Posted on 11/09/2009 5:32:03 PM PST by kristinn
Edited on 11/09/2009 7:08:36 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
MSNBC and Bloomberg are reporting that the Obama administration is denying reports by CBS News and the AP that Obama has decided to send nearly 40,000 reinforcements to Afghanistan.
Both outlets report that Obama has not received final recommendations from his advisers and he would then need time to review them.
Bloomberg cited an e-mailed statement by National Security Adviser Jim Jones that flatly denied a decision had been made by Obama.
Afghan theater Gen. Stanley McChrystal requested 40,000 to 80,000 troops in August saying the war could be lost in twelve months if his request is not met. Three months later Obama has yet to decide on that urgent request.
Updates: CNN has more now, with the White House accusing the Pentagon of trying to manipulate Obama: “People at the Pentagon are trying to force a certain outcome,” one of the senior administration officials told CNN. Updates: CNN has more now, with the White House accusing the Pentagon of trying to manipulate Obama: “People at the Pentagon are trying to force a certain outcome,” one of the senior administration officials told CNN.
Both senior administration officials insisted Obama has not made any decision on troop levels in Afghanistan, noting the President has another meeting with his national security team on Wednesday to receive a final set of recommendations from the Pentagon brass. The senior officials said the president could not possibly make a decision on troop levels before even receiving the Pentagon’s final recommendations.
The leaks in question enraged White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, who had discussions today with Pentagon officials about the reports.>
Both senior administration officials insisted Obama has not made any decision on troop levels in Afghanistan, noting the President has another meeting with his national security team on Wednesday to receive a final set of recommendations from the Pentagon brass. The senior officials said the president could not possibly make a decision on troop levels before even receiving the Pentagon’s final recommendations.
The leaks in question enraged White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, who had discussions today with Pentagon officials about the reports.
Now that's funny right there, I don't care who you are.
Well no wonder his request is not being met.
Obama’s Pentagon leaked this on purpose, then it takes the heat off of him, he denies making a decision as of yet so he can then cut and run later.
"Final recommendations"? "Time to review"? At this rate, this miserable POS-in-Chief is going to have been out of office for forty years before he finally decides. What a loser.
The Kenyan communist Ubama just wants to keep voting “present”. That p.o.s. apparently cannot make a decision.
Scary.
Can’t wait for Obama to show up on Oprah and reflect with tears in his eyes about how the Pentagon brass ganged up and molested him.
Rahm’s angry. Better keep him away from all butter knives and antique white house furniture.
Sad. What a mess...
This smells strongly of an attempt to force O’s hand.
Someone in the Pentagon is playing high-stakes poker. Rahm’s reaction signals that the 40k troops was NOT the White House’s decision. This sets a backfire in that direction; the White House must either embrace it or battle through the flames.
If the stakes weren’t so high, I’d be claiming dibs on the popcorn concession.
?
Big deal, ballerinas are always pissed off. Something about always being hungry.
I think it kept her Presidential hopes, if not alive, undead. She knows that even if she could beat BO in 2012, it would be because he was a disaster, and a divided Democrat party will lose the Presidential election. So, BO wins, or loses, in 2012, and she takes her last shot in 2016.
Or at least she has that option. By leaving the Senate, she has not had to vote either for, or against, the Stimulus, Cap and Trade, Obama Care, or anything else coming down the pipeline. But she can claim to be a loyal Democrat, and American, who gave up her Senate seat to serve the President, and nation. And as for all the special envoys who have made her a figurehead Secretary of State? Would you want to be thought responsible for the long term consequences of BO's foreign policy? You can bet Hillary will, win, lose or draw, write, publish anyway, a book about she kept telling BO he was screwing up foreign affairs, but that he wouldn't listen.
IMHO
Enemy list is growing,cia,pentagon etc
For a couple of months now the Pentagon brass has been escalating...undermining the POTUS. It's like they KNOW they've earned the trust of the vast majority of the American people...paid for in blood...and now they're cashing in.
Obama DARE NOT fire any senior general at this time, it would further erode his credibility and trust ratings with the American people.
The Pentagon has basically told the POTUS, go big or go home.
A PIG PIE has No Spine!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.