Today’s Qs for O’s WH – 9/29/2009
EmailTAPPER: The president today in the Oval Office with the NATO secretary general said that he defined the mission in Afghanistan as dismantling, disrupting, destroying the Al Qaida network and effectively working with the Afghan government to provide the security necessary for that country. What — how would he define "effectively working with the Afghan government to provide the security necessary for that country"? Can you explain more what he means, Robert?
GIBBS: Well, look, I think you've got — I think, as you've seen in places around the world, we've — while we can help the security environment in the short term, there has to be a training mission for police and security forces that that country can use to secure their own territory. Because we cannot stay there forever. Eventually, the functions of security and the functions of policing are going to have to be assumed by the Afghans. So, obviously, some robust training mission has to happen.
TAPPER: That's what you mean by — just, kind of, open-ended concept of they need to be able to arm themselves…
(CROSSTALK)
GIBBS: They have to be able to — they have to be able to secure their own physical territory.
TAPPER: That's obviously not the case right now.
GIBBS: And that's why — that's part of — part of what the president talked about in March and part of what is in — obviously in the assessment from General McChrystal.
TAPPER: One other question is that retired General Gration is quoted in The Washington Post today making comments about U.S. policy toward Sudan that include suggestions that — that his goal is to normalize relations with Sudan. And there are a lot of other comments that have alarmed troops whose existence is to — to object to the genocide in Darfur. Did you guys have a reaction to that comment…
(CROSSTALK)
GIBBS: Well, just — my reaction is more to the story The policy is being worked on. There aren't new announcements of a new policy. Obviously, our policy would not include that unless there were a significant change on the ground in Khartoum.
– jpt
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Good questions answered with stupefying vacuity. I admire you for being able to continue to do your job, Jake. I’d be tempted to give up and take refuge in a monastery.
Posted by: SjB | September 29, 2009, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
Q.
What will Obama do now that the Senate Finance Committee voted DOWN the public option for health care reform??
—A key Senate panel on Tuesday voted against creating a new government health insurance plan to compete with the private market.
The 15-to-8 vote in the Senate Finance Committee could forecast the fate of the public option in the Senate as a whole.
The outcome was expected but still a defeat for liberals who view government-sponsored insurance for the middle class as a key component of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.—
Posted by: Health Czar | September 29, 2009, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
Next!
Like the “Gibberish” name very fitting.
If Gibberish is truely articulating what is going on behind the scenes, then Carter will be moved out of last place any day.
Posted by: TucsonWilly | September 29, 2009, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
How long is the dog and pony show going to last? Robert Gibbs is about as inept at answering meaningful questions as a 2 year old driving a car. I realize, on his behalf, that it is hard to give answers when the administration you work for can’t even make concrete decisions themselves. Having said that, he should be able to piece together a somewhat coherent statement in response to Tapper and others.
Moving on…now is NOT the time for foot dragging in the White House. This man, who is now the leader of the greatest country in the world, can’t make a decision of substance on anything. The office of president is not American Idol. Votes only count once. After gaining the reins of the country, playtime with the media is over. Right now, we have no clue whether more troops will be sent to Afghanistan or whether we will just pull out; no idea how we will respond to Iran, the “diplomatic” way, or with force; not an inkling how long the unemployment and economy downfall will last, or how we will dig out of the enormous debt we are now under; and as far as healthcare??? who knows?? The scary part? Obama doesn’t know either. Yet, our “fearless” leader will find the time to make a solid decision on one thing-making sure Chicago gets the Olympic Games. WOW…he’s really flexing some decision muscle on that one, huh?
Posted by: Shoe | September 29, 2009, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm
“Well, just-my reaction is more to the story. The policy is being worked on. There aren’t any new announcements of a new policy.Obviously our policy wouldn’t include that unless there were significant changes..”
I’m afraid that statement not only sums up this inept spokesman but also this pathetic administration on a whole host of pressing issues.
Posted by: jadams76 | September 29, 2009, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm
We’re never going to give an Afghan government the tanks and heavy weapons they would need to hold onto power.
Time to leave.
Posted by: Flash Override | September 29, 2009, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm