1. Tanner To Retire 12 hours ago   permalink

Hotline On Call

By Reid Wilson and Tim Sahd Rep. John Tanner (D-TN), a leading Blue Dog Dem, will retire at the end of his current term, Dem sources tell Hotline OnCall . [ UPDATE : Tanner released a statement late tonight confirming the news. "Betty Ann and I had considered retiring in 2007 at the end of the 110th Congress, were it not for the fact that our ...

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Swing State Project :   TN-08: Tanner to Retire; Herron Will Run

Moe Lane (Profile) / RedState :   Rep John Tanner bails out.

Rss / MyDD :   Blue Dog John Tanner of Tennessee to Retire Daily Kos / Daily Kos :   Polling and Political Wrap-Up, Taegan Goddard :   Another House Democrat Calls it Quits PoliPundit / PoliPundit.com :   Let The Retirements Continue! Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :   JOHN TANNER TO RETIRE: “If incumbents begin to believe this will not be a good year for thei… () / The Corner on National Review Online :   Blue Dog Leaving -- By: Kathryn Jean Lopez

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Www.wreg.com Democrat Roy Herron dropping out of Tennessee governor's race to run for Congress   —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Democratic state Sen. Roy Herron tells The Associated Press he is dropping his gubernatorial bid to instead seek the northwest Tennessee congressional seat being vacated by Rep. John Tanner. PATRICK EDABURN / The Moderate Voice :    Blue Dog Tanner To Retire Swing State Project :    TN-08: Tanner to Retire; Herron Will Run

Stephen C. Webster / Raw Story Sen. Grassley admits on C-SPAN: ‘I’ve lived off the public tit’   —  Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), one of the U.S. Senate's key opponents to a so-called public option for health care, admitted during a Tuesday appearance on C-SPAN that he has indeed "lived off the public tit" since coming to Congress, and that he participates in a federal farm subsidies program. The odd refrain came after a caller [...]

Raw Story / Raw Story Obama orders 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, plans withdrawal in 2011   —  Update (at bottom): Read the full text of President Obama's speech President Barack Obama announced a 30,000 strong troop surge to "seize the initiative" in Afghanistan and finally end the brutal eight-year war. "As commander in chief, I have determined that it is in our vital national interests to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan," NPR Topics Analysis: Presidents, Congress And War   —  Congress may have the sole constitutional authority to declare wars and the finance them, but in America it is the president that carries them out. Among the challenges facing President Obama is convincing his own party that the cause in Afghanistan is right. The Fix Tanner to retire   —  Tennessee Democratic Rep. John Tanner will retire next November, creating an open seat in an area that strongly favors Republicans. Tanner's decision, according to those familiar with it, was made weeks ago and based on his desire to return to the Volunteer State after more than two decades in Washington. The decision was first reported by the ... () / Articles on National Review Online Reversing Obama on the KSM Trial -- By: Andrew C. McCarthy   —  I s there any way of getting Obama to reverse himself on KSM? If I’ve heard that question once, I’ve heard it a thousand times since Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other 9/11 plotters will be transferred to New York City for a trial in the civilian justice system. My answer has been the same each ... Mary Katharine Ham / Weekly Standard Blog :    The Daily Grind Admin / Storyballoon.org Sean Hannity’s Show And John McCain Responds To Obama’s Afghanistan Speech At West Point. Skip To 4:00 In For McCain.   —  Chris Cillizza / Wash Post Politics The Fix: Tennessee Democratic Rep. John Tanner to retire   —  Tennessee Democratic Rep. John Tanner will retire next November, creating an open seat in an area that strongly favors Republicans. FOXNews.com Rep. John Tanner Announces He Will Retire Next Year   —  In 1994, he co-founded the conservative Democrats' Blue Dog coalition -- fiscal hawks who said they were "choked blue" by their party's liberal flank. Dan Perrin (Profile) / RedState First Dem Amendment Fails, Mikulski Aides say there Won’t be a Vote   —  What is happening in the U.S. Senate you ask? A whole lot of old Senators giving long health care speeches. But in the news today, the media discovered the, the (wait for it) — the filibuster . Turns out that the Mikulski amendment — designed to give the pro-abortion forces in the U.S. Senate a victory — was, well, you know (it starts with ... Josh Marshall / Talking Points Memo House Dem Retires   —  Rep. John Tanner (D-TN) is retiring . Editor / Roll Call Rep. Tanner Announces Retirement   —  Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.), a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition, announced Tuesday night that he has decided to step down next year at the end of his 11th term. The news had Republican operatives giddy over what they believe to be evidence that Democrats are facing a tough midterm election cycle. The Agonist Obama's Speech on Afghanistan   —  Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our armed services, and to my fellow Americans: I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in Afghanistan – the nature of our commitment there, the scope of our interests, and the strategy that my Administration will pursue to bring this war to a successful ... NPR Topics Tennessee Blue Dog Democrat To Retire   —  Rep. John Tanner, 63, was a co-founder of the group of fiscally conservative Democrats. An attorney and former state lawmaker, he was first elected to the 8th House District representing rural northwestern Tennessee in 1988. WSJ.com Prepared Text of President Obama’s Address   —  Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our armed services, and to my fellow Americans: I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in Afghanistan – the nature of our commitment there, the scope of our interests, and the strategy that my Administration will pursue to bring this war to a successful ... Rss / MyDD Obama Afghanistan Address Thread   —  Your thoughts? Update [2009-12-1 20:35:19 by Charles Lemos]: The text of the speech is below the fold. Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our armed services, and to my fellow Americans: I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in Afghanistan – the nature of our commitment there, the scope of our ... WSJ.com Live Blog: Obama’s Address on Afghanistan   —  At 8 p.m., before a sea of gray-uniformed cadets at West Point, President Obama will deliver an address on Afghanistan that hitches his administration to an increasingly unpopular war, with a surge of 30,000 troops and an 18-month time table for results. Wall Street Journal reporters at West Point and in Washington will be watching and commenting. Forum Congress scrambles to extend estate tax   —  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Next year had been shaping up as a great year to get a big inheritance - no federal taxes on it. Congress, however, has other plans for the few wealthy heirs expecting a big boon. Uncle Sam may take a 45 percent cut after all. Under current law, the federal estate tax is scheduled to temporarily disappear next year before ... () / Articles on National Review Online Is This Victory We Can Believe In? -- By: NRO Staff   —  A fter three months of delay, President Obama has finally responded to the troop request from his military commander in Afghanistan. But the increase in forces comes with a poison pill. Mr. Obama’s hesitation created the space necessary for liberals in his own administration to trump his national-security team and lay the groundwork for an ... () / The Corner on National Review Online The Speech -- By: NRO Staff   —  Remarks of President Barack Obama—As Prepared for Delivery The Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan United States Military Academy at West Point December 1, 2009 Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our armed services, and to my fellow Americans: I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in ...

2. McChrystal Praises Obama, Strategy Review 12 hours ago   permalink

Washingtonindependent.com

So much for the “dithering” critique. Here is a statement just released by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, expressing full support and confidence in President Obama and the weeks-long strategy review.

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KATHY KATTENBURG / The Moderate Voice :   Supporting the President in a Time of War

AJStrata / The Strata-Sphere :   Pure Conservatives Break From America

John Cole / Balloon Juice :   I Honestly Don’t Understand Jason Sigger / Armchair Generalist :   The President's Speech - Live Blog Andrew Sullivan / The Daily Dish :   West Point Reax

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Andrew Malcolm / Top of the Ticket Full President Obama speech text on Afghanistan   —  Text of President Obama's speech on Afghanistan, Dec. 1, 2009, as provided by the White House Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our armed services, and to my fellow Americans: I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in Afghanistan – the nature of our commitment there, the scope of our interests, JOE GANDELMAN / The Moderate Voice :    Full Video of President Barack Obama’s Afghanistan Policy Address Little Green Footballs :    Obama's Afghanistan Speech Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :    STEPHEN GREEN IS drunkblogging Obama’s Afghanistan speech. Related: Paul Rahe: Can Obama Save H…

John McCormack / Weekly Standard Blog Transcript of Obama's Afghanistan Speech at West Point   —  President Obama's remarks as prepared for delivery after the jump: Remarks of President Barack Obama—As Prepared for Delivery The Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan United States Military Academy at West Point December 1, 2009 Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our armed services, and to my fellow ... Michael Shaw (The BAG) / BAGnewsNotes :    The Surge: Now You Know Tom / The Redhunter :    President Obama Announces His Plan for Afghanistan Alo Konsen / Brain Shavings :    Obama's West Point speech on Afghanistan

