Football spiked: Obama to address nation on Bin Laden anniversary live from Afghanistan
posted at 3:35 pm on May 1, 2012 by Allahpundit
The official reason for the trip is to sign the new strategic partnership agreement with Karzai, but of course that doesn’t require his physical presence in Afghanistan. We all know why he’s there and why he chose today to visit. One word: Scoreboard.
Hope he has a giant photo of Bin Laden with his eyeball hanging out set up as a backdrop for the speech, just in case the very low-information voters watching at home are slow on the uptake about what they’re supposed to glean from this speech.
President Barack Obama is in Afghanistan for a whirlwind visit that will culminate in a live, televised address to the American people.
Obama is expected to sign a strategic partnership agreement shortly with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.Obama’s scheduled to speak to the nation just after 7:30 p.m., eastern time, from Bagram airbase.
Pool, which assembled Monday night at Andrews, has been under an embargo preventing reporting of the trip up til now.
Obama left at 12:09 AM Tuesday morning. And arrived at Bagram at 10:20 pm local time.
It was smart to key this to the partnership agreement since now he’ll have a big stage to announce a significant drawdown of American troops, which should please swing voters. You can see the political message coming: We won in Afghanistan by killing Bin Laden and destroying his network so now we can responsibly and victoriously withdraw. It’s a two-fer — an end-zone dance over Al Qaeda’s deterioration and an unofficial declaration that the war is ending and the boys are coming home. Shrewd politics. If he pulls out Bin Laden’s empty skull and sets it on the podium, you can probably call the election right now.
Stand by for updates.
Update: Before he declares victory, can we get a final accounting on just how many Afghan soldiers have fired at their American mentors? According to the AP, the Pentagon’s been conspicuously quiet about non-lethal “green on blue” attacks.
I’d be keen to hear O’s and Panetta’s reaction to this Guardian piece too before those ephemeral peace talks with the Taliban start heating up again:
Documents found in the house where Osama bin Laden was killed a year ago show a close working relationship between top al-Qaida leaders and Mullah Omar, the overall commander of the Taliban, including frequent discussions of joint operations against Nato forces in Afghanistan, the Afghan government and targets in Pakistan…
The news will undermine hopes of a negotiated peace in Afghanistan, where the key debate among analysts and policymakers is whether the Taliban – seen by many as following an Afghan nationalist agenda – might once again offer a safe haven to al-Qaida or like-minded militants, or whether they can be persuaded to renounce terrorism…
“Questions and issues come up. They don’t see eye to eye on everything but it’s clear they understand they have an interest in co-operating [on attacks against Nato, Afghan government and Pakistani targets],” the source said. “Of those engaged in the conversation, two [Zawahiri and Omar] are still alive today and there is no reason to believe that either has substantially changed his views in the last year.”
The Taliban’s never going to turn on Al Qaeda.
Update: BuzzFeed’s Michael Hastings hears from some SEALs that they’re getting tired of Obama’s end-zone dance:
The frustration—or, even anger—within the SEAL community is real, and has been brewing for months, particularly among a politically conservative core of operators. It started immediately after the raid, with questions among the Special Forces and intelligence community of whether the president should have waited to announce the kill to exploit the intelligence cache at Osama’s compound. It simmered after a Chinook helicopter was shot down, killing 30 Americans, 22 of them Navy SEALs from Team Six…
Over the past few days, I’ve reached out to a number of SEALs, both active duty and former. Most active duty SEALs were reluctant to go on the record venting or praising their boss, but one of the most interesting responses I received from an operator was to direct me to Leif Babin, a SEAL who left active duty last year.
Babin, who runs the consulting firm Echelon Front, wrote a little noticed op-ed in Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal four months ago. The headline: OBAMA EXPLOITS THE NAVY SEALS. Babin took aim at “the president and his advisors, writing: “It is infuriating to see political gain put above the safety and security of our brave warriors and our long-term strategic goals.”
Update: Obama, Biden, Panetta, Hillary, Jack Lew, Ryan Crocker: Imagine it.
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Yes to the question
No to the statement
Jabberwock on May 1, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Since he was never certified as a jet pilot, no.
