"If you say there's a date certain for withdrawal, your friends and enemies who will be in the region make accommodations accordingly," McCain said.
During Tuesday night's prime time address laying out his Afghanistan troop buildup, President Obama said that a troop withdrawal could begin as early as July 2011.
McCain said Wednesday in an interview on CNN's American Morning that Obama "gave an excellent speech and I think the policy, although it's very extended period of deliberation which is now behind us, is a good one, and I'm confident the president will do exactly as he says."
But the Republican senator from Arizona criticized the president's comments regarding an exit strategy, adding that "it's contradictory to say you're going to have your withdrawal dictated by the situation on the ground, and at the same time say that there's going to about date certain for withdrawal."
McCain challenged the president hours before Obama addressed the nation on his new Afghanistan strategy. The president and members of his war council spent about an hour briefing senior members of Congress at a White House meeting that multiple sources described as businesslike and sobering. Democratic and Republican lawmakers, who attended the meeting, said Obama laid out his plans to escalate the military mission before several lawmakers asked questions.
Three GOP sources told CNN that Sen. John McCain used the meeting to directly challenge the president on his exit strategy. The sources said that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell deferred to McCain, who questioned the concept of announcing now plans to begin withdrawing in July, 2011. These sources said the president responded to McCain by promising that the withdrawal would be based on conditions on the ground.
McCain also says he has problems with the administration's civilian strategy in Afghanistan.
"Another concern I have has to do with the civilian side of our counterinsurgency strategy," said McCain in his opening statement at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Wednesday morning on Afghanistan. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were among the witnesses at the hearing.
McCain, the ranking Republican on the committee, said "I am concerned that we and our allies do not have a unified plan to 'build' – to work with and support our Afghan partners, in Kabul and beyond, as they build their own nation, their own economy, and their own free institutions. I'm also concerned by reports of divisions in our embassy, and by major differences between our commander and our ambassador."
In his speech at West Point Tuesday night, Obama declared that the U.S. " will work with our partners, the United Nations, and the Afghan people to pursue a more effective civilian strategy, so that the government can take advantage of improved security. This effort must be based on performance. The days of providing a blank check are over."
–CNN's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn
From CNN Politics
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Who cares what this loonie toon says. He still thinks palin has a chance in 2012.He lost, get over it for gods sake.
Warmonger McCain at it again. So happy he did not get elected we already be in Iran fighting. I hope he along with other Republicans do not get reelected.
The WAR was THE Mistake......DON'T THESE GOP PEOPLE GET IT.
War IS NOT the ANSWER and WAR-MONGERING won't work anymore, MR McPAIN.
The ONLY nation to call us the 'SUPER POWER' is US.......NO other country considers us a 'super power'. AND the ONLY way we deserve that title is because WE try to CONCOUR EVERY Nation that has 'treasures' for us to steal!
Didn't McCain already challenge Obama... and LOSE? Time to go home and hit the rocker, John.
McCain is not Commander in Chief, its easy to criticize when you are not the one having to make the tough decisions!
For the last EIGHT YEARS the Bush Regime FOCUSED of Iraq! The evidence is clear that Bush & his cronies did not care much about Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda was based, where the attacks of 9/11 were launched. Yet Bush, DICK , and Rummy all focused on Iraq...... for their OIL!
No matter what President Obama decided the Republicans were going to demonize, criticize him!
Doesn’t sound like he challenged him, it sounds like he agreed with him, and questioned why Obama put a date on the situation. I guess you can’t ask questions anymore without the media distorting the information to CREATE a story.
John McCain lost, he is not president, he should support President Obama.
So out of the first 4 stories on the ticker 2 stories are about mccain warning the president. Who cares what this moron has to say. Why does cnn run with this story as if it has some added importance because OLD MAN mccain says it. He lost the election because people did not like or trust his solutions to the mounting problems. CNN get over this guy and start reporting the news instead of tring to create the news.
When they are part of those who messed up Afghanistan and Iraq in the first place I think perhaps they should keep quiet and let the elected president try something a different way.
The republicans challenge any and everything Pres. Obama says and does because negative remarks are their only weapon. Let us not forget they are the party who messed up this economy, sent our soldiers into an unjust war in Irag, taking our eyes off Afghan., the thousand s of people who died, gave tax cuts to the rich. And Pres. Obama is simply trying to fix these problems. Lets not forget the George Bush reign of terror. Everytime a republican speaks up against Pres. Obama, lets not forget.
Of course McCain knows better than great generals like Powell and Eisenhower both of which included exit strategies in their overall strategies.
The republicans have taught me that America sucks and everything is bad. I am now convinced there is no God.
been there ssix years to long now should have been won and done at torra-borra. telling afgan,s you got two years to shape up or were shipping out is the only way to get that goverment moving. macain wanting to be there 100 years not good idea
Dude get over it. You are no longer relevant and no one cares what you think. Go plan a tea party.
Exactly Senator. An exit time line is stupid. we leave after we win. Exit timelines are for appeasers, losers and morons
thank God there was no strategey for WW2.
We know how to win this war, we just need to find our spine and get it done.
Apparently the Republicans have a problem listening. He stated that it would start in 18 months. He also said that it was dependant on the conditions there in Afghanistan. There is nothing wrong is stating that we won't be there forever. This doesn't rule out troops going back or staying longer; though I would rather there be no need for them to stay longer, it may be needed.
Nothing the President does will appease the gun-toting "war is the answer" (but no taxes to pay for it) Republicans. Remember, folks, this is the same man who wanted to put an unknown incompetent as No. 2 in the White House. Says a lot for his judgement.
Ahh, but Americans only remember anything for 15 seconds and want instant gratification anyway. The MI complex (and the economy) needs another Vietnam...err Iraq....err Afghanistan. Meanwhile they still can't find Bin Laden and his chiefs, or Mullah Omar.
No statesmen, no leadership, no compassion, no societal interest. Ain't the GOP great! We're Number 1! Yay
McCain is just challenged in general.
Doy!
He'd be right except for one small detail.
The Taliban/Al Qaeda are surrounded on all sides and with this they have nowhere to run too. Oh sure some will slip away but the majority will be rounded up and hopefully killed. This fact John McCain knows full well but he's playing to his ever shrinking power base by making the same tired pronouncements . And anyway, how could you possibly trust someone who chose Sarah Palin as a running mate.
Sorry John McCain. You are doomed to becoming ever more irrelevant.
Decisive... Deliberate... thoughtful....
yes... and political... pale... makes me puke.
McCain is right on this one. The president has just given the terrorists a timeline that they can plan on. All they have to do is wait it out and they will be back in business.