POLITICO.com Obama: 'End this war successfully'   —  WEST POINT, N.Y. – In a room full of young Army cadets on the campus of the country’s oldest military academy Tuesday night, President Barack Obama took ownership of the Afghanistan war. Rob / Say Anything :    Obama Says 30,000 More Afghanistan Troops Will “End This War Successfully” Power Line What I heard tonight   —  Earlier today I wondered whether President Obama's speech about Afghanistan would sound more like a description of a war plan or a structured settlement of a legal dispute. What I heard tonight tilted decidedly in the latter direction. To be precise, the speech sounded to me like a slick lawyer trying to sell a dubious settlement to a skeptical ... KATHY KATTENBURG / The Moderate Voice :    Supporting the President in a Time of War () / The Corner on National Review Online :    He Sounded Like a Lawyer -- By: Kathryn Jean Lopez Www.gallup.com Obama Approval on Afghanistan, at 35%, Trails Other Issues   —  PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans are far less approving of President Obama's handling of the situation in Afghanistan than they have been in recent months, with 35% currently approving, down from 49% in September and 56% in July. Rss / MyDD :    Politicizing Afghanistan Andrew Malcolm / Top of the Ticket :    Obama's revealing Afghanistan war speech: 4,582 words and not one of them was 'victory' Spectator.org What Obama Really Said Last Night   —  Last night, President Obama delivered an historic speech to the nation and to the world on his plans for Afghanistan. Here, in sum, is what the president said: Hyscience :    Obama's message to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda: 'We'll be gone soon' BrothersJudd Blog :    BUT IT WAS JUST SUPPOSED TO BE THE NEXT LINE ON MY RESUME...: CNN / CNN McChrystal weighs in on Obama's Afghanistan plan   —  General Stanley McChrystal. (CNN) - Gen. Stanley McChrystal has released a statement regarding President Obama's plan forward in Afghanistan. (Read statement after the jump) KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 2) – The statement of General Stanley McChrystal, Commander NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan regarding ... Latest Politics Headlines Video: Obama's Afghan War Strategy   —  In a nationally televised speech, President Barack Obama discusses his decision for the road ahead in Afghanistan. Obama announces that he is sending 30,000 more troops to war and will begin to withdraw in 18 months. Aharding / CNN McCain challenges Obama in private meeting   —  In a private meeting held hours before his prime-time address, President Obama was challenged by his 2008 presidential campaign rival Sen. John McCain. Washington (CNN) - Hours before he was set to address the nation on his new Afghanistan strategy, President Obama and members of his war council spent about an hour briefing senior members [...] CNN.com Obama outlines new strategy for Afghan war   —  President Obama launched a new chapter in the Afghanistan war Tuesday, committing an additional 30,000 U.S. troops while setting a goal of starting to bring forces home by July 2011. Latest Politics Headlines Video: Obama: "Unlike Vietnam"   —  President Obama says that those who suggest the war in Afghanistan is like the Vietnam war base their argument on a "false reading of history." Dan Balz / Wash Post Politics Analysis: With speech, Obama takes ownership of Afghan war   —  President Obama assumed full ownership of the war in Afghanistan on Tuesday night with a speech arguing that the fastest way out of the conflict is a rapid and significant escalation of it. But the muted response from key Democratic congressional leaders and the skepticism from Republicans about an... The Daily Star > Politics Obama expected to speed up Afghan troop deployment   —  Pre sident Barack Obama plans to send about 30,000 more US troops to Afghanistan over six months, an administration official said on Tuesday, in an accelerated deployment aimed at a quicker US exit from an unpopular, eight-year war.The surge, which would see a faster rollout than expected by the Pentagon, would have the first Marines deployed as ... Paul Kane / Wash Post Politics No clear plan for paying for Obama's Afghanistan troop increase   —  President Obama's decision to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan ensures what was already inevitable: The cost of the wars in that country and Iraq is about to exceed $1 trillion. Less certain for Congress is how to pay for it. Agence France-Presse / Raw Story France, Germany refuse to commit more troops for Afghanistan   —  France and Germany refused US requests to immediately promise extra combat troops for Afghanistan, frustrating President Barack Obama's hopes that more allies would bolster his troop surge. Britain has already offered an extra 500 troops and Italy has said it will send an unspecified number, while Poland is considering deploying several hundred ... Editor / Truthdig Obama Makes It Official: 30,000 More U.S. Troops to Head to Afghanistan   —  He took his time to mull it over, and in a speech at West Point on Tuesday night President Barack Obama announced his decision about what course of action to take in Afghanistan, affirming reports that he plans to send 30,000 more U.S. troops to push back on the resurgent Taliban and to try to establish some semblance of stability in the war- ... Politicsblog / SFGate GOP Senate candidates react to Obama's Afghanistan plan   —  Here's the reaction from two Republicans running to be California's senator in 2010 to President Obama's Afghanistan plan: From Orange County GOP Assemblyman Chuck DeVore. He said "the problem... ABCNews.com / Political Punch Golf Digest Asks -- What Can President Obama Learn from Tiger Woods?   —  President Obama may have a thing or two to learn from Tiger Woods’ golf game, according to an upcoming article in the January edition of Golf Digest. But In light of the recent controversy surrounding the Tiger Woods’ car crash, there are likely more ways in which the President may wish to distinguish himself from the golf star. Erick Erickson (Profile) / RedState Morning Briefing for   —  RedState Morning Briefing For December 2, 2009 Go to www.RedStateMB.com to get the Morning Briefing every morning at no charge. 1. . . . — — — . . . 2. West Point is ‘The Enemy Camp’ 3. Washington Post’s Left-Wing Activist Confused As To Why Dick Cheney Is Newsworthy 4. Amateur Hour at the White House: The State Dinner 5. From Gov. ... Baltimoresun.com Obama orders 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan but says pullout to start in mid-2011   —  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama told a national television audience Tuesday that he would swiftly deploy an added 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan. But he said the new forces would begin withdrawing from the embattled nation in July, 2011, because Americans "have no interest in fighting an endless war.'' JOE GANDELMAN / The Moderate Voice Cheney Blasts Obama On Afghanistan Before Speech and Accuses Obama of Giving “Aid and Comfort” to Terrorist Enemy   —  Isn’t it time to really say it? Former Vice President Dick Cheney has morphed into a former Vice President who is violating nearly every protocol of the vast majority of former Presidents and former Vice Presidents in American history by not just actively — and repeatedly and loudly — opposing someone of the opposite [...] Heather / Crooks and Liars Jim VandeHei Plays Stenographer for Dick Cheney--Andrea Mitchell Reports it as News   —  DOWNLOADS: (317) PLAYS: (609) From Think Progress-- Politico’s Allen And VandeHei ‘Interview’ Cheney So That They Can Write His Op-Ed : Despite Cheney’s well-known and worn-out attacks on Obama, Politico’s Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei secured an interview with the former vice president in order to inform their readers today of the ... Mike Madden / Salon Don't blame the White House for party crashers   —  As the party-crashing Salahi family made the national TV debut they'd long dreamed about Tuesday, a new take on their escapades at the White House started percolating among some pundits and bloggers. In this alternate spin, the people responsible for the uninvited arrival at last week's state dinner were not the Secret Service, whose main job is ... Mgutierrez / IPS Inter Press Service US-AFGHANISTAN: Obama to Surge 30,000 Troops, With Deadline   —  WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (IPS) - In a highly anticipated speech Tuesday evening, President Barack Obama announced the dispatch of 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan over the next seven months and said he would begin drawing down the U.S. military presence there 12 months later. Mediabistro.com Today's Most Popular Stories   —  Each day, Ashley Estill surfs your sites for the most popular stories of the day. Here are the top headlines for December 1, 2009: Washington Post: Florida Highway Patrol to issue Tiger Woods a careless driving citation Washington Times: Health bills fail to block illegals from coverage Washington Examiner: Police: Woods at fault in crash, will ... The Seattle Times Obama outlines Afghan escalation and exit   —  President Obama announced Tuesday that he would speed 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, but he vowed to start bringing U.S. forces home in the middle of 2011. CNN.com Transcript of Obama speech on Afghanistan   —  President Obama is scheduled to give a speech tonight at 8 ET at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, about the future of the U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan. The following are excerpts from the planned speech: Matt Corley / Think Progress Family Reserach Council Claims Obama Has A ‘Plan’ To ‘Impose Homosexuality’   —  Earlier this month, the far-right Family Research Council (FRC) sent a fundraising action alert fearmongering about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which has been introduced in both the House and Senate and President Obama says he is “pushing hard to pass.” “This law would punish anyone in the workplace who dares ... ABCNews.com / Political Punch President Obama Makes Two Immediate References to What He Sees As Bush-Cheney Policy Failures   —  President Obama made two immediate references to what he sees as Bush-Cheney failures -- one obvious, one a bit more oblique. Alex Koppelman / Salon Obama announces, defends Afghanistan surge   —  If, years from now, historians and pundits are putting together lists of President Obama's best speeches, the one he gave Tuesday night probably won't even be considered. Indeed, the address that Obama delivered to a crowd of West Point cadets, in which he explained his decision to send an additional 30,000 of their future comrades off to fight ... Evan McMorris-Santoro / TPMDC Reid Praises Obama Strategy In Lead Up To Speech   —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said tonight he expects President Obama's new Afghanistan strategy will have what it takes to meet the administration's goals in the country. Reid met with Obama about the strategy this afternoon, and released a statement afterward praising the process that led to the new war plan. "It is clear that the President' Rss / MyDD General McChrystal Praises Obama's Af-Pak Review   —  General McChrystal, the commander of the NATO ISAF forces in Afghanistan, released a statement praising the review process. "The Afghanistan-Pakistan review led by the President has provided me with a clear military mission and the resources to accomplish our task. The clarity, commitment and resolve outlined in the President's address are ... Little Green Footballs Gen. McChrystal Praises Obama's Afghanistan Decision   —  Here’s the statement just released by the senior NATO commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal: “The Afghanistan-Pakistan review led by the President has provided me with a clear military mission and the resources to accomplish our task. The clarity, commitment and resolve outlined in the President’s address are ... Brian Beutler / TPMDC Obama Punts On War Funding   —  President Obama has officially announced his intent to expand the war effort in Afghanistan--but he hasn't been exactly clear how, exactly, the expansion will figure into the federal budget. In his Westpoint speech, Obama said "All told, by the time I took office the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan approached a trillion dollars. Going ... L.A. Times Obama's Afghanistan strategy counts on time as an ally   —  The president's hope is that setting a timetable for withdrawal is the best way to compel Karzai to clean up his government and push the Afghan forces to take over most of the battle. In his speech Tuesday at West Point, President Obama turned at least one piece of conventional military thinking on its head: The belief that announcing a timetable ... Spencer Ackerman / The Washington Independent McChrystal Praises Obama, Strategy Review   —  So much for the “dithering” critique. Here is a statement just released by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, expressing full support and confidence in President Obama and the weeks-long strategy review. “The Afghanistan-Pakistan review led by the President has provided me with a clear ... Voices.washingtonpost.com Obama's Afghan policy speech at West Point   —  Following is the transcript of President Obama's speech Tuesday