Europe angry over Obama’s indecision on Afghanistan?
posted at 12:15 pm on October 29, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Has Dick Cheney gone European on us, or has Europe gone Cheneyesque? Neither, actually, but both Europe and Cheney have something in common, according to a Der Speigel editorial. Both of them have grown impatient with Barack Obama’s lengthy decision-making process on Afghanistan:
Afghanistan and Pakistan are being shaken by attacks, and the Taliban is dictating the course of the war. US President Obama has been silent about the situation for far too long and European countries like Germany and France are correct to demand better American leadership on the issue of Afghanistan. …
For once, this hesitation cannot be attributed to widespread war fatigue in Europe. The mission in Afghanistan is seen as a toxic issue in all Western nations, and every government that has provided troops has come under sharp criticism at home. What the US’s NATO allies now find far more irritating is US President Barack Obama’s silence on the issue.
The world has been waiting for clear words from the White House for months. Obama has had government and military analysts studying the military and political situation in the embattled Hindu Kush region since early January. He appointed Richard Holbrooke, probably the US’s most effective diplomat in crisis situations, to be his special envoy to the “AfPak” region, he has replaced generals and he has deployed more troops. The answers Obama asked his experts to provide after taking office have been sitting on his desk for a long time. But the conclusions vary. Obama will have to make his own decision, one that will shape his political fate. …
Whether it means withdrawal or a troop buildup, NATO expects Obama to make a decision. So far, no one knows which direction he favors. Even experienced Washington insiders have encountered a wall of silence at the White House, leading Europeans to question whether Washington even believes in its war anymore.
The headers of the sections of the editorial are quite telling, especially for a publication not known for its opposition to Obama or particular love for George Bush. In fact, it gives a rather accurate distillation of the editorial thrust:
- Taliban Controls Military Initiative
- Has the Obama Administration Lost Its Nerve?
- Europe Expects Leadership
That last one has to sting. Obama got feted by Europeans just a few months ago by underscoring his distaste for American arrogance in assuming leadership of the West. Now, however, when the chips are on the table, Europe looks to the US for leadership … and see exactly what they professed to love earlier this year.
Howard Portnoy wonders in the Green Room whether the Europeans missed Obama’s oft-repeated mantra, “Let me be clear”:
“The world,” Malzahn writes, “has been waiting for clear words from the White House for months. Obama has had government and military analysts studying the military and political situation in the embattled Hindu Kush region since early January.”
Clear words from the White House? Isn’t clarification what the White House specializes in? Isn’t the Bartlett Quotation Obama will be best remembered for “Let me be clear”?
Perhaps that will be best remembered as Obama’s “tell” for obfuscation.
On an unrelated note, I agree with Jazz Shaw that Obama’s reception of the dead at Dover is the right thing to do:
I have a bad feeling that some of our conservative and Republican supporting friends are going to attack this as some sort of cheap political stunt or “using the bodies of our heroes for political gain,” but those of us who have been there might see it otherwise. The President is in the midst of wrestling with a very important decision regarding our future course in Afghanistan, and this is one aspect of that weighty choice which should never be far from his mind.
Even apart from the politics of this, Obama is the Commander in Chief, and recognizing the last full measure of devotion from these soldiers is the right thing for a President to do. I suspect that Obama wants to meet McChrystal halfway, and if there is any political calculation in this at all, it may be to tell the Left that he’s well aware of what the sacrifice means. Let’s hope that politics won’t play a part in this recognition at all.
Blowback
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Wonder if the Nobel Peace prize will be withdrawn?
OmahaConservative on October 29, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Odumbo, pull your head out of the sand, lose the keys to Air Force One and get back to the Oval Office and don’t come out until you have made a decision.
rjoco1 on October 29, 2009 at 12:18 PM
How many tens of thousand troops are Germany and France sending to Islamic Afghanistan?
MB4 on October 29, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Kudos to the President for going to Dover. One question. Did he have to bring the entire media pool with him?
sandee on October 29, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Obama certainly won the Nobel Dithering Prize on his “merits.”
BottomLine5 on October 29, 2009 at 12:21 PM
No decision, but he was just on TV giving another healthcare speech! His priorities dont lay in Afghanistan.
I still dont like his photo op with the fallen soldiers…if he wants to show respect then show it to the ones still living and trying to fight this war…not after they r dead. He needs to make a decision! Is he only waiting till they vote on obammuhcare?
becki51758 on October 29, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Well, Obama’s solemn decision process does not include the safety and welfare of the troops that we already have on the ground in Afghanistan.
scrubjay on October 29, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Important decisions should be rushed, and made hastily!
Deciding quick is better then deciding after considering all the data!
e-pirate on October 29, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Why in the world would Europe expect Obrawndo to be decisive about a course of action in Afghanistan? I mean, besides the two years of campaigning about it being a ‘war of necessity’? Haven’t the last 9 1/2 months meant anything to them?
Tom_OC on October 29, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Did not Obama say at the UN that other countries need to step-up?
Part of me says if this wakes up Europe, good. A little track back to the fiesty Europe of yester-year would be good.
WashJeff on October 29, 2009 at 12:24 PM
He has had the proposal on his desk for months. Perhaps if he stayed in the Oval Office and actually did some work, the decision would be made. He is making this into a political issue.
becki51758 on October 29, 2009 at 12:24 PM
How about some devotion to the troops like not having ROE so unfavorable to them in the never ending quest to win Muslim “Hearts and Minds” and “Unicorns and Flowers”?
MB4 on October 29, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Obama should lead, follow, or get the eff out of the way.
I’d prefer the last one, if the traitorous coward would get really, really out of the way, as in returning to Chicago for good.
TXUS on October 29, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Seriously?
Do you think he would’ve gone without them? Sincerity doesn’t require a photo op to pursuade the Koolaid Brigade.
Tom_OC on October 29, 2009 at 12:27 PM
With this guy? What are the odds?
AUINSC on October 29, 2009 at 12:27 PM
I guess if Germany and France were debating sending 10 thousand more troops each to the front, they’d have a vote.
Bleeds Blue on October 29, 2009 at 12:27 PM
* * * * *
BUT NOT AS A PHOTO OP!!!
Just quit dithering.
* * * * *
Reminder: President Bush chose to meet with families of the fallen IN PRIVATE!
publiuspen on October 29, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Suck it Europe. You’ll know when you’re done.
CurtZHP on October 29, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Well, so long as he’s got time for date night and campaigning for other dems, it’s clear that his priorities are in the right place, AMIRITE?!?
/
Honestly, this pisses me off more than almost anything he’s done thus far. It’s the dithering. Insecure hand wringing BS like this gets our guys killed for no good reason.
Good leaders are decisive. Our generals shouldn’t have to beg their CinC for direction.
TheUnrepentantGeek on October 29, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Well then both of you are flat-out wrong. Congratulations on getting my blood pressure through the stratosphere with, once more, defending the filthy lying coward in the White House. Clearly when it comes to military issues you just don’t get it and never will.
Yes, the filthy lying coward is CINC. And yes, he should be mindful of the consequences of sending more troops into Afghanistan and honor those who have fallen.
THAT DOES NOT GIVE HIM THE RIGHT TO SHOW UP WITH A FULL MEDIA CONTINGENT TO USE THOSE FALLEN SOLDIERS AS PROPS! Had he simply shown up, without cameras, and done what he did, it would have been one thing but clearly this was a political calculation done solely for the purpose of quashing the legitimate criticism of his dithering and support of the military.
Obama has never ever supported the troops just because it is the right thing to do and that is why his photo-op stunt was inappropriate and offensive no matteer what you, Jazz Shaw, or anyone else wants to say in support of Obama.
highhopes on October 29, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Why does Dick Cheney hate America?
Constant Parrhesia on October 29, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Dan Senor and Glenn Greenwald debate Afghan on MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/33532177#33532177
Greenwald is a nut
jp on October 29, 2009 at 12:41 PM
again, Europe wished for us to have a kinder gentler mode of ops, a kinder gentler more ‘european’ leader
this is what that means
lead follow or get out of the way the next time America is guarding the world Europe! and stop mucking around in our politics
ginaswo on October 29, 2009 at 12:42 PM
+100
becki51758 on October 29, 2009 at 12:42 PM
highhopes on October 29, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Agree.
Whatever the motives, it’s wrong to photograph the coffins of those who fall in battle.
When we serve in the military, we choose to give up a number of our rights, most for good reason.
This is an unnecessary indignity. These are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, etc.
They are not the exclusive property of the US government. Barry should remember that.
NoDonkey on October 29, 2009 at 12:42 PM
How about giving McChrystal what he asked for months ago or a change in the strategy that supports the resources on the ground. I’m torn if CoIn or CT is the right approach but I do know that dithering is not helping the troops and, in some small measure the filthy lying coward’s dithering was responsible for those coffins he made sure the cameras caught him saluting in his half-assed liberal way.
highhopes on October 29, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Really Ed. Really?
Did you honestly type that? There’s even handed and there’s detached from reality.