Wethal on May 1, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Sure, the middle finger is great and all. But he wouldn’t be giving that middle finger if he weren’t up for re-election. Seriously, if he’d gotten bin Laden this time in 2009 or if Bush had gotten bin Laden as his last act in office, you think Obama would be doing this?
Waggoner on May 1, 2012 at 3:53 PM
but I threw up a bit in the back of my mouth reading it.
Fighton03 on May 1, 2012 at 3:54 PM
I miss Ickey Woods.
Del Dolemonte on May 1, 2012 at 3:54 PM
Meaningful to whom? The mental midgets who thought that blowing up their speed bump of a military force ended the threat? The culturally ignorant who thought we could wave a magic wand and turn Afghanistan into the 51st state?
And as to dusting off the banner now…you can’t say you won what you didn’t actually accomplish.
MelonCollie on May 1, 2012 at 3:54 PM
I have this vision of them replacing the Capitol Dome with a bust of Jugears’ head. And the Washington Monument being replaced with a gigantic statue of Moochelle which puts the national mall under a total eclipse twice a day…
wildcat72 on May 1, 2012 at 3:55 PM
Perhaps your forgetting the low bar precedent for ‘Mission Accomplished’ banners?
verbaluce on May 1, 2012 at 3:55 PM
Breaking:
Members of Barry’s Secret Service advance team were busted partying with goats in their rooms in Kabul Hilton.
galtani on May 1, 2012 at 3:55 PM
As sleazy as it is, let him have it. He can’t ride killing OBL for 6 months straight. Any bounce he gets from this will be played out by the election and if he tries to bring it up again it will just be old news.
The fact that he is hammering so hard on OBL right now shows how desperate he is to keep his poll numbers at least even with Romney right now, 6 months out from the election.
Otherwise, they would have kept the OBL stuff for October. Playing this card now, so far out from the election, can’t be what they want to do. It’s not like they have that many cards in their deck to play.
Monkeytoe on May 1, 2012 at 3:55 PM
I laughed when I saw the headline. This is a joke, right?
Ellis on May 1, 2012 at 3:55 PM
I’d be more concerned if this was happening in November, the fact is that by this time next week people won’t care because they’ll have paid for gas again.
NerwenAldarion on May 1, 2012 at 3:55 PM
haters gonna hate
DBear on May 1, 2012 at 3:55 PM
Sure wish the poseur could see what we are doing at his image while watching him on TV. I don’t think he would feel the love.
arnold ziffel on May 1, 2012 at 3:56 PM
Wait, wait! We’re getting this all wrong! This is Afghanistan, remember? Karzai already has embraced sharia law.
Obama’s there to declare victory in the War on Women.
de rigueur on May 1, 2012 at 3:57 PM
As much as I sort of welcome this, since it’s sooo abhorrantly over the top, that alot of folks will see it that way, 2 things REALLY bug me, BIG TIME !!
1. I was hoping this would finally blow over after today.
2. If this speech is broadcast on ALL networks, I’ll be dealing with a few VERY PO’D young ladies, forced to miss their GLEE !
(anyone know who’s broadcasting this farse ?)
This is SOOO majorly disgusting, it’s PHYSICALLY turning my stomach … time for a Miller Lite.
ARRGGGH !!
pambi on May 1, 2012 at 3:57 PM
I can’t stand any more snark from the preezy. He doesn’t respect us; I don’t respect him. Won’t watch.
PattyJ on May 1, 2012 at 3:57 PM
Binny’s fish food, AQ is “operationally” in the shitter, O is doing the Snoopy Happy Dance – so now can I get on plane without gettin’ my junk felt up?
If not, why not?
“War is over if you want it” John & Yoko
Bruno Strozek on May 1, 2012 at 3:57 PM
On the very same day the Navy Seals Against Obama website opened? Way to pour gasoline on the fire.
If I were Obama, I’d downplay the illingkay of Inbay Adinlay angle tonite.
Dee2008 on May 1, 2012 at 3:57 PM
Outstanding.
MSNBC: Breaking News
Goats accusing Secret Service of providing imitation paper cups and other condiments.
OhEssYouCowboys on May 1, 2012 at 3:58 PM
Thank you.
That price for a gallon of milk will certainly not help.
blatantblue on May 1, 2012 at 3:58 PM
And there will be 2 satellite dishes sticking out from each side.
galtani on May 1, 2012 at 3:58 PM
Of course, the fact that the carrier group put that banner up and put it up to refer to their specific mission, which was accomplished, matters little to the false narrative created by the left.
I will admit that if Bush’s team had thought about it, they probably should have asked the ship to take that banner down for his appearance there.
Monkeytoe on May 1, 2012 at 3:58 PM
Adjusted for “accuracy”…
SnarkySam on May 1, 2012 at 3:58 PM
Latest polling on National Priorities has the terrorism/national security issue at the bottom of the list.
The most recent C-BS/NYT “poll” doesn’t even have it as a national priority at all.
The latest al-Reuters “poll” has national security as a National Priority named by only 5% of those who responded. Latest CNN “poll” has Afghanistan at 6% and terrorism at 2%. Bloomberg has terrorism at 1%.
He knows this is all he has. Pathetic.
Del Dolemonte on May 1, 2012 at 3:58 PM
Didn’t TO get taken out by another player while doing this?
weaselyone on May 1, 2012 at 3:59 PM
The insolent punk just can’t help himself. I doubt I’m the only one who will see it this way.
Right Mover on May 1, 2012 at 3:59 PM
Spiked?
Nah, fumbled.
crash72 on May 1, 2012 at 3:59 PM
considering ‘The Banner’ was about the destruction of organized battlefield resistance, I would expect the same here. Maybe we’re going to take out the afghan security forces. That actually might help.
Fighton03 on May 1, 2012 at 3:59 PM
That made me LOL … literally.
OhEssYouCowboys on May 1, 2012 at 3:59 PM
LOL, I’m still laughing.
OhEssYouCowboys on May 1, 2012 at 3:59 PM
Sureeeeeeee
Uppereastside on May 1, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Yes – as they say on the gridiron – “act like ya’ been there before”
What makes the great, great, is that they don’t need to pat themselves on the back. It’s the difference between Terrell Owens and Jerry Rice.
CycloneCDB on May 1, 2012 at 4:00 PM
STAND UP!!!
Right Mover on May 1, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Please update this post with a clip of the kid from Little Giants spiking the football.
WarTurkey08 on May 1, 2012 at 4:00 PM
what a f’n douche!!! Just like the f’n “Mission accomplished” while my cousin got killed a month after. I fuckin’g hate those guys!!!
Can.I.be.in.the.middle on May 1, 2012 at 4:00 PM
You teach your kids to hate half the country. You said so yourself.
Chuck Schick on May 1, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Nutballs gonna’ post nonsensical pap.
cozmo on May 1, 2012 at 4:00 PM
The only reason I’m going to tune in is to see if he comes out in one of those Khadaffi style generalissimo uniforms with medals, ribbons and tons of gold braiding on the lid.
Oh, and sunglasses for teh cool factor…………..
BacaDog on May 1, 2012 at 4:00 PM
On Sunday on the 12 noon EDT C-BS Radio “news” broadcast, weekend anchor Jim Taylor called him “O’bama bin Laden”, but immediately corrected himself. Wonder if Jimbo still has a job two days later.
And another C-BS Radio “news” anchor almost made the exact same goof this morning, but just barely caught himself in time.
Del Dolemonte on May 1, 2012 at 4:01 PM
Agree. This is done in 30 days.
And he will not be able to get back to it.
This is a waste of time.
Jabberwock on May 1, 2012 at 4:01 PM
His next move will be to declare himself Generalissimo and put on a military uniform (with lots of cool medals)
ironbill on May 1, 2012 at 4:01 PM
Yes, but it’s only polling so low b/c O personally won the war on terror, making everyone safe for a generation at least. I hope I don’t need a sarcasm tag “IHIDNAST”
Monkeytoe on May 1, 2012 at 4:01 PM
The man is a shameless egomaniac.
Terrye on May 1, 2012 at 4:02 PM
For every time Obama say’s “I”
Take a drink!
