Nov 20, 2009 10:38am
No Thanksgiving Troop Decision
EmailThat’s the headline from my White House sources this morning. Week after at the earliest, and they’re eyeing a number of venues — not just Oval Office.
Administration is also shrugging off those attacks on Tim Geithner — even as they struggle to contain the populist revolt fueling the broadsides.
The best remedy, Democratic strategists argue, is success on health care — starting with winning over Blanche Lincoln by 8 pm tomorrow.
Watch my conversation about all this from GMA:
–George Stephanopoulos
Mitt Romney's Full Speech at CPAC 2012 
Romney Makes His Case to Conservatives at CPAC
Obama contended that Bush took his eyes
off the ball in Afghanistan and focused
too much on Iraq. This proves Obama has
no #####.
Posted by: wis134 | November 20, 2009, 11:31 am 11:31 am
I sure hope when Obama sits down with his family this Thanksgiving, enjoying his meal, laughing and visiting with friends, that he for once will just try to imagine the families of our brave men and women in Afganistan. Remember these soldiers in harms way and those that will lose their lives…..oh wait, just woke up from that dream. What a huge waste of a president!
Posted by: Survivor61 | November 20, 2009, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
Still trying to outsource the decision.
Posted by: Lizzie | November 20, 2009, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
I think our President is doing the very best that he and his cabinet members can do. I think and feel for whatsoever reason there may be, the people in general are being too hardball and hardcore on him and with him. You have to remember that we voted him in as a President for these United States and he certainly is not God. If he and his administration act too fast in these hard decisions, you will have something ugly to say. So I think that he needs to take his and his administration time in trying to make the right decisions for all concerns. You also have to remember that these problems existed before he came in Office and he is trying to do the uttermost good in these situations. So just lay-off and let-up on him and his administration. Pray for them for God to help them and lead them in the right mold/right frame of directions and decisions making, and give them the guidelines that they need. He and his administration would love to have ALL THE SOLDIERS/TROOPS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS PERIOD. But this thing is one step at a time. So, please people, show some grace and mercy for our President and his administration.
GOD BLESS AMERICAN AND HER PEOPLE/ISRAEL AND ALL OTHER COUNTRIES
Posted by: GloGlo | November 20, 2009, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm
Good God Alminghty !!
Well Folks
This will not be a bumppy ride.
This looks(is) the biggest (another) nut shell (con) game of the century.
This looks(is) a remake of an old George C. Scott film–Flim Flam Man– today starring CIC,FG and best supporting actor/actress NP and HR.
It’s no fun being old with memories. But through the cobweb and ringing comes an ancient tune by Judy Collins. It deals with something about a revolution — NOW — (poor old).
Well Folks
Have you heard the story(ies) from China. You know that Communist State with its’ craddle to the grave program. I’ll bet you those old country folks there will have glorious story(ies) to tell….(the program die).
God Bless !!
We are…American !!
PS: Since China is buying up the worlds’ resources, why not have CIC give Afghan to China. I’m sure China knows how to deal with the Tallies and al-cup-cakes.
Mission Success !!
Posted by: TobinMCRet | November 20, 2009, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm
ohbummer.
Posted by: gatorsnc | November 20, 2009, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
GloGlo – show some grace and mercy on him, are you kidding me? What grace and mercy has he shown our service men and women? They are dying! Giving up their lives so that smug ### can raise his chin when on TV and act like he is all that. Well excuse me, I don’t owe him anything! He has to earn it and he has not done ONE thing yet for him to earn my mercy, trust or respect!
Posted by: Survivor61 | November 20, 2009, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
What a low life slithering snake! dumBO won’t make a decision because he is afraid the results will hurt his ponzi scheme health bill. Either pull them out, or reinforce our troops LOW LIFE. Impeach this commy jr community organizer NOW!
Posted by: Todd | November 20, 2009, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
Who wants to bet that the “decision” will be announced during primetime TV hours?
This guy is a loser of a bad joke.
Posted by: enough already | November 20, 2009, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
This President will not make a decision that involves the Military, because he is afraid of causing problems with his extreme liberal friends. But he is not the first Democratic President that cannot make a decision regarding the Military, and a war that is ongoing. I personally belief is is weak and spineless liberal. He would rather put everyone in America in debt than do the right thing for our men and women who are defending us. His priority is health care and nothing else.
Posted by: Lara | November 20, 2009, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm
we’ll probably sitting around the christmas tree waiting for a decision. it’s completely obvious that obama wants someone to hand him a plan that is exactly what he wants…and that’s not leadership. he’s the president and commander in chief. his job is to take the best advice he can get and the formulate his own plan. if someone else were capable of providing a gift-wrapped plan suitable to obama’s liking, then THAT person should be making the decisions. i know it’s becoming almost a cliche, but you can’t vote “present” as president. at some point the analysis must yield to decision-making…he can’t sit around forever waiting for the perfect answer. after all, didn’t bill clinton just get all kinds of love-fest swooning from the left when he went to capitol hill and said “there’s no such thing as a perfect” health care bill? well, there’s also no such thing as a perfect war strategy.