TheUnrepentantGeek on October 29, 2009 at 12:43 PM
As a Brit and living in France I have to say that knocking the French is a bit unfair, you can knock Germany though.
The French troops are fighting and taking casualties, they are not well equipped either.
I have read some reports by French soldiers who have nothing but praise for American soldiers, one soldier talking about the way that US troops rushed to help French troops that were in an ambush.
Yes our nations are puny compared to the USA, but at least some of us are in there, I think the Danes should get a special mention. As for the Brits, the soldiers have done well based on their equipment levels and poor leadership.
I was wondering if Obama will vote present?
TrueBrit on October 29, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Obama is so zen for waiting to reveal his decision on Afghanistan. He’s so calm, cool, collected – never rushed – always right on time. He’s suave – he’s got a beautiful wife, an awesome pooch and he goes on really nifty dates with his wife and plays lots of golf too. What more could you want in a president? This is the natural evolution of SMART POWER. It’s all so ZEN baby! Revel in the zenness of it all.
johnnybgood on October 29, 2009 at 12:44 PM
McChrystal, Obama’s general of choice, requested troops 2 months ago. How long is it going to take for his superior intellect to kick in and make a decision? Maybe when he’s done golfing…
gwelf on October 29, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Wasn’t sure how to share this article I read with Hot Air so I posted it below. From Roll Call on Obama’s secrecy policy you guys talked about last week.
_____________________________
Beware of the Collapse of the ‘Open Presidency’
Oct. 29, 2009
By Mark J. Rozell and Mitchel A. Sollenberger
Special to Roll Call
________________________________________
A presidency engaged in excessive secrecy. The list of grievances includes: threatening to withhold testimony from Congress, preventing judicial review of executive actions in combating terrorism, denying access to White House visitor logs, making policy without legislative involvement and then attacking the media critics who question the president’s actions.
We are not rehashing the superheated Bush-era fights over presidential powers but referring instead to recent misdeeds of the Obama administration. The latest conflict over White House policy “czars” has ignited a debate over President Barack Obama’s pledges of change and openness.
The president’s White House counsel, Greg Craig, recently informed protesting Senators that various White House policy czars will not be permitted to testify on Capitol Hill. If allowed to stand — and it should not — this presidential decision would undermine the foundation of the constitutionally based system of separated powers. That is, presidents could unilaterally develop policies without meaningful legislative involvement, a clear violation of the principles of representative government and accountability.
The loudest voices of criticism on the Hill are coming from Republicans. This fact, combined with the White House’s attacks on conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh, right-wing talkie Glenn Beck, and now the Fox News channel, has allowed the president’s supporters to position this controversy within a partisan framework. Unfortunately, it is easy to draw attention to a controversial network or overheated pundits when the president’s own party members remain largely silent on a constitutional issue that should unite legislators.
And therein lays the danger. In remaining quiet in the face of this assault on Congress’ legislative and oversight powers, the Democrats are allowing a dangerous precedent to be established that they will later regret when a Republican is in the White House. They must choose to either fight a president of their own political party or remain passive as many GOP lawmakers did under President George W. Bush. To be certain, what is at stake in this battle is the institutional integrity of Congress. Regrettably, only a few Democrats — particularly the stalwart Sen. Robert Byrd (W.Va.) and Sen. Russ Feingold (Wis.) — seem to understand what is at stake here.
Democrats on the Hill need to act now. There is substantial precedent for members of a president’s party in Congress to set aside short-term partisan goals in order to protect institutional prerogatives. One need only recall the vigorous challenges against Bush-era secrecy practices that were posed by a GOP-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee early in the former president’s first term.
The same committee began an investigation of President Bill Clinton in the Travelgate scandal when the Democrats controlled Congress. Likewise, during Jimmy Carter’s presidency, Democrats launched legislative inquires that resulted in subpoenas of executive branch documents against Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Joseph Califano.
If Obama continues to refuse to permit his White House aides to testify, then Congress can cut funding or revoke the president’s power to create additional czars. In an interbranch standoff, the legislative and oversight powers of Congress should easily trump the president’s claim to direct policy or control access to information, unless some vital national interest justifies secrecy. The outcome, however, comes down to the willingness of lawmakers to force the president’s hand.
The decision to deny Congressional access to White House czars, so reminiscent of Bush-era secrecy practices, is especially indefensible given how Obama campaigned on the promise of a new era of openness. Early in his presidency, by taking action to disclose certain presidential records, Obama gave many advocates of government transparency much hope that he would institute a new regime of openness.
