our country and help their brothers-in-arms.
Obama makes me sick.
SouperConservative on October 26, 2009 at 9:34 PM
O is suffering from premature emasculation.
ElectricPhase on October 26, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Cheney’s brilliant slam last week of Obama, sprinted Axelrod to create a PR/CYA scenario with our fine men and women in the background for Obama to pretend to care about our service men and women. What a jackass.
Cheney and us conservatives are not fooled.
Since getting into the White House Obama shrugged and brushed off anything of benefit or good for our military. He is a pathetic disgrace.
cubachi on October 26, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Mr. President, these are not political tools, subject to political expediences. They are America’s Best and Brightest, our sons and daughters. More of them will die needlessly, every day you delay sending reinforcements. Their blood is on your hands. Not Bush’s. Not Cheney’s. This is not Idonesia. This is not Harvard. This is not the ‘hood. This is not the Seate. You are sitting in the most important office in the free world. You cannot vote “present” anymore.
kingsjester on October 26, 2009 at 9:35 PM
/Salute
Thanks for your service… and Stay SAFE!
Romeo13 on October 26, 2009 at 9:36 PM
The only thing missing is the Commander in Chief giving the order for all the soldiers in attendance to sing…
Seven Percent Solution on October 26, 2009 at 9:36 PM
This enrages me to no end. I am so PISSED at this man, how dare he? My nephew is a naval corpsman, he tells us he will be headed to Afganistan soon. I cannot imagine how a parent must feel. I can’t imagine how my brother in law must feel. Make a &*^%ing decision, Obama!
Annietxgrl on October 26, 2009 at 9:36 PM
MEMO to White House:
You idiots,the US Military are already in harms way,and Liberal Military policy is pushing them deeper into ‘harms way’!!!!!!!!!!
UGH!!
canopfor on October 26, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Obama has just promised our enemies that he will react slowly to any threats or aggression. This guy is making the world more dangerous for Americans.
JohnJ on October 26, 2009 at 9:37 PM
John Paul Jones is rolling in his grave…..
Fighton03 on October 26, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Instead he’ll let the troops who are in Afghanistan languish under enemy fire without the proper backup and support.
Hey Obama, send them in or get them out, it’s simple you IDIOT.
I can’t believe John Kerry actually believes he knows more than McChrystal and attacked him earlier today. Did that fool learn nothing from the Surge in Iraq? Security first, Political reconciliation second. That’s how it works.
Daemonocracy on October 26, 2009 at 9:37 PM
maybe he thinks with every other issue he has on the table tanking shortly, this will be his victory lap?
cmsinaz on October 26, 2009 at 9:38 PM
“Barack Hussein Obama….
Hmmmmm Hmmmmm Hmmmm!”
Seven Percent Solution on October 26, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Seven Percent Solution:
http://diversitylane.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/diversitylane___control_for-blog1.jpg
canopfor on October 26, 2009 at 9:38 PM
He dithers while we die.
Mojave Mark on October 26, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Translation: I’m in charge and I’ll give you my answer whenever I damn well please, and the more you pester me about it, the longer I’ll take. Nyah nyah.
Daggett on October 26, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Can you “rush to resignation”?
As in by midnight tonight?
NoDonkey on October 26, 2009 at 9:38 PM
[Unless I can get a 10 point jump in the polls out of it.]
CPT. Charles on October 26, 2009 at 9:39 PM
The president is an ann My recon marine son is already there and my daughter is getting ready to go…..they are waiting for re-enforcements. I feel so angry, I do not believe Obama knows a darn thing about being
He is an idiot!!
MooreMom on October 26, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Well, let’s see. The Afghanistan runoff election is Nov 7th, US special elections Nov 4th, and today’s treasury auctions with more to follow this week.
With a little luck, R. Emanuel will have a real crisis by the end of the week, or the runoff election in Afghanistan will be another disaster, and Obama won’t have to worry about Afghanistan any more.
Wouldn’t want another crises to go to waste. Gotta get health insurance reformed.
Skandia Recluse on October 26, 2009 at 9:39 PM
It’s interesting how Obama wanted to do everything in a NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW mode because it was all so important.
Economic stimulus, health care, bail outs; no thinking no reading, just get it done FAST. Because it’s so important.
