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Rove Warns Prez: Don't Leave Afghanistan to Biden

Obama should drop his 'aloof' approach and start listening to his commanders

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 1, 2009 5:07 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama's hands-off approach to Afghanistan may suit his governing style but it's no way to win a war, writes Karl Rove. The president has only spoken with his top commander in Afghanistan once since June, notes Rove. This apparent indifference to conditions on the ground contrasts sharply with his predecessor's approach, Rove writes, and makes him more likely to listen to Joe Biden's recommendation that troops should be reduced in favor of striking al-Qaeda from offshore.

Biden has a "record rare in its consistency and duration of being wrong about big national security questions" and his approach would almost certainly lose the war, Rove argues in the Wall Street Journal. He cites the vice-president's support for "cutting and running" from Vietnam in 1972 and his opposition to Reagan-era policies. "Winning a shooting war requires a commander-in-chief's constant, direct and deep involvement," Rove writes, and Obama should get over to Afghanistan in person and start listening to his commanders.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

An US soldier mans his machine gun from a helicopter protecting the aircraft from a possible enemy attack on the way to a base in Kandahar, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

A US Chinook helicopter carries a M777 A2 howitzer to a base southeast of Kabul. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Joe Biden meets with ISAF personnel in Kandahar, Afghanistan, earlier this year. (AP Photo/ISAF, Aramis X. Ramirez, HO)

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Refusing to provide all the troops and strategic support that his commanders are requesting will be to concede defeat. We'll soon know whether Mr. Obama has the judgment and the courage to win this war. - Karl Rove

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 22 comments

SilenceDogood

Oct 2, 2009 12:28 PM CDT

Zaius, the reason I believe no decisive action is occurring is; I read Gen McChrystal’s call for support; I’ve read that Obama has not talked to his commanders in four months; there have been no substantive changes to troop movements; the White House admits to internal controversy on this issue, and Obama does not impress me as a decisive leader.

SilenceDogood

Oct 2, 2009 12:27 PM CDT

Zaius, stop acting like a twit and answer the question.We are in Afghanistan to prevent Taliban, Al-Quid and terrorist base camps from flourishing. I am not arguing for or against the Afghanistan action, I am arguing for a decisive action. Either give our commanders what they say they need to win or get the Hell out of there and live with the consequences of a flourishing terrorist network.

Doctor-Zaius

Oct 2, 2009 11:13 AM CDT

And my argument was that how do you know that we aren't getting decisive action. This is a complicated issue and there may be crucial evidence being gathered that could make all the difference in the world. This is a serious problem and extremely partisan douchebags like Karl Rove need to shut up, because in case you haven't realized it he doesn't want success for the country, he wants success for the Republicans.

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Afghanistan • Joe Biden • Karl Rove • Afghanistan war • President Obama • Stanley McChrystal

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Rove Warns Prez: Don't Leave Afghanistan to Biden