History is filled with presidents who failed to live up to the lofty standards set during their campaigns. What is remarkable in this latest controversy is not that Obama has been unsuccessful in reversing the most offensive Bush-era secrecy policies but that he has actually been so willing to embrace many of them.
If this latest decision holds because most Democrats in Congress do nothing to challenge their president, it will be a serious blow against open government and balanced constitutional powers. Congress would yet again be complicit in the balance of power in Washington continuing to tilt toward the White House.
___________________________________________________________
Mark J. Rozell is a professor of public policy at George Mason University. Mitchel A. Sollenberger is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
taney71 on October 29, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Maybe a couple months is rushed for you, sloth, but for the rest of the world a dude with an army of advisers, strategists, and aides ought to be able to figure it out sooner. Maybe before his general had to beg him for a decision.
Or maybe it was all the screwing around with campaigning for buddies and healthcare for losers and date nights that left him a little pressed for time. But I know. Priorities.
Call me crazy, but it seems a reasonable proposition.
TheUnrepentantGeek on October 29, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Del Dolemonte on October 29, 2009 at 12:49 PM
highhopes on October 29, 2009 at 12:39 PM
AMEN!
milwife88 on October 29, 2009 at 12:50 PM
And all those anti Europe comments, the US wanted a united Europe and you have attacked European nationalism as something evil, well if nationalists like me had been in power you would not see such a weak and ineffectural old world. Very soon when the Lisbon treaty is in place we will have a President appointed, think about that word appointed, thanks America. What else are you pushing, well another 80 million Muslims added to Europe, with your support for Turkey in the EU, really some of your policies are just insane and have been for many years. Well I better get a prayer map and work out where Mecca is, Allah’s snak bar and all that!!!
TrueBrit on October 29, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Surprise, surprise!
The (s)hit-and-run butt-pirate strikes again.
Yawn.
Your tripe was tired a coupla years ago, dude.
hillbillyjim on October 29, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Exactly, just like, TARP, Porkulous, and HealthScare! Oh wait….
Youngs98 on October 29, 2009 at 12:52 PM
The best gage to determine real respect as opposed to an insincere photo-op is whether or not there’s any ACTION associated with it.
Was Obama moved by the loss of these soldiers to make an actual decision on Afghanistan? -nope.
What did he sacrifice by going to receive them? -nothing.
And what did he gain? – the opportunity to look oh-so-concerned and serious in front of the American people while he dithers away, trying to figure out which way the political wind will blow.
Barack Obama has no distinct history of doing ANYTHING that’s not politically advantageous to him. Why would anyone believe he’d suddenly start now?
Murf76 on October 29, 2009 at 12:53 PM
These are the words of an idiot. The Precedent’s strategy IS stalling and bleeding our troops. Anyone who continues to refuse to see this is beyond brain-dead. This guy is a tool being used by The Precedent just as the stall is being used by The Precedent. Jazzy should have his pen and keyboard taken away from him.
progressoverpeace on October 29, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I just heard that Obama vowed to do “whatever it takes to secure victory- no matter how messy it will get and how many enemies of progress have to be put 6 feet under.”
Unfortunately it was about New Jersey.
jjshaka on October 29, 2009 at 12:56 PM
It is a good thing for Obama to have gone to Dover. I hope he understands the cost to our militry families while he deliberates what to do. It has been two months since he received the request for an increase in troop levels. I understand why Europe is becoming impatient. I bet they are beginning to wish GWB was still in the Whitehouse right about now.
kanda on October 29, 2009 at 12:56 PM
It’s just more of the same Obama foreign policy: 1. Anger our allies. 2. Aid and abet our enemies.
clarsen13 on October 29, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Europe, would you please just shut up? The man is TRYING TO PUTT!!
LASue on October 29, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Right now Estland is the largest per capita contributor of troops in Afganistan (the number of troops is small since Estland has a population of a medium sized US city). These troops are in the thick of it in Helmand as part of a British unit and Marines. Our per capita casualties are also among the highest if not the highest.
While the mission has not been popular, most people have understood its need. Thus while in polls vast majorities want the troops back home, in elections politicians running on anti-war platform have gotten nowhere. The political class has been pretty uniform in their support, until now.
Now we have:
1. Russia indicating in Georgia that it is willing to use military force not only within its own borders but across international boundaries. The use of salami tactics with respect to Georgia is particularly evident.
2. Obama backing from missile shield without even consulting with Poland and Czech Republic. The lack of missile shield means there is not going to be the expected US tripwire force that would make US response in case of attack on these countries almost automatic instead of the political process foreseen by NATO V article.
3. Realisation that NATO does not have concrete plans for the defence of its new member states and no exercises devoted for the main purpose of NATO.
4. Obama dithering on Afghanistan strategy making it questionable whether our contribution is of any use whatsoever for Afghanistan. What’s the point of sending or keeping troops in harm’s way if we’re not even trying to win?
5. Russia conducting the largest exercise since the fall of Soviet Union in Belarus. The purpose of the exercise being practicing an attack on Latvia and Lithuania to establish a breakthrough to Kaliningrad.
6. Economic crises is forcing us to suspend several material purchases for our military – in particular antitank weaponry.
All of a sudden our formerly uniform political will to stand firm in Afganistan to help US out is not so uniform. The government will not be able to maintain to extend our present commitment after the november elections and there will be significant pressure to reduce our contingent to a token force of a few staff officers.
kittysaidwoof on October 29, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Bullsh!t. The Precedent did that just to extend his intentional stall even longer. He is fighting against America and it is too obvious to brush aside. The Precedent will screw up both Afghanistan and Iraq and he will celebrate his win against the evil forces of the US.
The Precedent is the enemy.
progressoverpeace on October 29, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Well…Well….Well…Well…Well.
The Europeans whined about the big ol mean Bush and his “cowboy” diplomacy.
Yelled and screamed with glee about getting a new President with a new attitude in Obama.
Now that the “hope and change” hype is starting to wear off they are seeing the failed community organizer that voted “present” more than 130 times in his short stint as Senator that was there the whole time, they just refused to acknowledge it.
There is not one thing that Obama has done or in his history that reflects he possess strength and leadership.
Welcome to the show international community….. and also a few words for you from the people who are based in reality……we told you so.
Baxter Greene on October 29, 2009 at 1:00 PM
I have an image of the filthy lying coward getting out of the limo and having a smoke while the cameras are all set up and Gibbs or some other press lackey makes sure that all the photographers are in place. Then, and only then, are the coffins rolled out so that the rat bastard traitor can be recorded saluting the fallen. Then back in the limo and away to the next fundraiser.
It was all a stunt, those fallen soldiers were used as props, it was the wrong thing to do no matter how many apologists are out there lauding him for doing it (many who should know better). GWB and Donald Rumsfeld both made many unannounced visits to Bethesda and Walter Reed without the press in tow and without fanfare. Those fallen troops and their families deserve better than to have been used as a campaign event for a man who clearly loathes the military.
highhopes on October 29, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Obama:
“I call upon my critics to unite and have patience while I weigh this most solemn of decisions to send our troops into battle. Now watch this drive.”
loudmouth883 on October 29, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Hey, give Obama a break. He’s busy going on talk shows, Sunday political shows, prime time speeches, golfing and most important, dates with the old lady.
If American troops dying in Afghanistan can sit there and wait until Dear Leader is back from dinner & a Broadway play or two, Europe can wait.
Europe, what the hell are you thinking, Obama is a Democrat. They don’t do military unless it’s a very contrived photo op. Democrats HATE the military and our troops.
You actually think ANY Democrat gives a crap about our troops??!! Who do you think you’re dealing with…Bush?
Jeff from WI on October 29, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Good for our allies. Keep up the pressure on Obama and his dithering.
Christien on October 29, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Meanwhile in the Oval Office:
Obama: Let me clear about this Rahm. I want this war prosecuted with all of the resources we can bring to bear. I will except nothing less than total victory! Retreat is NOT an option! WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!
Rahm: Yessir!!!
Obama: So much for Fox News. What’s next on the agenda?
Rahm: Let me see … uh … Afghanistan.
Obama: Hmmmm … still haven’t made up my mind about that. I’ll try to get back to you next month after the elections …
PackerBronco on October 29, 2009 at 1:08 PM
totally agree Ed, however, this CIC appears to only do things that are beneficial to him…he could have done this without any cameras and be there for the troops and their families
cmsinaz on October 29, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Video: Obama Afghanistan decision captured in time-lapse photography: http://optoons.blogspot.com/2009/10/obamas-afghanistan-strategy-decision.html
Mervis Winter on October 29, 2009 at 1:15 PM
It makes me a little ill, honestly. I don’t think he’s done anything to piss me off quite this much before.
TheUnrepentantGeek on October 29, 2009 at 1:16 PM
should have read highhopes first…
+1000
cmsinaz on October 29, 2009 at 1:18 PM
EPIC WIN.