at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. (The Post's report on the president's address is here.) Twwatson / Tom Watson :    Obama's War Armed Liberal / Winds of Change.NET :    Obama's Speech, My First Reaction? Despair... Andrew Malcolm / Top of the Ticket Obama's Afghanistan speech: CliffsNotes version   —  President Obama' s speech on Afghanistan at West Point tonight covered much ground. Here are some key excerpts to digest before bed (U.S. time): Over the last several years, the Taliban has maintained common cause with Al Qaeda, as they both seek an overthrow of the Afghan government. Gradually, the Taliban has begun to take control over swaths ... Truthout Kucinich to Appear on O'Reilly Factor to Discuss Opposition to Troop Surge   —  Rep. Dennis Kucinich, (D-Ohi0), will make an appearance this evening on the "O'Reilly Factor" tonight to discuss his opposition to President Barack Obama's plan to deploy 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. The former Democratic presidential candidate e-mailed a letter to supporters Tursday afternoon stating that he will offer an ... Truthout Obama Told Karzai US Efforts in Afghanistan Are Not "Open Ended"   —  President Barack Obama spoke with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai Monday night for about an hour regarding plans to send 30,000 additional US troops to the region, White House officials disclosed Tuesday. "President Obama underscored the need for more rapid development of the Afghan National Security Forces so that Afghans themselves can ... LYNN SWEET / Chicago Sun-Times : Obama's friends on left wrestling with policy   —  Lynn Sweet: President Obama's decision to escalate the war in Afghanistan by adding 30,000 U.S. troops -- at the same time announcing an exit strategy to start in July 2011 with no firm end date -- was clearly difficult for many of his most ardent supporters. This is not a popular policy with an important segment of Obama's base. Steven Moyer / THE TENSION OEF Update, Dec. 1, 2009: Gen. McChrystal's Statement Regarding Afghan Troop Announcement   —  D ispatches from the Front: WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2009 -- The following news release made available Tuesday is a statement by General Stanley McChrystal, Commander NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, regarding the address by The President of the United States: "The Afghanistan-Pakistan review led by the ... L.A. Times Obama's plan: Send 30,000 new troops to Afghanistan, begin leaving by July 2011   —  The president will outline his strategy tonight in a speech at West Point. It calls for a swift buildup of forces in Afghanistan and a date for beginning their withdrawal. President Obama has ordered the deployment of 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan, officials said today, yet the president also will announce tonight that the U.S. ... Spencer Ackerman / The Washington Independent Obama Announces 30K More Troops for Afghanistan   —  For the first time in the war's history, President Obama announced a date -- July 2011 -- when U.S. forces in Afghanistan will begin handing over security responsibilities to Afghan soldiers and policemen. Steve / Sweetness Obama Afghanistan Speech – Transcript   —  From the White House: (Click to enlarge) REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT TO THE NATION ON THE WAY FORWARD IN AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN Eisenhower Hall Theatre United States Military Academy at West Point West Point, New York THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. To the United States Corps [...] Lambert / Corrente Obama takes the unity pony out for a drag   —  From the peroration of Arthur's great post , let me highlight this particularly dangerous quote from Obama's Latest Greatest Speech EVAH: "But I also know that we, as a country, cannot sustain our leadership nor navigate the momentous challenges of our time if we allow ourselves to be split asunder by the same rancor and cynicism and ... Steven Moyer / THE TENSION Pentagon Discuses Obama Afghanistan Troop Deployments, Drawdown Timeline   —  N ews in Balance: WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2009 -- The United States will send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan by next summer, but plans are to begin transferring security responsibilities to the Afghan forces and withdrawing U.S. forces in July 2011, a senior administration official said today. The announcement comes as President Barack Obama ... Denizens / Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah H&I FIRES*   —  Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite. ************************** My take on the whole AGW thing mirrors that of the Pedant-General - if it's real, working on how to adapt to it makes ... PhillyBurbs.com NJ groups to protest Obama's Afghan strategy   —  Groups around New Jersey Wednesday plan to protest President Barack Obama's strategy to escalate the war in Afghanistan. Michael Goldfarb / Weekly Standard Blog McChrystal Statement on Obama's Speech   —  ISAF posts the statement from General McChrystal : "The Afghanistan-Pakistan review led by the President has provided me with a clear military mission and the resources to accomplish our task. The clarity, commitment and resolve outlined in the President’s address are critical steps toward bringing security to Afghanistan and eliminating ... FOXNews.com McChrystal Statement on Obama's Afghanistan Decision   —  The statement of General Stanley McChrystal regarding President Obama's speech on his Afghanistan strategy. FOXNews.com Obama's Afghan Strategy Makes Nod to War Hawks and Political Advisers   —  President Obama's decision to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan after a 92-day review appears to be a compromise between his hawkish advisers who were pressing him to heed the advice of his military commanders and his political advisers, most notably Vice President Biden, who argued for an alternative strategy that would have scaled ... Scott Ott / ScrappleFace Obama Brings Afghan Strategy to Health Care Reform   —  (2009-12-02) — A day after a televised address about his plan to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan in order to bring them home again soon, President Barack Obama announced he would apply his Afghanistan war strategy to domestic health care reform. “It’s important that we seize the initiative,” the president said, &# ... Feedback / Kansas City Star Escalation or endgame? An analysis of Obama's Afghanistan strategy   —  WASHINGTON | With echoes of George W. Bush's post-9/11 call to arms, President Barack Obama worked Tuesday night to frame his wartime address as an endgame rather than an escalation. Even as voters grow impatient with eight years of war and Democrats fret about their prospects in next year's elections, Obama made the hard decision to ... Taegan Goddard Preview of Obama's Speech on Afghanistan   —  In advance of President Obama's speech tonight announcing his plans for the Afghanistan war, here is a transcript of the briefing held earlier this afternoon with reporters. Jricole / Informed Comment Top Ten things that Could Derail Obama's Afghanistan Plan   —  1. Obama's plan depends heavily on training 100,000 new soldiers and 100,000 new policemen over the next three years. It has taken 8 years to train the first 100,000 soldiers fairly well, and the same period for the Europeans to train a similar number of police badly. Can the pace really be more than doubled and quality results still obtained? 2. NPR Topics Sen. Chambliss: Obama Right On Troop Buildup   —  Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) has returned from a recent visit to Afghanistan. He tells Steve Inskeep that President Obama made the right decision on the troop buildup. But Chambliss says he disagrees with Obama when it comes to the 18-month timeline to begin drawing down forces. NPR Topics Military Aspect Of Obama Plan Examined   —  President Obama said he had asked U.S. allies in Afghanistan to back the effort with more troops, warning that global security was at stake. Obama's plan involves more robust training of the Afghan military. The Seattle Times Reaction to Obama's Afghanistan war plans   —  "The Afghanistan-Pakistan review led by the president has provided me with a clear military mission and the resources to accomplish our task. The clarity, commitment and resolve outlined in the president's address are critical steps toward bringing security to Afghanistan and eliminating terrorist safe havens that threaten regional and global ... The Swamp Obama: Afghan plan transfers control   —  by Mark Silva and updated again at 9:05 pm EST President Barack Obama, swiftly deploying an added 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan, told a national television audience tonight that Americans "have no interest in fighting an endless war'' and promised to begin withdrawing forces from the embattled nation in July 2011. The surge of forces which ... MARK DANIELS / The Moderate Voice Right or Wrong, This is to Be Admired About What Obama Announces Tonight   —  In the epilogue to his book, Presidential Courage, Michael Beschloss recalls that five years before being elected President, John Kennedy lamented that US politics had become “so expensive, so mechanized and so dominated by professional politicians and public relations men…[And further, because of] the tremendous power of mass ... Amanda Terkel / Think Progress Obama Rebuts ‘Dithering’ Charges: None Of The Options Called For Troop Deployments Before 2010   —  In recent weeks, Republicans have been attacking President Obama for taking too long to settle on a strategy for the war in Afghanistan. The charge has been led by Vice President Cheney, who accused Obama of “dithering” and endangering U.S. troops: It’s time for President Obama to make good on his promise. The White House [...] Taegan Goddard Obama Lunches with Writers   —  Before his Afghanistan speech, President Obama had lunch with a group of top political writers at the White House, Politico reports. Among those who attended: Joe Klein of Time , Fareed Zakaria or Newsweek , and Tom Friedman of the New York Times . The Fix First Thoughts: Obama's Afghanistan Speech   —  President Obama tonight delivered a speech outlining his long-awaited strategy for Afghanistan -- adding 30,000 more troops in the country beginning in early 2010 -- in a sober address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point that sought to lay out the stakes of the conflict while also making clear to the American public that this was not ... Booman Tribune / Booman Tribune Initial Reactions on Afghanistan Policy   —  There was a point in Obama's speech tonight where he veered off the specific topic at hand and summoned the American Myth, which is the creed we tell ourselves that we all believe. Since the days of Franklin Roosevelt, and the service and sacrifice of our grandparents, our country has borne a special burden in global affairs. We have spilled ... Chip / AfterDowningStreet.org Afghans Unimpressed By Obama's Troops Surge   —  Afghans unimpressed by Obama's troops surge By Sayed Salahuddin | Reuters Thirty thousand more U.S. troops for Afghanistan? Esmatullah only shrugged. "Even if they bring the whole of America, they won't be able to stabilize Afghanistan," said the young construction worker out on a Kabul street corner on Wednesday morning. "Only Afghans ... WSJ.com WIRE WATCH: Reviewing Afghanistan; Breast Cancer Screening; Geithner Testifies   —  The Dialogue Continues: Congress holds hearings today on the Afghanistan strategy outlined by President Barack Obama last night. The Senate Armed Services Committee starts the day with a panel that includes Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs. The three will also ... Rss / MyDD We have a few options   —  Between Alan Grayson in the House, and Russ Feingold in the Senate, the Democrats have a couple of truth-tellers that are not afraid to take on Obama's desire to drag the Democrats into supporting an escalation of the occupation of Afghanistan. Russ Feingold rips Afghanistan decision : Feingold, flanked by four members of the House of ... Power Line Obama Ventures Into the Enemy Camp   —  So, has he been back to Russia? Did he make a quick stop in Waziristan, or a secret visit to Tehran? No: he gave tonight's speech at West Point! Unbelievable: If I were President Obama, I would tell the goofballs at MSNBC to get off my team. Yahoo! News Reaction to Obama's Afghanistan war plans   —  "The Afghanistan-Pakistan review led by the president has provided me with a clear military mission and the resources to accomplish our task. The clarity, commitment and resolve outlined in the president's address are critical steps toward bringing security to Afghanistan and eliminating terrorist safe havens that threaten regional and global ... Reuters Obama's commander says now has tools for Afghan war   —  WASHINGTON/KABUL (Reuters) - The top U.S. battlefield commander said on Wednesday that President Barack Obama's 30,000-strong troop increase for the Afghan war would make a huge difference, as the White House prepared to sell the new strategy to Congress. Mediabistro.com Obama and Team Met With Journos to Preview Speech Earlier Today   —  We're learning late tonight that prior to traveling to West Point for his primetime address on Afghanistan, President Obama and his team had two separate meetings with various print and broadcast journos at the White House. The President himself apparently had lunch with- we hear- Time 's Joe Klein , Newsweek and CNN's Fareed Zakaria , WaPo 's ... NB Staff / NewsBusters.org Obama Speaks On Afghanistan Open Thread   —  President Obama is scheduled to address the nation in less than an hour. The primary topic of discussion: Afghanistan. Please express your thoughts either here, or in the chatroom here . And for those that would rather watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" -- which has been shamefully bumped to next Tuesday! -- here are a few clips (videos ... Ken Shepherd / NewsBusters.org AP Writer: Is Obama Too Spock-like?   —  Have Associated Press's Seth Borenstein and Chris Matthews had a Vulcan mind-meld? Two weeks ago, you may recall, the MSNBC "Hardball" hosts wondered if the president was just "too darned intellectual." Today, AP's Borenstein wondered, "Is Obama another Mr. Spock?": WASHINGTON -- He shows a fascination with science, ... Pamela Geller / Atlas Shrugs Obama's GITMO Circus: Muslim Terrorist Asks for Dismissal Based on "Constitutional Rights"   —  Only a man who hated America would put us through this. Really, why is he doing this? I have asked this for many times over the last year and the last month , and others have joined the chorus: whose side is he on ? This nazi was denied his constitutional rights. This is Obama's secret glee. Despicable. If you were a patriot, if you loved America, Chip / AfterDowningStreet.org Youth Ant-War Appeal: Young People In The US Refuse to Die and Kill for Oil and Empire   —  YOUTH ANTIWAR APPEAL: Young people in the United States refuse to die and kill for oil and empire | The Organizer APPEAL The majority of youth voted for Obama because they want an end to wars, but now the Obama administration is escalating the war against the people of Afghanistan, by proposing to send an additional 34,000 troops. This is ... David Kurtz / Talking Points Memo ICYMI: Obama's West Point Address   —  Video of the entire Obama speech on Afghanistan. Reuters McChrystal upbeat on revamped Afghan strategy   —  KABUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's pledge of 30,000 troops for Afghanistan provides the manpower for a revamped strategy to protect civilians, ramp up training of local forces and turn the war's tide, his commander said on Wednesday. Sunny / Pickled Politics Why Obama made the right decision on Afghanistan   —  Obama has finally announced his plans with regards to Afghanistan. His plans are outlined here. Why I like it: 1. He didn’t blindly heed General McChrystal’s view that chucking troops at Afghanistan will solve the problem. 2. Announced July 2011 as the date when U.S. forces in Afghanistan will begin handing over security ... Jricole / Informed Comment Cole in Salon: Obama's Surge and the Iraq Fallacy   —  See my just-published Salon.com article, "Obama's surge: has the president been misled by the Iraq analogy?" Excerpt: ' President Barack Obama’s just-announced plan for Afghanistan seems modeled less on Lyndon Johnson’s Vietnam strategy than on George W. Bush’s Iraq exit strategy. Or, at least it is modeled on the Washington mythology that ... Rob / Say Anything Obama’s Afghanistan Incoherence   —  Tonight I had foreign policy expert Steve Schippert on my radio show (you can listen to our interview here when the podcast posts). Steve has a column about Obama’s Afghan strategy in tomorrow’s Washington Times . You can read it right now here . An excerpt: The president has yet to use the word “victory” or even “ ... Joshua Keating / FP Passport The Obama speech: Still not quite sure what victory looks like   —  Others on this site will weigh in soon with more in-depth analysis of the president's speech tonight, but a couple thoughts right off the bat. No matter how forceful his explanation of the stakes in Afghanistan, Obama was unlikely to convince those who don't see the war as worth it. On the other hand, I think that viewers were waiting to hear ... Neil Stevens (Profile) / RedState EU: Obama is too beholden to Hollywood   —  In another triumph of openness for the Hopenchange™ administration, the secret negotations of the proposed Anti-Counterfeiting and Trade Agreement (ACTA) continue. And according to Wired, they’re not going well for the President . A note from the EU to the US was leaked and published to a European website, and it exposes two facts. First, Media Matters for America Did O'Reilly even watch Obama's Afghanistan speech?   —  Following President Obama's speech at West Point addressing the war in Afghanistan, Fox News' Bill O'Reilly criticized Obama for supposedly not "saying, 'Look, these are bad guys. We're fighting evil" and for not warning Americans that "[i]f we lose, this is going to lead to more bloodshed all over the world." In fact, Obama referred to Al Qaeda ... Philip Klein / AmSpecBlog Giving Credit to Obama   —  As I write this, Sean Hannity is griping about President Obama taking too long to make a decision on Afghanistan, only deploying 30,000 troops instead of 40,000, and showing weakness in talking ... () / The Corner on National Review Online Hutchison On Obama's Speech -- By: Robert Costa   —  Tonight, President Obama called for the deployment of 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, then a “transfer of our forces out” to begin in July 2011. It’s what David Ignatius of the Washington Post calls a “surge, then leave” policy. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R., Tex.) tells NRO that “a hard deadline of any date is the wrong message to send,” ... Leon T. Hadar / HuffingtonPost.com Leon T. Hadar: Obama's New Afghanistan Strategy: The Same Old Pax Americana   —  First, the good news (or sort of): In his much-anticipated address outlining his strategy for Afghanistan on Tuesday night, President Barack Obama refrained from employing the kind of fantasy-infused rhetoric about democratizing the Middle East that his predecessor tended to apply to the marketing his own war plans to the American public. ... Gary Gross / California Conservative President Obama’s Speech Doesn’t Fit Together   —  President Obama’s speech at West Point tonight was a different speech than any I’ve ever seen him give before. Several things he said stood out for me tonight, starting with this comment: Under the banner of this domestic unity and international legitimacy, and only after the Taliban refused to turn over Osama bin Laden, we sent our ... Michael Moore Senators split on exit strategy and funding to continue war in Afghanistan   —  The second ranking Republican in the Senate urged President Barack Obama not to speak of an exit strategy when he announces his Afghanistan decision Tuesday, fearing it would send a message to allies and enemies that the U.S. isn't committed to staying in the country. "I really hope we can stay away from all this talk of an exit strategy," Sen. ... () / The Corner on National Review Online Conflicting Message -- By: NRO Staff   —  President Obama has released his long-awaited and long-deliberated path forward on Afghanistan. There were few if any surprises, as the bulk of the strategy points were leaked to the media over the past several days. Obama approved 30,000 troops to deploy vice General McChrystal's request of 40,000, but it wasn’t expected that the full 40,000 ... Michael Moore Obama's Afghanistan plan wins conservative praise   —  Washington ( CNN ) - It's not often the Republican National Committee holds a conference call with reporters during which President Barack Obama is largely praised. But amid news the president has decided to beef up U.S. forces in Afghanistan by at least 30,000 within the next six months, the RNC deployed conservative foreign policy expert Dan ... Editor / Roll Call Print Edition Lieberman Backs Obama Afghan Strategy   —  Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) on Tuesday emerged as one of President Barack Obama's most critical allies in the debate over the administration's new strategy for Afghanistan. By Kate Sheppard / MoJo Blog Posts Jim Webb: Climate Curmudgeon   —  Jim Webb is not at all happy that Barack Obama plans to travel to Copenhagen next week and pledge that the US will act to halt climate change. In a letter to Obama, Webb argues that the president does not have "unilateral power" to promise anything to the rest of the world. Instead, Webb contends, Obama should sit around and wait for ... Yahoo! News McChrystal upbeat on revamped Afghan strategy   —  Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama's pledge of 30,000 troops for Afghanistan provides the manpower for a revamped strategy to protect civilians, ramp up training of local forces and turn the war's tide, his commander said on Wednesday. () / Articles on National Review Online Christmas Books: The Final Chapter -- By: An NRO Symposium   —  T oday National Review Online wraps up our series of suggestions for Christmas books. Perhaps you’ll find a volume or two to wrap up for someone! FR. GERALD E. MURRAY This parish priest was once a chaplain in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Being around the military reminded me of the generosity of dedicated men and women who love our country and its ... Allahpundit / Hot Air » Top Picks Audio: Cheney knocks Obama on eve of war speech   —  "Is the commander in chief really behind what they’ve been asked to do?" () / Articles on National Review Online Rebuke This Home Invader, Mr. President -- By: Jim Geraghty   —  A s the land of opportunity, America has always encouraged dreams of fame and generated weird celebrities -- in the 1980s, people paid good money to watch a man smash watermelons with a sledgehammer -- but it feels as if we’ve hit a new high, or low, with the incident at the Obamas’ first state dinner. The incident generated its share of ... Forum Obama’s Hedged Bet on Afghanistan   —  President Obama is committed to victory in Afghanistan – at least for 18 months. That seemed to be the upshot of the president’s announcement yesterday that he would order an additional 30,000 American troops to Afghanistan, a bold decision he hedged with the political caveat that they would be withdrawn in time for the 2012 election. ... John Nichols / The Nation Obama Has Spoken; Now, Let's Have a Debate   —  President Obama delivered a carefully-constructed and nuanced call Tuesday night for the extension of the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. Obama came to the wrong conclusion about a military adventure that should be coming to a conclusion, rather than ramping up. But Obama's attempt to find a middle ground between anti-war forces and supporters ... Editor / Roll Call Print Edition Congress Divided on Obama's Afghanistan War Plan   —  Congressional leaders in both parties had mixed reactions to President Barack Obama's Tuesday night address on his Afghanistan war strategy, which centers on sending 30,000 more troops into the region over the next six months. MataHarley / Flopping Aces Obama at West Point: Portrait of a US Commander in Chief on the defensive   —  Text of Obama’s West Point Afghanistan speech Rarely do I compose a pure op-ed, as I’m doing here. Consider this one a “Mata vents!” moment. Comments or mass readership? I crave none of these save the grateful release of putting some thoughts and reactions to paper… er keyboard. So take a pass [...] Greyhawk / Mudville Gazette General McChrystal Statement   —  KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 2) - The statement of General Stanley McChrystal, Commander NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan regarding the address by The President of the United States: "The Afghanistan-Pakistan review led by the President has provided me with a clear military mission and the resources to ... Curt / Flopping Aces Obama’s Afghanistan Speech: I’m Sending Troops While Signaling To The Enemy That We Quit   —  Obama made his loooooooong anticipated speech tonight on Afghanistan and announced he would send 30,000 troops to help fight the war and then announced a date to withdraw hereby officially dooming this war to the same fate as Vietnam: President Obama, in a speech that could define the rest of his presidency, announced Tuesday that he [...] John Cole / Balloon Juice Things To Do/Look For In Obama’s Speech   —  I’m going to miss the speech because I have something else to do, but I do want those of you watching the speech to do a couple things as he speaks. Every time Obama says something like “We need to finish what we started” you need to yell out loud “BECAUSE BUSH AND CHENEY DIDN ’T.” It should go something like ... Dave Johnson / Seeing the Forest Bush Left Obama Little Choice On Afghanistan   —  My take on Obama's speech is that Bush left Obama little choice on how to proceed, and this is the best that can be done with it. Bush had the chance to conclude Afghanistan years ago but neglected it, just like how he let bin Laden go, because he had his agenda with Iraq. So the Taliban came... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit Seeing the ... Forum Read the Numbers: Obama Will Bankrupt America   —  When President Barack Obama entered office in January, the greatest problem America faced was neither the war in Afghanistan nor the recession. It was the imminent crisis of the welfare state. Not only has Obama failed to deal with this crisis, he is pursuing policies that will bankrupt America. In March, the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, led by ...

