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Still Seeking Afghan Compromise
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Chris Stirewalt, Christy Setzer and Charlie Hurt discuss President Obama's trip to Afghanistan.
- Duration 9:29
- Date May 2, 2012
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Many Americans are tired of it.
As president nothing is more wrenching that signing a letter to a family of the fall.
We're looking into the eyes of a child will grow up without a mother father.
I will not keep Americans in harm's way a single bit longer than is absolutely required.
For our national security.
But we must finish the job we started in Afghanistan.
And end this war.
Responsibly.
-- That was President Obama in a speech from -- -- on the one year anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden.
Calling for americans' patience.
As he tries to stay the course on his Afghan war policy and this is power play I -- Chris tire wall Internet.
And I can tell you this.
That the president is looking for.
-- goldilocks solution on Afghanistan he is trying to find a way to navigate a very difficult.
Political situation at home as the world becomes increasingly unpopular.
And once thought to be capable of large gains.
Has turned into sort of least bad scenario.
It's a tough spot for him we're gonna talk about that.
We're gonna talk about the -- the end of the -- Newt Gingrich.
Is is is formally suspending his campaign today.
We'll take a look back because it will be it will be pleasant to do so.
And we will also talk about the -- -- coming to Virginia Bob McDonnell and will break down.
Mitt Romney's possible running mate candidates including McDonnell and others.
You're going to have a ball I just predict -- right now.
And I can predict that because -- start with great fun we will start with Christie -- she is the president.
New heights communication she's democratic strategist she has advised among the other notable Democrats -- you may have heard of called Al Gore ran for president.
And Charlie hurt he's a columnist for The Washington Times he's agreed not to be fishing today where it is where he would rather -- in order to talk to you welcome folks.
-- -- -- -- Okay so the president last night.
Use some -- theory pretty language shining things and it was very.
But the message was essentially the same as we heard.
From George W.
Bush in 2004 about the Iraq War which is.
We have to stay the course is this is re election year I know but we have to stay the course here what the president's course is is graduated drawdown of troops.
After surging to a 100000 troops to take them out in chunks.
Or -- in smaller groups between now and when he fourteen.
So Christie do you think you pulled it off.
-- -- -- -- -- Look at -- -- -- this is a bit -- -- difficult balancing -- for the president because the Afghanistan war is so unpopular -- something like 30%.
Of people -- still say that the war -- We were fighting which leads in Mountain View two thirds of -- who say that it's not.
That's that this is a historic moment for him he's finally able to say here's the date on which we -- going to end permanent bases in Afghanistan -- troops are coming home.
Unload -- we hope it yeah right.
Good actor and ask for racial data he said -- so are any -- -- you know.
This is something that -- actually able to add to his list of accomplishments as president he's able to say that we ended the war in Iraq and now he's able to say we're ending responsibly.
Of course.
The war in Afghanistan so I think you know on balances and the being a very positive note for the rest.
So this is Charlie the irresponsible and they're the people who are lobbying for irresponsible into the war did not win out.
Their voices were not hurt here so for the president though.
This it is sort of compounded.
Some of the complaints from conservatives that this was part of -- sort of extended victory lap on the killing of Osama bin Laden extended its.
-- of the -- you don't.
On the sideline he's fighting to the end zone.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- I hats off and is marvelous it's the kind of like does it do these drone attacks and they're just -- wonderful.
This is just.
Beyond the pale to me that idea that he is going to go all the way back to Afghanistan.
And when it's so clearly.
Part of his orchestrated.
Can't reelection campaign which again I don't mind the reelection campaign certainly bush did it on an aircraft carrier newsgroups what year was that.
-- -- as he was nine years ago to the day I -- next -- -- if so isn't -- what you -- it was not in 2004.
Yeah it didn't -- it is.
It's got -- and and I would say shameless.
222 bones and use something like this as as such.
A -- blunt political.
-- But but it didn't but that is having said that I also think -- and I also think it did that do that you only get ranger he absolutely should take credit for the fact that you know that is a a very good in the -- -- for him because you can unpacked I.
I'm glad you.
It's just stop stop being so shocked that the president.
Is aware of politics six months before the president's yeah.
-- all.
Okay -- right yes and this was by the way -- reminding people of three separate things here he was reminding them.
You know all of this one he was writing and that one year ago his administration did in -- kill us on the Monday were successful -- that too.
That today or yesterday actually that they are -- responsibly ending the war in Afghanistan and -- the same time yes doing on this -- allows us.
To be reminded that President Bush.
Did not get a Sunday laden and that he prematurely expected that all of you will.
But hey I'm unveiling the mission accomplished banner so you know I wouldn't if all of this thing's bring your column why -- you remind -- you want sort of throwing it.
Yes okay so yeah.
So here's.
Fast.
That president's Afghan strategy has not gone well.
It has not been successful.
We've had to troop surges.
We got the troop level up to a 100000.
In December of 2009 the president came forward and he had an audacious plan really threatening to save -- the military all the troops have been asked for.
He gave a bunch -- those 30000 or 35000 more troops.
And he had a bold nation building initiative for -- in -- stand for this country Kabul Afghanistan has gotten worse not better.
And the US defense posture in Afghanistan has gotten worse not better.
Much like George W.
Bush again in 2004 were -- situation in Iraq was materially worse than when the war began.
Can stay the course be a message that -- Works Charlie.
I think it's -- increasingly.
Difficult.
SourceForge work especially because.
You know -- this vision.
The purpose for our going there was to disrupt al-Qaeda -- I don't know that you give them full credit for the fact that we have done a very good job okay -- -- and and however.
That you need to take it to further step in terms of nation building and things like that.
-- that that was never work you're never had to take a country that is millennia in the past and bring it up to.
Modern times is -- -- you don't even have.
But for you.
Widespread illiteracy and it was -- -- tops that you beat beat beat beat beat it's just 2000 years at most.
-- in western world.
Christie the what the president we heard at the beginning.
Talking about Americans tired of war they want to know why the troops can come home now.
He is trying to explain.
Look it's it's a process and we have to do this responsibly.
Before he could clear Afghan airspace the Taliban struck again not killed seven people.
Wounded seventeen may -- more in an attack that they said was.
Retribution against the president being there.
If the situation continues to be bad -- get worse and Afghanistan.
What does that do for.
Is for his chances I mean it it's the continuous reminder of the reason why we can't get out to our house.
This is exactly why he laid out let you know he would say is responsible transition and an effort to allow them to Afghanistan's security forces to stand up for themselves because.
Not every day is going to be good when they're still going to be bad days even after we -- on this timetable.
-- guys in Charlotte last words.
It does Mitt Romney can he really talk about.
National security and convincing -- this is subject he needs to avoid I think I.
So they were acquitted and but especially when you have.
The White House and operatives were.
President Obama making these ridiculous claim -- -- good claiming that he would knew.
Have launched an attack on.
Osama in laden is that's it that's that's playing that that's putting the -- for this discussion so low that I mean I could get out there at home and.
And then zinni met when he get when he gets the next on the -- talk about the heat and Charlie probably would have killed some of them.
We would also that I don't believe that -- would and I believe you have done it -- -- -- bat OK guys we really appreciate making time for us today have very insightful conversation I had.