Posted by: davidfrat21 | November 20, 2009, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
From a guy who made such a fuss about Afgahnistan while campaigning, and completely opposing the very successful “surge” in Iraq, why am I not surprised by his indecision.
Maybe you could help him out George. Take a poll and give him the results.
Posted by: Kate | November 20, 2009, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
If the administration really thinks that passing some sort of a combo of the house and senate HCR is going to tamper the populist anger, the truly, truly are out of touch with the average, typical, hard working (for those who still have jobs) Americans.
Posted by: Katrina | November 20, 2009, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
for all those touting the “i’m so glad we have a president who will take the time necessary to contemplate every possibility before making rash decisions like bush”, i’d like to know your thoughts on why the great contemplator was so hades-bent on getting a health care bill rammed through congress in 7 weeks before the august break. someone please explain to me how the virtue of analysis paralysis doesn’t apply to overhauling 1/6 of the u.s. economy.
Posted by: davidfrat21 | November 20, 2009, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
Lizzie:
Nice…would you have said that about President Bush?
Posted by: Steve | November 20, 2009, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
enough already I bet you are right. May be on Oprah saying goodby to her on a show next week or Letterman. Kids are dying while he does not make a haste decision. Yet I agree with another poster that he sure is hastingly pushing health care. What a thinker he is. Have a good thanksgiving and I hope we have peace for one day for our kids in battle.
Posted by: Jim Rod | November 20, 2009, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
david
Can I add to your post. Obama also rammed that stimulus bill through rather hastily.
I remember him saying something about bills being posted for weeks to be thuroughly read and understood before signing.
Heck, I don’t think he read it.
But he had to hurry, had all those shovel ready jobs that needed to be filled. And to prevent unemployment from reaching 8% by the end of summer.
Posted by: Kate | November 20, 2009, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm
I think our president is doing the best he can, just like a previous poster. He is just proving to be a horrible president.
Posted by: jonny | November 20, 2009, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
Obama again turning his back on the military… They do make a good photo op though. Obama must be defeated in 2010 and 2012!
Posted by: RM | November 20, 2009, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
Then that should be a lesson to the nation Jonny.
Don’t elect a president on slogans. Also the media was not vetting him like they should. They were feverishly vetting Sarah Palin instead.
We are the ones who pay, literally. Obama may infact be trying hard. But that’s what we get for electing a community organizer. Running something, anything, that required a decision would and should be a prerequisite.
Posted by: Kate | November 20, 2009, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
Maybe Obama will surprise us all.
Just like Bush did that first year he sent them to Iraq and Thanksgiving rolled around. He showed up.
Maybe Obama will just show up in Afgahnistan with a turkey. And a decision.
Posted by: woman who deer hunts tomorrow | November 20, 2009, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
womanwhohuntsdeer, unfortunately, the moment he walks off the plane he’ll be delivering a turkey.
Posted by: davidfrat21 | November 20, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
Nice thought Woman – but I have a feeling the troops will be getting their MREs and the President will be getting his turkey and arugala.
Posted by: Katrina | November 20, 2009, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
Gallup Daily tracking from Nov. 17-19 shows President Barack Obama’s job approval slipping to 49% for the first time in his presidency. Among post-World War II presidents, only Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan dropped below the symbolic majority approval level faster than Obama did.
Posted by: ajax | November 20, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
No Thanksgiving decision, no Christmas decision, no New Year’s decision and probably no Easter decision… This guy is in WAY over his head!
Posted by: Brenda | November 20, 2009, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
Who said that the President should decide on anything? President= a person who presides, or, in Obama’s interpretation, the one who is simply “present” in the White House.
Posted by: H1N1hysteria | November 20, 2009, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
H1N1 said:” the one who is simply “present” in the White House.”
He doesn’t stay at the WH.
Posted by: ajax | November 20, 2009, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
A president who does not have the backs of the men & women out there fighting for him should be a shamed.
This president needs to either man up or listin
Posted by: USMC mom | November 20, 2009, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
But if Obama decides to send 40,000 troops, will that be in the ‘jobs created’ report next time?
Posted by: LongT | November 20, 2009, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm
Everything is a political calculation with this guy.
Posted by: LongT | November 20, 2009, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
He is the star of the not ready for
primetime players. Ridiculous.
Posted by: wis134 | November 20, 2009, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
This guy fiddles while our soldiers die.
Thanks a lot for the “hope”.
Posted by: jonny | November 20, 2009, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
We have elected a president who doesn’t possess any leadership abilities. It’s a real shame because our true heroes, our serviceman, need an answer. Personally I feel the General in the field knows a whole lot more regarding the situation then a politician in Washington.
Posted by: Rick | November 20, 2009, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
From thoughtful deliberation, to dithering, to indecision, to incompetence. This President is comfortable only when running for President. Get in or get out!
Posted by: jerry | November 20, 2009, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
And tell us George, who is your source? Another White House leak that both Gates and Obama have complained about?