3. Text: Obama’s Address on the War in Afghanistan 10 hours ago   permalink

SHERYL GAY STOLBERG / NYT

The transcript of President Obama’s address at the United States Military Academy on a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan.

discussions

JERRY REMMERS / The Moderate Voice :   The Obama Doctrine, Like It Or Not

Blue Mass. Group :   Obama ties himself in 2011 knots

Dafydd / Big Lizards :   What the Right Hand Giveth...

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Justin Gardner / Donklephant Full Text Of Obama’s Speech On Afghanistan   —  Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our armed services, and to my fellow Americans: I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in Afghanistan – the nature of our commitment there, the scope of our interests, and the strategy that my Administration will pursue [...]

Mratclif / The Left Coaster Open Thread   —  Listening to PRI's The World today, I heard from an expert, Mark Kramer of the Harvard Cold War Studies, that the Soviet Union was well on its way to winning the war in Afghanistan except Gorbachev went wobbly and decided to withdraw troops. Evidently the brutal tactics the Soviets used were decisively defeating the resistance and effectively ...

Rick Moran / Right Wing Nut House THE RICK MORAN SHOW: AFGHANISTAN AT THE CROSSROADS   —  You won’t want to miss tonight’s Rick Moran Show, one of the most popular conservative talk shows on Blog Talk Radio. Tonight, I welcome Dan Reihl, Clarice Feldman, and Alberto de la Cruz for a discussion of Afghanistan, Climategate, and the Honduran election. The show will air from 7:00 - 8:00 PM Central time. You can access [...] CNN / CNN Pelosi pours cold water on war surtax   —  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says a war surtax does not have 'a good prospect.' Washington (CNN) - Speaker Nancy Pelosi Tuesday poured cold water on a proposal by several top House Democrats to impose a new surtax to pay for the war in Afghanistan. Pelosi told CNN, "I think the war has to be paid for. [...] Editor / Truthdig Kucinich on Obama’s Escalation: Great Speech, Bad Policy   —  The other “peace candidate” in the 2008 Democratic primary isn’t thrilled with the president’s order to radically escalate the war in Afghanistan, no matter if there’s an exit strategy: “What are we going to learn in 18 months that we haven’t already learned in the last eight years?” READ THE WHOLE ITEM TobyToons (Profile) / RedState Obama FINALLY gives his stamp of approval to Afghanistan.   —  Scott Whitlock / NewsBusters.org ABC’s Sawyer Hits Gibbs From the Left: This is the Last Time You’ll Ask For Troops, Right?   —  Good Morning America host Diane Sawyer on Tuesday badgered Robert Gibbs from the left, quizzing the White House press secretary about Democratic resistance to a troop surge in Afghanistan. She began by fretting, " Is this the last time the President is going to ask for American troops from the American people? " After Gibbs  ... Ken Blanchard / South Dakota Politics The President makes Policy on Afghanistan   —  It is tempting to rake the President over the coals once again on the duration and many false starts of his decision making process. How many weeks did it take to decide that troop withdrawal would begin in July of... CNN / CNN Crowley: Obama's message to Afghanistan   —  (CNN) - The U.S. wants to be your partner not your patron. PoliPundit / PoliPundit.com Afghanistan   —  Given how boring, over-exposed, and ineffective Obama has become, will anyone listen to what he has to say about Afghanistan tonight? Politicsblog / SFGate Boxer opposes troop build-up in Afghanistan   —  California Sen. Barbara Boxer, a Dem, issued the tersest statement of all the 2010 CA Senate candidates: "I support the President's mission and exit strategy for Afghanistan, but I do not... Owillis / Oliver Willis Text Of Obama Speech On Afghanistan @ West Point   —  Remarks of President Barack Obama—As Prepared for Delivery The Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan United States Military Academy at West Point December 1, 2009 Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our armed services, and to my fellow Americans: I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in [...] Truthout Remarks of President Barack Obama, as Prepared for Delivery   —  The Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan United States Military Academy at West Point read more Nick Robinson (The Reporters) / Nick Robinson One more heave   —  We're going in deeper to get out sooner. That was the core message of President Obama's long-awaited new strategy for Afghanistan which Gordon Brown foreshadowed earlier this week. It represents a balancing act between the military's request for more troops and increasing public demands to know when "our boys" will be coming home. Cynics will ... Evan McMorris-Santoro / TPMDC Progressive War Vets 'Not Ready' To Back New Afghanistan Plan   —  VoteVets.org, which represents progressive American veterans reports its members are still ambivalent about President Obama's plan to add troops to the Afghanistan war -- and end the conflict by 2012. From a statement by Jon Soltz, the chairman of VoteVets, released after Obama's West Point speech this evening: "We have been supportive of every ... Brian Beutler / TPMDC White House Fact Sheet On Afghanistan   —  In case Obama's remarks weren't substantive enough for you, the White House has released a fact sheet outlining how they arrived at this point, what went into their decision making, and how (they hope) it will all play out. You can read it below the fold. FACT SHEET: The Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan OUR MISSION: The President's speech ... MOISES SAMAN / NYT On Assignment: Afghanistan in Free Fall   —  Moises Saman has returned to Afghanistan time and again with the hope of documenting the promise of peace and prosperity, which now seem ever more elusive. By Nick Baumann / MoJo Blog Posts We're Still at War: Photo of the Day for   —  HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Oct. 28, 2009)—Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Nicolas Grey, assigned to Combined Anti-Armor Team 2, pauses during a patrol in Nawa District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is one of the ground combat elements deployed with Regimental Combat Team 7. ( US Marine Corps photo by ... Steven Moyer / THE TENSION Pentagon: More Troops Likely for Afghanistan's East, South   —  N ews in Balance: WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2009 -- With President Barack Obama's expected announcement today to send more U.S. forces to Afghanistan, a defense official said a portion of the additional troops are likely to reinforce the country's contentious eastern and southern areas. A chief responsibility of Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U. ... Myglesias / Matthew Yglesias The Afghanistan Speech   —  I have not yet watched the speech, but I have read the text and wanted to put some thought down before my impressions are polluted by contact with other people’s commentary. You can think of this speech as containing two arguments. One is “yes committing the United States to defeating the Taliban is a good [...] Washington Post Staff Writers / Wash Post Politics Fact check: Obama's address on Afghanistan   —  8:44 p.m. -- Timeline for withdrawal "I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan. After 18 months, our troops will begin to come home. Taken together, these additional American and international troops will allow us to accel... Owillis / Oliver Willis Obama Afghanistan Address Speech Excerpts   —  THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 1, 2009 Excerpts of the President’s Address to the Nation “The 30,000 additional [...] The Seattle Times Text of President Obama's speech on Afghanistan   —  Text of President Barack Obama's speech Tuesday about his plans for the Afghanistan war, as provided by the White House: Online / Detnews.com Text of President Obama's speech on Afghanistan   —  Text of President Barack Obama's speech Tuesday about his plans for the Afghanistan war, as provided by the White House: FOXNews.com Congress Scrutinizes Obama's Afghanistan Plan   —  Lawmakers plan to use two days of high-profile hearings on the war, beginning Wednesday, to express their misgivings about bama's escalation of the war in Afghanistan. Nicholas Watt / Politics news Five more years in Afghanistan for UK   —  British forces will remain in Afghanistan for at least five more years to support Afghan troops in an "overwatch role", the foreign secretary, David Miliband, said today. Hours before Barack Obama's statement announcing a political and military surge, Miliband said he hoped President Hamid Karzai would deliver on his commitment to ensure that ... WSJ.com Democrats, Republicans Trade Jabs on War Funding   —  As President Barack Obama’s troop surge in Afghanistan was hotly debated in the halls of Congress Tuesday, much of the discussion revolved around the cost, with Democrats complaining about the price tag and asking how the additional deployments would be paid for, and Republicans largely dismissing the issue. Tennessean.com Top News Obama ups ante with troop surge in Afghanistan   —  WASHINGTON - Six months after saying he doubted that "piling on more and more troops" was the road to success in Afghanistan, and then warning his commanders not to ask for more, President Barack Obama has given Gen. Stanley McChrystal nearly all of the troops that he wanted. Stephen F. Hayes / Weekly Standard Blog Does the White House Believe Iran Will be Helpful in Afghanistan?   —  The Obama administration conducted a 30 minute conference call this afternoon with journalists to preview President Obama's speech on Afghanistan tonight. The final question concerned Iran. The reporter who posed the question informed the senior administration officials briefing the media that Iran had criticized the reported escalation of ... Media Matters for America MSNBC repeatedly hosts McCaffrey to discuss Afghanistan without disclosing his conflict of interest   —  At least three times in the last two days, MSNBC anchors have hosted NBC News military analyst and retired Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, who has used his appearances to criticize possible "deadlines" to the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan and highlight the importance of training the Afghan security forces. However, at no point have McCaffrey or ... The Seattle Times Europe's response to Obama's Afghanistan plan likely to be mixed   —  While generally welcoming the promised increase of U.S. troops to Afghanistan, Europe is likely to present President Obama with a mixed bag of responses to his request that allies step up their deployments. Daily Kos / Daily Kos Night Owls, Early Birds & Expats Open Thread   —  Carl Hulse at The New York Times reports Qualified Support From G.O.P.; Skepticism From Democrats Congressional Republicans offered qualified support Tuesday for President Obama’s proposed troop increase in Afghanistan but several senior Democrats took sharp exception to the president’s plan, illustrating the deep divide in the party ... WSJ.com Hoyer Says Bush Officials ‘Turned Tail’ in Afghanistan   —  House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) lashed out at the Bush administration’s handling of the Afghanistan war, accusing Bush officials of "turning tail." Taegan Goddard Reaction to President Obama's Speech on Afghanistan   —  Unlike most of President Obama's speeches, it's hard to feel positive after this one. He did not make the case for how a quick surge of additional troops, followed by their withdrawal starting just 18 months later, is going to dramatically change the outcome of this war. The setting, in an auditorium of cadets at West Point, didn't work. Weak ... The Editors / Democracyarsenal.org Live-blogging the Afghanistan speech   —  Hi everyone: I'm going to be posting at least a couple of times tonight as we watch the President's speech. After a few minutes, I'm alreayd struck by the staging and by the President's reliance on story-telling: setting the stage... Justin Gardner / Donklephant Full Video Of Obama’s Speech On Afghanistan   —  He reminds America why we’re fighting, how we almost won in Afghanistan, how we got off course because of Iraq (without laying blame), how we plan to fix it and that this isn’t an open ended commitment. He even goes so far as to talk about when he’ll start bringing people home: July 2011. All [...] Daily Kos / Daily Kos Live Blog of the President's Speech No. 2   —  Throughout this period, our troop levels in Afghanistan remained a fraction of what they were in Iraq. When I took office, we had just over 32,000 Americans serving in Afghanistan, compared to 160,000 in Iraq at the peak of the war. Commanders in Afghanistan repeatedly asked for support to deal with the reemergence of the Taliban, but these ... Booman Tribune / Booman Tribune Obama's Afghanistan Speech   —  Tell me what you think of his speech and his plan. Davidswanson / AfterDowningStreet.org Afghanistan: the Roach Motel of Empires   —  By Zoltan Grossman In just a few months, Afghanistan will surpass Vietnam as the longest single war fought by the United States in its history. In his West Point speech on November 30, President Obama denied that “Afghanistan is another Vietnam”--and in some senses he is correct. Vietnam in 1975 was a far more unified state--ethnically and ... Admin / Storyballoon.org President Obama Announcing That 30,000 More Troops Will Go To Afghanistan At West Point.   —  Justin Katz / Anchor Rising Not the Way to Win in Afghanistan   —  The American military commander in Afghanistan had already tempered his request for troops: Gen. Stanley McChrystal wanted to ask President Obama for 50,000 more troops for Afghanistan on top of the 68,000 already stationed there, but he was convinced to... FOXNews.com Troops, Families Mixed Over Obama's War Plan   —  Many say they support the surge as long as it helps to end the eight-year-old conflict, but shake their heads at president's announcement of 2011 troop withdrawal date. CNN.com FAQs about the mission in Afghanistan   —  Here are some frequently asked questions about the mission in Afghanistan. Michael Goldfarb / Weekly Standard Blog Palin Supports: "Finally, A Decision for Afghanistan"   —  Palin posts a statement : At long last, President Obama decided to give his military commanders much of what they need to accomplish their mission in Afghanistan. In the end, he decided to endorse a “surge” for Afghanistan, applying the counterinsurgency principles of “clear, hold and build” that worked so well in Iraq. Given that he ... Chip / AfterDowningStreet.org Left RAdical of Afghanistan Writes to Youth Activists Opposing US/NATO Occupation of Afghanistan   —  Message from Left Radical of Afghanistan to the young people and youth organizations that will mobilizing on Saturday December 5th against the US/NATO occupation in Afghanistan Deploying more troops to Afghanistan will cause more disasters for Afghans and Americans The tragic and barbarous war machine of US/NATO in Afghanistan continues to be ... Forum Experts fear ousted Afghan Taliban will simply cross the border   —  Pakistanis do not doubt that President Obama's troop buildup will give U.S. and allied forces more wherewithal to uproot Taliban militants from their strongholds in Afghanistan. What worries them is that the strategy will push Afghan Taliban over the porous border and bolster the ranks of brethren militants in Pakistan's tribal areas, ... Little Green Footballs LGF Poll: Obama's Afghanistan Plan   —  [Poll] Editor / Roll Call Print Edition Obama Commits More Troops to Afghanistan, Sets Timeline   —  President Barack Obama Tuesday evening announced a commitment of 30,000 additional troops to the fight in Afghanistan for a limited mission that he said will see them begin to return home in 18 months after they have weakened — but not necessarily defeated — the Taliban. JPost Headlines Obama: Afghanistan war not lost, troops to begin coming home in 2011 The White House / White House.gov Press Office Feed Excerpts of the President's Address to the Nation   —  “The 30,000 additional troops that I am announcing tonight will deploy in the first part of 2010 – the fastest pace possible – so that they can target the insurgency and secure key population centers. They will increase our ability to train competent Afghan Security Forces, and to partner with them so that more Afghans can get ... () / The Corner on National Review Online What Could Have Been -- By: NRO Staff   —  There are many on the Right who will criticize the president's speech tonight -- particularly his statement of a specific date for a U.S. drawdown to begin. However, it is worth reflecting on what could have been in the speech that was not -- off ramps, assessments of progress before the bulk of the additional troops were deployed -- all ... Michael Moore Anti-war protesters startle Seattle's holiday shoppers   —  SEATTLE - A bizarre scene unfolded amid the festive holiday atmosphere at Westlake Center on Saturday, as men in U.S. military uniforms stormed through the crowd, tossing civilians to the sidewalk and handcuffing them. It was all part of a "street theater" style anti-war protest staged by opponents of the proposed troop surge in Afghanistan. The ... Blackfive / BLACKFIVE Obama's plan for Afghanistan   —  Not here, that would be inappropriate. You know where the straight skinny will be applied. () / The Corner on National Review Online A Commander-in-Chief & His Lieutenant -- By: NRO Staff   —  The president was underwhelming at West Point. On one of the gravest strategic issues of our time, the golden orator of our political scene labored through his compulsories to make the case for why we should win a war that if we lose will invigorate the jihadist cause, put untenable pressure on the governments of Pakistan and India (to say ... Michael Moore US soldier deaths in Afghanistan hit 300 this year   —  KABUL — An insurgent ambush killed a US soldier in Afghanistan, the military said Wednesday, bringing to 300 the number of American troops killed in the country so far this year. The soldier serving in the NATO-run International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was killed when his patrol was attacked in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, said the ... MAUREEN DOWD / NYT Editorial: The Afghanistan Speech   —  President Obama needs to tell the American people how he intends to pay for the war and how he will decide when Afghanistan will be able to stand on its own. Spencer Ackerman / The Washington Independent Petraeus’ Model for the ‘Extended Surge’ in Afghanistan   —  In 2007, Gen. David Petraeus, then the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, testified to Congress about how he envisioned the war ending. It turned out that he had a method for the war’s ending phases, but not a timetable for when they would occur. But the final phases he called “transition to overwatch.” By [...] Melissa McEwan / Shakesville Afghanistan Open Thread   —  New York Times — Pullout From Afghanistan to Begin in 2011, Officials Say : "President Obama plans to announce Tuesday night that he will begin to transition American forces out of Afghanistan beginning in July 2011, setting the first time frame to wind down the war there nearly a decade after the United States first sent troops in to topple ... JPost Headlines Obama: 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan by summer