Kini on May 1, 2012 at 4:02 PM
Beat me to it.
ironbill on May 1, 2012 at 4:02 PM
Seriously? Wow the man is completely tone deaf.
Michael Yon tracks this and there are several posts about it on his web site. Last I checked it was over 200.
dogsoldier on May 1, 2012 at 4:03 PM
I wonder if he’ll commemorate the 22 Navy SEALS who lost their lives just days after the completion of the Bin Laden mission.
Right Mover on May 1, 2012 at 4:03 PM
“We don’t spike the football.”
Translation: we don’t just spike the football, we perform a great end zone dance with moves I learned from my cool friends!
Slimy salesmen all over this country are getting tired of this President using all of their Take-Ownership-of-the-Objection techniques and teaching the American people how harmful a little lie can be.
If I’m a salesperson, I want my techniques back! There’s no way my product or service can be as bad for a potential customer while using this technique as their President’s agenda is. If you’re gonna get misled, at least it should be in a productive cause!!
rwenger43 on May 1, 2012 at 4:03 PM
Four more years of this clown and it WILL be Orwell’s ’1984′ in full force. I know I won’t last long, flipping off the government-mandated cameras every time that buck-toothed jug-eared mug is broadcast.
SnarkySam on May 1, 2012 at 4:03 PM
Heh. Great minds, ironbill. Great minds. :)
BacaDog on May 1, 2012 at 4:03 PM
I accept the first part of that as true.
But I assure you Bush’s team thought plenty about it – that shot, that angle, that backdrop…and they loved it and ran with it.
From the great Colber roast of Bush:
I stand by this man. I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers, and rubble, and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message: that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound—with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world.
verbaluce on May 1, 2012 at 4:04 PM
I can just see Obama at the debates this fall, “Let me be clear, this is just like that time I killed Obama . . . “
Monkeytoe on May 1, 2012 at 4:04 PM
I can’t consume that much alcohol any more.
cozmo on May 1, 2012 at 4:04 PM
The hind end of the statue alone would take care of the eclipse.
8thAirForce on May 1, 2012 at 4:04 PM
Fixed it for ya. Now wipe your chin off.
The crew of the Lincoln asked the White House to make the banner. For them, not for Bush.
F-
Del Dolemonte on May 1, 2012 at 4:04 PM
Nah, but he may make an entrance on a little girls bike while wearing his mom jeans.
HumpBot Salvation on May 1, 2012 at 4:04 PM
Is he going to cancel the election and declare himself the winner..?
d1carter on May 1, 2012 at 4:05 PM
Hmmm. Coincidence or not? Obama goes to Afghanistan and Afghani dogs come here.
Fallon on May 1, 2012 at 4:05 PM
The Taliban know they have all but won in Afghanistan. The Taliban are undefeated and have fairly steadily gained ground since about 2005, Obama the Great’s temporary short-lived “surge” notwithstanding — the “surge” whose expiration date was announced before a single “surge” boot set foot in Afghanistan. The Taliban are stronger than ever in Pakistan. The Haqqani network is alive and well. Mullah Mohammed Omar is still alive and free. Ayman al-Zawahiri is still alive and free.
We are pulling out of Afghanistan. NATO is pulling out. Karzai will be unable to hold more than Kabul with the token forces we will leave in place, with great big bullseyes on their backs — essentially a Fort Apache outpost in Indian country. It’s only a matter of time.
Essentially declaring victory in Afghanistan and taking a victory lap in Kabul on the anniversary of the bin Laden mission is a vulgar cynical political atrocity and a great Big Lie
farsighted on May 1, 2012 at 4:05 PM
You’re aware that there’s no other way to land on an aircraft carrier. You were aware of that before he even landed.
CurtZHP on May 1, 2012 at 4:05 PM
This was clearly planned long before Barack started taking incoming for riding the Navy Seals coattails to a victory dance. I’m looking at the press coverage of this speech tonight– ABC, CBS, CNN, even MS-DNC — and he is taking a beating. The story all day has been that Barack’s hubris knows no bounds, that he is taking credit where little credit is due, showing no class, acting like he killed Osama with his bare hands, and now this. What an epic screw-up his campaign is.
