Move America Forward, the nation’s largest grassroots pro-troop organization had mixed reactions to Obama’s speech to West Point students on Tuesday. The president outlined a strategy for the War in Afghanistan with very few changes, failed to address the restrictive rules of engagement, but did give Generals more troops, although not to the level of what was requested.
“Right off the bat, what struck me about Obama’s speech was a fundamental misreading of why the surge worked in Iraq and how his timetable for withdrawal works against that factor,” said Danny Gonzalez, Director of Communications for the pro-troop organization.
“We heard Obama say that he would use the same strategy that brought progress in Iraq in Afghanistan, bolstering U.S. troops so that we can give the Afghan security forces the breathing room they need to recruit and train to defend themselves, as the Iraqis did, under our troops’ supervision and instruction. While that is certainly true, Obama forgets that the reason Iraqis had not turned against Al Qaeda until the surge was also because they had doubts about America’s resolve and willingness to stay and fight.”
Move America Forward contended that America must demonstrate is not only willing to send 30,000 more troops, but is committed to destroying the Taliban and Al Qaeda, no matter how long it may take. Only then will the Afghans in cities and tribal regions have the assurance that America will not leave them in their time of need.
Obama’s timetable for withdrawing troops starting in 2011 undermines the gesture of sending in more troops. Telling the Afghans that America will withdraw in 2011 sends the message to the Taliban and Al Qaeda that they must only wait until 2011 and then they will have their chance to regain power. Such a promise makes a powerful recruiting tool for the enemy and shows weakness in Obama’s commitment.
“I am glad President Obama gave the Generals the troops they needed,” concluded Gonzalez “but he undermined his own strategy by telling the enemy straightforward and plainly that he lacks the staying power to win this war.”