4. Between the Lines, an Expansion in Pakistan 3 hours ago   permalink

DAVID / NYT

President Obama left much unsaid about Pakistan, where he can send no troops, but he offered hints of an expanded counterinsurgency effort.

discussions

MSNBC.com :   NYT: Obama to step up Pakistan war

Aharding / CNN :   POLITICAL HOT TOPICS:

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Projo.com Political Scene R.I. congressional delegation cites concerns over Obama buildup   —  WASHINGTON — Rhode Island’s two congressmen said Tuesday that they cannot yet support President Obama’s decision to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, while the state’s senators — also Democrats — voiced strong concerns as they said they would back the new strategy in the war.

WILLIAM KERN / The Moderate Voice Pakistan Cannot Allow American Surge Along its Border: The Nation, Pakistan   —  As the world awaits the President’s new Afghanistan strategy, the government of Pakistan appears to be throwing down the gauntlet in the event of an Obama “surge.” This editorial from Pakistan’s The Nation warns that a buildup of U.S. troops along the Pakistan border would be bad for the United States, bad for Afghanistan,

Latest Politics Headlines Video: 30,000 More Troops to Afghanistan   —  President Obama announces that, after long review, it is of " our vital national interest" to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. Yahoo! News Bomb kills one outside Pakistan naval headquarters   —  Reuters - A suicide bomber blew himself up outside Pakistan's naval headquarters in Islamabad on Wednesday, killing a guard and critically wounding two navy personnel. L.A. Times Additional troops will facilitate general's strategy   —  President Obama's decision to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan pleased many military officials, who said they believe the bolstered forces will be able to execute a more robust counterinsurgency strategy. Rss / MyDD The White House Fact Sheet   —  The White House put out this fact sheet tonight after the President's address in West Point. FACT SHEET: THE WAY FORWARD IN AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN OUR MISSION : The President's speech reaffirms the March 2009 core goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and eventually defeat al Qaeda and to prevent their return to either Afghanistan or Pakistan. To do so, The White House / White House.gov Press Office Feed Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation on the Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan   —  8:01 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. To the United States Corps of Cadets, to the men and women of our Armed Services, and to my fellow Americans: I want to speak to you tonight about our effort in Afghanistan -- the nature of our commitment there, the scope of our interests, and the strategy that my administration will pursue to bring ... WSJ.com Some Lawmakers Warn Against Afghanistan Escalation   —  Lawmakers opposed to President Barack Obama’s decision to send more troops to Afghanistan didn't wait for his speech tonight to voice their opposition. Daily Kos / Daily Kos The Beginning of the End? July 2011   —  In a background-only White House briefing – no names for publication - administration officials this afternoon provided some details on what Barack Obama, in his role as Commander in Chief, will say in his speech on Afghanistan in a few hours. He will reaffirm his core goal as announced in March – to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat" ... Mratclif / The Left Coaster 9/11 Is No Rationale For Escalating The Afghan War   —  For months, the neocons and their ilk have been telling us that we have to escalate the war in Afghanistan, to prevent another 9/11. The argument goes something like this: The 9/11 terrorist attacks happened because we neglected Afghanistan, so it protects our national security not to neglect Afghanistan, again. Glossing right over the subtler ... Susie Madrak / Crooks and Liars With Afghan Surge, Count the Cost In Injuries. Estimate: 13,000 New Cases Of PTSD.   —  The obscene human costs will continue to add up as the war machine rolls on: Pentagon bean counters see an extra $40 billion in annual costs if President Obama sends 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan, but Michael Blecker sees mainly this: More than 13,000 new cases of post-traumatic stress disorder. An additional 8,000 or so traumatic brain ... Patrick Barry / Democracyarsenal.org The right commitment to Pakistan   —  One of the problems of live-blogging is that you get hung up on some things and miss others. And big surprise, I missed the President's comments on Pakistan. While I'll caveat what I'm about to say that the U.S. has... Reuters Bomb kills one outside Pakistan naval headquarters   —  ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A suicide bomber blew himself up outside Pakistan's naval headquarters in Islamabad on Wednesday, killing a guard and critically wounding two navy personnel. Power Line Oddest line of the night   —  Early in his speech on Afghanistan, President Obama declared that the 9/11 terrorists "took the lives of innocent men, women, and children without regard to their faith or race or station " (emphasis added). Does this mean it wasn't a hate crime? SALMAN MASOOD / NYT Suicide Bomber Kills Naval Official in Pakistan   —  A suicide bomber on foot detonated his explosives while trying to enter the headquarters of the Pakistan Navy in Islamabad Wednesday. The White House / White House.gov Press Office Feed Press Briefing by Senior Administration Officials on the President's West Point Speech   —  Via Teleconference 3:04 P.M. EST MR. EARNEST: Good afternoon, everybody, and thanks for your patience today; we've been waiting for the traveling press corps, who's in West Point today to cover the speech in person -- for them to be screened and for them to be available to jump on this call. So I think many of them have now had the chance to do ... () / Articles on National Review Online The Wrong War -- By: John R. Miller   —  P resident Obama has finally made up his mind on Afghanistan -- sort of. The clear decision and explanation that would either give meaning and rationale to our troops’ efforts or lay the foundation for a reasoned withdrawal has been put off, yet again. It is almost heresy in conservative circles to say that changing circumstances -- and not just ...