TheUnrepentantGeek on October 29, 2009 at 1:18 PM
That’s exactly what you liberal morons were screaming back when it was so vitally important to quickly pass the trillion dollar, “shovel-ready” spending bill that’s been so highly ineffectual in creating jobs, but which has done a great job of burdening ourselves and successive generations with a mountain of debt.
But we can understand why you don’t want Obama to rush any decision on Afghanistan — months after announcing he had a strategy, and months after his own hand-picked general there requested substantially more troops. There’s nothing more important at stake than American servicemen’s and women’s lives — not something that really matters, like paying off unions and ACORN for helping Obama get elected.
AZCoyote on October 29, 2009 at 1:18 PM
The photo-op at Dover may not have been necessary had Odumbo made a decision when he should have about the conduct of the war.
rjoco1 on October 29, 2009 at 1:23 PM
I’m confused. Who the hell are the Europeans to complain about anything done in Afghanistan? Their piddly troop contributions and unwillingness to discuss adding forces pretty much puts them in the STFU category.
evergreen on October 29, 2009 at 1:27 PM
I’m disgusted by the photo op. He should have already been to Afghanistan to show troop support not just to honor the dead at Dover – he has not been to Afghanistan since July 2008.
Brat on October 29, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Easy solution for Obama that he’s capable of: Send in the pentagon’s request for troops but then boldly lie to the US people and the rest of the world that we are actively seeking negotiations.
I don’t think he’ll even do that. The man has no backbone He’ll shift along the top of the fence until he’s backed into a corner by some horrible new attack from jihadists that pushes him to do something. (I really don’t want this option but I think he’ll do it.)
shick on October 29, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Yes. He should stop attending funerals but instead promise more for our enemies.
His cowardice to do anything except attending funerals is enraging.
shick on October 29, 2009 at 1:33 PM
You’d almost think he hadn’t been in office for almost a year now and sitting on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee before that, and that he hadn’t skipped three meetings on Afghanistan because he was too busy running for POTUS and that he didn’t blow off his commanding general to schmooze the Olympic committee with Chewbama and Orca in tow.
alliebobbitt on October 29, 2009 at 1:36 PM
I can’t muster up much sympathy for the Europeans. They got exactly what they wanted in an American president, someone who would acknowledge the superiority of Europe, would apologize for the arrogance of America and would cede leadership to the U.N., the E.U., OPEC or anyone else who might have an opinion. No leadership from the USA needed, appreciated, wanted or desired.
Come on Europe,you got what you wanted, now shut up and enjoy it!
On the other hand, I laugh in the face of those who would defend Obama by lavishing praise upon a studious, contemplative, careful perusing of all the data before coming to a considered opinion regardless of how long it takes . . . ACK – no time to read the bill on the stimulus – just PASS IT!!! ACK – no time to think about health care, people are dying out there – just PASS IT!! ACK – no time to even write the bill – JUST PASS IT !!!!
ACK ACK ACK – NO TIME, NO TIME, NO TIME ,. . . .
uhhh, about that Afghanistan thing (where people really ARE dying), uhm, let’s take our time, smoke a cigar, read a book, play a few dozen rounds of golf, raise some campaign money, vilify Fox News, etc. before “rushing” into a decision.
LOL!!!
Fatal on October 29, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Bill Bennett said this morning that in his mostly liberal neighborhood there are still a lot of “Listen to the Generals” bumper stickers which were originally directed at Pres. Bush. Guess those libs can just leave those on for 0bama.
Brat on October 29, 2009 at 1:41 PM
1944… 1945… 1946… 1947… I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be at Normandy… Yup, that’s it… no wait!
mankai on October 29, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Why would anyone worry that liberal news organizations which gleefully reported the body counts of our soldiers in Iraq would be helping President Obama politicize his visit to Dover? It’s not like he blew off visiting wounded soldiers in Germany when he was told he couldn’t have a camera crew.
alliebobbitt on October 29, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Welcome to the wonderful world of multilateralism, Europe. Now put up or shut up.
alliebobbitt on October 29, 2009 at 1:50 PM
September 2008
Stunned, I tells ya! Stunned!
mankai on October 29, 2009 at 1:51 PM
It´s like FDR on Dec. 8th saying ¨I´ll get back to you¨
james hooker on October 29, 2009 at 1:54 PM
I’ll never forgive Obama or his party stabbing us in the back in Iraq for crass, cynical and greedy political gain.
He holds the office but he’ll never have my respect for him as an individual.