Who cares what McCain wants? He is just like Bush, everything has to have a war factor. He was once in the military during Vietnam and was a prisoner, which I respect, but so were thousands of other soldiers and that does not give them the right to believe that they are smart enough to lead this war. And neither is McCain. Obama is the president and he makes the decisions. Period. Repubs had 8 years to get this right but choose to invade Iraq and cause thousands of American deaths. Both McCain and the draft dodging Cheney need to go hide in the undisclosed location and hopefully stay there!!!
Give the inept pilot (Songbird) another old plane to crash – maybe then he'll be happy. He's no strategist and has long ago outlived his usefulness in the Senate.
VOTE HIM OUT ARIZONA.
ENOUGH Senator McCain! So much for support your COUNTRY.
There are always OPTIONs and this MY THOUGHT is BETTER than yours need to QUIT, when there are LIVES on the LINE.
I find it PATHETIC that POLITICs are in the middle of this. The real question is how can we get out of this quickly with a WIN and minimum LOSS of lives.
hmmmm....
Obama is a weak, weak leader. No one believes he has the guts to do what it takes to win that war. May as well pull out now and let Al Queda re-infest the place with terrorists. That's what will happen after he has telegraphed he's leaving in 2011. He'll sacrifice no telling how many lives and how much money to reach the same result, a reconstitution of terrorists camps and attacks on us that someone else will have to deal with after he's done his one term.
I think that McCain needs to keep his big mouth closed. We need to say that we are leaving and stick to it. If Afghanistan wants to stabilize the country, they can do it while we are there. McCain gets credibility for having been a POW. You can only milk that cow so many times before the milk gets sour. And sour John is.
I think President Obama has done a terrific job in collecting data, information and military strategies from military experts to end this war and bring our beloved troops home. He was slow and deliberate that's what I like about him – he gets it right! John McCain didn't have a worthwhile opinion on this eight-year war when George Bush was president so why should anyone listen to him now? Many say he's a war hawk what do you think???????
No, the President’s message went something like this: "Afghanistan, we'll help you clear out your troublemakers because it is in our best interests to do so, but we won't be around to bolster your efforts forever. You have eighteen months of U.S. support. After that, we'll leave and pursue other options to advance our national security. You’ll be on your own as a sovereign nation without an occupying U.S. force, but we won’t make any promises about what we’ll need to do to protect our citizens."
Must I remind everyone that John McCain was not elected president. I think the majority of our population agreed that the McCain plan of "war-war-war" was not exactly what we wanted!
Hopefully, with an exit strategy, Obama can finish the job that he inherited.
John, retire, will ya? Nobody cares what you think anymore. Not even Palin.
McCain challenged Obama once and lost. When will he learn? Atleast in this challenge he will not be able to pick "Bar-Be-Que Barbie as his running mate.
Yes, McCain. We've seen how well the republican war strategy has gone. You do realize that, in seven years, your hero bush couldn't win in Afghanistan (or five years in Iraq). Your war strategy is a loser. Let's let the adult who studies issues and formulates a plan, and ACTUALLY listens to the generals (rather than firing them till he gets the story he wants) run the show.
Your team botched this war for seven years, and the one in Iraq for five years. Oh, and last time I checked, the target of "Dead or Alive" is still quite alive, and not captured.
You and bush failed. Shut the .... up and let the adults handle things.
Hey John, what about that plan you had to capture Bin Laden? Remember you talked about it during the debates last year. You said you knew exactly how to get him.
Why don't you just resign and spend your $.
McCain is correct. That hurt. But he is in the sense that you don't want to publicize your exit timeline. Although I can see why the President, perhaps, did it. Psychologically it might make a difference to those serving tours of duty to know when this conflict will be brought to an end. I am sure, however, that before we "pull out" the President stated that he will assess the situation on the ground first. God go before you Mr. President.
So Mr. McCain the reason why is moral. It gives our troops and end date, gives the American people a day to end the war. It's open ended because if the situation is bad then the war efforts will remain the same. Is it really that hard to understand?
McCain is right , its like handing over your list of plays , in order , in a football game.
I agree with McCain.
The surge is good and is needed, but don't share our playbook with people who hate us.
Leave it to the wise one who gave us Sarah Palin – in addition to a huge list of monumental blunders to tell the President what to do.
and John Mccain knows it all?
He knows military because he was several years in the Hanoi Hilton?
What makes him an expert? We saw some of his choices.
Did he question W loudly and W's faulty strategy?
Just glad, that he is not president.
We need to leave Afghanistan. Nobody won a war in this country in decades, no matter how many military buildup or cruel.
Ask the British, the Russian and everybody else.
If you buy a house and you find a big pile of dog doo in the kitchen do you just keep walking around it and hope it goes away? Do you clean it up? I guess President Obama prefers to clean it up.
Typical mealy-mouthed Conservative opposition.
I support the president's plan because it is good but I oppose it because it is bad. I am staunchly for goodness wherever it can be found, but I courageously oppose badness in all its forms. I support the troops but I oppose their commander. I support victory but I oppose defeat. If this plan works, I supported it from the beginning, but if it fails, everyone should realize that I was against it from the beginning.
Only Fred Astaire was capable of better dancing than this.
If McCain hadn't lost all credibility in the run up to the last election, his opinion might actually matter, but alas, he chose a different route.
If I recall correctly, McCains posture on the war hasn't actually been that accurate. The old man is still screaming at clouds.
During Obama's campaign he trumped about ending the war in Iraq. But what he really meant was that he was just going to take the troops from Iraq and send them to Afghanistan. Support our troops, bring 'em home. There is no reason to continue doing this.
He said the troops WOULD START coming home in 2011. He did not say ALL of them! Quit mincing words with Obama, McCain. He is the President, not YOU! He deserves at least a chance to exert his strategy. We had to put up with 8 LONG years of Bush's failed strategies, so give Obama a break and give him an opportunity to TRY and prove himself. If anythhing's making the country more insecure and look weak, it's all the backbiters here at home who should be getting in the ranks and helping to be part of the solution and not part of the problem! Get off your old-man, overpaid duff McCain and HELP clean up the mess that is left before our country right now!!!
Who listens to this guy? Doesn't he know that he lost the election? Yet he continues to spout the same old ideas and positions as if they have broad support.
His arguments are flawed and weak. Obama has explained how the strengths of having a timetable outweigh not having one.
I think the President did a good job. The exit strategy is good because it shows that he thinking of ways to get our troops out instead leaving them in for 8 more years.
I think that people have never had a President who really think and seek out the best solution to a problem. If we had a government over there that really cared for his people he would be working with our President instead of just turning the other cheek.
Give the President credit for even thinking about our troops instead of how the Bush adminstration thought about going to war for nothing.
Let's stand with the President and not against him. This have been the problem since Obama was elected as the Commander in Chief.