5. Australia carbon laws fail, election possible 11 hours ago   permalink

Uk.reuters.com

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australia's parliament rejected laws to set up a sweeping carbon trade scheme on Wednesday, scuttling a key climate change policy of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and providing a trigger for an early 2010 election.

discussions

Dan Karipides / Wizbang :   Australian Version of Cap and Trade Fails

Rob / Say Anything :   Australian Parliament Rejects Cap And Trade

Noel Sheppard / NewsBusters.org :   BREAKING: Australia's Parliament Rejects Cap and Trade

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News.yahoo.com Australia's Parliament defeats global warming bill   —  SYDNEY – Australia's Parliament defeated legislation to set up a greenhouse gas emissions trading system on Wednesday, throwing a central plank of the government's plans to combat global warming into disarray. John / Power Line :    Phil Jones Goes Under the Bus, Temporarily Chris in Paris / AMERICAblog News :    Australia rejects climate change bill

BBC News Australian Senate rejects Rudd climate plan   —  Australia's Senate has voted down Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's flagship policy on climate change for a second time.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS / NYT Australia's Global Warming Bill Defeated   —  Australia’s Senate rejected the legislation to set up a carbon trading system, a centerpiece of the government’s plans to slash the country’s emissions.

6. Op-Ed Columnist: This I Believe 7 hours ago   permalink

THOMAS / NYT

Nation-building in Afghanistan is just too expensive, when balanced against our needs for nation-building at home right now.

discussions

Laura at warandpiece.com / War and Piece :   no title

Taegan Goddard :   Nation Building at Home

Marc Ambinder / The Atlantic Politics Channel :   Obama's Speech: Morning Review Thoughts

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MAUREEN DOWD / NYT Op-Ed Columnist: Who’s Sari Now?   —  The breaching of the White House wall by Michaele and Tareq Salahi serves as a prism to examine our society, our president and our values.

DAVID / NYT Op-Ed Contributor: Freedom’s Martyr   —  It’s time for the nation to grant John Brown a posthumous pardon for his heroic effort to emancipate slaves.

7. Military families brace for Obama's Afghan surge 9 hours ago   permalink

Hosted.ap.org

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Battle-weary troops and their families braced for a wrenching round of new deployments to Afghanistan, but many said they support the surge announced Tuesday as long as it helps to end the 8-year-old conflict.

discussions

Dan / Riehl World View :   AP: Troops, Families Mixed On Obama's Afghanistan Plan

Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :   ASSOCIATED PRESS: Troops, families mixed over Obama’s Afghan surge. An ex-Marine himself, Thomas…

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Gatewaypundit.firstthings.com Krauthammer and Hayes Slam Obama’s Weak Afghan Surge Speech   —  Charles Krauthammer: I thought it was a rather strange speech. It was defensive and it was a lot of hedging. the president said at the end that our resolve is unwavering. He said in August this was a war of necessity. And then he gives us all of the reasons that we need to start leaving in a year and a half. And among the reasons he gave was that ... Cassy Fiano / ACLU :    Message to Obama: A war cannot be ended — a war is either won or it is lost.

Latest Politics Headlines Congress Scrutinizes Obama's Afghan Plan   —  Despite Serious Misgivings on Both Sides of Aisle, Lawmakers Likely to Approve New Surge's $30B Price Tag

Yahoo! News FACT CHECK: Obama skims over some Afghan realities   —  AP - Can more U.S. troops in Afghanistan really convert Afghans into an effective fighting force? Will allies answer the call to do more? Is Pakistan truly prepared to take on the extremists who pose the greatest threat? BBC News Taliban defiant over Obama surge   —  The Taliban say they will step up the fight in Afghanistan, after pledges by the US to send substantial reinforcements. Yahoo! News US commander supports Afghan surge timeline   —  AP - The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday he's "absolutely supportive" of the 18-month timeline for President Barack Obama's troop surge even though Taliban forces may try to wait out the increased U.S. commitment. He said the U.S. and its partners need to convince the Taliban they cannot win. Truthout Administration Official: Troop Surge Aimed at "Preventing Taliban From Overthowing Afghan Government"   —  President Barack Obama will tell the American people in a televised address tonight from the US Military Academy at West Point that the goal of sending 30,000 additional soldiers to Afghanistan is to "prevent the Taliban from overthrowing the Afghan government," a senior administration official said Tuesday in a background briefing ... Chip / AfterDowningStreet.org Obama's Afghan Surge Protested at White House Rally   —  read more Military Top Stories Center Troops' Families Brace for Afghan Surge   —  JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- Battle-weary troops and their families braced for a wrenching round of new deployments to Afghanistan, but many said they support the surge announced Tuesday as long as it helps to end the 8-year-old conflict. Mgutierrez / IPS Inter Press Service U.S.: Obama Had Rejected His Own Speech's Surge Rationale   —  WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (IPS) - President Barack Obama presented a case Tuesday for sending 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan that included both soaring rhetoric and a new emphasis on its necessity for U.S. national security. The Seattle Times FACT CHECK: Obama skims over some Afghan realities   —  Can more U.S. troops in Afghanistan really convert Afghans into an effective fighting force? Will allies answer the call to do more? Is Pakistan truly prepared to take on the extremists who pose the greatest threat? Booman Tribune / Booman Tribune Obama = Enemy of Our Military   —  Hey, if Chris Matthews of that "liberal Marxist" news organization MsNBC says it may be so, then it must be so. His powers of understanding America and Patriotism and Politics (and identifying hot babes!) go far beyond yours and mine, my friends. President Obama may be the Commander-in Chief according to the US Constitution, but who really knows, ... Editor / Roll Call Print Edition Obama's Afghan Plan Looks to 2011 Drawdown   —  President Barack Obama on Tuesday night will announce that he is sending an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan with the aim of beginning to withdraw U.S. troops from the country in July 2011, according to senior administration officials. Michael Moore Gibbs: Deployment to Afghan will be accelerated   —  WASHINGTON — A White House spokesman says President Barack Obama is ready to lay out an end-game scenario for U.S. involvement in Afghanistan because "we can't be there forever." Robert Gibbs also told MSNBC that Obama's prime-time West Point speech also will lay out a faster deployment plan than initially envisioned in a war review written by ...

8. Tree-ring data at Queen's University Belfast 5 hours ago   permalink

Www.informath.org

E-mail from the Assistant Information Commissioner for Northern Ireland, saying that he was handling the case and he had visited QUB (this was concomitant with a telephone call, which elaborated).

discussions

Guido Fawkes / Guy Fawke :   CRU Boss Stands Aside, Queens University Blocking Data FOI

Mick Fealty / Slugger O'Toole :   Climategate: An unscientific response to unscientific arguments…

9. Reed declares himself Atlanta's next mayor 7 hours ago   permalink

Www.ajc.com

Kasim Reed won the runoff election for mayor of Atlanta Tuesday by a margin so narrow that his opponent Mary Norwood would not concede defeat, and the race was certain to go to a recount.

discussions

Taegan Goddard :   Atlanta Runoff Heads to Recount

Hotline On Call :   Reed Declares Win, Norwood Won't Concede

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SHAILA DEWAN / NYT Atlanta Mayoral Race Too Close to Call   —  Kasim Reed held a narrow lead over Mary Norwood in the Atlanta mayor’s race, but the outcome remained too close for a clear winner to be declared.

Rss / MyDD Kasim Reed wins Atlanta mayoral race   —  I couldn't stay up as late as it took last night to be sure that Kasim Reed won the mayoral race. And wow, what a close race. The tally currently : Kasim Reed 41,901 Mary Norwood 41,143 Our WSG team has been working with Kasim Reed throughout his campaign, and a big hearty congrats to his campaign staff, the other consultants, and the candidate ...

Eric Stirgus / Ajc.com Atlanta mayor: Reed says police chief top priority   —  Kasim Reed won the runoff election by a margin so narrow that Mary Norwood would not concede defeat, and a recount was almost certain. NPR Topics Atlanta Mayor's Race To Close to Call   —  With a slim lead of 620 votes, a former state senator claimed victory in the race for Atlanta's mayor early Wednesday, though the contest was too close to call and appeared headed for yet another rematch. Kasim Reed led with 99 percent of precincts reporting, but city councilwoman Mary Norwood told supporters that she was not conceding and was ... PATRICK EDABURN / The Moderate Voice Near Tie In Atlanta, Recount Likely   —  The runoff for mayor of Atlanta appears headed for a recount. With 98% of the votes counted, Kasim Reed, an African American state senator holds a 758 vote lead over white businesswoman Mary Norwood. This race had attracted attention because it was thought Norwood would become the first white mayor in many years. At this point the [...]

10. Barnes: A Disappointing Speech in Support of the Right Policy 10 hours ago   permalink

Fred Barnes / Weekly Standard Blog

President Obama’s speech on Afghanistan was disappointing. Yes, the policy is right: more troops, a counter-insurgency strategy, a stronger alliance with Pakistan. But the personal commitment of the president to pursue the war against the Taliban and al Qaeda until they are defeated was not there. Obama did not take ownership of the war. It’ ...

discussions

KATHY KATTENBURG / The Moderate Voice :   Supporting the President in a Time of War

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Admin / Storyballoon.org President Obama’s Afghanistan Speech At West Point. Part 1 – 3   —  Watch the latest business video at <a href=” ; mce_href=” ; President Obama’s Afghanistan Speech At West Point. Part 2 – 3. President Obama’s Afghanistan Speech At West ...