NoDonkey on October 29, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Let’s not forget the way the filthy lying coward and his party were all but high-fiving one another when the body count reached a milestone number where they could get up and condemn the Bush administration.
highhopes on October 29, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Clifford May has a column over at NRO today that has some telling paragraphs about the Taliban. Not only is Obama guilty of dithering, his dismissal of the Taliban as a threat is disingenuous (okay, foolish), but the approach of ignoring the countryside where the training camps are located is absurd.
Is it too much to ask that the WH show some leadership and responsibility?
onlineanalyst on October 29, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Let the man eat his waffle.
mankai on October 29, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Every action this adolescent in the WH takes is done with political calculation.
I agree with every one of your posts about the Dover visit, highhopes. I have nothing but contempt for this jerk who plays a president for the cameras.
onlineanalyst on October 29, 2009 at 2:27 PM
I think you meant this for the health care thread… because in that case… people are dying!
mankai on October 29, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Obama is voting “present” on Afghanistan. He doesn’t want to piss off the right or the left because, as a narcissist, it would reduce his popularity and that’s worse than anything.
NNtrancer on October 29, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Hey did anyone see the pics of Obama saluting the dead returning from the war?
Disgusting.
Otis B on October 29, 2009 at 3:00 PM
highhopes on October 29, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Whoops shoulda read the comments first.
Sorry about that.
I share your disgust.
Otis B on October 29, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Yeah, like health care, campaigning for losing dems, Wed night parties on the lawn, golf, solar panel visitation and speechifying at least once a day.
I wish there were an idiot tag. I’ll just make one up for you.
/I
Key West Reader on October 29, 2009 at 3:07 PM
You know you are a mega-pussy when…….
Answer: When Euros are screaming for you to take military action.
It would appear the old countries take the lives of their military much more seriously than B.O.
Hening on October 29, 2009 at 3:13 PM
The no ball peace prize.
Dhuka on October 29, 2009 at 3:33 PM
I believe the Daily Telegraph said the same thing…\
I’m waiting for them to call for us to bring back Bush! Better to deal with an honest Cowboy than a dithering dolt!
petunia on October 29, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Oops! It was the Times of London who accused Obama of dithering…
petunia on October 29, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Obama`s photo op to visit the returning caskets was the indication of which way he will decide.
He will reference it in his speech when he says he cannot send more troops.
albill on October 29, 2009 at 4:46 PM
As so many have pointed out, it is all about him and all about politics that support his goals. All the campaign talk was on the belief that a surge like the one that worked in Iraq was all that was needed. Since Obama nor any of his liberal, socialist, communist staff understands anything about military stratagies, they did not understand that it would not work in Afganistan.
Anyone who knows the history of wars in Afghanistan knows that those fighting on the lossing side, often switch and fight for the winning side.
Obama’s is seen as weak. His readiness to cede the country side and pull back to the cities is well known to our enemies. They know that they need not win a battle to win it. All they need to do is present a show of force and the inablity of our forces to respond in an offensive way. If Obama pulls back to the major cities, it will only be a matter of time until they fall from within and Obama will have his desired outcome and the only decision possible, to surrender the war and withdraw.
In the mean time he needs to stall since any decision he makes will hurt the chances of his democrates winning in the upcoming election. Loses will hurt the chance that he will get his nationalized medicine bill passed into law.
Anyone that understands the history and goals of the communinst and socialist parties in the United States, knows that since 1944, they have known that the only way to move the country into socialism was through nationlized medical insurance. Once in place it can reach into every aspect of government and the lives of the people. Achieving that is his highest priority.
The live that have been lost, and those that have been lost while he delays any decision mean nothing to him. As he said, those that join the military, chose to go to war and accepted the responsibilty for themselves and the results of death or injury. That they did it for their country rings just as hollow in his ears. Our country is not one he is proud of. It is everything that his mentors said was wrong. He sees himself as having a narcissist mandate to change it into one that he can be proud of.
Franklyn on October 29, 2009 at 4:49 PM
I don’t know why those who want more and more American troops in Afghanistan, for however long it takes, to “Win!”, whatever that means, are complaining so much about Barack Obama as he has already increased the American troop level from Bush’s around 45,000 to almost 70,000 and will likely add at least 15,000 more still, meaning he will have at least almost doubled the number Bush had. And I sure don’t hear much criticism of Stan McChrystal, Obama’s hand picked general, so most must be OK with McChrstal’s ROE. The disconnect seems most illogical.
