Lots of analysis has been done following Obama’s speech at West Point where he outlined a strategy for sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. Republicans praised the troop increase, criticized the timeline. Democrats criticized the troop increase, praised the withdrawal date. Meanwhile, many popular Liberal commentators have trashed Obama daily for his decision to continue on with the Afghanistan war for at least 2 more years.
I wonder if anyone was listening to Obama while he campaigned to be President. I know it was hard to sit still and listen, because Obama so moved people, often to tears. Maybe it’s all of the emotions he brought out in everyone that led a good majority of them to turn off their brain when he laid out his beliefs on war. Or maybe it the was the screaming of tens of thousands of supporters at his rallies that caused them to have temporary selective hearing. And I know that’s a real condition, just ask any married couple.
But this much is real. Obama never was a candidate running for office on a peace loving, war hating platform. Yes, he captured a lot of anti-war votes because he called for an end to the Iraq war, which he viewed as unjust. However, at every turn he always made sure to say this, “I am not against all wars, I am against dumb wars. Wars that should have never been authorized and should have never been waged.” And you get the point. Obama made clear he thought we should withdraw from Iraq and focus time and resources to Afghanistan, where he believed the real threat was.
Because of his decision to increase troop levels, he obviously still believes it poses a threat. So, as much as liberals feel slapped in the face and betrayed, I’m not feeling that way. I saw this coming about 2 years ago. My one holiday wish is that commentators stop saying Obama sold us out to get some Republican praise. That is hardly the case. You can disagree with the strategy and continue protesting wars, but Obama made this decision based on what he feels is necessary and right. Agree or disagree, he’s been making the case for the Afghan war for years now. And since the country voted him in, he’s acting on it.