Since when has Senator Mc Cain become a "military strategist" ? After eight long years in Afganistan and Iraq, what up until this point has anything really been accomplished. It is time to exit Iraq and time to meet Al Quada head on, kill or capture Bin Laden (if he not already dead) and bring our troops home!
"If you say there's a date certain for withdrawal, your friends and enemies who will be in the region make accommodations accordingly," McCain said.
That is exactly the point. As Obama said very plainly in his speech, the Afghans need to take responsibility for their own country, and part of that is knowing that we won't always be there to prop them up.
My favorite line from Obama's speech was something like this–
"The nation I'm most interested in building is America."
Amen!
He is nothing more than a wimp pacificist. He had to give an exit timetable, even though that goes against any military theory, in order to hold his bleeding heart liberals together. They needed a crumb, and that's what he gave them. He demonstrates over and over again why he is not qualified to be the President of this great country.
McCain would have said just the opposite had Obama said there should be no time line.. he would have been screaming about it being irresponsible and financially catastrophic to have no exit strategy. You lost McCain.. get over it.
In saner times having a clearly defined mission and a clear exit strategy was called the Powell Doctrine. McCain, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield etc. put the Powell Doctrine into the shredder and the end result was an 8 year quagmire i Iraq and Afghanastan. These wingnut clowns are full of it.
Now let us have war tax on rich and also draft to see how republicans support on the pretax of national security war every where in the world to pocket miilions from there defence contractors.
This from a man who pledged during the debates to be able to find Bin Laden within 100 days if elected president. Well, since he knows the secret and isn't telling, perhaps he needs to be tried for treason.
what is it with these old angry white guys – they have done all they could to destroy the country and cannot believe that no one cares (except other old white guys) what they say. I am not sure about Obama's war plan but I believe he is doing the right thing. I don't like it but at least he is not lying to us – like the Bush people did for 8 years. I believe that unlike bush and company – Obama really does care about the people serving in that part of the world, so he continues to get my support.
And McCain's alternate is plan is what? Sneak out of Afghanistan in the middle of the night, on tiptoe? Go back to sleep, John. Past your bedtime.
John McCain: "the economy is strong." Why are we still listening to this man?
Regardless what the President says, the Republicans are always going to find something to criticize. I feel that the President is trying his best to clean up the mess the Republicans caused, and once the mess is cleaned up, he can govern the way he wants. The Republicans messed this nation up, now our President must straighten it up.
Everyone is challenging Obama, cause he has no clue. WE NEED CHANGE, FAST!!!
McCain can't lead or follow but he can get out of the way.
Didn't he challenge Obama last year and loose? I keep hoping that Dorothy and Toto will come along and escort McCain to Emerald City to see if the Wizard will give him a brain. Of course, he will probably need to bring Sarah Palin's broomstick along to compensate the Wizard for his efforts.
So it looks like we are going to add troops for the most part huh? As for a withdrawal or timetable to wind down our troops, that's a lil too much on my part. I don't believe anybody knows for certain what obstacles await in the next couple of years. Is all talk and anything can happen in the next year or so.
I'm cool with that, I am. I didn't see the speech myself but based on what I'm reading, it looks good. I ain't a fan when someone tries to predict what will happen in the next couple of years, especially when my boy promised to close Gitmo, for example. So far, promises haven't been made, they've been complicated. But I am pleased that global leaders worldwide, the power players, have expressed support. We need em as well as we need the resources necessary and commitment to accomplish this mission.
As for how much of a difference this mission will alter will depend on how much progress is made or how you define progress, it all depends. As far as I'm concerned, our troops for Iraq were supposed to be winding down as early as this new year coming up. Will it happen? Maybe, maybe not. But I wouldn't be too optimistic about it. The same applies to the war in Afghan. But there are very vivid, uncharacteristic differences between the two countries, each one has their own internal set of problems.
Is good he finally made a decision, but this is politics for the most part. Anything else predicting what will happen later on is a bunch of b--- and all talk, I've heard it plenty of times and I already see the tendency towards it. I don't care if you lie, I lie but do it in a courteous, manneristic and humanistic way. I don't care if you lie and keep everything confidential and not tell us the truth, I would prefer it that way but with this Administration being so erratic and unorthodox at times, they can't seem to control or balance their own set of terms.
We'll see what happens.
I agree with Senator McCain. Management by objectives is fine, but, do NOT give a deadline to the enemy. I am sure the Taliban will be happy to sit on things until 2011.
Is anyone else curious about the 2011 date? If the next election were 2014, would that date be 2013?
Ahh. The war monger wants to pretend he's a god. I see. Sorry, but McCain has as much credibility as other other Republican... none.
i wish he had challenged Bush, may we wouldn't be bogged down in this mess, suddenly everyone has seen the light
I think Mr. McCain and the rest of the hawkish republicans should be the first one's to be shipped over there so they can put their useful skills and military expertise where the mouth is. Here is your M16 guys the Taliban is that way,now go get them.
Apparently John and the chicken hawk Republicans didn't really learn ANYTHING from the Viet Nam war. When stupid Washington politicians, most of whom never served in the armed forces, get America involved in a civil war in another country, someone eventually has to have the courage to come up with an exit strategy. Al Qaeda has now fled Afghanistan for Pakistan and we are now fighting the Taliban. This was not the purpose for the war even if we are in so much disagreement with their religious extremism. So now what, John, chase the terrorists into Pakistan, then to Somalia. Heck with that attitude we could just go from invading one Muslim country to another until...wait a minute, right-wing Christian fundamentalists encouraging us to invade Muslim countries? Hummmm, now that's something to ponder further!
RVN 1970-72
We tried the Bush-McCain policy in Afghanistan for the last 8 years, and it did not work very well. McCain is like the old man who drives his car into a ditch every other day, and then wants to tell responsible drivers how to drive. No one who supported leaving Afghanistan to a few U.S. Soldiers, and invading Iraq with troops, that should have been used to win in Afghanistan, should say anything about what we should do in Afghanistan today. Bush and his supporters are the ones who blundered in Afghanistan. Obama is trying to pick up the pieces of 8 years of blundering. We do not have the resources in money and young lives to stay in Afghanistan for 100 years. Starting a war with Iraq, before we finished the war in Afghanistan was a terrible blunder. McCain should have studied Lincoln. When Lincoln was encouraged to attack British Ships during the Civil War, Lincoln said "one war at a time."
Stop trying to make news CNN. The timetable of withdrawal will based on conditions and recommendations on the ground. No matter what this president does, there will always be a critic.
When is CNN and the other news media going to represent what Obama said in his speech. He said troop withdrawal will be based on conditions on the ground.