And here comes the afganistan decision………. some….day…eventually. Well you know it’s very important. Which means taking as much time as po-ss-i-ble.
Most people can figure out now that he doesn’t want anything to do with Afganistan right?
But the military is making him -v-e-r-y-s-l-o-w-l-y come to a troop increase decision.
I guess he thinks this decision is much more important then health care and the economy because he’s not rushing it.
B Man on October 26, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Obama: I want a fast ship, because I plan on sailing into harms way…. next week… or maybe the week after that…
Romeo13 on October 26, 2009 at 9:40 PM
He dithers on the golf course! aurrrrrggggghhhhhhh
MooreMom on October 26, 2009 at 9:41 PM
All Obama promises come with an expiration date.
Filthy communist.
Aquateen Hungerforce on October 26, 2009 at 9:42 PM
+ 1 trillion.
Cindy Munford on October 26, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Perhaps we should call it Bataanistan now, cause help never arrived for the Battlin’ Bastards of Bataan either: No mama, no papa, and definitely no Uncle Sam
Horatius on October 26, 2009 at 9:42 PM
He does realize that he is the CIC?
d1carter on October 26, 2009 at 9:42 PM
In short, “I’m going to kill you slow, rather than back you to the fullest so we can kill the enemy fastest and bring you home safe with a victory in your pocket.”
Sincerely,
Obamagod
PS: I won!
Liam on October 26, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I
I
I
I
I
I
STFU you, fool! We all know you have no intentions of winning.
SouthernGent on October 26, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Thats a good point… he took what… a week to decide to Nationalize General Motors?
Romeo13 on October 26, 2009 at 9:42 PM
What a joke…
as best illustrated here…
picture Mark Levin playing rock & roll…
MR NOBEL – Can U Hear Us NOW?
deedtrader on October 26, 2009 at 9:42 PM
What else would one expect from Mr. Present.
ICBM on October 26, 2009 at 9:43 PM
” Sir, we need to make a decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan. O ” We have troops in Afghanistan?
donh525 on October 26, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Imagine you are a police officer in an alley, under fire. You radio in for backup. Your commander twiddles his thumbs, conducts meetings with his advisers, holds press conferences, has photo ops, carefully considers your request for months, etc…..Oopps too late, you are DEAD!!! As the mom of a soldier who faces a deployment to Afghanistan, I say to the CinC, “Get off your A$$ and send in the backup!! Our young men and women are dying for your decision.”
mpmom on October 26, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Disgusting.
tbear44 on October 26, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Posturing fool. I cannot grasp the reality that this man is the commander in chief of my two only sons.
DrStock on October 26, 2009 at 9:44 PM
As an aside, historically, the number of troops we had in the Phillipines was a deterrence gambit that failed–happens in war. No way to withdraw that many America troops after 7 Dec. But I personally think willingly sacrificing the Asiatic fleet in the doomed ABDA campaign was wrong, just flat-out absolutely wrong.
Horatius on October 26, 2009 at 9:46 PM
It could be just me,
however,the fine Men and,Oh boy,I don’t see any
Wrens,er I mean Women in the background,
anyhow,back to my point,the fine men of the
United States Navy,really don’t look pleased
to be used!!!
Now,back to the missing women Navy personnel in
the video,
O’Neill from NOW is gonna have a cat-iniption fit
melt-down of liberal femeNazi perportions!!
canopfor on October 26, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Some how some way, this is going to end up being..wait… Bush’s FAULT!
jukin on October 26, 2009 at 9:47 PM
I heard Obama was under small arms fire in Bosnia or maybe that was Chicago.
tomas on October 26, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Grant: I’ll win this fight if it takes all Summer!
Obama: I’ll make a decision on this fight if it takes 8 years!
Yeah, hardly any difference at all.
Warner Todd Huston on October 26, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Danger Room piece
=================
I hope HawkDriver responds soon,after hearing of
the helicopters accident last night!!:)
canopfor on October 26, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Obama has already sent an additional 25,000 troops to Afghanistan and he didn’t seem to consider that a rush.
MB4 on October 26, 2009 at 9:49 PM
I am so glad that I’m out of uniform! AF Active and Reserve after 30 plus years. Carter was an embarrassment. Reagan was great! Clinton saw the Military as little more than uniformed social workers whose funding was diverted to projects that did nothing to protect the country. Leaving us wide open for September 11, 2001.
