Obama IS dithering and it is disgusting. He is not in the Senate now and can not vote PRESENT on important issues anymore. His dithering is purely political and it reveals him as the weak nonleader that he is.....I for one, will not buy into this nonsense that Afghanistan is unwinnable......How soon you seem to forget Obama's campaign and his stand on Afghanistan.........Maybe he needs to spend LESS time playing golf and throwing lavish parties at the White House and MORE time thinking about the dire situation our troops are in in Afghanistan and LESS time thinking about HIMSELF.

The ones Obama is really letting down is the soldier that must go out on patrol and have only half the team he needs. That puts him in a venerable position of attack is more likely to having someone dying. It gives the enemy a morale lift and sucks the morality from our soldiers. It shows where Obama's loyalities lie and certainly isn't with the military nor winning this war on terror.

Obama is like all the other liberals, he HATES and despises the military, the very force that has kept this country free for over 200 years, because it takes money and commitment to be free and takes money away from his "give-away, vote buying" programs. NEVER trust a liberal to defend this country. They are spineless cowards.

Another excuse-making editorial from the BDN. No mention of the fact that Gen. McCrystral's report sat on his desk for over a MONTH, collecting dust, while Mr. Obama was out pumping healthcare deform, and only caught his attention once the Wash Post leaked it. Shameful!

Mr. Obama is clearly over his head. It is his political insights and leftist tendencies that have him frozen like a deer in the headlights, despite the obvious need for action. Oh, for the days of the Decider, George W. Bush!

Barry the Kenyan is just trying to shake the narco criminals down for some additional protection money before he commits more of your sons and daughters to guard their opium supplies.

"As an American I am not so shocked that Obama was given the Nobel Peace Prize without any accomplishments to his name, but that America gave him the White House based on the same credentials." - - Newt Gingrich

Regardless of one's political leanings, candidate preferences, ideological philosophies, the fact remains that the USA was foolish enough to elect an exceedingly INEXPERIENCED individual to lead our nation at an exceedingly troubled time in our history. Begs the question whether they would have made a parallel choice in selecting someone to perform complex brain surgery, or a heart transplant, given similar breadth of qualifications and length of experience. As a patient, I musrt confess that I would prefer to get my medical care and attention from a qualified and experienced physician/surgeon, as opposed to the offce manager or hospital administrator. Call me crazy! This administration's continued strategy to blame all things on the previous administration is growing tedious and disingenuous with each passing day. Will we still be hearing that, no matter what the issue, "it's all Bush's fault" into the next century?

While our military is valiantly defending the rights of this writer to express his/her opinions here - naive and uninformed, at best, and thoughtless, dangerous and ignorant, at worst, this editorial makes me wonder so many things: What exactly would be considered an appropriate amount of time to expect the President of the US and Commander in Chief to make such a decision, especially after receiving a great deal of counsel and guidance from experts (most of whom were selected by the POTUS/CIC himself)? Would this editorialist have similarly complained if Obama had taken decisive action within a week of receiving such counsel - or is he/she a blindly devout, standard bearing apologist for this administration - regardless of the situation? Obama's most recent response to those questioning his so-called careful and conscientious deliberation was that he was waiting for the results of the second stab at a fraud-free election in Afghanistan. OK - we now know there will be no such election, and we still hear that this decision is at least several weeks away.

So very much to ponder with this new crowd of folks occupying "our house" and "our town," and I am hoping that yesterdays' election is a subtle foreshadowing of the awakening of Americans to "the fundamental transformation of this country" intended by our president's words while on the campaign trail. As he becomes chummier with the Chavezes and Zelayas of this world, perhaps he should contemplate a trip to Key West (he can use it as an excuse to take his wife out on a date), and report back on all those he discovers escaping this wonderful country on inner tibes and balsa rafts - or swimming away! - risking life and limb trying to escape this brutal regime. Oh right, that would be someplace else altogether, ruled over by someone probably considered a hero and inspiration to his closest buds.

Let's stop being sheep, folks; let's stop being led around mindlessly and unquestioningly by shepherds - leading us God knows where! Regardless of your political leanings, candidate preferences, ideological philosophies, the fact remains that we should all be scared to the very depths of our souls that this administration has mounted an all-out campaign to marginalize, if not completely silence, anyone who is not completely in lock step with their dogma. I, for one, am terrified.

Why do we continue to hear that the war on terror is "unwinnable"? If we mean that we will never totally eliminate terrorists, it is probably true. However, in both Afghanistan and Iraq we have demonstrated an ability to win when we commit the resources and follow rules of engagement which are designed to result in victory. Wars require commitment and decisive action. Obama wants to be “thoughtful” and take his time in a combat situation, but is more than willing to rush his health care legislation which is a far more complicated issue.

i really think there would be a market for book made of excerpts from the BDNs comments section. Or a little desk calendar, y'know?

