Graham: Obama Withdrawal Date Hurts Afghan War

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, speaking from Afghanistan, said this morning that President Barack Obama must clarify his July 2011 withdrawal deadline because it is hurting the war.

"If the people in Afghanistan think we're going to begin to leave in July 2011," Graham said on on CBS' "Face the Nation," "we have no chance of winning a counterinsurgency.

"If you send a signal to your enemies you're going to leave at a certain date, they'll wait until that date and wait you out."

Graham, who is a member of the Senate's Armed Services Committee, said he supports transitioning control to the Afghans. But he said Mr. Obama's deadline strategy has not worked.

"We're not here as an occupier," Graham said. "But this confusion has hurt. It's emboldened our enemies. We need to get it right and get it clarified."

Graham said the purpose of securing Afghanistan is to make America more secure.

"We can't leave this country in chaos," he said. "We'll never be safe. This is not just some place on the map; this is the place where 9/11 was planned and executed.

"If the Taliban ever come back and take over all or part of this country, we'll never know peace," he said.

In addition, Graham said those who'd helped the U.S. would be killed, and jihadists in other areas would be emboldened because "no one will help us in the future."

The senator, who is known for being one of the most willing Republicans to work with Democrats, said he wants to hear the White House say that there will be an evaluation in a year's time.

"If you can transition, we will do so in certain areas. But everything will be conditioned," Graham told moderator and CBS Political Analyst John Dickerson. "The vice president reassured me that it would
be condition-safe. I take him at his word.

"General [David] Petraeus needs this monkey off his back. It's not fair to him and our troops and our civilian counterparts to be operating in Afghanistan with the belief that come July 2011, we're going to begin to withdraw no matter what.

"That can't be the way we lead this. That would be counterproductive."

[generey]

Lindsey Graham is a southern wimgnut and needs to go away and be with himself. Little sissy.

[JustYourAverageReader]

You could always travel to Afganistan yourself and meet with Al-Qaeda & Taliban commanders to communicate the withdrawal plans yourself. They will welcome you and ask you for more details and offer to pay you large sums of $$ for the additional information. Give them your opinion of Lindsey as well.

[gig76]

It's been so nice not to see anything Palin. She is one high maintenance woman who is exhausting to read about. Hopefully she will stay out of the limelight and let others live their lives. But oh no, she has that ridiculous book coming out in November with things that are important to her. Those of us who are educated already have readings that we like. We don't need her help in readings. Please will this woman ever learn to keep her thoughts to herself.

[formrusmcsgt]

I hear there's a chapter called "Perseverance vs Quitting".....

[thy-only_king]

daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows that 24% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-four percent (44%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -20 (see trends).

[thy-only_king]

Presidential Approval Index Rating of -20
I think this shows what American thinks of Obama's plans.

[cleantheDCcesspool]

When George W. Bush selected Petraeus to lead the much-debated surge in Iraq, an onslaught of criticism ensued. In perhaps the most disgusting display of disloyalty, MoveOn.org spent thousands of dollars to personally humiliate the general in a full-page ad that read: "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?"
Where are the lefties now? Same general, same strategy, the only difference is that the left's choice of obamao made the appointment. Such brainless, lemming-like blind lap dogs on the left!

[thy-only_king]

Graham: Obama Withdrawal Date Hurts Afghan War

I guess that depends which side Obama is on.

[alphaa10000]

Policywise, a withdrawal date is the only prudent course, since it gives explicit dimension to the commitment. The date is an effort to wake Karzai to a sense of urgency and the determination of Obama to see results.

Clearly, without Karzai and popular support, US troops have no realistic prospect of victory within a decade. And since Karzai, himself, has almost zero standing among his own people, we may face a Vietnam quagmire all over again if the deadline has no effect.

In any case, to involve Obama in his own quagmire is why Cheney was so eager to push Obama to resume the effort he and Bush had neglected. In 2008, the two had left Afghanistan a model of neglect and a smoking ruin, this, despite Laura Bush's memorable speech during the summer of 2008, urging NATO allies not to give up on Afghanistan.

