I always appreciate it when a candidate opens up to questions online, which Jennifer Brunner did today at DailyKos on the subject of President Obama’s Afghanistan speech tomorrow. I like it even better when the candidate is responsive, which Jennifer was. When the issue is Afghanistan, and a couple of questions immediately reveal the Hobson’s choice Barack now faces, you really begin to appreciate just how thoroughly George W. Bush fucked up our country.
Bottom line, Jennifer says it’s “Time to Bring Home the Troops”, “as soon as possible”, but when asked how this would affect our pursuit of Osama Bin Laden, the Hobson’s choice is laid bare.
Not suggesting immediate withdrawal, but rather careful planning on a timetable for gradual withdrawal, such as is occurring in Iraq.
It is unclear to me how such a “timetable for gradual withdrawal” will lead to Osama Bin Laden’s capture or death. Perhaps Bin Laden is in Pakistan. perhaps he is in Afghanistan, who knows. I do know that unless we get Bin Laden, there will be no “success” in Afghanistan, either perceived or real.
The only reason Americans supported this war to begin with, and the only reason the deteriorating support even still exists, is because of Osama Bin Laden. The NANOSECOND that we get Bin Laden, wherever he is, American support for any involvement in Afghanistan will disappear, because it’s the ONLY reason we are there.
That is the definition of success for me. It should be the definition of success for our government, too, and I’d love to hear any candidate or elected official make that case. If gradual withdrawal from Afghanistan will increase the chances that we get Bin Laden, I’m all for it. If dancing naked down the streets of Columbus helps us get Bin Laden, I’m all for that, too.
The fact that Bin Laden is still around, more than 8 years after we went after him, is the fault of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, the Republican Party, and every fool who ever voted for them. When we do get Bin Laden, as I’m certain Barack Obama will eventually accomplish, Afghanistan is over.
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