Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


6

Democrats Lose Patience Over Wars, Gitmo

Support ebbs on left as Obama's security plans look uncertain

Share

(Newser) – Democrats are having misgivings about the war in Afghanistan and the shuttering of Guantanamo Bay, particularly in the more liberal House, the New York Times reports. Though Congress is sure to approve another $96.7 billion in war funding, the House took out $80 million to close Guantanamo, saying the White House must provide more details. If Afghanistan worsens, President Obama could find himself on a short leash.

Rep. David Obey says he’ll give Obama a year to demonstrate progress in Afghanistan, just as he gave Nixon a year on Vietnam, but he’s “extremely dubious” Obama can accomplish his goals. “It’s wrong,” Rep. Alan Grayson says of the Afghan war. “There is no need in the 21st century to do this to make us safe.”

John Murtha, right, and David Obey make remarks on a war funding bill, Nov. 20, 2007.
John Murtha, right, and David Obey make remarks on a war funding bill, Nov. 20, 2007.   (AP Photo)
American soldiers sit in a US C-17 military plane before airlift to Afghanistan at US Manas air base in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, May 8, 2009.
American soldiers sit in a US C-17 military plane before airlift to Afghanistan at US Manas air base in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, May 8, 2009.   (AP Photo)
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 7, 2009.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 7, 2009.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

I can see a lot of consternation with the Democrats because a lot of them felt that the election was all about getting out. - John Murtha

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
6 comments
VIEWING:
 
indybikehiker
May 14, 09 9:52 AM CDT
If Democrats and others demanded a timeline on Iraq from President Bush, they surely should demand a timeline -- and a clear, publicly understandable strategy -- on Afghanistan from President Obama. Too much is beginning to become murky and shifting. This is SO typical. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
kokuaguy
May 14, 09 11:22 AM CDT
Well, it is remarkable that the Obama administration has succeeded in getting the Pakistanis to be so proactive in opposing the Taliban. I want to see progress as promised in getting out of Iraq. If that happens I'll be more likely to withhold judgment on Afghanistan. As for Gitmo, everyone knows the Bush Administration opened a Pandora's Box there and it will not be easy to correct the situation. The torture and abuses have ended. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
ClearSight
May 14, 09 12:10 PM CDT
LOL cry baby democrats. Pathetic creatures, has Big Brother Obama let you down? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
kokuaguy
May 14, 09 7:41 PM CDT
RobN accuses us "liberals" of neglecting to weigh in here but not hesitating to pin Rove to the wall on another Newser page. He's mistaken, not surprisingly, but I did explain my reasoning and I'll paste it here for good measure (and a couple of Newser points.) Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
kokuaguy
May 14, 09 8:05 PM CDT
You have a point, RobN. However, I have enough faith in the Obama administration to believe that "indefinitely" doesn't mean forever. Had McCain been elected, I'd have assumed the opposite. I did post somewhere earlier today on this site that I'm willing to wait and see before condemning Obama's team since I believe they will bite the bullet and close Gitmo "with all deliberate speed", and will be forced to bring a number of detainees to U.S. prisons which will give Limbaugh and his ilk an unlimited amount of ammunition for their assault on this administration. The Pandora's Box that was thrown open when Bush's Neo-cons created Gitmo unleashed consequenses that it will take many years to deal with. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 6 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

378 Stories

Analysis

 Obama Is the Anti-Cowboy 

Slow decision on Afghanistan a contrast from Bush's gut checks

Nov 25, 09 9:26 AM CST
(Newser) - Barack Obama’s prolonged Afghanistan strategy review has if nothing else distinguished him from his predecessor—Obama is anything but the “gut player” Dubya claimed to be. In fact, he’s put on “a spectacle of deliberation unlike anything seen in the White House in recent memory,”... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Afghanistan • Barack Obama • Afghanistan war • strategy • President Obama • Afghanistan exit strategy

Obama: I'll 'Finish the Job'
in Afghanistan

President's troop decision expected this week

Nov 24, 09 2:55 PM CST
(Newser) - He didn't tip his hand on many troops it would take, but President Obama said today that he intends to "finish the job" in Afghanistan. He promised to unveil a strategy after Thanksgiving that will "dismantle and degrade” the enemy while making sure that "al Qaeda and... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Afghanistan • Afghanistan war • President Obama • Afghanistan exit strategy

 Report: Obama Will Send 
 34K Troops to Afghanistan 

Prez finalized decision last night, will address nation next week 

Nov 24, 09 7:57 AM CST
(Newser) - President Obama has made his choice on Afghan strategy after months of deliberations and will announce it next week, administration sources tell McClatchy . The president finalized his decision to send another 34,000 troops in meetings last night, and plans to address the nation on the choice next Tuesday, prior... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Afghanistan • US military • Afghanistan war • President Obama • Afghanistan exit strategy • Stanley McChrystal

378 Stories


Antiwar Democrats face tough choice
San Jose Mercury News

Gates has been golden
Star-Ledger


Politics 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
Afghanistan • Barack Obama • Congress • Richard Nixon • Democrat • Guantanamo Bay • House Democrats • Obama administration • President Obama • Afghanistan exit strategy • David Obey • Alan Grayson

from our news partners