President Obama Declines To Define Victory In Afghanistan
EmailABC News’ Mary Bruce (@marykbruce) reports:
President Obama said today that “the tide of war is receding” in Afghanistan, but declined to define what victory in the war-torn country would look like.
Instead, the president told reporters at a White House press conference that the U.S. is being successful in its missions, which he described as being “narrowly drawn” and focused on making sure al-Qaeda cannot attack the U.S. and helping Afghans maintain their own security.
Asked about yesterday’s deadly Taliban attack on the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul yesterday and whether it concerns him that Afghan forces may not be able to step up their game, Obama stressed that “our work is not done.”
“Kabul is much safer than it was, and Afghan forces in Kabul are much more capable than they were. That doesn't mean that there are not going to be events like this potentially taking place. And that will probably go on for some time,” he said.
The press conference, Obama’s 14th since taking office, comes one week after he announced his strategy to withdraw the 33,000 “surge” troops from Afghanistan by the end of next summer, several months earlier than originally anticipated.
"Keep in mind, the drawdown hasn't begun. So we understood that Afghanistan's a dangerous place, that the Taliban is still active and that there are still going to be events like this on occasion," Obama said.
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So no follow-up question as to whether or not the administration lied about Obama’s decision on the draw down being one of the options presented by Petraeus? the white house claims it was one of the options while testimony from Lt. Gen. Allen in the Senate yesterday stated it wasn’t.
Posted by: J.R. | June 29, 2011, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
With the rules of engagement this regime has implemented, there is no hope for victory. The biggest hope for our servicemen is survival.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | June 29, 2011, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
“it’s now time for to recognize that we’ve accomplished a big chunk of our mission and that it’s time for Afghans to take more responsibility,” the president said.” – CINC ‘Big Chunk’ Barry
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | June 29, 2011, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
With the rules of engagement this regime has implemented, there is no hope for victory. The biggest hope for our servicemen is survival.
Sad but true. Who cares if some more middle american men are killed for no reason? They don’t vote Democrat anyway…
Posted by: RPG | June 29, 2011, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
In other words, he’s going to ramp back up/re-escalate as soon as the election is over.
Posted by: whatever | June 29, 2011, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
Instead of following General Petraeus’s plan, this BOZO is going to leave just 10,000 troops to do an impossible job and is going to jeopardize many LIVES of our troops. He doesn’t seem to give a rat’s patoot, as long as he gets the majority out before the next election. This “commander-in-chief” is SHAMELESS and needs to be IMPEACHED!! He is going against the best advice of top Military Generals!! Unbelievable!
Posted by: Sunnyr | June 29, 2011, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
Well, like he told us once, we’re not really capable of recognizing victory unless the emperor comes out and surrenders.
Posted by: SukieTawdry | June 29, 2011, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
Obama also declined to define Hope and Change. How’d that turn out?
Posted by: Chuck | June 29, 2011, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
How’d that turn out?
Posted by: Chuck | Jun 29, 2011 4:50:34 PM
Better than compassionate conservativism and mission accomplished.
Posted by: Stereotypes inc. | June 29, 2011, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
“Better than compassionate conservativism and mission accomplished.”
Indeed it did. Wall Street is now actually paved with gold!
Posted by: Lloyd Blamkfein | June 29, 2011, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
Wall Street is now actually paved with gold!
Posted by: Lloyd Blamkfein | Jun 29, 2011 5:06:01 PM
But don’t take away those corporate perks, wink, wink. Or make dislosure part of campaign finance, wink,wink. Or work hard so we don’t default and go into another recession, wink, wink. Who needs jobs? Not Republicans. They’re pretty gash durned sure they can dupe you out of yours and make you pay for it. heee hawww.
Posted by: Stereotypes inc. | June 29, 2011, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
But don’t take away those corporate perks, wink, wink. Or make dislosure part of campaign finance, wink,wink. Or work hard so we don’t default and go into another recession, wink, wink. Who needs jobs? Not Republicans. They’re pretty gash durned sure they can dupe you out of yours and make you pay for it. heee hawww.
——
Why would we? Corporate perks are what keep certain Senators and Reps from Mass. and CT happy. Barney and Chriss are great supporters of our cause. And I’m glad you are too. You and Skip are great to have support our needs here on this website.
Posted by: lloyd Blankfein | June 29, 2011, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
It’s only a bad thing that Wall St. is doing well when a Democrat is president. So who is calling closing tax loopholes for corporations tax hikes again?
Posted by: Skip | June 29, 2011, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
LLoyd, you didn’t mention my senator from Vermont? Why is that? Because when Socialists from Vermont feel the need to put forward pragmatic, responsible moderate plans, and the leadership of the Republican Party can’t or won’t but would rather remain ignorant and protective of billionaire perks, you don’t want to point that out, right?
Right. Even though we both know it never really trickles all the way down to you, don’t we?
