Obama: I Will "Finish the Job" in Afghanistan

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Afghanistan

Updated 1:13 p.m. ET

President Obama vowed to "finish the job" in Afghanistan today, less than 24 hours after his final meeting to determine a new strategy going forward in the war.

At a brief press conference following a meeting with India's Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, at the White House, Mr. Obama said that "after eight years, some of those years in which we did not have, I think, either the resources or the strategy to get the job done, it is my intention to finish the job."

"And I feel very confident that when the American people hear a clear rationale for what we're doing there, and how we intend to achieve our goals, that they will be supportive," he continued.

Washington Unplugged: Dissecting Obama's Promise

The president was responding to a question from CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller, one of only two questions he took at the appearance.

"I will be making an announcement to the American people about how we intend to move forward, I will be doing so shortly," the president said. "I think that the review that we've gone through has been comprehensive and extremely useful, and has brought together my key military advisers, but also civilian advisers."

"It is in our strategic interest, in our national security interest, to make sure that Al-Qaeda and its extremist allies cannot operate effectively in those areas," he continued. "We are going to dismantle and degrade their capabilities and ultimately disable and destroy their networks. And Afghanistan's stability is important to that process."

The president did not specify when he would announce his decision on Afghanistan beyond saying it will come after Thanksgiving, although CBS News has confirmed that he is planning a prime-time address Dec. 1. He is expected to send between 32,000 to 35,000 additional U.S. forces to the region, slightly less than the number requested by the top commander there, Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Afghanistan
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Mr. Obama went on to say that the situation in Afghanistan is not just important to the United States.

"The whole world I think has a core security interest in making sure that the kind of extremism and violence that you've seen emanating from this region is tackled, confronted in a serious way," he said.

Because "we have to do it as part of a broader international community," the president continued, "one of the things I'm going to be discussing [in announcing the new strategy] is the obligations of our international partners in this process."

(CBS)

"It's going to be very important to recognize that the Afghan people ultimately are going to have to provide ultimately for their own security," Mr. Obama added. "And so we'll be discussing that process whereby Afghan security forces are properly trained and equipped to do the job."

"And it's going to be important to recognize that in order for us to succeed there it's going to be important to have a comprehensive strategy that includes civilian and diplomatic efforts," he concluded.

He went on to say that when he announces the strategy he expects that further questions will be answered to the satisfaction of the American people.

The president reportedly plans to meet with Capitol Hill lawmakers following his announcement next week to shore up support for his new strategy amid concerns – particularly among members of his own party – that he is further involving the country in a costly and ill-defined mission.

Following the announcement, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham and McChrystal are expected to testify before Congress.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by NowBeWithThat November 25, 2009 9:30 AM EST: "And I feel very confident that when the American people hear a clear rationale for what we're doing there, and how we intend to achieve our goals, that they will be supportive,"
________________________________________

It's like that line from an old Richard Pryor stand-up routine:

"Hey are you gonna believe me or your lying eyes?"; Reply to this comment


by hungry1968-17 November 25, 2009 8:15 AM EST: by tmittelstaed November 25, 2009 12:31 AM EST

We should have left years ago.

I agree - we SHOULD be out of there.

But how do we seriously install a government, and then abandon them?; Reply to this comment


by hungry1968-17 November 25, 2009 8:12 AM EST: by jgg000015 November 24, 2009 10:17 PM EST
what exactly is "finishing the job"? This could mean anything from blowing Afghanistan into the stratosphere, to bringing the troops home tomorrow.

It means: "I'm not going to do like the last guy, and leave our troops underfunded and under armored, with no war plans or exit strategy, waiting for the next president to make a decision on strategy."; Reply to this comment


by hungry1968-17 November 25, 2009 8:10 AM EST: by PaGuy1960 November 25, 2009 7:26 AM EST
let's guess, your one of the idiots who voted for him. He promised to bring all the troops home and now what? It's a shame that you were so gullable. Funny how you can make promises when you don;t have all the info. Then when it smacks you in the face you get a reality check.

He NEVER promised to "bring the troops home" from Afghanistan.

Do you think that being a chronic and habitual LIAR gives you credibility somehow?; Reply to this comment

by PaGuy1960 November 25, 2009 7:23 AM EST

Well there's another promise he has failed to keep. You liberals did an awesome job and voting in this idiot.

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by hungry1968-17 November 25, 2009 8:09 AM EST: This from the guy that is still celebrating his mentor - George W Bush.

by 50BMS13 November 25, 2009 6:50 AM EST

Obama's poll numbers will rise now that he has made a decision to get help out to our troops in the field. I respect him for this decision. I'm surprised but pleasantly so. Way to go Obama!

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by PaGuy1960 November 25, 2009 7:26 AM EST: let's guess, your one of the idiots who voted for him. He promised to bring all the troops home and now what? It's a shame that you were so gullable. Funny how you can make promises when you don;t have all the info. Then when it smacks you in the face you get a reality check.


by 50BMS13 November 25, 2009 8:26 AM EST: PaGuy1960
No, I did not vote for Obama. I am just pleasantly surprised he did something to support the troops. I have bashed him enough about bowing and pro-muslim stuff that I will give credit where it is due.


by ramos1129 November 25, 2009 4:23 AM EST: "And I feel very confident that when the American people hear a clear rationale for what we're doing there, and how we intend to achieve our goals, that they will be supportive," he continued.

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The President is wrong in the above. Why?

1. In his statement, Obama states that this is an international problem. This is echoed by NATO leaders. Yet, the USA has, and will, continue to shoulder over 80% of the load. The other countries continue to sent minimal forces and then only with combat restrictions. The American public sees this and wonders why we let them do this?
2. The Afghan administration is corrupt and despite promises will continue to be corrupt. Our guys and the American public see no reason to support it but yet we do.
3. Our troops continue to be rotated. Some have served four tours and it never ends. Sooner or later, we will see a lot of trouble within the ranks. If it were not for our bad economy, there would be very few recruits.

The only real solution is to withdraw and fight terror in some other way. If the Taliban take over the country, that is for the Afghan people to decide.; Reply to this comment

by mljohns00 November 25, 2009 2:17 AM EST

An incredible waste of money and lives. At least the Americans who will die are "volunteers" (although many join because the U.S. economy has been wrecked by our Government). The Afghanis who will die don't even get the chance to volunteer.

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by Mosihasteen November 25, 2009 2:29 AM EST: Yeah, a real waste, there's no threat from over there! We're safe - let those Muslims do what they want! None of my relatives were killed on 9/11.

You and your kind are so pathetic - now go back to putting your head in the sand.


by wheresmycountry November 24, 2009 11:39 PM EST: I saw a bumper sticker today on a pickup that said "Democrats are defeatist losers." How is the fact that House and Senate Democrats have never failed to pass a budget for the wars, and their leader is refusing to end the wars proof of that statement?; Reply to this comment

by wfw3536 November 24, 2009 11:24 PM EST

I am glad Obama is going to finish the job. I am sure he has a great plan and will be bring home our brave troops in the near future. He has been working with his team and will lay out his plan for success and a pull out plan next week for all of us to see. I am sure his rating will again go up over 50% approval after his speech next week.

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