People should realize when Mr. Obama took office that he had a lot on his plat that the Bushes life him and stop blaming him for the problem. The Bushes was the one who got us into this war with lies and didn't do a dam thing but took our money to support themselves and that we all have to stop and think that he is one man trying to do his best let alone that others are not doing their jobs. I am giving Mr. Obama his chance to get our people home safe and bring jobs back and a good health insurance etc. Now if the people who are suppose to help him are not doing their jobs then you all better speak up to them. Yes we voted and the republics in but let me tell you that iI would never ever vote for a Republic for I will stay true to my party. What I see is all you Rich people are upset because your not having your way and getting more of my money. it is time that you all Rich People learn that the train stops here no more getting rich off of us middle class people who are trying to stay above water.

And for those who still feel that our persident is not doing its best then ask yourself this question if you can. What would you do if you were in President Obama shoes? I say until you can walk in his shoes its better to give him support and some good ideas that can help us all. Otherwise put your money where your mouth is. The President is only human and he has a lot on his plate which those so call people we voted in is not doing their best of a job and no matter if we get a Republic in we still wont have the right answer for they are only for the Rich and not for the Middle Class or right .Poor.

ElizabethSmith, Part of Obama's campaign rhetoric was on Afghanistan.....Obama kept saying that the REAL war was in Afghanistan and that if elected Afghanistan would be a priority.....Now he is saying "winning in Afghanistan is not a primary concern of his" and he is ignoring our troops and the General that HE appointed.......

I agree with ladyslipper and every post on here except Elizabeth Smith......hopefully in a year from now she will have to admit that we are right and she is very wrong. This president is on track to make bush look real good to her once his term is done and i am not a fan of Bush. At least he put the country first in decisions and stopped golfing when he sent troops to war..his problem was he would not defend himself to the cheap shot being given him..daily..

Elizabeth - Huh? What? I have now reread your post several times, and despite being able to determine that you are an ardent Obama supporter, which is fine with me, I genuinely wasn't able to figure out too much more.

President Obama wrote a VERY successful book (which has brought him quite a bit of money, thanks to the capitalism that he so despises and aims to destroy with so much of his agenda) called The Audacity of Hope. I think he should write a sequel called The Audacity of Audacity, based on the fact that he ran for the highest, most powerful and important position in the world with next to no experience. He is clearly a charismatic individual, able to attract and seduce masses of people into a frenzy by his charm and style. While I completely recognize and admire that skill, I do not find it a pre-requisite for the position. After leaving his job as a local politician in Chicago (emphasis on LOCAL), he did not even fulfill a THIRD of his FIRST term as a United States Senator. I guess he felt he knew everything he needed to know to run the greatest country on the planet.

I've always found it fascinating the people who "would never vote for a Republic" - In the first place, if you are referring to the political party, it's Republican. We all already live in a Republic. If you were to carefully study the philosophies of the predominant political parties in this country, you would realize that it is the Republicans who, in theory, make every effort to preserve the salaries that Americans earn, while minimizing the many taxes they are required to pay. They do NOT do this for rich people only, contrary to what the Democrats so desperately want you to believe. Study it, Elizabeth. Do the research; study it carefully and extensively - IF YOU DARE!!!

If you want to know the truth, I am currently unemployed and not doing very well. I am so very, very NOT rich. I hate my current situation, and I HATE collecting unemployment. The last people in the world that I would seek comfort from to protect my best interests are the Democrats. And while you're hell bent on grousing about these nasty, selfish rich people, you might want to consider who the vast majority of employers are in this country - and who spends the greatest amount on charity. Those awful, grotesque rich folks - the wealthiest 10% of them - pay about 70% of the total taxes in this country. But yeah, let's keep maligning them - and taxing them some more - and then some more. Maybe they'll just leave and take their bat and ball with them! Then let's see how your life improves!

Do your research, Elizabeth. Stop being a sheep, and comb the wool away from your eyes. Barack Obama has done nothing but whine and complain since he took office - and apologize to foreign nations whenever he goes overseas. You have no idea how much Bush inherited, do you - including a recession? Are you aware that Bill Clinton was offered three - that's THREE - opportunities to put Osama bin Laden away? It's very easy to whine and complain - especially when you just plain old don't have the training and experience to know what to do in a tough predicament to fix a problem. It's much more difficult to show maturity and strength of character, to place ego aside (something this president has NO CLUE how to do) and to surround yourself with brilliant people who complement your skill sets and qualifications - and then to pay close attention to their advice! As opposed to hiring ineffectual, incompetent idiot groupies whose sole purpose is to polish the statue of your self perception. GOD help us if another 09-11 occurs under Obama's "reign!" I can just picture him apologizing to the attackers for having done whatever it was that we did to offend them (because of course, we would be the ones at fault!) that warranted such an attack.

Pay close attention to the results of yesterday's election. It appears that the combs are out, and the strands of wool are being pushed aside; it's beginning to unravel. People are beginning to realize what this Prince of Palaver is all about. Do yourself a favor and re-read The Emperor's New Clothes. I still have enmough confidence in the people of this great country to recognize a phony when they see one - even if it takes a bit of time for the masks to drop off and reality to present itself.