Admin / Storyballoon.org Michael Moore Reacts To President Obama’s Afghan Speech At West Point. 1-2   —  Maxine Waters D-CA Reacts To President Obama’s Afghanistan Speech At West Point. Waters: What are we going to have to do? Transition that government into a democracy? It doesn’t work for me. »

CARL HULSE / The Caucus Qualified Support From G.O.P.; Skepticism From Democrats   —  WASHINGTON - Congressional Republicans offered qualified support Tuesday for President Obama’s proposed troop increase in Afghanistan but several senior Democrats took sharp exception to the president’s plan, illustrating the deep divide in the party over the conflict.

11. McCain Press Release: 'Success is the Real Exit Strategy.' 11 hours ago   permalink

Mary Katharine Ham / Weekly Standard Blog

From the desk of Sen. John McCain: “The President has made the right decision to embrace a counterinsurgency strategy for Afghanistan and to resource it properly. I think the 30,000 additional U.S. troops that will deploy as part of this mission, plus greater allied commitments, will enable us to reverse the momentum of the insurgency and ...

discussions

Allahpundit / Hot Air » Top Picks :   McCain: “Success is the real exit strategy”

Tom / The Redhunter :   President Obama Announces His Plan for Afghanistan

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Latest Politics Headlines Video: McCain Opposes a Withdrawal Date   —  Senator John McCain speaks about why he feels setting a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan is a bad idea.

James Lamond / Democracyarsenal.org Timelines and exit strategies   —  In the speech the president said: Finally, there are those who oppose identifying a timeframe for our transition to Afghan responsibility. Indeed, some call for a more dramatic and open-ended escalation of our war effort – one that would commit...

WSJ.com McCain Fights Proposed Medicare Cuts in Health Bill   —  By Peter Landers The health-care debate is causing some strange political switcheroos. Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.), previously had voted against adding a new prescription drug benefit to Medicare and has championed spending cuts to the program. Now, he's opposing cuts proposed by Democrats as part of their sweeping health-care bill. McCain, ... The Editors / Democracyarsenal.org Nice try, McCain   —  This is a post by NSN Executive Assistant Luis Vertiz As my fellow commentator Michael Signer noted, Senator John McCain was just speaking on CBS news with Katie Couric. And he was asked how we could pay for the escalation...

12. About That Date -- By: Rich Lowry 9 hours ago   permalink

() / The Corner on National Review Online

Here’s how an Obama official described it earlier today to reporters: The other key task for the military, this additional 30,000 over the coming months, is to train and partner with the Afghan security forces to accelerate their development. The broad aim here is to open a new window of opportunity for Afghanistan and to create conditions to ...

discussions

Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :   NON-FALSIFIABLE ECONOMICS: Economic output and employment in the spring and summer of 2009 were l…

American Thinker :   ObamaCare and the value of human life

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() / The Corner on National Review Online About That Date -- By: Rich Lowry   —  Here’s how an Obama official described it earlier today to reporters: The other key task for the military, this additional 30,000 over the coming months, is to train and partner with the Afghan security forces to accelerate their development. The broad aim here is to open a new window of opportunity for Afghanistan and to create conditions to ...

POLITICO.com Afghan uncertainty on right and left   —  The White House’s new Afghan war strategy sounds an uncertain trumpet for many in Congress, inviting criticism from the left and right even as lawmakers are asked to commit billions more at a time of economic distress at home.

Michael Signer / Democracyarsenal.org Direct address to the Afghan people   —  A very strong part of the speech was the President's direct address to the Afghan people... who have too often felt either lectured to or ignored by external leaders. Barack Obama has a unique ability to communicate with peoples around...

13. 11/30 12:09 PM 10 hours ago   permalink

Campaignspot.nationalreview.com

Bookended by 9/11 at the start and a financial wipeout at the end, the first 10 years of this century will very likely go down as the most dispiriting and disillusioning decade Americans have lived through in the post–World War II era. We're still weeks away from the end of '09, but it's not too early to pass judgment. Call it the Decade ...

discussions

Mary Katharine Ham / Weekly Standard Blog :   The Daily Grind

Andrew Sullivan / The Daily Dish :   West Point Reax

14. Iran’s Plan to Phase Out Subsidies Brings Frenzied Debate 5 hours ago   permalink

ROBERT / NYT

Changes in the system of state support for gasoline and other products could face resistance but could also help with any new sanctions.

discussions

Aharding / CNN :   POLITICAL HOT TOPICS:

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Thehill.com New public option plan to be unveiled   —  A new measure on the public option will be unveiled next week, which Senate Democratic leaders hope will break the logjam on healthcare reform. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), who has been tapped by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to come up with a Plan B approach to the public option controversy that has divided Democrats, has been working closely ... Aharding / CNN :    POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Taegan Goddard :    New Public Option Plan Considered

15. Essential Platitudes 10 hours ago   permalink

Andrew Ferguson / Weekly Standard Blog

Almost all presidential speeches are too long, and President Obama could have shaved 60 percent from his address tonight, since he had approximately 15 minutes of content stretched over 35 minutes of talking. The excess came in platitudes about the economy, his own irenic intentions, and much else. And no doubt many of us will point out how he ...

discussions

Michelle Malkin / Michelle Malkin :   Obama on Afghanistan: “Resolve unwavering”…to pull out in 18 months or something

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Jay Tea / Wizbang Tread Lightly, Mr. President   —  I've heard a few people already talking about President Obama's address tonight, and one thing one liberal asshat said struck me as profoundly stupid: "One thing he has to make...

16. Republicans winning recruiting battle 10 hours ago   permalink

Www.politico.com

Cook Political Report House analyst David Wasserman notes a telling indicator that the political environment in 2010 is shaping up to be favorable for Republicans: Several Democratic candidates have decided to drop out of tough races, while Democratic members of Congress who rarely face serious challenges are finding themselves with their ...

discussions

Moe Lane (Profile) / RedState :   Rep John Tanner bails out.

Gary Gross / California Conservative :   How Much Trouble Are Dems In?

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David Weigel / The Washington Independent Republicans Demand More ACORN Hearings, Special Prosecutor   —  "From one acorn," said Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.), "many nuts can grow."

Forum House Republicans Blast Democrats, Obama Over Alleged ACORN Ties   —  A handful of House Republicans did their best on Tuesday to shame Democrats and the Obama administration for its supposed connections to the controversial anti-poverty group ACORN. Republicans also voiced complaints that Democrats are not moving forward with investigations into the organization that is alleged to have committed widespread voter ...

Eamonn Mallie / Slugger O'Toole SF believe the DUP’s gambit is aimed at ending of a power-sharing executive with Republicans…   —  “The Parades Commission will have to go. That’s the bottom line. We can’t respond to threats.” Two stark, apparently immutable positions at the heart of the DUP’s current thinking. The party insider who uttered those sentiments appears to be reflecting a consistent view among his Assembly colleagues that Peter ... Rusty Nail / Slugger O'Toole “If what’s happening to republicans was happening to Muslims, there’d be outrage”   —  Turgon noted yesterday ‘unionist fury’ over new Chief Constable Baggott’s comments about border policing. Baggott’s comments about dissident republicans are also interesting , given the campaign of harassment the PSNI are currently engaged in against them. He claims that he has no problem with people who hold different ...

17. For Those Who Forgot 11 hours ago   permalink

David Kurtz / Talking Points Memo

The Republican talking point this evening in reaction to the speech is that if Obama is really, truly, unconditionally committed (no fingers crossed behind his back) to the Afghanistan effort, he wouldn't set an "artificial" deadline for withdrawing troops. This was, of course, a Republican mantra throughout Bush's second term in resisting ...

discussions

Andrew Sullivan / The Daily Dish :   West Point Reax

18. Obama's Speech: Let's Win this thing, But Only if It Doesn't Cost Too Much 11 hours ago   permalink

Rusty / The Jawa Report

My emotions are pretty high after the speech. I'm not sure how logical I can be at this moment. On a visceral level I'm pissed and I don't know why. I support the surge strategy so why would I be...

discussions

Jay / ACLU :   Obama to Troops: I’m Going to Commit You Then Nickel and Dime You

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How Appealing "Supreme Court hears case on lawyers' free-speech rights; Firm challenges ban on certain advice to bankruptcy clients"   —  "Supreme Court hears case on lawyers' free-speech rights; Firm challenges ban on certain advice to bankruptcy clients": Robert Barnes has this article today in The Washington Post.

David Kurtz / Talking Points Memo Obama Speech Excerpts   —  The White House just released a short excerpt of the President's prepared remarks: Taken together, these additional American and international troops will allow us to accelerate handing over responsibility to Afghan forces, and allow us to begin the transfer of our forces out of Afghanistan in July of 2011. Just as we have done in Iraq, we will ...

Jill / Feministe Obama Speech Open Thread   —  What are your thoughts? I’m still parsing through mine. How Appealing "Man behind bid to ban divorce says he's playing it straight"   —  "Man behind bid to ban divorce says he's playing it straight": Today's edition of The Sacramento Bee contains an article that begins, "'Till death do us part' is no idle promise to John Marcotte, a Sacramentan bent on banning divorce in California."

19. Porshe Sales Jump 18 Percent 6 hours ago   permalink

The Huffington Post News Editors / HuffingtonPost.com

NEW YORK - Porsche Cars North America Inc. said Tuesday that its November sales increased 18 percent compared to the same month last year on stronger sales of its Cayman model. BY THE NUMBERS: Porsche said U.S. sales were 1,626 in November, compared with 1,378 in the same month last year. However, sales dropped overall to 17,578 in the first 11 ...

discussions

Ravi Somaiya / Gawker :   The Recovery is Here!

20. West Point Liveblogging II 11 hours ago   permalink

David Kurtz / Talking Points Memo

8:29 PM ... Still stuck on the July 2011 target for beginning withdrawal. That gives him a year with all the additional troops on the ground. Of course that date is pegged to "conditions on the ground." Where have I heard that before? 8:31 PM ... As the Afghanis stand up, we will stand down? 8:34 PM ... I know many progressives are disenchanted ...

discussions

Marc Cooper / Marc Cooper :   Yes We Kandahar: No Sale

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David Kurtz / Talking Points Memo West Point Liveblogging   —  8:00 PM ... A pivotal moment tonight ... 8:04 PM ... Before the President took the stage, Col. Mike Durham, West Point's chaplain, delivered the invocation. Sgt. Kay Messenger, a soloist, sang the National Anthem, and Col. Ty Seidule, a professor at the academy, welcomed the audience and gave a brief history of West Point, according to the pool ...