August 21st, 2009
02:00 PM ET
14 years ago
Obama praises Afghan election
WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama offered strong praise Friday for this week's election in Afghanistan, calling it "an important step forward" in that nation's struggle for democracy and against ideological extremists.
"The future belongs to those who want to build, not ... destroy," Obama said at the White House.
The president said he was struck by the "courage in the face of intimidation" demonstrated by the millions of Afghans who went to the polls. He also emphasized that the United States does not favor any particular candidate.
"Our goal is clear: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and their extremist allies," he said.
"The future belongs to those who want to build, not … destroy"
Enough said... GOP is out, DNC is in!
One election do not a democracy make, but it is a start. While realizing the Taliban is out to destroy not only us but anyone who stands in their way, I hope that someone in Washington has been a good student of the Soviet Union's Afghan debacle. While we're not trying to run that country, there are certain parallels that should be cause for concern.
On another note, President Obama is to be commended for sending greetings to the Muslim world upon the start of Ramadan. I have no doubt that Sarah Palin or similar will come out with something as well. I'm also hoping it won't sound like "Wham, Bam, Alakazam", but I'm not holding my breath.
Yeah. No interest.
We invade the country, but got no interest in the election.
Right.
Then what's Carville doing over there?
What's Blackwater doing over there?
I thought when it was Iran he didn't want to interfere in their county. Guess that was then and this is now. Or is he just scared to death of the little weasel from Iran. Well with his government end of life consultation and wanting to run and control everything the Real Americans of all kinds, faiths, colors are Mad as Hell and we aren't going to be quiet anymore. We are going to act like Obama on the campaign trail and are going to be as noisy and loud as ACORN! The silent majority has learned what works and I'm all for it. If you would of ever listend to us on anything you would't have people so mad.
This is so true President Obama, I hope they can finally have the democracy that they long for.
VACATION!!!!!
He needs a vacation alright, let us go back from January–
Indiana
Ft. Myers Florida
Springfield ILL
Chicago ILL
Ottawa Canada
LA California
London England
Paris France
Prague
Turkey
Iraq
Mexico
Spain
Las Vegas NV
LA California
Arizona
Indiana
New York (Date Night)
Saudi Arabia
Cario Egypt
Germany
France (Again)
Wisconsin
Chicago (Again)
Russia
Italy
Africa
Cleveland Ohio
St.Louis MI
New York (Again)
New Jersey
***************
Virginia
North Carolina
Guadalajara Mexico
Portsmouth New Hampshire
Montana
Colorado
Tusayan Arizona
The Future belongs to those who want to build, not destroy!
Did you read that Palin? if you could read, wouldnt hurt for the Republicans to read as well, Cant wait to see how Bubblehead Palin twist this one uhh Pathetic she is. President Obama I am SO PROUD TO HAVE YOU AS PRESIDENT!
how come the afghanistan military will not proteck there own pepole when voteing
Kid gloves for Obama again.During Katrina Bush was roasted by the press. Going on vacation while the victims suffered. Why is it now that the media does not handle obama the same. we are no more then rats in a maze. As long as the media can pit us against one another we will never be able to see the clear and present danger. Also, thanks for putting up such a fight over the disgraceful release of the Lockerby bomber. Now all our pitiful white house can do is slap his hand for giving him a heroes welcome. What did they think our pal Momar would do. Now that we have affirmed we are spineless whimps, do you think we might be in for more of the same? Way to make a stand Mr president. Joe the Plumber and the rest of those who support our goverment really appreciate being sold out.
How come there own police will not proteck them when voteing bless them preston and kathy
Obama and his cronies are deeply interested in what happens in Afghanistan. He MUST win there. Iraq is slowly backsliding but he made is clear that he was abandoning Iraq for Afghanistan. Now that Afghanistan has a flash of hope he is goign to run with it. I hope he doesn't let all of the positive press he will get from this make him think that the war is won because it is long from over and our troops will remain at a significant disadvantage as long as we are chasing the Taliban through the hills.
if some me wanted to cut off my fingers would i vote pk
Yep> Half Gone again...
@ preston kathy comments
What in the hell are you talking about? Your first comment makes no sense and your second one needs a spell check.
this is good for the afghan people they need to take an active role in their goverment.
They must to have voted the way our government wanted them to.
More Garbage CNN. Barack Obama is really praising Kadafy (whatever his name). Only the American public take Obama at his word. But you know CNN, Just like I do. Li bya. What happens there, stays there. Algeria is right next door. As france k nows of old!
America? The USA talk so BIG, and hide in the pacific...
Duh, I thought he was a muslim who hated Americans, I guess maybe Mr Rush was wrong.
that is an impressive step
More laughable democrat hypocrisy.......if Bush was still president this election would have been "proof" that our military efforts are failing but since it is Obama, well, everything is rosy.
Given the incidences of sporadic violences, we would like to laud the lengthy landmark in the lamentable history of Afghanisthan.
What with the cheating and stuffed ballot boxes it sounds as if ACORN had a lot to do with the election. No wonder Obama. praises the Afgan elections.
"Well with his government end of life consultation and wanting to run and control everything the Real Americans of all kinds, faiths, colors are Mad as Hell and we aren't going to be quiet anymore"
Guess what??!!! I'm a REAL AMERICAN too and the only one I'm mad at is ignorant people like you who believe everything they hear on FalseNews and everything spoon-fed to them by the Republicans who are in the pockets of the insurance companies!
Why is it that "southerncousin" cannot post a comment about ANY subject without bringing ACORN into it???? God, give up the Acorn thing already . . . it's soooooo old and tired!
I like the job President Omaba is doing, but would rather see our troops withdraw from Afghanistan, calling it "an important step backward" towards a balanced budget.
We could have the best health care in the universe if we'd get out of the death trap called Afghanistan.
What good an election is when you have dozens of groups control the country. Have a look accross the border in Iraq and that should tell you how good their elections work. Instead to invest in the lives of our good men and women in the military in the name of democracy and good elections, we might try to open them up few McDonalds, Burger Kings and Pizza Huts.