This is just false news reporting if you keep omitting a very important part of his speech.......most americans I believe heard the man say it is BASED ON CONDITIONS ON THE GROUND.
The author Peter Bergen also said the news media has missed this part of the speech.
McCain is right about the exit date. The Taliban will just sit and wait. It took Obama 80 days to come up with this strategy. Hope we never have an emergency.
I really think, well hope is more like it, that this was just Obama throwing his hateful lib base a bone with this timeline, clear thinkers know that what is happening on the ground dictates when we leave.
I love how all these narcisisst libs, the most hateful people this nation has ever seen, are saying that Obama is going back on his word by sending additional troops to afganistan. Sorry libs, Obama has always said that he takes this war seriously and that he would do whatever it takes to root out those who attacked us in Afganistan. Never once did he say he would bring all the troops home from there, yeah Iraq maybe, but not Afganistan. Micheal Moore is a liar for saying that Obama is going back on his promise to those who voted for him, Obama never made such a promise and repeadidly stated quite the opposite.
Obama can't go along with lib blinded foolishness like the rest, if we get attacked again its on him, well to 75% of us, the other 25% will blame Bush just as they do when things like their car not starting in the morning, but these people are evil. Obama should be thanked for doing the right thing here, and unlike the left with Bush, the right will be objectve on this with Obama, as they have been since 1-20-09. The left can continue thinking that patriots like Palin are the enemy, the rest of us know its Al Queda.
Hey Mcian where was this challange for Bush after he BOTCHED that same war for 7 years.Typical hypicritical Rethugiican attack squad tatics.Do as I say not as I do.By the way after 2 money scandles that have wrecked cali and the nation, you need to go retire to fla. The country will do just fine without you.
I just dont understand McCain. What is so hard to understand. The President said he will begin withdrawling troops based on conditions on the ground. If they are not good troops will stay, if thing are good to go then are troops go, easy right. Nobody is saying we will leave for sure so McCain needs to relax.
How did seven years of no plan, no objectives, and no deadlines work out for you? I'm convinced that I put more effort into planning a trip to the grocery store than GWB put into planning two wars. And you were in a position as a Senator to ask bush about his plan, but you rubber stampped everything bush wanted to do. Your oversight then was short sighted, and after seven years of absolute failure in prosecuting two wars, you neocons just need to get out of the way and let the adults lead.
I'm so glad we went with the smart one!
You can have an exit strategy without advertising it to the world.
In all fair sense, the title of this article is misleading from what it actually portrays. Everyone has voiced questions on the exit plan but Mc Cain openly voiced strong support for Obama's decision to increase troops in Afghan. Therefore he "challenging" obama's decision is very misleading.
This is the same statement that McCain used during the campaign. He must have dozed off during the part of the President's speech about "conditions on the ground." It is part of a fallacious belief that an absolute "victory" can be "won" in a war against terrorism, war against drugs. war against poverty etc-total nonsense unless one is a fool.
We have been there 8 years and other than blowing more holes in the already destroyed country, what have we done? It's time to realize that the greatest threat to us is the poverty and, above all, illiteracy of these people. If the troops are going to be staying they should build schools and roads and guard those, not the politically corrupt grasping power.
I hope they realize that, with this exit strategy made clear (and I agree with Obama on this), the powerful in that country will have to get their house in order or die when we leave.
Yawn. This is the same man who, during his captivity in Vietnam, told his fellow POWs to believe in Nixon...that Nixon would win the war (it's documented that he said these things)...and who has now said, as recently as within the past week (and constantly for 3 months), that he basically believes, contrary to the specific intent of the founding fathers in making the POTUS a civilian subject to the will of the people via election process, that the generals should be making these decisions while the POTUS simply implements them. Did he learn nothing from Nixon's negligence in having relied so thoroughly on his "commanders on the ground"? Yet somehow he'll be the first one to accuse Obama of risking another Vietnam debacle. Seriously, on this subject, Pampers McCain has all the credibility of a length of dental floss making its not-so-subtle re-appearance shortly after the family dog mistook the bathroom trash can for his food dish. We shouldn't even have to ignore him...he should simply shut up and go play cribbage with grandma.
McCain already challenged Obama...it was called the Election of 2008...he lost.
Who cares what McCain thinks !!! The American people sure don't or they would have elected him to make the decisions . Go away now you two time loser.
Stop stop stop, Him and sarah lost the election why so much media on him like sarah.
American people rejected Mr. Mccain!!
Right, it makes so much more sense to have no deadline, so that our enemies make accommodations accordingly–i.e., continue to drum up support for themselves based on our foreign occupation and endless mission creep. And while we all pay our the nose for it, of course. McCain seems to think this is WWII, not a complex police action that is going to have major points of failure no matter what we do. Armies ain't cops, and Bin Laden already got away.
Friends and enemies will also "make accommodations" if they think we will be there on on open-ended basis.
Enemies may "lay low", but friends who want to see stability and a reduction in militants will "step it up" if they think there is an expiration date to our involvement.
The cowardly old lion want to throw his two cents in again. How long before the medication he's on kicks in and allows him to realize that America decisively voted against him and his war-mongering policies?
The GENERALS said they are OK with it... The Sec of Defense said he is OK with it... The Sec of State said she is OK with it... Everyone who participated in developing this strategy is OK with it.
I am confident that they know more that McCain can comprehend about this.
We don't care what you think McCain! You picked a bimbo to be your running mate! All your credibility went down the drain with that decision!
Go somewhere and hide!
Watching McCain on TV makes my skin crawl! This guy is scary! We are not going to win this one, so stop using the term! At best we, our magnificent military, will put such a hurt on our enemies that it will take them decades to come back. There is NOTHING that is going to stop these "scum" from conducting small attacks on us and others!
Unless, McCain is ready to drop "nukes" on these people & wipe them out totally, we are, sadly, going to have to deal with attacks!
McCain is a war monger who just wants to see us over in this losing situation for a long time, although I am not certain why he wants this. The exit time is a clear indication to the troops and the generals that we have a job to do and an expectation that it be done in a certain period of time, I would think that the generals would follow the orders of the commander in chief and get the job done instead of thinking that they can just drag this on and on and on. The people are tired of this war as it is. I doubt that we can win it and it is sucking up too many of our resources. Bush believed the wars would help the economy and give us more oil, He was wrong and staying in Afghanistan forever is also wrong. We need to be spending that 30 billion additional dollars here, building the economy not wasting it in a foreign country that does not want us there in the first place.
Sour Grapes from the Loser who brought us Sarah Palin...
Thanks McCain!
Papasan in AZ
I would think McCain and the newly fiscal-conservative Republicans would applaoud the idea that we can't keep dumping loads of money into wrecks like Afghanistan and Halliburton. An end date wakes everybody up (especially the Afghans) to get their act together or else. We can't be their welfare check forever.
