By Douglas V. Gibbs
Remember how when Barack Obama was a Senator and all he did was vote "present"? He did so because he didn't want to take a position, and then it come back to bite him later. Barack Obama is a hard left Marxist, but when he can, he tests the political winds, and is careful not to commit himself one way or another - just in case.
Afghanistan is no different for him.
I believe that Obama wants nothing more than to place a timetable on Afghanistan, and be out of the entire Middle East as soon as possible. However, he ran on the premise that Afghanistan is the good war, and that Iraq was the bad war, so he has a certain amount of obligation to remain in Afghanistan. He's torn between wanting to pull all out, and sticking to his campaign rhetoric.
Now, he is in a very difficult position, politically. His generals are asking for more troops, and he would like to listen to his military advisors because one of his greatest criticisms of Bush was that Dubya didn't listen to his generals. But, Obama does not agree with McChrystal and gang that Afghanistan should receive more troops. For politics-sake, he can't do the opposite, but he can't do what they want - so he does both.
In a sense, Obama is voting "present." He is not doing what his generals want, but is claiming that his strategy incorporates "the best elements" of the "proposals" he's been receiving.
It is funny, isn't it? The guy who claimed to be something different is politics as usual, more worried about his popularity than doing what he believes to be the right thing.
That makes him a coward that hides from commitment.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
Gates Says Afghan Plan Will Mix Various Proposals - New York Times
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