One of the chief Obama missions is to make sure the US mission is clearly stated, and avoid "mission creep"-- the very nation-building Bush, himself, once declared he did not believe was wise policy.

[sjc_1]

I think setting a date is fine.

[gig76]

America has been on the decline many times throughout history. The very first winter of pilgrams settling in Boston region almost died. Their persistence with attitudes for change was more of a goal than going back to England. The desire for America to make a change in writing the Declaration of Independence was a cry out to the King that they wanted things to be different. The American Revolution was 20 years long and that was actually the longest running war for America, not Afghanistan. We persevered and won. We worked through our differences as a nation to come up with our Constitution and Bill of Rights. We made it through French Indian War, Mexican American War, through our own civil war that continued for over 100 years to Civil Rights Act. We as a nation have split over so many differences, yet we rise to the occasion time and time again to remove those differences to accomplish the important stuff. We don't sweat the small stuff. So once again, we rise and stand behind our country to assist another country to build it to greatness, Afghanistan. We will prove to Graham and his negative thinkers that we "never" give up the fight to win what is right and just. General Petraeus, we Americans are in this to win. We hold you to do your best work yet. To our President, we thank you for your leadership and abilities to lead us to greatness once more as President Roosevelt did in those dark hours of the unknown. God bless you, everyone in leadership in our government, business, education, justice, and all sectors of industries for the betterment of growth in the world. From literary works of the Bible, we pray for your strength to lead us as Abraham led his people out of dark days that led to 40 years, and finally to the Promised Land. As in Ancient civilization, we know they had similar outcomes. We as a nation must step up regardless and give our very best and dig deep down and pull out winning victories for successful civilizations for the here, now and to come. Eradicate evil! Go USA! Go USA! Go USA!

[gig76]

On this 4th of July, number 234 to be exact, with many more to come, we stand behind President Obama with 4 Star General Petraeus, our military armed forces, national guard, State Department, and all civilian personnel to finish this war out with major wins and accomplishments for these wonderful Afghanistan people who so want to have a country with freedoms without war and without poverty. Go USA! We will win. As Roosevelt looked out over his country and saw devastation and poverty in America with potential to fail as a nation, he stood firm and did what was right. He led our country out of poverty, out of financial ruin, and led us to a victory in a 2 war World War, one in Europe and one in the Pacific. Graham is saying he would rather fail and fall as a nation instead of step of the game and win Afghanistan. America will rise once more as a nation of success. We don't believe in saying "never", but what may we do as citizens as citizens asks the same questions in 1941? We citizens today must step up to the next level and get behind our military leaders, soidiers, personnel, and our Commander and Chief, our very own President Obama. This is America's war, and we don't give up. We lost our way with Vietnam, we won't lose our way ever again. Go USA! We are behind you men and women in uniform and we pray for all of you daily -- you can be assured of that! Go USA!

[soap-suds]

Outstanding comment and commitment! Hopefully millions of other citizens of the United States of America share your positive views for its success.

[formrusmcsgt]

by slow-news-day July 4, 2010 8:17 PM EDT
Howdy, Sarge, and a Happy Independence Day to you!
----
Likewise, slow.

Always my pleasure, Sir.

Toying with mort I see....

[formrusmcsgt]

"If the people in Afghanistan think we're going to begin to leave in July 2011," Graham said on on CBS' "Face the Nation," "we have no chance of winning a counterinsurgency.
----
Graham wasn't concerned with winning anything while dubya was prez and had no complaints about dubya simply "marking time" in Afghanistan for 7 years.....

[jueni]

you guys are just arguing this afgan issue back and forth, and calling each other names. but why not try governing the U.S. just for a day, and see how you handle things practically? and who says this thing about deadlines isn't a ploy to get the talibans and Al Quaida emboldened so they can show their heads?

[P0ST1ING_AWAY]

The Repugs have been called the party of "NO" .....
However, they can >> NOT << be called the party of "NO HOT AIR" ....