Rational Thought on May 1, 2012 at 4:06 PM
He’s my hero. I’m told tomorrow he will announce himself President for life.
jan3 on May 1, 2012 at 4:06 PM
Narcissists gonna love (themselves).
CurtZHP on May 1, 2012 at 4:07 PM
You are probably correct that they considered it and went with it. And, if the world were fair (i.e., if the media were not so biased), it would not have become the narrative that the banner meant that everything was done, etc. It shows naivete on their part not to realize how the media would portray it.
If only the media actually reported about O, his poll numbers would be in the teens right now.
But, such is life. We have the truth and common sense on our side and you have the media on your side. Which makes it a 50/50 fight most of the time.
Monkeytoe on May 1, 2012 at 4:07 PM
You never cease to disappoint.
Del Dolemonte on May 1, 2012 at 4:07 PM
You are absolutely right.
Emperor Barry Hussein Soetoro is TOTALLY DESPERATE to keep his poll above Romney from day to day, from week to week that he’s going to throw everything he can at it SIX MONTHS OUT.
This reeks of his narcissism and his need to be worshiped. And it’s going to have a part in his downfall. By October they won’t have anything left, we’ll have gone through ANOTHER 6 months of crap economy and rising gas prices and Barry will be lucky to not have been DUMPED at the Democrat convention…
wildcat72 on May 1, 2012 at 4:07 PM
Maybe he’ll actually pay a tribute to the 1,100 soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanastan since BHO became president?
Deafdog on May 1, 2012 at 4:07 PM
No, flying a jet is a skill, as is landing one on a carrier at sea, and learning such skills takes work and dedication.
A pilot has to demonstrate actual ability to earn his certification — it’s not one of those Aff*rmative Act*on prizes Obama can claim for merely existing, (such as, for example, the Nobel Peace Prize).
AZCoyote on May 1, 2012 at 4:08 PM
Uhh, no.
It’s all about TEH WON!
wildcat72 on May 1, 2012 at 4:08 PM
Is he going to have a back drop of female soldiers?
Is he throwing on his own personal USO show to entertain as well?
rubberneck on May 1, 2012 at 4:09 PM
Yup. Completely classless.
dogsoldier on May 1, 2012 at 4:09 PM
Obama is despicable and end-zone dancing seems to be the left’s major motivation in everything.
Having said that, good for him. And good for him for rubbing it in. Its an anniversary we can all delight in.
bernverdnardo1 on May 1, 2012 at 4:09 PM
“The special operators who have every right to “spike the football” are too professional to do so. The White House might follow their lead.” — Rumsfeld
Schadenfreude on May 1, 2012 at 4:09 PM
Can’t imagine how fast they’re rewriting tonight’s speech, replacing all of his self-serving “I’s” and “me’s” with references to our “courageous and professional soldiers” and the “team effort” this took. If he gives a speech lauding the Seals and the soldiers still in Afghanistan, you’ll know that their internal polls are showing this strategy to be the disaster it appears to be. Right about now, Barack’s speechwriters are cribbin’ off GWB and Reagan like crazy!
Rational Thought on May 1, 2012 at 4:09 PM
\
Is there any difference what Obama’s doing here?
Afghanistan has been a complete disaster since Obama took it over. We’ve lost more than twice as many soldiers with 3 years of Obama than almost 8 years of Bush. April was the deadliest of the year.
This is all Obama has. I say let him enjoy it. He can give a speech Friday to coordinate with the next awful jobs report from an abandoned Best Buy.
Chuck Schick on May 1, 2012 at 4:10 PM
Before he makes his speech, he needs to ride through the streets on an elephant with an entourage of lamborghini stretch limos and hot slave women in tow. Enough of these half measures.
Kataklysmic on May 1, 2012 at 4:10 PM
There was a time back in the 80′s/90′s, forget when, the Navy was under such intense pressure to have women flying planes off carriers that they cut corners, promoted them before they were ready with the predictable tragic results…
wildcat72 on May 1, 2012 at 4:11 PM
Let’s be honest and admit he could have flown there in a helicopter. And/or, he could have changed out of the flight suit. Of course he wanted the optics of being in the flight suit. I don’t see anything really wrong with it, but let’s not pretend politics did not play a part in it.
Monkeytoe on May 1, 2012 at 4:11 PM
Trolls gonna troll.
farsighted on May 1, 2012 at 4:11 PM
You admitted here a couple of weeks ago that you practice that very same Hatred with your impressionable niece and nephew as much as possible.
F-
Del Dolemonte on May 1, 2012 at 4:12 PM
Lawdog if he didn’t politicize it with the Mitt bashing multiple times you would have a point along with his previous statements of NOT spiking the football
cmsinaz on May 1, 2012 at 4:12 PM
perhaps he’ll have another campaign fund raiser in Kabul; he can charge our servicemen and women $500 a plate to hear his speech on class warfare, war on women, supreme court sucks, I eat dog, and other classic Obama rhetoric…
burserker on May 1, 2012 at 4:12 PM
So….you think the soldiers in Afghanistan would ask Obie for this banner?
Fighton03 on May 1, 2012 at 4:12 PM
The limos need to be pink 1974 Cadillacs with pink shag carpet interiors.
wildcat72 on May 1, 2012 at 4:12 PM
i like that image, sitting in his office in his mom jeans, hitting the kill button again and again..
sesquipedalian on May 1, 2012 at 4:13 PM
I was guessing a White House ceremony honoring living Medal of Honor winners. Obama would have his picture taken surrounded by the heroes, and use it for a fundraising mailer. I would not put anything past him. He used bodies returning to Dover AFB for a photo op.
Wethal on May 1, 2012 at 4:13 PM
Hey – 52%’ers, thanks for electing Chad Ochostinko to be president! Morons.
CycloneCDB on May 1, 2012 at 4:14 PM
After the speech Obama will go to Kabuls best dog dish restauarant
gerrym51 on May 1, 2012 at 4:14 PM
In politics, perception can drive reality. If polls start showing Romney beating O by significant amounts this far out, O will start losing donors, the indies will start drifting to Romney, and the enthusiasm of his base will drain. Plus, other dems running will start to distance themselves. It will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
He cannot allow the polls to move significantly in Romney’s favor. He has to hope it remains close coming into the conventions and then hope for a bounce. Otherwise, once conventional wisdom says he is going to lose, the only thing propping his numbers up – the media’s reluctance to report on all his failures and the bad state of the economy – will basically cut him loose and the bottom will fall out on him.
Monkeytoe on May 1, 2012 at 4:14 PM
His endzone dance should be entertaining.
Sharpie in the sock, sign the football, hand it to Karzai?
gravityman on May 1, 2012 at 4:14 PM
Truer words never spoken. But I’m not sure this is the phrasing you intended.
Fighton03 on May 1, 2012 at 4:14 PM
Isn’t that your usual thought before you fall asleep anyway?
Chuck Schick on May 1, 2012 at 4:15 PM
Eat dog, spike football, lose election.
jan3 on May 1, 2012 at 4:15 PM
An incredible, phony charlatan . . . riding on the courage of others. This is sickening.
rplat on May 1, 2012 at 4:15 PM
yes! there’s also a way not to land on an aircraft carrier adorned with a ‘mission accomplished’ banner while thousands of American kids are still going into their deaths or to get maimed, in a war he started needlessly.
sesquipedalian on May 1, 2012 at 4:16 PM
And the assignment of the very same Spec Ops troops he’s makes no bones about dissing to selfishly benefit himself, will be to keep him safe.
Speakup on May 1, 2012 at 4:16 PM
like the queen of hearts. It’s easy when he doesn’t have to do any work or take any risk.
Fighton03 on May 1, 2012 at 4:16 PM
Thanks so much for admitting that the sum total of your knowledge about this comes from a comedian.
From May 1 2003, Media Matters whined:
http://mediamatters.org/research/200604270005
Del Dolemonte on May 1, 2012 at 4:16 PM
I was thinking they should be Russian ZiL limos, he can ask his buddy Vladimir for some.
Trafalgar on May 1, 2012 at 4:17 PM
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