Wise words from McCain. Obama should've consulted with him before deciding - , a signal of humbleness he might have sent, rather than listening only to the weak Dems' advice, people well-known for their low performance in conflict management.
McCain just hasn't realized that he lost and is basically a "has been".
Has anyone told John McCain that the election is over. Your challenging the wrong person . Why don't you challenge the idiots in your own party . You voted for these wars , and you knew the consequences of war. Just becuase you where a POW , don't mean that you are a expert on fighting wars.
Dear Mr McCain,
Nobody can take your criticism seriously because of your proven lack of judgement. Wink, Wink. You Betcha.
Besides, you lost the election.
Who cares what John McCain says. The Republican's are going to find fault where ever they can and they are going to spend more time and American's money trying to disrupt policy. John McCain is responsible for killing thousands of Americans every year by not control is lobby's (Insurance) allowing them to become mega rich on the backs of sick people. Money over Humanity. John McCain is responsible for dieing Americans. Who Cares What He Has To Say. He Doesw Not Care About AMERICANS
*Sigh*
Go away John. The President has plenty of other more highly qualified people to get advice from. Stop playing the politics and getting on a soapbox about it. You're not that important anymore.
I find it unlikely anyone would just pull all the Troops out and pretend it didn't exist. More than likely they are going to continue training and supporting the Afghan armies and pull out our troops replacing them with Afghan troops who will be able to take care of themselves.
Pulling out 30k+ troops does not mean there will be 30k+ less troops, just less American and NATO troops.
We don't need to stay in these countries for years and decades fighting their fights for them.
You know the saying, Give a man a Fish....
John "Muddle through in Afganistan" McCain has absolutely no credibility on this matter. GW Bush left a mess for Pres. Obama. If Bush would have finished the job 8 years ago instead of waging a war on Iraq based on lies then we wouldn't be in this mess. The President is going the least worse way out of Afganistan. There are no good options thanks to the Bushies (that includes you McCain).
Yes, let's all listen to Mr. Wise Decision Maker. What a great decision getting Palin as your running mate. How did that work out for ya, wink wink! McCain torpedoed any vestige of credibility he had when he knowingly considered putting know-nothing Palin a heartbeat away from the Presidency. The man is a mockery of himself!
Telling the enemy, your every move, gets to be rather stupid, now doesn't it?
I just love the way these republicans NOW have all the right answers. Before, under the previous administration, it would have been, lets stay as long as we can ,spend all that we can and give all the corrupt afgan politicians enough to live in luxury for the rest of their lives.
isn't mcstain the warmongering, senile, hothead that got his butt kicked in the last election ?? funny how the repugs are more than willing to throw soldiers into the fire when they get to call the shots, yet when someone that doesn't buy their line of sh!t takes over, they politicize the whole mess ... God he needs to retire into the abyss
That is why President Obama is President and John McCain is "not".
I cannot believe that people are complaining about an exit strategy. You have to assume you are going to win if you are really ever going to do so. We are the most powerful nation in the world and if we cannot say that we will crush the Taliban like the cockroaches that they are within a certain time-frame then we give them more credit than we should. Of course, as Obama said, that the time-line will be reviewed based on the situation on the ground so if for some reason we cannot wipe out these terrorists by said time then we will take whatever time is needed until we can. Think positive everyone that we are strong enough to beat them.
We challenge and lost we challenge again! Some people do not know when is enough?
McCain is only worried about himself. He probably complained when his mama bathed him. He is a loud mouthed, attention grabber, war loving, self-centered, hot air blowing fool. He needs to just shut up, and keep his comments to himself. He is the best weapon any enemy could have. If he loved this country, he would keep his trap shut. He has direct access to the President, and behind closed doors he could air his concerns and worries.
Why do we have a President anyway?? Everyone always seems to know better, and think they can do better
The only way McCAin is going to be happy is if the US is at war with the world. The US can't stay in Afghanistan forever. An exit strategy and a time line for the afghan and Pakistani is crucial for the Us. We need a way to get out of the country.
I have a deep respect for John McCain, but that said...
After unleashing The Wicked Witch of the West on us, I can't say that I have a deep respect for his judgment anymore.
Are people still arguing against time tables because our enemies will "wait us out"? I mean I realize the LAST thing we want is for our enemies to stop attacking our troops so they can actually get things done!
Isn't it odd that we have not heard a peep from McCain and his buddies in the GOP regarding a war strategy? They do love to start wars, a few of them actually love fighting in them, and none of them know how to end them.
The Fighting-in-Them group does not include, obviously, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and that group of draft-dodging sludge muffins.
Will the enemy, in turn, tell us how they will fight this war?
I think not.
It is very obvious that this administration has no clue about military operations. DO NOT GIVE A WITHDRAWAL DATE. That's a big "DUH!!" Shades of Viet Nam, but this time it's Obama's war, That's the problem with having a Commander in Chief that only knows how to use the troops to escort him across the White House lawn, or as a photo op.
Very thoughtful observations and commentary by McCain. He should have been elected President. Too bad we're now stuck with Obama for 3 more years.
He's just going to end up cutting and running out of Afghanistan before his re-election campaign. Of course he'll blame it on everybody else as usual. I fear he's just minimally fulfilling a campaign promise just to say he did, while not taking decisive action to WIN. Did he EVER say WIN in his speech? I don't think so.
I fear the loses we suffer there over the next few years will be in vain because Obama doesn't have the will to WIN it.
Yes Mr. McCain! In addition, We're also concerned with the differences that exist among Democrats and Republicans, Democrats and Moderate Liberals, Republicans and the President, Democrats and the President, citizens and the Goverment.................................and the list goes on...tell me Mr. McCain what else is new?
John McCain started making this same speech in 1966 and hasn't deviated from it one bit since. Vietnam, Iraq and now Afganistan. Time for a Dr. Phil moment; "how's that working for you John?"
Since when do you tell your enemies how long you plan to stay there. !18 months: is he serious? Our enemies want to destroy us. They must destroy us according to their religion. Like the North Vietnamese, time means nothing to them. The President dosen't get it.
McCain can have all the "concerns" he wants. What he should be doing is supporting the President and the military commissioned to implement the plan, not undermining them as he always does. The Taliban and Qaida need to believe that America is united behind its efforts to end their terrorism and reshape the governance of the area for the better security and well being of the all the world. McCain does nothing to promote America's efforts except blow hot air. So should the pundits and the media support the President and his military officers and stop undercutting them, second guessing them in the name of profits. When the terrorists know that America is united, they will have second thoughts and take us seriously. When they know that American politicians and social groups undermine the President for their own internal political agendas, the Taliban just laughs at us. McCain should know this and so should you, CNN.
