President Obama: ‘Skeptical’ on More Troops for Afghanistan

way to seel out our troops already in afghanistan and jeopardize their mission barry! all this to appease your liberal kook base, what a ‘leader’- NOT and YOU are supposed to be the more experienced leader than sarah palin (least thats what evryone told us last year)? please barry, after 8 months in office i am still trying to find something you are good at. where’s that birth certificate bro?

I am soooo tired of Barrack Obama ALWAYS
being refered to as OUR BLACK PRESIDENT!
HE IS NOT!!! Why has everyone forgotten his MOTHER??? He is BI-RACIAL!!! HE is NOT BLACK!!! Following this rationale, all biracial people should be considered black…I being 1/4French,1/4 Irish and 1/2Apache should be considered Apache?
I’m just so sick and tired of both he and the pundits (you included)using this misconception as a selling point for politics and policies.
To reiterate…HE IS NOT BLACK-HE IS BI-RACIAL!!!

If this guy isn’t going to fight then he needs to get out before we lose any more of our brave soldiers in vein.
Fish or cut bait Obama.

Historically, even the strongest militaries have rarely won fights against militias.
Americans did not win in Iraq. They shook hands with Sunnis to calm down the situation. Sunnis in Iraq were the ones doing the terror in Iraq.
Pakistan army could not defeat the mukhti bani, which was weaponized and trained by India, and lost East Pakistan.
Russians could not beat Mujahideen, a rag tag militia, though supported heavily by American weapons and CIA/ISI training & orchestration.
I think it will be the best decision if Americans make a deal with taliban, bring the war to an end, & bring soldiers home.
Pakistan’s success over al qaeda is not going to last, it will back fire, every day we hear about terrorist attack despite the success they claim.

If any person that has a project to deliver on, has to have a fair amount of skepticism. Everywhere you look in life there are many obstacles which I call ‘derailers’. If our focus (tunnerl vision) is so attuned to the end product, and we fail to recognize the periperal obstacles that we can miss a better opportunity along our course.
It reminds me of the wonderful people who have tried to remove mines in a field or war zone. Do they run through the course and hope to avoid them? Or do they steadily, but effectively, work their way through and grab what they can, when they can?
If we are not tuned into the peripheral vision obstacles that little the highways of life, than there maybe opportunities missed along the way. Good luck Mr. President.

Well said, bob10001. I wholeheartedly concur.

Is it me or does George seem overly aggressive and borderline rude? He is too eager and even cutting him off. Whats with that?

Funny to see all the Republican hypocrites now blaming Obama for having troops there.

Another renegged campaign pled.
No wonder he is on the road to being the worst ever president.

Yes Monica, it is just you. The rest of us have watched how the old media at least tried to keep a president honest by CHALLENGING his ideas. Remember how democrats said that criticizing Bush was the highest form of patriotism? Dont you believe we have any patriots left in the media?

Just because he holds the job doesn’t mean he knows anything about fighting a war!

George did not do a very good job on this interview. It seems like he set out to argue about the definition of tax rather than the issues at hand. David Gregory got you here George. Much better interview.

LOL, Im laughing so hard, i just heard her saying “45,000 americans die each year because they lose their health insurance, thats one out of every 12 americans.” I know she meant something else, but still, ROFL.

George may be more interested in his ratings!

I am a women, and I want to see a women president, but I want a qualified women president, and that is why I would not have voted for Hilary. It is time for everyone to admit that they voted for Obama because of his race, not because he was qualified and right for the job. The only racism that is going on is that the media and the people that decided they wanted a black president, not Obama for president. Obama knew this and they used this to get elected. You want to have an open honest conversation about race? Then this is where we need to start. And also I’m tired of being talked down to by our representatives and people in the media, as in “normal American people don’t think this way” “silly beliefs” it is time our elected representatives and our press remember who they work for. Us simple, silly, abnormal people are the ones whom pay their paychecks, and give them the money that runs this country.

Texan, I do believe it was a GOP super-majority that landed us in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Texan, I do believe it was a GOP super-majority that landed us in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Posted by: AgressionSucks | Sep 20, 2009 12:11:07 PM
there never was a republican super majority that voted for the wars. Tehre was a majority, but democrats could have filibustered, but they didn’t because the war was popular at the time and they thought they had to vote for it to get reelected. It is that simple. So don’t delude yourself into thinking it was all the republicans fault for everythign wrong in the world.

