Democrats Lose Patience Over Wars, Gitmo

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

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted May 14, 2009 9:41 AM CDT

(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.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

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. (AP Photo)

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 7, 2009. (AP Photo)

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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

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

foodchain11

Jun 26, 2009 10:27 AM CDT

I hope that dem staffers are reading these comments: STOP BEING IDIOTS--THIS IS YOUR TIME!!!! PLEASE HELP THIS COUNTRY!!!

kokuaguy

May 15, 2009 12:41 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.)

kokuaguy

May 15, 2009 1:05 AM 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.

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

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Democrats Lose Patience Over Wars, Gitmo