Obama ran on the con that he HAD solutions. He ran on the pretense he KNEW how to win in Afghanistan. He ran on the idea that he HAD a plan for Iraq. He was privy to information regarding both places. He was tutored by generals and military folks. Now all of a sudden he needs all this time to evaluate everything right down to how many rocks are on the ground over there. He wants to get it right! Don't you get it yet? He is no different than any other politician but he knows less and it shows. This guy was supposed to be different though, he was going to be the real "decider" and the person who would make tough decisions. Someone should tell him, if he don't know it et, troops are dying because he can't make a decision. You don't think the enemy doesn't know this? You don't think the enemy hasn't stepped up attacks because of his indecision? Someone should tell him, he can't wait for his second term to do something NOW.

LilMikey - You are spot on, my friend. Your assessment is right on the money! And it's so sad that so many have to suffer as a result of his arrogance. My next door neighbor is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan in February. I am praying around the clock (Yikes! am I allowed to admit that?!) that the situation is vastly improved by then.

there is hope for the future people. Govenors in Virginia and New Jersey ...newly elected republicans with a good percent of the votes. Maybe people are starting to wake up. This has nothing to do with voting republican or democrat ... this is about the people and the issues of this county. Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel after all. I found those two elections very telling....lets hope the same happens in 2010 and 2012..

Ah, the BDN is again calling for defeat. What a surprise. I seem to remember that we went into Afghanistan because they were harboring Bin Laden after 9/11 and wouldn't give him up. To hell with them. Hold the cities, kill the Taliban, make no apologies. We can't win in the mountains, Iraq was the place to kill Al Quada.

elizabeth smith And for those who still feel that our persident is not doing its best then ask yourself this question if you can. What would you do if you were in President Obama shoes? I say until you can walk in his shoes its better to give him support and some good ideas that can help us all. Otherwise put your money where your mouth is. The President is only human and he has a lot on his plate which those so call people we voted in is not doing their best of a job and no matter if we get a Republic in we still wont have the right answer for they are only for the Rich and not for the Middle Class or right .Poor

why didnt you put yourself in Bushs shoes? The rest of this is jibberish.

BTW the Soviets were in Afghanistan in the '80s, not the '60s. Afghanistan sucks. Nuke 'em from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Shockin.....the president ASKED for the job. If I remember correctly, he promised so many things...asked for us to vote him into office so he could provide leadership and solutions and to make hard tough decisions. He wanted to be the pesron in those shoes. Now he has to fill them. If he couldn't handle a full plate then he shouldn't have run for the office. So far that plate evidently hasn't been that full where he can't find time to make trips, appear on tv shows, play golf frequently, do all the presidential stuff...but now he has to find a little portion on that plate that will help our men and women who are fighting what he says is the right war. The one he wants to fight. Maybe it is him along with some of those others you mentioned who are not doing such a bang up job.

anyone that thinks that the democrat party is for the middle class is deluded. if they think they are for the poor they are doubley deluded. welfare robs people of their dignity and democrats keep people poor to ensure votes. wake up. the only working class that democrats support are unions bosses, not even union members, who have no control of their money after the union bosses take it and give it to democrats.

this is not "Bushes fault"....... our service men are dying while Obama continues his 57 state campaign of progressive socialist agendas that NO ONE WITH A THINKING MIND WANTS!!!!!!!

if he is not going to give the generals what they need he needs to pull our men and women out of there pronto! otherwise they are sitting ducks.

I question the validity of comparing Afghanistan to Vietnam. In Vietnam there were 2 huge nuclear powers lurking not far in the background. If we had decided we were really going to win Vietnam, i.e. utilizing the maximum all-out war that the U.S. could have produced, that would probably have led to Armageddon. If so, our political leaders might not have been so dumb after all. Afghanistan is different. Would Russia mind if we decided to blow it all to hell? Heck, they'd probably be willing to help, if we asked them. What about China? Who knows, they're probably playing as inscrutable about this as everything else, but if we could get Russia on board, they'd probably at least stay in the shadows. My prediction: we will either be there until the Israel/Palestinian situation gets settled (5, 10, 25 or more years?) or we blow them to hell.

Obama is still in campaign mode. He doesn't know how to be President, and hasn't a clue how to be a Commander-in-Chief. He is the biggest mistake this country has ever made and should be impeached for his attempts to bankrupt America, his over 40 unconstitutional czars, and his failure to conclusively prove that he was actually born in Hawaii. I'm sorry, but the birth certificate that keeps popping up is NOT the original, nor is it a photocopy of the original. It was reprinted and certified, but anyone with connections and money can get something certified. He wrote in his book about his birth certificate being one of his most prized possessions, so why can't he produce his own? If it looks, feels, and smells like horse dung, them it just might be horse dung.

History will prove that President Obama was the worst President ever to be elected. Mark my words.

David8893277 - We lost Viet Nam because of politics. We'll probably lose Afganistan because of the same.

EJParsons: We lost Vietnam because we decided not to win. Politics or wisdom?

And don't you forget it!