Posted by: BachisBest | November 20, 2009, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
Obama must be calling his boss Georgie Soros daily asking what to do.
Posted by: Bill | November 20, 2009, 10:33 pm 10:33 pm
It’s been 3 months since the general he appointed asked for a minimum of 44,000 troops. McCrystal wanted to ask for 69,000 but was told to ask for the bear minimum. 3 months and no decision. Is it because of the health bill and not wanting to anger his base? Or is it because he is way over his head.
Best comment on here…Don’t elect a president on slogans.
Stupid people weakened this country 1 year ago and by the looks of the health care bill you may have destroyed this great country.
Posted by: Disappointed | November 20, 2009, 11:24 pm 11:24 pm
I can not beleive this dummie President we have.The commander there in the field knows what he is doing yet this so called President thinks he knows better .SAD, then why in the hell since he can not make any decisions jus pull out of there completly.I sure would not want to be in the military under Oduma .Wake up dum bo then get out there.
Posted by: Joeray | November 20, 2009, 11:26 pm 11:26 pm
There you go again! Dither,Dither,Dither!
Posted by: quark genning | November 20, 2009, 11:59 pm 11:59 pm
So what? He’s “dithering.” What are we supposed to do? What the last administration did?
Posted by: Robert Maxwell | November 21, 2009, 12:35 am 12:35 am
Obama is a student of Saul Alinsky a Markist professer and Obama makes his decissions based on Alinsky’s rule book.
So expect Obama’s decission on Afghanistan to be make from Alinsky’s rule book. It appears thats what Vice President Biden was referring to when he said we would not like Obama’s decission when Obama has to deal with a crisses.
Posted by: John Demeter | November 21, 2009, 12:51 am 12:51 am
I think it’s necessary to challenge the argument that Obama has no huevos and is “dithigering.”
Would you have us rush into a terrirtorial war without thinking?
We did that in Vietnam.
Posted by: Robert Maxwell | November 21, 2009, 1:13 am 1:13 am
robertmaxwell, first, we’ve been in afghanistan for over 7 years, so “rushing” in has nothing to do with it. second, we didn’t “rush” into vietnam. the first american soldier was killed there in 1945. by 1951 we were providing $500 million a year in support to pro-french forces, by 1955 we had military advisors on the ground. so, we were deeply involved in vietnam for more than a decade before the gulf of tonkin incident. just because most americans had no idea where the country was, we didn’t “rush” in, whatever your thoughts are on the war itself.
Posted by: davidfrat21 | November 21, 2009, 6:53 am 6:53 am
His lack of being able to make a decision is no different then his 130+ ‘PRESENT’ voting record in the senate. This guy can’t make a decision. In the mean time he is putting our troops in more danger. Oh BTW… the health care bill must pass this year. Give me a break. His leadership abilities of the past, which amount to NONE, are showing their ugly face now.
Posted by: Phil | November 21, 2009, 7:03 am 7:03 am
He was the one who deemed everything
else critical in time related decisions..
like the big fat waste of taxpayers money
called a stimulus. Now when it comes to
life and death and the morale of our
soldiers, he wants to take his good natured time. This guy is a loser and
not smart enough to know that dilly dallying around is a decision and makes
this country look weak. He does bow to
world leaders because when you have no
backbone, its hard to stand up straight.
Get off the dime already and do something. This is not the student council at your local high school anymore.
Posted by: wis134 | November 21, 2009, 8:13 am 8:13 am
I don’t see why Obama should be lambasted for “dithering.” After all, we’ve been there for about 8 years and it’s a complex situation. Our own military estimates about 100 members of al Qaeda left in Afghanistan. We’re not fighting them. We’re fighting the Taliban, a strictly Afghan nationalistic movement organized against a corrupt central government. Vietnam redux. Bush has asked us to wait 50 years for historians to judge his presidency. Let’s give Obama 4 years.
Posted by: Robert Maxwell | November 21, 2009, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
See idiots follow the polls. It makes me laugh when the media quotes the polls. Isn’t funny how alot of us out here have never been polled but the same people constantly get polled over & over again. Thank God we have a President that isn’t falling for the do it now idea when it comes to our troops. Maybe if some of you idiots on here actually had someone fighting then you would know alot of them want this President to make the right decision not the wrong. Haven’t any of you learned from the cowboy President what a quick decison does for us. Guess you haven’t learned. The cowboy President made the quick decison and look where we are today fighting wars that he screwed up. Bush took his eye off of Afghanistan for how many years?
Posted by: sharon | November 22, 2009, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
Dear Americans,
Electing in time of wars and economic troubles someone based on his orals and unrealistic slogans, with zero military and business experience, and suspicious links, but with no real achievements of any kind, has been shocking on your part. Your leftist media indeed did mercilessly jump on poor Sarah rather than focus a sharp look, when it was necessary, on the one that you have elected. “Yes, you can” and will survive three more years!!!
Posted by: George | November 26, 2009, 12:37 am 12:37 am