Barack Obama's administration 'divided' over Afghan war

[Pete]

Barack Obama's administration 'divided' over Afghan war

Woodward's new book - "Obama's Wars"

Ya' know, I don't really like his books but once again wonder if the press would beat the drum harder if Obama was a white Republican.

",,,Among the main points of the book that have emerged are:

* Afghanistan adviser Lt Gen Douglas Lute and Mr Holbrooke appear dubious about US strategy
* President Obama rejected a Pentagon request for 40,000 extra troops
* His main concern is portrayed as reducing US troop numbers
* A withdrawal timetable was set because the president could not "lose the whole Democratic Party"
* Former national intelligence director Admiral Dennis Blair fought with both the White House chief-of-staff and counter-terrorism adviser.........."

[Penn]

Policy via public opinion who would have guessed? Security, CIA op's

Woodward reveals their conflicts through detailed accounts of two dozen closed-door secret strategy sessions and nearly 40 private conversations between Obama and Cabinet officers, key aides and intelligence officials.

[greenberetTFS]

Ya' know, I don't really like his books but once again wonder if the press would beat the drum harder if Obama was a white Republican./quote/Pete

I don't think there's any doubt that they would,no doubt at all............

Big Teddy

[mcarey]

It should be reassuring that this administration had a long debate on the strategy for Afghanistan / Pakistan, it would be if the strategy was sound and the conviction of the commander evident.

Unfortunately, I get the feeleing that some adults and realists were heard and tolerated. And the CinC made a decision trying to please everyone (including many inexperienced and idealistic people on his staff) without having the conviction experience or character to do the right thing for our country and then lead and explain his decision clearly to the people.

I suspect Mr. Woodward has given us a glimpse of our "manager in training" with a trusted staff composed mainly of inexperienced academics and / or intelectual idealogues, coming face to face with reality and professionals that must advise him and only think of our countries best interests.

Yes......, elections have consequences. When electing a president, only leaders need apply, It helps also if they have a wide field of successful friends, as they will likely fill some of the 400+ jobs supporting the executive.

We seem to have gotten a mix of party hacks, professionals, patriots and anti-patriots in this administration. IMHO

[Utah Bob]

It took less time for Roosevelt and Churchill to come up with a viable plan to fight a global conflict involving millions of troops.

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

It took less time for Roosevelt and Churchill to come up with a viable plan to fight a global conflict involving millions of troops.

I guess when the wolf is at the door, you have no options.

It wasn't until Hitler starting droping bombs on England that most started to care. 9/11 is long ago, and most have already forgotten,....(sad).

[drymartini66]

Originally Posted by Pete

Barack Obama's administration 'divided' over Afghan war

Woodward's new book - "Obama's Wars"

Ya' know, I don't really like his books but once again wonder if the press would beat the drum harder if Obama was a white Republican.

",,,Among the main points of the book that have emerged are:

* Afghanistan adviser Lt Gen Douglas Lute and Mr Holbrooke appear dubious about US strategy
* President Obama rejected a Pentagon request for 40,000 extra troops
* His main concern is portrayed as reducing US troop numbers
* A withdrawal timetable was set because the president could not "lose the whole Democratic Party"
* Former national intelligence director Admiral Dennis Blair fought with both the White House chief-of-staff and counter-terrorism adviser.........."

I'm shocked, SHOCKED I say!