Cynthia Meyer, Staff Writer
Ideology: Very Conservative | Writing from: GWU
As the war in Afghanistan heats up and the economy continues to suffer, our young president seems to be a little overwhelmed. His massive spending packages are not working. He is putting off crucial war decisions as if there is ample time to waste, leaving our troops without a clear direction. His is simply not following through with his campaign promises. And both Republicans and Democrats are frustrated with his incompetence during these pressing times. As Emma Carpenter wrote it in her last column, “Experience is starting to look pretty good right about now – even me, a liberal Democrat, is getting a little sick of charisma and words over action and change.”
Aside from examining a possible Hillary Clinton presidency, Carpenter speaks for the entire country in her disappointment with our Commander in Chief.
In his campaign for president, Obama’s flowery speeches seemed to overshadow his blatant lack of experience and ultra-liberal record. Even though he somehow succeeded in not taking a clear stance on important issues, he managed to become a guiding figure for the Democratic Party by relentlessly criticizing President Bush.
One of the main talking points in Obama’s campaign was that the war in Iraq was unjustified, he never voted for it (even though he was not even a member of the Senate when it was voted on), and that Afghanistan was where the real war was. He seemed so poised and collected that Democrats failed to notice that he had never faced crucial foreign policy decisions before. He had no experience with the military, or with war. Yet we elected him as the commanding force of our military.
The War in Afghanistan has been growing more and more violent. October was the deadliest month for the U.S. thus far. But while we continue to lose more and more lives to these jihadists and U.S. Army General Stanley McCrystal calls for more troops, the President still cannot make a decision on the war strategy. He took such a strong position on Afghanistan during the election, but when it actually comes down to action, real war decisions are too difficult for him.
Obama used the War in Afghanistan to get elected. He then announced that the “War on Terror” was “over”. And now, stuck between either keeping his campaign promise or surrendering to his far-left base that is slowly abandoning their support for the war, he is stalling on making clear decisions on Afghanistan (while using the dignified transfer of our fallen soldiers as yet another opening for a photo-op.)
Rapid response. Taking the necessary actions under pressure. Making the right decisions and sticking to them. All of these are qualities a president absolutely needs to have in wartime for the sake of the country, and all of these are qualities our current Commander in Chief lacks.
It is times like these—amidst the utter failures of the Obama administration—that I especially recall the strengths of the Bush presidency. While he may have been unpopular towards the end of his presidency due to the nature of American politics and long wars, he will be remembered as one of the greatest presidents in American history for his perceptive wartime decisions. Unlike President Obama, Bush did what was ultimately good for the country and was willing to put his reputation on the line for it. He did not fall prey to party politics. He did not subject our men to an unclear mission with an unclear purpose. When the war began losing support of the public because of its length, he did not quit and abandon the cause in fear of dropping poll numbers. He did not fumble around crucial war decisions. And finally, when he saw the opportunity to implement a more effective war strategy with the troop surge in 2006, he did so successfully, regardless of the fact that even his own party was skeptical. Because of President Bush, a country that was once ruled by the oppressive Saddam Hussein is now a functioning democracy. The people of Iraq saw their first free democratic elections in half a century. American troops have aided in building new schools for Iraqi children, expanding access to clean water and electricity, and helping to create a more stable police force within the country. In retrospect, for one president to have accomplished so much is exceptional.
President Obama is doing just what Republicans feared he would do. He is taking on more than he can handle, stumbling in his inexperience, and putting the lives of our troops on the line because of it.
We are in a war that is not even close to over. Mr. President, drop your health care “reform”, your stimulus bills, and your cap-and-trade—and focus on serving as our Commander in Chief.
“Making the right decisions and sticking to them.”
Oh yes, the RIGHT decisions. Those ones. I’m sure Obama never thought of THAT before! And what exactly might those be? You’re quick to jump at him for not making the “right” decisions, or, as you say, any decisions, but had he done something drastic that had failed you would be sitting here arguing that he made a hasty decision and that 10 months time was not enough for him to have thought it through. You’re quick to criticize, yet you propose no actual solution. Campaign promises of 12-18 months ago mean nothing when the situation has changed, and that isn’t the fault of any American. So, what is the solution? Is it sending more US troops for the “jihadists” to kill? Do more deaths really signify a victory? Because they shouldn’t. Even Admiral Mullen has advocated a more hearts and minds approach. Build more schools, hospitals, and roads so the future generation has somewhere to turn other than radicalism, and so the people of Afghanistan begin to see Americans as people other than killers. In the meantime, let Obama take his time, and let him make the RIGHT decision.
Hearts and mind approaches do work, however, the populace needs to understand that they cannot continue the current course. Gen McChrystal, being a special forces officer, would know that better than most, and he is advocating a surge. I believe the point that Cynthia is making is that President Obama is jeopardizing the operational tempo of combat by stalling. The point I am making is that by doing this, he is letting the enemy dictate our move. 9/11 was an action, and Operation Enduring Freedom was the reaction. From that point on, America can, and should, dictate the moves. To stall when the signs point one way, is allowing the enemy a precious commodity. Time.
I emphatically disagree with your assessment of Pres. Bush in Iraq. You fail to demonstrate how schoolhouses for children, water, electricity, etc. have improved the lot of the American Soldier or the American people. Yes, Pres. Bush did stand by his decision to invade Iraq and yes, the 2006 surge was successful but to what end? The invasion of Iraq has cost America much and brought us nothing in return.
Doesn’t even the most obtuse of readers notice the amazing basic hypocrisy in conservative arguments? Even though we’ve debated health care reform for over a decade–and under this Administration coming on nine months–we must “slow down” and taking the time to think over our decisions before acting irrationally. Yet somehow this very argument is being used against the President in one of his most important decisions as Commander in Chief.
But I didn’t have to bring that point up. It’s astutely clear the author is simply peddling right wing talking points with trite references to youth and inexperience.
Liberals, for their part, should be disappointed further progress hasn’t been made on some issues. But we’re 10 months in to a 48 month term, and likely an eight year presidency. Blame does not lie at the doors of the White House, it lies with a less than inviting core of moderates in Congress. When even the Wall Street Journal can come to recognize the wide ranging accomplishments of this Presidency, one should take note.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125712507804421903.html