Why does Obama have his news conferences at locations outside
the White House? I can only imagine the costs . What is wrong with broadcasting from the Oval Office?
I do agree with Sen.McCain-I do not believe Obama should have announced a specific exit date.
Right. Let's do exactly the what Bush did and fail - don't have ANY strategy at all.
When Rumsfeld, the man who let Bin Laden go and who designed the *snort* strategy *chuckle* of invading and occupying Iraq, was pressed on how long Iraq would take he had no problem giving out an estimate.
The right-wing loonies said nothing. They just sound like whining cry babies at this point. I wish Obama would pull us out of both nations and cut the military budget by 25% to save money durring this recession. I will still give him till the end of this term to address his campaign promises.
Campaign promises which included a planned escalation in Afghanistan. This should be no surprise.
The point was to give people a general idea that yes, we intend to leave. The generals advising McCain if he were president would say the same thing. But I suppose McCain thinks he knows more than anyone about anything. Why not sit in on those meetings if you have good ideas? Because you don't have good ideas and you know it.
The Republicans want this WAR, they don't care how strapped the military is or the pressures it is putting on this country financially and on our troops and their families.......this is what they wanted MORE TROOPS now that they got what they wanted they are still complaining that the withdrawal is to soon.......they don't care how much money we have to spend for this war or how long we have to stay, they just want WAR (for what? to prove we are the toughest , meanest country in this World – so don't mess with us)........but they sure don't want the Obama administration to pass the Health Care Bill because it is to expensive and they say it will put our country into too much debt (what do they think this WAR is going to do?)......but they want the WARS to continue.........I don't understand why they don't want this WAR to end........the Afgans have 18 months to get their act together after that we leave which is the way it should be......that is their country and they should be putting every effort forward to help themselves and they should know that we are not going to help them if they don't try to help themselves
Senator McCain is directly recycling an old flawed argument used by the neocon Bush administration merely to justify the continued occupation of Iraq, possibly the largest bloodiest stain in U.S. history. It's really just the latest example of the "new" McCain, the "anti-rogue", as opposed to the pre-election McCain, who was truly the "rogue" for daring to reach across the aisle and be more moderate. Palin's been misusing the label ever since.
I suppose it's possible that he missed the part about the mission being changed, from "winning" a war of insurgency, which is only possible if you've won "hearts and minds" and not squandered them during an eight year occupation not provisioned to win anything, to a mission of simply supporting the Afghanistan military to come up to speed and fight their own civil war. The latter is best accomplished when the Afghan people and government fully respect that we are leaving in a fixed time frame, and therefore do not assume that we intend to occupy their land indefinitely (like the Soviets did and like McCain suggested for Iraq).
Besides, the real purpose of the troop surge is just to force the more moderate Taliban elements to sue for peace, something they hardly have motive to do if they think they're winning (as is the status quo).
Decisions like this are way too important to be used for partisan gain. I really wish the Republicans would come together on this one.
Oh John, haven't seen you for a while. . .nothing really to say right?
Your party in an uproar, Republicans had the previous 8 years to set things in a good direction, yet you were woefully unable to do so and you are not a guiding light of the GOP any longer. Now the President has made a difficult decision in sending more troops into Afghanistan (which you agree with), yet you still criticize about the exit strategy. You are amazing. Can't leave it alone. Would it not be prudent to set a drawdown date of 2011 that is contingent on the activity that is going on at the time? Get your crystal ball out and let's just see what you might be doing in 18 – 24 months. . . oh, I see you retired and staying out of the media eye and certainly not harping on everything that President Obama says or does. I've probably got that wrong, as the GOP will have another talking puppet to fill your spot!
Who cares what McCain thinks? He is not the president-so therefore does not warrant even a response to what he says. McCain & Cheney need to retire somewhere- so they can shoot at each other.
McCain spent years building a reputation as a straight talker who was willing to buck the party line in the better interests of the country. He also often embraced the notion of chain of command and unity behind the commander in chief in times of war. So who is this person who looks like McCain and speaks like McCain but does not have the values of McCain?
"Our decisions will be made on where we are at, at that time" Mr. Mcain, the President did not say 100% that he was pulling troops on the target date. He was expressing to the american people, based on advice from military and political leaders, on when he hopes that succes will take place. I would rather here that than, we'll be over there for 10 to 15 years. I ask Senator McCain how we can sustain this war without the funds to do so? Once again the republicans are anxious to go out and kick but, but no way to pay for it.
If Mr. McCain wants us to not have a timeline, perhaps he could go out on a limb by raising the taxes necesary to pay for an indefinite timeline. I don't see him risking his political skin to help our war effort.
I agree with most of McCains questions. The one I have is: If the enemy knows you're withdrawing in an cettain amount of time why shouldn't they just drop back like they did before and wait until you leave? They done it before it has been an age old stragedy used there for centuries. They will not be overthrown with such silly nonsense. Hasn't Obama ever studied history? Afghanistan has had wars there forever just like in Vietnam. No one has defeated them yet. If you were a civilian would you want to fall in with the Americans knowing they were forsaking you in three years. You talk about the killing fields of Vietnam you ain't seen nothing yet Bud!
What would you have the President do Mr. McCain ? Sit on his laurels like a past President as it goes to pot. There needs to be goals that must be met and a willingness on the part of the Afgan people. It's there country and they need to step up. Speaking of challenging the President, you already tried that. Hopefully you haven't forgotten that you lost the presidency. Who is the voice of the Republican Party ??? It seems like anyone on that side can spout off without the support of the rest of the GOP.
McCain should be POTUS – America would be 100 times better than under obama...
Repunks just cant say anything nice about Obama. or are they confused over the difference between a working timeline and a date certain? let me make it clear to you: the Powell doctrine says a feasible exit strategy must be in place before you go in–like firefighters knowing where the exits are before they enter a burning building. John just be thankful you lost the election: Sarah would have pushed you down the white house stairs already
What reasonable person wouldn't have grave doubts about Obama's hello/goodbye strategy?
NOW FOR THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY:
I agree with most of McCains questions. The one I have is: If the enemy knows you're withdrawing in an cettain amount of time why shouldn't they just drop back like they did before and wait until you leave? They done it before it has been an age old stragedy used there for centuries. They will not be overthrown with such silly nonsense. Hasn't Obama ever studied history? Afghanistan has had wars there forever just like in Vietnam. No one has defeated them yet. If you were a civilian would you want to fall in with the Americans knowing they were forsaking you in three years. You talk about the killing fields of Vietnam you ain't seen nothing yet Bud!