MB4 on October 29, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Ed:
If Obama had ever saluted the fallen at Dover before before the media policy was conveniently changed, I might be willing to cut him some slack. It wasn’t even just a photo-op, either. Obama took Robert Gibbs along for the ride, and the New York Times reports that:
That’s not the kind of recognition I’d be looking for in a C-i-C, and it’s no surprise that only one family out of fifteen agreed to a presidential portrait. I hope it brought some measure of comfort to Sgt. Griffin’s family. I cannot pretend, however, not to be utterly stunned at a White House which shamelessly admits that they viewed this sacred ritual as a multi-purpose opportunity. That is not my idea of the “right thing to do.”
You can try closing the door here, but the photo-op horse left the barn way back when Obama mounted his triumphal campaign march through Europe. That time he outright cancelled a visit to Landstuhl, with his press pool on the tarmac, when he found out he couldn’t take a photographer with him. He decided he’d rather pass the time in his hotel gym.
“Let’s hope that politics won’t play a part in this recognition at all.”
You are apparently impervious to irony if you think you’re not politicizing this event, just because you’re exhorting others not to do so. We get enough of that from the President.
JM Hanes on October 29, 2009 at 5:24 PM
His stunt at Dover is despicable. Thankfully our troops know what a POS vermin this snake of a CinC is. F U Obama.
elduende on October 29, 2009 at 5:30 PM
This article is accurate as far as Obama`s dithering (and betraying our troops) is concerned.
But it misses the most important point of all. That is, Europe (and most of the rest of the world) does not like what America does and it does not plain like America. There are many reasons for this, but they are mainly problems with the rest of the world, not America. These reasons are oft discussed as we well know and I will not address them here directly.
America is unique in history for being a powerful country not really interested in acquiring the property or lands of those of other countries with that power. For example, the Iraq War is not about oil. If America desired, it could quite easily TAKE all the oil it wants rather than purchase it.
The point is that no matter what America does, America is more often than not condemned by the rest of the world.
I am more concerned when Europe claims to support America than the reverse.
This is reality. Historical reality. Plain reality.
Reality is that America does not take marching orders from the rest of the world, nor does it need to be overly sensitive to the views of that world or Europe.
Yes. Obama is a complete failure as president and will remain so. His course has been set. He dithers at best and harms at worst both the domestic and foreign fronts.
Europe is suiting itself with its views on dithering and it just happens to be right this time. But not right for America. Right for Europe at this moment in time. Right for itself.
That is all.
I think we have had enough of Europe.
That Obama is dithering is a fact completely unrelated to whatever Europe has to say.
Sorry Europe, we continue to defend you militarily and defray your costs and responsibility in blood and treasure.
That is good or bad enough.
“Mind your own business,” Europe.
China likes the above line and uses it often. I say America can use it, too. And with more authority and honesty.
To most of Europe and parts of the rest of the world on any given day, I say:
Thanks, but no thanks!
Sherman1864 on October 29, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Excellent!!
lovingmyUSA on October 29, 2009 at 5:55 PM
“I’m always frank and earnest. In Chicago I’m Frank, In New York I’m Earnest…”
mojo on October 29, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Important decisions should be rushed, and made hastily!
**Slap!!!*** That was great! I think you slapped him right off the forum!
lovingmyUSA on October 29, 2009 at 5:58 PM
I only have this one question…
What is Bush had done this?He did it privately–because that’s the kind of MAN he was. To him, it was ALWAYS about America and those who sacrificed for her.
If Bush had done this–it would have been a media frenzy to see who could be the most sneering. The fact that they would have been throwing mud at Bush over the coffins of our fallen would have been lost in endless, bitter enuendo.
Therein lies the difference between the two Commanders in Chief’s.
Ed, I’m a little disappointed that you actually bought into the photo opp. If he was realy going to be respectful, he would have done it without the publicity…
lovingmyUSA on October 29, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Obama says it’s his duty as president to make sure Islam is not ill spoken of. He has done everything he can to protect the Muslim ‘brothers’: he’s released some to Bermuda; he’s released others back to the battlefield; he wants to release others into the U.S. He does not really wish to do anything much against them that will result in a huge defeat for them. A few Predator drone killings doesn’t change this. His objective is not U.S. defense but protection of the Muslim ummah. Nothing that supports democracy and weakens them will be accomplished rapidly by him.
SilentWatcher on October 29, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Obama HAS given his answer; “Present!”
Star20 on October 29, 2009 at 6:37 PM
I’d like it better if the President had done this without the photos. And it doesn’t matter what the name is that comes after “President” – the way to pay tribute to the troops is to pay tribute to the troops, period.
BD57 on October 29, 2009 at 7:10 PM
WHERE did all the LOVE go?
GarandFan on October 29, 2009 at 10:52 PM
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