Finally we have a president who is asking the tough questions and thinking hard about use of our troops. We are in Afghanistan because of the 9/11 terrorist attack and taking away a safe harbor from Al-Qaeda. We are not there to conquer Afghanistan.

If you read, or saw, the interview… This President wants results before commiting MORE American lives… how can any of us find fault in that? The goal of wiping out Al Quida, and capture of the man responsible for 9-11 has become skewed. We need to take that back, but there needs to be results. How can ANY American dispute this?

Afghanistan, and western Pakistan aka Waziristan, is where our troops should have been to begin with – never Iraq. NATO supported it, and we’d be out by now except for Bush — found a cool site; Balkingpoints ; incredible satellite view of earth

Oh, good, politicians in Washington are going to run a war in Afghanistan. It worked so well in Viet Nam.
Regardless of what you may think of Bush, at least he finally listened to his commanders in the field instead of Rumsfeld. When he did, things turned around.

So President Obama whom I voted for…as part of the 21,000 man surge in Afghanistan, what did my son get wounded for on Aug 29th when on foot patrol a suicide bomber blew himself up from just 15 ft away? My son is one of the lucky ones…only ten days later he was back on patrol again. But when he comes home on R&R in Oct he is going to have a veterinarian friend cut some shrapnel out of his shoulder, arm, ear, and thigh. And we will get his hearing tested since he is partially deaf in one ear now. So much to do in just 14 days.

In spite of massive incompetence, George W. Bush left office with 29% still giving him a positive rating; Cheney left with 19% still rating him highly. Many of these die-hards would never vote for a person of color for high office. From these people comes the vitriolic-filled signs and slogans that are personal to President Obama, not issue-based. President Carter merely called out those people, saying: “I think . . . an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity towards President Barrack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African-American.”
I am a litigator; George Will is NOT. Carter is not pounding the table. Liberals are just asking that responsible Republicans call out the race-tinged slogans and behavior where they see it and not let Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh take control of their party.

OBAMA: Here’s what I think. When we came in, basically, there had been drift in our Afghan strategy. Everybody acknowledges that. And I ordered a top to bottom review. The most important thing I wanted was us to refocus on why we’re there. We’re there because al Qaeda killed 3,000 Americans and we cannot allow extremists who want to do violence to the United States to be able to operate with impunity.
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We cannot defeat Al Queda in Afrans because Al Queda is not there. They are now in Pakistan, Yemen and other countries. Our foe in Afrans is the Taliban. Why does the administration keep denying this simple fact.

Bob, you’ve drank the whole pot of kool-aid calling Obama a “trustworthy leader”. Are you serious?

He’s so calm and intelligent. When he explains the way things are, it’s like hearing a voice of reason after a month of fearful children at Town Halls and that Senator from Billybobsville yelling “you lie”.
I’m reminded, why the majority of my America voted for him. Thank you Mr. President. Keep working hard and staying so calm and mature while the other side does the opposite!

The headline is totally misleading, George. Obama was clearly referring to the Afghanistan strategy under bush when he said “we’ve lost – we lost that focus.” You knew that, but wanted to create a controversial headline. Please report the news and stop trying to create it.

