CURL: Obama distractions sideline Afghan plan

Since this article was written for publication this morning, Chicago came in 4th in the Olympic competition (Obama's pitch failed) and was the first city knocked out. He spent 25 minutes, yes that is minutes, talking to the Afghanistan Commander McChrystal on AF 1 versus over four hours meeting with the IOC and trying to smooze them for Chicago which was a waste of time and taxpayer's dollars to go to Copenhegan. Why didn't Chicago pick up the tab for the Obama's to go to Copenhagen since it wasn't a priority for the rest of the Country? Chicago would have taken graft to a whole new level if awarded the Olympics.

Looks like the Obama voters managed to elect not only someone unqualified for the position but one of the laziest President's in history who would rather jet around the globe and continue to vote present on Afghanistan. We found yesterday that the French and British wanted to confront Iran at the UN but Obama vetoed that idea as they didn't want anything to ruin the perception he had everything under control at the UN. Obama looks weaker by the day.

We also have learned that General McCrystal submitted his Afghanistan assessment to SecDef Gates at the end of August. It is now October and still nothing out of Pres Obama on Afghanistan while we have troops dying almost on a daily basis from roadside bombs, etc. Seems this President would rather go to fundraisers, play golf, jet off to Copenhegan for Chicago, and ignore major issues facing the United States rather then have to make a decision.

CURL: Obama distractions sideline Afghan plan
By Joseph Curl POLITICAL THEATER
Oct 2, 2009

Just after proclaiming October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and just before departing for Copenhagen to lobby for his hometown as an Olympics host city, President Obama found the time Thursday to pop by the posh St. Regis Hotel a few blocks from the White House to hobnob with a gathering of Democratic governors and help raise some campaign cash.
But he didn't find time to say a word about the war in Afghanistan and what he plans to do about it. He didn't refer to the deteriorating situation there or take questions from the press corps - which he's done just once in five weeks.

The 125 or so attendees opened with arugula salad mixed with pecans. On golden embroidered tablecloths under giant crystal chandeliers, they proceeded to the baked salmon over risotto, finishing off the meal with small, delicate dessert canapes.

After meeting and greeting the eight governors and VIPs in a private reception, Mr. Obama assured the supportive crowd that the federal government is staying focused on the important issues.

"I know some folks say we should focus on fixing the economy instead of on health insurance reform," he said before falling into a familiar pitch on health care. He added that America has a "rare moment where we have a chance to seize our future."

In the past month, the president has found the time to play golf - four times. He's had links legend Arnold Palmer and other top golfers over to the White House. He's shot some hoops with friends and yukked it up with hockey's Pittsburgh Penguins.

He's celebrated Ramadan at the White House, eulogized newsman Walter Cronkite in New York City, attended several fundraisers (including Thursday afternoon's luncheon), appeared on David Letterman's late-night show (one of eight interviews), delivered two speeches to AFL-CIO rallies and dropped by the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial for a visit with his wife and daughters.

And the brief jaunt to Copenhagen to buttonhole members of the International Olympic Committee on behalf of Chicago's 2016 Olympics bid was Mr. Obama's seventh trip out of town since Sept. 1.

Yet still no decision on strategy for the war in Afghanistan.

The president was vacationing in Martha's Vineyard on Aug. 30 when Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal sent Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates a war assessment in which he said more U.S. troops - and a new U.S. strategy - are urgently needed to defeat a growing insurgency in Afghanistan.

Source: Washington Times