Bush I and II were welcome breaths of fresh air. While Obama cares even less than LBJ did during the Vietnam War.
Jack.
Jack Deth on October 26, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Translation: “I don’t give a rat’s ass about giving you all the support you need to get the job done and come home victorious.”
This a-hole makes me wanna puke.
infidel4life on October 26, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Yeah, MO said he had stopped for gas.
thomasaur on October 26, 2009 at 9:50 PM
I can’t imagine anyone in the Service thinking this POS in the White House gives a flying sh*t about them.
Obama hates people better than him, and those people include the most raw recruit on his/her first day in boot camp.
Liam on October 26, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Just not in the mood to listen to that chump tonight. Did he say “make no mistake” or “let me be clear”?
clearbluesky on October 26, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Rush? A rush would be making a decision in a matter of days, not months. How long has it been since he got the reports? Good God in Heaven, please help our troops.
scalleywag on October 26, 2009 at 9:51 PM
He posted this a.m. after the story hit.
thomasaur on October 26, 2009 at 9:51 PM
I’m not listening, but at what point does he blame Bush?
scalleywag on October 26, 2009 at 9:51 PM
A tepid reception by the troops at best. Not a smile on the face of anyone behind him, and just a small smattering of applause maybe 2-3 times.
IrishEi on October 26, 2009 at 9:54 PM
I think this makes Obama’s 3rd public military event this week. He’s getting his “War President” credentials the same way he “got” his foreign policy credentials during the election.
Texas Gal on October 26, 2009 at 9:54 PM
What a f*****g douchebag! Political theater! The cost of admission is your money, freedom and the lives of our friends, family and neighbors who serve in uniform.
So he will make a decision 11 months after taking office and a full year after being briefed and handed a recommendation from the working group.
Nero fiddles while Rome burnsObama Golfs while Kandahar explodes.R Square on October 26, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Obama won’t just deny our troops and country a victory. He’ll refuse it.
Liam on October 26, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Well, i listened until he said he was cutting military spending so soldiers could be better taken care of. That’s always the democrat spin, they hype up taking care of Veterans hoping people won’t notice they stab those currently serving in the back.
clearbluesky on October 26, 2009 at 9:55 PM
We need to push that health care bill through.
Right Now.
The troops have waited.
They can wait a little longer.
/Sarc off
TimBuk3 on October 26, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Missing,have you seen this man!!
http://www.fanpix.net/picture-gallery/893/1453893-barack-obama-picture.htm
Still looking for,
the,
LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD!
If you find this AWAL individual,please contact the
State Department!!
Thank-You!(Sarc).
canopfor on October 26, 2009 at 9:57 PM
The increased endangerment of the troops comes not from not having more of them there but rather from the change in ROE.
Pre-occupied with protection of our own forces, we have operated in a manner that distances us — physically and psychologically — from the people we seek to protect.
- General McChrystal (from his COMISAF assessment of the war in Afghanistan)
MB4 on October 26, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Gen. Stanley McChrystal requested 60,000 troops. READ THE F’ING MEMO ABC.
Andy in Agoura Hills on October 26, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Poop or get off the pot, Barry. These fine men and women are out there in danger because you’re a jackass.
Notice there are NO smiles, whereas there were always smiles when Bush was around.
Mommynator on October 26, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Obama touted the stimulus bill as “the most progressive tax cut policy in the history of America.”
These people are insane!! Refusing to defend ourselves is “solemn” and insane spending is a tax cut!
They can just say whatever they want, can’t they? I have to go buy a newspeak dictionary.
JohnJ on October 26, 2009 at 9:58 PM
+100
cmsinaz on October 26, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Oh, and George Will is an idiot as well. He took a shot at Cheney on ABC Sunday proclaiming, with the full benefit of hindsight, that perhaps some more “dithering” was in order before we invaded Iraq and found no WMDs.
Cheney thought Iraq had WMDs because of American, British and French Intelligence insisting they did. We went to the UN and through all the proper channels but Hussein played the usual games he always did. We didn’t invade right away, our troops were camped out on the Iraq-Kuwait border for quite some time before the order was finally given. A threat was thought to exist and a leader has to make a decision. The initial Invasion was a success.