Mr. Stephanopoulos,
I want to emphasize why President Obama is absolutely accurate on his description of healthcare being a tax.
I have been constrained with a pre-existing condition since going headfirst through the dashboard of a Volkswagen beetle as a Cadillac hydroplaned into us in 1968 when I was five months old. The result of that has been a “pre-existing” condition of trauma induced epilepsy. I from the age of 17 when it was finally diagnosed, to 1992 when it was possible for me to get health insurance by becoming a contractor for a temporary employment agency that offered health insurance after working all around the beltway; I have done everything in my power to pay my own way and work myself to the ground as hard as possible to “deserve” health insurance. Having spent my entire adulthood seeking to be a responsible person, I am deeply confused by the concept of the majority of the population that they are “owed” healthcare. I believe that I should be paying into it so that when I need a surgery that costs nearly $300,000 to get the seizures controllable by medication, that I was responsible to pay close to 25% of my income to cover. Thanks to a neurologist that suggested that I apply for Medicare, I was able to gain disability and be able to get coverage. From the day that began, I personally worked to get employed to where I did not have to obligate the citizens of the U.S. to pay for me. I was determined to get that to happen and after nearly 10 years of effort including working several years for no income to gain experience to get employed, it did happen.
My husband and I pay $200 every two weeks to pay health insurance premiums.At one point we paid $1,400 per month, but with my pre-existing condition that still was a bargain. I have not heard a single person on either the media side or the governmental side looking for an actual solution to get health insurance for those that want it. The bottom line is that until an American citizen can walk into Humana or Cigna or Blue Cross and buy health insurance the same way they walk into Geico or Nationwide or Progressive to get auto insurance, this is entirely moot. The average citizen who is not below the poverty line or over 65 is not able to get health insurance even if they were more than willing to pay the $900 you and the President both pay on the incomes you both make. That is where the total disconnect is located; and where it needs to be addressed. Particularly as according to the U.S. Census Bureau noted that at the end of 2008, 46.3 million Americans now have no health insurance and are incapable of going to get it. That number has increased in 2009 and the numbers of contractors, temps and the underemployed may very well make that an even more untenable number.
It is accurate that the population beneath the poverty level who is incapable of working for above minimum wage for their lack of education of skills should be covered anyway and charged within their means. Otherwise, as the President noted, “That’s just piling on.” However, as he also noted, “If, on the other hand, we’re giving tax credits, we’ve set up an exchange, you are now part of a big pool, we’ve driven down the costs, we’ve done everything we can and you actually can afford health insurance, but you’ve just decided, you know what, I want to take my chances.” Those of us who have done everything in our power to fulfill our responsibilities as citizens do not deserve to have to pay for choices made by people who do not chose to contribute to a system that they will almost always take away from at some point.
Mr. Stephanopoulos, you brought up the Webster’s Dictionary’s definition of a tax: “a charge, usually of money, imposed by authority on persons or property for public purposes.” The health care costs are not a charge of money imposed by authority on persons for “public purposes”; rather, it is a “user fee.” This is a charge for what a taxpayer and/or ward of the state cost the system for using the healthcare system. If they are willing to become a cost to society without contributing to the society, then that is being a liability to the state. They don’t need to contribute beyond their means, but it is still a user fee, not a tax. The reckless person who figures they are immortal and does not look to when the may need a doctor, is not only being irresponsible to them, their families and the citizens; but is actually assuming that they are entitled without contributing anything to being owed something.
This is frankly part of what we as a society need to work on most fundamentally and until we do, this will never improve.

America has lost her will to complete a mission. For the sake of our soldiers you either go in with full force and protection or you don’t go in at all. You put in as many troops as you can to get the job done. We have the power – we have the force – we just don’t have the will. Our leaders are couch generals.

President Obama on Acorn.
“it is not a major national issue that I pay much attention to.””
His idea of a major national issue is when his black friends are arrested by white cops.

Come on George – generally love the show but pulling out Webster’s to define “tax” in the context of mandatory insurance for those who can afford it is ridiculous! Very pathetic, thinking it will be hard for me to watch the show again.
@ Stephen Hughes – I agree, he is being aggressive to the point of ridiculous!

All we heard during President Bush’s last term was how Iraq was the “wrong war, wrong time, etc) from the likes of Sen. John Kerry, then Senator Barack Obama, and any other liberal spouting leftists talking points. Senator Obama stated on the campaign trail that we should be in Afghanistan, not Iraq.
Fast forward to the fall of 2009 and President Obama’s hand picked Commander of US forces in Afghanistan; Army Gen Stanley McChrystal (a warrior’s warrior with impeccable credentials) will soon issue a sobering report urging more troops be sent to the region. According to the report, failure to send those additional forces risks “mission failure”. Comments by the President this past weekend suggest he may not honor that request. How pathetic Mr. President.
The President seems to be caught between the proverbial “rock and a hard place”. Face the wrath of ultra anti-war, pacifists in congress and those who make up the base of his party or support Gen McChystal’s request. Well like it or not Mr. President, its time to put aside remaking the country and lead on a real issue. Are you really willing to allow the United States to lose a war?