"Your friends and enemies make plans accordingly", that is the plan, Sen McCain. The Afgan government must plan to train and deploy their own forces to fight their own enemies. The Taliban will have to plan to negotiate with the Afgan government. We are not there to nation build. If we had not pulled back 6 yaers ago, Bin Laden would have been captured or killed. Now we have to clean up yet another mess left by the Bushies. Overe the next two years, we will train the Afgans to take care of themselves, and they will choose how they want to live and be governed.
John McCain will do and say whatever it takes to stay in the spotlight and remain relevant, at least in his own mind. He has no real understanding of the situation, since he already knows "how to get Al-Qaeda and Bin Laden...:" as he stated in the election. Yet, in spite of the good will he could generate by sharing his secret, he keeps his pie-hole closed and attacks the president. Hot news flash John, you aren't a maverick, you are just old.
McCain doesn't get it. Setting a timetable forces the Afghan government to get it together. They know that if we pull out and they're not prepared to take over, their goose is cooked. McCain's plan for victory was actually pretty good. He suggested crashing airplanes into the Taliban. Obama considered this option but decided that it was too expensive. Have a nice day!
Everything he said was OK but geeeeezzzz, NEVER give your enemies a date unless it is one you are going to kill them with.
Sen. McCain already lost his challenge last year. His campaign strategy and actions proved how poorly he thinks to formulate a plan. It was a blessing to America that he lost
So, we are going to have a surge, but we will announce 18 months in advance the date we will quit and leave. This is nothing but a political ploy to keep the Obama extremist party happy. It also proves that Obama is willing to sacrifice American soldiers lives in his quest for power and reelection. For any of you Obama lemmings who agree with this "exit strategy" let me ask you this question, say you are buying a new car, and the salesman says it cost $35,000 today, but then under his breath he tells you if you wait six months he can sell it to you for $15,000, what would you do? I thought so, and if we have learned anything from the taliban and Al-Qaeda, it is that they have the patience to wait for the opportunity to kill.
This old right-wing relic is a joke. A public option to the health care plan is "too expensive". But, when it comes to spending time and money on senseless wars, these conservatives can't get enough. John McCain, you are a filthy sac of pus.
The request for at the very least 40000, with 80000 being ideal.
Obama sends 30000. Why? If he's going to do it, send the maximum. Not 10000 less than the minimum.
You think the troops have a better chance with 30k vs 40-80k?
And don't tell me NATO is going to give us quality troops to make up the difference....they won't. Even if they could, our troops have a better chance of success with American troops vs NATO troops.
Love the timetable....withdraw right before the election. Wouldn't want a war to get in the way of campaigning now would we?
I'm glad Obama finally made a decision and made himself clear. I hope it works and i look forward to seeing how things play out. For all those who feel betrayed, i ask you Why? He's been consistant on this issue since it began. Do you remember when he Voted for the Afgan conflict, and against the Iraq invasion? Remember during the campaign he promised to finish up in Iraq in a responcible way and redirect our focus in Afganistan? I ask you to also remember 9/11. I know that memory was used and abused to justify a second war, and to justify an attack on our civil liberties- but it doesnt make it any less important to remember. We have Goals again, Direction again, and a Cause. Lets take that and finish the job.
Of course our enemies in the region will plan accordingly. That is why we need to get this current government up and running, help them with security ect....then we can leave on time. A clock ticking forces them to deal with the issue rather than turn their heads and say "security......oh the Americans have that one"....no more. Not our families!!!
John McCain is again and again going against everything President Obama does, if President Obama send troops he critize him, if Obama does not send troops he does the same thing.
I have the feeling that this man cannot accept that Obama won the election is something that bother him so much, my feeling that John do not believe Obama should be President of the United States.
I do not think that this situation is about skin color I think that John believe that he deserve to be President the reason he was a war prisioner and a Almiral son, sometimes this man get to forget that thousands of poor men and some of them minority lost their lifes in Viet Nam and Hundred of those men are homeless suffering fron mental illness and most people do not give a dam about them.
I watch this man on TV and this man is a bitter man she should get over and tried to help this country and forget about his personal ambition he never ever will be President of the United States.
Ideassoul
As a strong Democrat, I can't believe I'm saying this but...I agree with McCain. How can our withdrawal be based on ground conditions if we already have a specific date for withdrawal? Like McCain also said, al-Qaeda and the Taliban will just plan around this date.
I'm glad Obama is opposed to trying rebuild Afghan society, like Bush tried to do with Iraq. We need to leave domestic matters like that to the Afghan people themselves.
I wonder whether this war, or even the larger War on Terror, is winnable...We are up against a people fueled by their religious ideology. To them, this is an issue about pleasing their god and winning eternal glory. They are not going down easily. This was our undoing in Vietnam, where the North Vietnamese and Vietcong kept their resolve because they were fighting on principle.
Oh, John, oh John, don't you remember what happened the last time you challenged Obama???????????
I'm tired of the phony argument that we can't have a timeline for withdrawal because then all the enemy has to do is wait us out. As if they don't know already that we will leave eventually? As if it hasn't been their strategy all along to keep fighting until we leave? As if they don't have the example of Viet Nam to look at to see that eventually, Americans get fed up with wars and go home?
The fact is, we should have left years ago. Things would not be any worse than they are now if we had, thousands of dead people would still be alive, and our financial situation would have been much better. There is no doubt that Bush/Cheney are responsible, because the war should have ended on their shift. The objective should have been limited to getting Bin Laden, and they couldn't even get that right.
Now Obama is compounding the mistake in order to look tough. I propose that next time we have a problem like Bin Laden, we offer a large reward for his capture and forgo the war. It will be much cheaper, faster, and more effective.
McCain already challenged Obama...and he LOST.
A message for Senator McCain, with due respect, when making statements you need to do some research. A class from Columbia on The Pashtun Tribal People might help you. You would learn these Tribal people are fiercely independant, close knit with very strong beliefs on "family" protection and stronger belief on their version of "honor". They are suspicious of neighboring tribes and "southerners" let alone what they consider invading American troops. If you would even have them attend "talks" they need to hear you, as an uninvited guest, has "plans to leave" their homes. They dont believe in promises, their version of honor does not recognize promises, just acts. A definite departure date is what they want to hear. Perhaps if you would take time to educate your Republican colleagues, they too could understand there are people in this world with cultures and customs very different from ours and, most importantly, we need to respect their customs.
lets all be happy that this president is smart enough to make an exit strategy.. so John please go back to what ever it is you were doing .. ( taking a nap ) and leave the decisions to the president that we elected . not you or PALIN . should be heard from about important matters ..
the speech was perfect . he covered everything we know to be right and in an american way of moving forward.. peace and safety to our president
Senator Mccain is right on with his concerns of an exit date being announced. How can you win a war when you tell the enemy exactly what you are going to do? I saw a retired General on tv last night saying how our troops were going to surround one city in Afganastan and that is our plan. Do they think that no one else is listening to our plan. I would think to be successful in a battle, the element of surprise would have be much more effective.
Why on earth should we give any credibility to a man who was willing to have Sarah Palin one heartbeat away from the Presidency?
He and his Republican associates have zero credibility on any issue
and should remember who got us into this mess in the first place.
The Republicans may rejoice at Obama's falling poll figures but they should realize that because he goes down does not mean that the poll figures of the "ecomic Royalists" to use FDR's phrase, will go up.
I saw this on the news. McCain at one point said the only way to win a war is to crush the will of the enemy. This is why he is not president.
I thought he already did during the election season and lost.
What does he wants to talk about again?
McCain need to go and challenge Cheney and Bush
I hope you Liberals understand that Senator McCain is absolutely right. He is a military man.
What he said – "If you say there's a date certain for withdrawal, your friends and enemies who will be in the region make accommodations accordingly," is 100% TRUE.
I also did not like how we laid out exactly what regions of Afghanistan we are going to be attacking. This should be done secretly.
I am behind our president 100% with his decision. As President Obama said last night, we must take it to the terrorists and kill or capture them.
McCain as PResident would've been Disaterous!
McCain is clearly a warmonger for opposing an exit strategy!
McCain clearly loves war since he's against exit strategies and for open ended committments.
McCain is a war failure, not a war hero!
McCain clearly suffers from PTSD from his days in Vietnam...thankgoodness he's not president, or else he'd already hit the button.
How predictable, McCain once again disagrees with the president. It's so tiresome to hear McCain's endless criticism. No matter what Obama does McCain is the first in line to say it's wrong. When I think of McCain I always think, "That's the guy that unleashed the vapid Sarah Palin on us, why would I ever listen to his opinion about anything?"
mccain is a loser. thank god he isn't president. he is so eager to send others' off to die for nothing. All you conservatives so eager for war; hope to see you at the army recruitment center.
Of course he has a better idea. He knows everything, that's why he lost the election! Now, let the REAL president do his job as he and dozens of others who worked on this decision Give it a shot! This is not the time for every politician to add his criticism. This is the time, if we ever want to end this war, for ALL to get behind the president and his advisors. Sure, you all want your opinions published so that if things don't go too well you can pop up and say, "I told you so"! What ever happened to the UNITED States of America?????
hey lowball Johnny! You are irrelevant. Maybe you haven't caught up to the fact that you have no national constituency, and will never contend on the national political stage. I didn't read this article, but I stopped by to comment. Just doing you a favor. Go back to your district and take care of a water project or something. Maybe U of AZ can give you an honorary degree. yawn
I agree with his concerns about Obama talking about an exit strategy when the additional troops were not even sent. It was just the wrong forum and time to talk about an exit strategy in Afghanistan.
McCain is still disgruntled and "offended". He needs to get over himself already!
McCain needs to give up the ghost and quit looking like a poor loser like he is.
While I respect Senator McCain's military service, I disagree with his views. The goal is to start turning security over to Afgan forces in 2011, if that works then we may be able to start withdrawal of combat forces. This concept is called establishing a goal, something that has been lacking under past plans. It does not signal a pull out date where the bad guys just sit back until 2011 and we are gone, but it does serve notice to the Afgan government that they have to build their security forces both military and police to accept an expanded role in the security of their nation and that they have until 2011 to have forces in place to start pulling their load.
criticizing the commander in chief during a time of war is treasonous. this is true because rush limbaugh said so.
I respect John McCain and his support of Obama's troop buildup in Afganistan but take issue with his criticism of Obama's exit strategy. In wars past we have fought on, sacrificing lives for less than necessary means, with no clear objectives, and no clear plan in place for leaving. If The President had not proposed an exit strategy, others would have come down on him as being unprepared. While he has given the country a 3 year timeframe, we know that he is willing to stay longer if the situation on the ground dictates it, as we have seen in Iraq. We are committed. Our service men and women are headed out! It's time to stand behind them (maybe do some sacrificing of our own) and make sure that when they return they will be proud of us as well!!!
I don't think the timeline really hurts the military strategy. Even if the Taliban lay low until 2011, that's still a victory because it gives more time to focus on training up the Afghan forces. Besides that, Taliban still have to fight if they want to keep control of the remote/tribal regions, and 30,000 more troops is gonna make it a lot harder for them. Like all things, inaction leads to atrophy. The Taliban needs successes to maintain internal alliances, recruit new soldiers, and secure resources and supplies. Without military operations, the Taliban faces losing its primary raison d'etre. Plus, this isn't just a military war, it's a huge diplomatic effort to force the Afghan government to perform and root out corruption. You gotta blend military strategy with other goals, like accountability. Setting a timeline is a way of telling the Afghan govt to stop messing around and get with the program.
Sometimes I think McCain thinks he's using a fork when he should have a spoon....on the one hand he tends to agree the strategy. However not the timeline, but then he agrees with some of what the
general has said, but not Obama...Confusion runs rampant. Could it be somewhere in the back of his mind that he could have done better given the chance (if he had one the presidential election)...I think the
stress of the country and the pullings from all corners of the world would have made him even more confused when it comes to making decisions about the war...and sometimes being that he is war veteran he feels that he can operate at a much higher level when it comes to
war strategies.
John, you lost, get over it. President Obama is cleaning up the mess that you, Bush and Cheney started. I am so proud to have a really smart man in the Oval Office.
Just shut up, McCain. The president is right in providign a timeline within which troops would beging to come home should the situation on the ground improve. And, it will. The President did not say he will withdraw all forces! he said we will begin to withdraw – begin to withdraw, Mccain. Just shut up and go back to one of your seven houses. God bless our troops!
What does this old man knows, I can't even immagine the Arizonians electing this guy to the senate, he changes his stories according to which way the wind blowas, they don't want deficit but then they don't want to end the war, is he going to pay for this war from his wifes coffers, shut up McCain, we are not interested in your old fashioned ideas.
McCain is obligated to make all the 'right' sort of noises, but he surely understands that the blather about any supposed, nebulous exit date... is just a handy sop his War Party partner Obama has to throw out there to all those deluded 'liberals' and so-called 'progressives' who still support him and swallow the war agenda.
Who can really doubt that both 'leaders' are on the same page at the end of the day? And who can now possibly doubt the wisdom of awarding The Chosen One that 'Peace Prize'?
What does McCain know about anything except fear-mongering?
Isn't he the one who got himself caught in Vietnam where he
spent 5 years as a POW?
Like Bush, Cheney, Rice, et all – McCain: crawl back into the
hole you came from.