Bush also took some time to think about the Iraq Surge which ultimately saved that war. Bush sent in the worthless Iraq Study Group to assess the situation but also showed interest in an alternative plan the AEI put forth and which Petraeus supported. Unlike Obama we at least had an idea of the different directions Bush would go in when he made a decision. It was a risky and tough decision to make but in the end both Bush and Cheney made the RIGHT call, The Surge was a success.
The true dithering is what took place while Rumsfeld was Sec. of Defense during the occupation when we had troops on the ground dying. There was no real plan and not enough troops to back them up, exactly what Afghanistan is turning into right now. Our troops dying with no change in strategy is dithering. Confusion and uncertainty coming from the WH while we slowly lose a war is dithering. This is what happened in Iraq before the Surge and this is what is happening all over again in Afghanistan.
So George Will, maybe you should go back to writing columns about how uncultured it is to be wearing jeans in public instead of taking shots at Cheney with all the benefits hindsight has to offer.
Will, that hypocrite, supported the Invasion, reversed himself during the occupation and then opposed the surge which ultimately proved to be a success. Like Joe Biden, this fool is 0 for 3 and has lost all credibility on this issue.
George Will – A Liberal’s Conservative.
Daemonocracy on October 26, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Obamessiah:
“But I’ll sure as hell rush “imperative” economic and health care bills as quickly as possible…no reading the bills…just vote and sign…because if we don’t this country will just die! DIE, I tell you, DIE!!!”
ICBMMan on October 26, 2009 at 9:59 PM
And you thought Democrats not counting the Military’s Absentee Ballots was bad…
Obama’s final solution!
Seven Percent Solution on October 26, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Obama NEVER served time in uniform. Neither have the top Dem leadership. That says everything about them.
Liam on October 26, 2009 at 10:01 PM
By popular demand,
Pattons updated Speech!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyUX6wV1lBQ
canopfor on October 26, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Shorter Obama: Can I just finish the back nine?
Dusty on October 26, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Not to mention never holding down a real job.
infidel4life on October 26, 2009 at 10:04 PM
“I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you reinforcements …”
- Barack Obama
PackerBronco on October 26, 2009 at 10:06 PM
This is kinda like the “saved or created” jobs. Obama frames the argument in a way that, no matter what, his actions are the right ones. This works for his drones I guess. I wonder how many times he can get away with this type of smoke and mirrors reasoning.
Obama is full of tricks and marketing gimmicks. You would think the masses would see past them by now.
Ampersand on October 26, 2009 at 10:06 PM
+100.
Meanwhile, back on the 10th fairway…
LASue on October 26, 2009 at 10:06 PM
What General McChrystal, Sec Def Gates and President Obama need to remember is that they are sworn by oath to defend this country and our people – not protect the civilian population of another country or rebuild their country with our tax dollars and the blood of our children!
General McChrystal has bought into the argument that there are those in the Islamic culture of Afghanistan that want what we have and need and want our help. He is wrong, and, to quote yet another scripture, ‘he has left his first love.’(stolen from Rev 2:45 describing the cold heartedness of the Ephesians to the Church) has been telling us that his real concern is for the safety and well-being of another people at great cost to his own. The General’s first responsibility is to his oath as it is for all sworn and elected officials. He has determined that the protection of a foreign entity, be they friendly or not (I dare say the events of the past several weeks say, not) is far more important than the lives of the Americans fighting in that foreign land.
- Semper Fidelis; John Bernard (I spent 26 years in the USMC, both active and reserve and have spent 47 years in the trade. I would now just characterize myself as a political conservative. I have been married for 27 years and have one daughter and one son (KIA Dahaneh 08/14/09))
MB4 on October 26, 2009 at 10:06 PM
As a retired veteran of OEF and OIF let me give you my take on Obama’s speech…
Pay close attention because NO ONE is pointing this out.
Obama went to Jacksonville to tell NON-DEPLOYED servicemembers – “I won’t put you in combat without careful decision”.
Let him now go to Afghanistan and tell those that ARE DEPLOYED, who are outnumbered, and being killed on a daily basis … why he is taking so long to send them reinforcements.
The speech he made in Florida – works in Florida. In Afghanistan – not so much.
HondaV65 on October 26, 2009 at 10:08 PM
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