Posted by: Stereotypes Inc. | June 29, 2011, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
This is not really important. What is important is Pakistan and what Obama will do to deal with them. Or a lack of dealing with them.
Posted by: Juice | June 29, 2011, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm
Thanks you
Posted by: kameralısohbet | June 29, 2011, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
Beautiful statue of Ronald Wilson Reagan in Budapest today.
They understand.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | June 29, 2011, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm
“Better than compassionate conservativism and mission accomplished.”
Posted by: Stereotypes inc. | Jun 29, 2011 4:54:13 PM
Bush’s 2007 deficit was $161 billion.
Obama’s deficit in two years was $4 trillion.
African-American unemployment is nearly 17%.
African-American underemployment is 25%.
African-American teen unemployment is over 40%–a 25-year high.
Overall teen unemployment averages 25% (34% in California).
A record number of Americans are chronically unemployed (>99 weeks).
Our workforce is the same size it was 11 years ago.
SS, Medicare, Medicaid, and Welfare consume ALL tax receipts.
GM created new factories and most new jobs overseas.
Most green jobs created went overseas.
Poverty is at an all-time high.
Food stamp use is at an all-time high.
The poor are using Medicaid at record levels.
Gas is $4.
Food costs and healthcare costs are soaring.
Over 1,400 Obamacare waivers were granted (many at the request of 43 unions).
We’re fighting wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Pakistan, and Libya.
Over 60% of all U.S. casualties in Afghanistan occurred under Obama.
There’s your Hope and Change.
Posted by: Chuck | June 29, 2011, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm
Posted by: Stereotypes Inc. | Jun 29, 2011 6:04:53 PM
Nancy Pelosi’s net worth skyrocketed 62% in 2010 to $35.2 million. She’s not a Republican, by the way. She’s a Progressive who takes campaign money from unions but doesn’t bother using union labor for her own multi-million dollar vineyards. It’s a bit too expensive. I’m sure she appreciates your unflinching support while she’s flying around on luxurious Gulfstream jets sipping on the best champagne. She’s all about the little guy. You betcha.
Posted by: Chuck | June 29, 2011, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm
There’s your Hope and Change.
Posted by: Chuck | Jun 29, 2011 7:50:27 PM
Bin Laden’s dead.
Better than mission accomplished under Bush.
Health care reform passed.
Better than the oxymoron “compassionate conservatism.”
Where are the jobs Republicans promised? Was that another con job? Are you really falling for it?
Awwwwww… that would be cute if it wasn’t so stupid?
Posted by: Stereotypes Inc. | June 29, 2011, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm
Posted by: Chuck | Jun 29, 2011 8:02:52 PM
Nancy Pelosi isn’t a deadbeat after all. She has money… wah, wah, wah, wah, wah.
Seriously?
That’s what you have to offer?
lol, lol, lol, lol, lol, lol, lol.
Posted by: Stereotypes Inc. | June 29, 2011, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm
Posted by: Stereotypes Inc. | Jun 29, 2011 8:08:30 PM
Believing in Hope and Change coming from a former community organizer with no successful chief executive experience is the very definition of stupid.
Posted by: Chuck | June 29, 2011, 8:12 pm 8:12 pm
But believing in it coming from a hypocritical and paranoid conspiracy theory evangelist who graduated from a d-level law school makes, ahem, total sense.
Someone has to explain right wing logic to me. Or is right wing logic an oxymoron?
hmmmmm….
Posted by: Vampires aren’t the only ones who suck… GOP, I’m looking at you! | Jun 29, 2011 11:06:01 PM
Posted by: Dena Mac | June 29, 2011, 11:58 pm 11:58 pm
Declare defeat and be done with it.
Vietnamistan the Sequel™ is a loser.
Let’s not waste any more American blood over there.
Posted by: Noz | June 30, 2011, 1:47 am 1:47 am
What is occuring in Libya is also vitally important.
From RT News – TV news caption: “Nato Bombs Smash Civilian Buildings as Tripoli Dismisses ICC Warrant”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-D2fGc97YQ
Civilian buildings?!
Posted by: Ray | June 30, 2011, 4:18 am 4:18 am
Obama would define Victory in Afghanistan by how many points above water his dismal poll numbers crawl up after he announces his troop withdrawal, regardless of conditions on the ground.
Posted by: Smart Power | June 30, 2011, 9:59 am 9:59 am
—What is occuring in Libya is also vitally important.
From RT News – TV news caption: “Nato Bombs Smash Civilian Buildings as Tripoli Dismisses ICC Warrant”—
Posted by: Ray | Jun 30, 2011 4:18:54 AM
The War Powers Act is for Chumps. Didn’t you know that?
Posted by: Smart Power | June 30, 2011, 10:01 am 10:01 am
To be more specific, he can’t define ‘United States victory’. He could define what victory means for al qaeda, Iran, N Korea or Mexico at the drop of a hat.
Posted by: Larry | June 30, 2011, 10:33 am 10:33 am