Thoughts on last nights Presidential address

Last night was the first time since President Obama took office that I actually felt bad for him. Watching him give his speech to the group at west-point, he looked defeated and exhausted. Clearly this is not an issue that is winning him any praise within his own party or the general population, as only 35% approve of his handling of Afhanistan. Truth is, it might be the only issue the media has actually questioned him on.

My empathy for Obama was quickly dissolved however, when it became clear how politically motivated his speech would be. He pledged 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan while simultaneously telling the entire world when we would be leaving. Not a great military strategy, but a necessary one for a politician worried more about elections. He spoke about his accomplishments in closing Gitmo and ending water boarding, which just created an odd combination of what felt like half campaign speech, and half emotional rhetoric. It just didn’t work. The sad realization of Obama supporters across the country would have been a sight to behold, because the fact of the matter is: Obama gave a speech that sounded just like George Bush.

Gabor Steingart commented:
It was the least truthful address that he has ever held. He spoke of responsibility, but almost every sentence smelled of party tactics. He demanded sacrifice, but he was unable to say what it was for exactly. Strength in Afghanistan will be tripled relative to the Bush years, a fact that is sure to impress hawks in America. But just 18 months later, just in time for Obama's re-election campaign, the horror of war is to end and the draw down will begin. The doves of peace will be let free.

It was as though Obama had taken one of his old campaign speeches and merged it with a text from the library of ex-President George W. Bush. Extremists kill in the name of Islam, he said, before adding that it is one of the "world's great religions." He promised that responsibility for the country's security would soon be transferred to the government of President Hamid Karzai -- a government which he said was "corrupt." The Taliban is dangerous and growing stronger. But "America will have to show our strength in the way that we end wars," he added. It was a dizzying combination of surge and withdrawal, of marching to and fro.

Obama clearly failed to impress. He will now have to explain how a bankrupt country is going to pay for this assault which now rivals any amount spent by Bush. And of course, we still need money for healthcare and cap and trade legislation. Personally, I don’t know how I feel about the Afghan war. Like John Kerry before me, "I was for it before I was against it". Much the same as I am in regards to the Iraq war. My perspective of US military action overseas is that we are getting over-extended. We go to these Middle-Eastern Countries and instead of routing resistance, we lay back and try to play the good-cop. We don’t allow our military to do what it would take for a total military victory, because what it would take would be pretty vicious. It would mean massive disruption of imports and exports. It would mean civilian casualties, food shortages, and bombing of populated cities. It may even mean WATER BOARDING!!! In the age of 24 hour media, the American people don’t have the stomach for this kind of war. Instead, we send troops over there and they play policeman. It’s not a winning strategy, and I don't find it a very responsible use of resources. Especially considering his lack of financing in boarder security and military defense.

I don’t know what the best action would be for our government from this point forward. If we're going to be in Afghanistan, I guess I am glad Obama is listening to his military experts, but there are many uncertainties to consider. One thing however, is for certain: Bush and Obama grow closer together in almost every political policy with each passing day.