Would someone please tell me what the difference is between socialism and subsidized capitalism? Both of them appear to accomplish the same goal.

THANK YOU FOR NOT LETTING THE PRESIDENT LEAD YOU DOWN THAT CROOKED ROAD HE CALLS TRUTH, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR NOT DRINKING THE KOOLAID.

That’s his decision, but the General is correct….if a significant increase in troops, to totally eliminate the Taliban, is not provided, then we will have simply wasted the last 8 yrs. of our effort there.
You don’t win wars, by going half the distance.

This is the war that Obama said we should be fighting. Remember the campaign, Captain Wee Wee? Did you really mean it?

“”"”"The President has the right idea on focus. Take the time to information gather and make the decision. Lack of focus can mean some costly mistakes “”"”"
Posted by: ruth
Recent history for you. Obama fired the previous General and put McChrystal in there to do exactly as you state: “Take the time to information gather and make the decision”. Now that he hears exactly what the General he fired told him, that they need more troops, he looks to balk on it. He fired one General and in the interim of the new General doing his assessment, we lost more troops than any other month. War doesn’t stop for us to make decisions. We pay Generals alot of money to make those decisions for our military. OBAMA, GIVE THEM THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO WIN NOW!

Obama and his communist cronies want America to fail and lose in Afghanistan.

Outstanding interviewing job George showing once again Preident Obama is trying to pass another pig with lip stick painted on it.

Barak Obama! Way to turn your back on the soldiers in harms way in Afghanistan! Way to break yet another campaign promise! EITHER GET THEM ALL OUT NOW – OR GET THEM ENOUGH MAN POWER TO STOP THEIR SLAUGHTER!
No more of this voting “PRESENT” cr*p. Our kids over over their DYING – and BO can’t even figure out why we are there now? This guy is an UTTER LOSER! HE CAMPAIGNED on THIS being the important WAR – that BUSH should have never taken his eye off THIS war — that he would RAMP IT UP TO WIN! Now he leaves our men there, but not with enough to stop the slaughter???? We have RECORD BREAKING losses of men in the past few months in Afghanistan!

George: I cannot apologize to you for a blog I posted a few months ago basically recounting my observations of you as a high profile network newsman seemingly showing a lean toward your political ideology, often compounding the indication with many leading questions exhibiting the same views. Even as a freelance writer, a journalist should not apologize for a legitimate story properly constructed at the time. I think you were nothing short of stupendous in your interview with President Obama. You were a quintessential member of the Press or media. I will consider you to be the new Walter Winchell if you keep this up.

Thanks George! Finally a liberal willing to speak out in search of the truth! Nice job!

I think that we all need to just let President Obama do his job. For those who always complain about he doesn’t do this and he doesn’t that, why? STOP complaining, what you really want to say is that you are MAD because he’s an African American, and that has blinded your view. Let him do his job, why didn’t we hear all of this when BUSH was in office? Stop being so hateful towards others, because this didn’t start with President Obama, your evil thoughts been in you for a long time and you need to CHECK yourself before it’s to late.

THANK YOU GEORGE; you are the only one who didn’t let Obama intimidate you! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Mr. Obama, with all due respect, I think the generals are more qualified than you are to make assessments on what troop levels we need.

Uhh Al Queda was not in Iraq, think before you post….
RE: No voting present this time, Obama. Lives are at stake. Either bring the Taliban down like Bush did to Al Queda in Iraq, or get out. I will support you either way, but I will not support nor respect a Commander in Chief who continues to vote “present.”

How can anyone say hearts and minds. These people do not care, or they would fight these people themselves. We are losing more and more Soldiers to hearts and minds everyday. We need to be more aggressive. I am so sick and tired of seeing our comrades die in vein, while politicians preach hearts and minds. Hearts and minds is the biggest reason for ill success in Vietnam. If we are here to fight, then let us fight. Quit tieing our hands behind our backs.
Disgruntled Soldier.

I am glad that you people want to take our troops out of Afganistan. That will mean that they will be comming to a neighborhood near you. So when they blow up your business, school or your place of recreation, you will realize what a good idea it was to with draw our troops.

You really expect President Obama to do in 7 months what the idiot that got us all in this mess took 8 YEARS to screw up?
If he coulod do that he would be “The Chosen One”