Joe Biden: 2014 Afghanistan Pullout Is 'Drop Dead Date'

[Stuart G]

Source: AP , Huffington Post.

LISBON, Portugal -- President Barack Obama and NATO's 27 other leaders open a two-day summit Friday on keeping the Cold War alliance relevant - but the meeting is being overshadowed by the escalating war in Afghanistan, where the alliance is struggling to contain Taliban militants.

NATO officials say they expect unanimous support from the allies for Obama's plans for a new, expanded missile defense system in Europe that would be based on an existing shield meant to defend military units from attack. The U.S. already has a missile defense system based mainly in North America, and it is planning one for its European allies.

But Obama will face tough questions from U.S. allies on his exit strategy in Afghanistan. He will also meet with leaders of the European Union on Saturday to defend his preference for stimulus spending at a time when many European nations are enacting economic austerity measures.

On Friday morning, appearing on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Vice President Joe Biden described 2014 as the "drop dead date" for "transitioning" power to Afghan authorities.

The NATO leaders are expected on Saturday to endorse a plan by Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, to start handing over responsibility for security in some areas of Afghanistan to government forces in 2011. The plan is to end the alliance's combat role by 2014 if conditions on the ground allow, but to retain significant forces in the country after that to train and advise the Afghan army and police.





Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/19/afghanistan-2014-withdrawal-biden_n_785904.html

[rfranklin]

1. Dat the date, bro!

Fo' sure!

[kenny blankenship]

2. I thought that was 2011.

Deadlines are only final for the dead, I suppose.

[Stuart G]

4. There will be a lot more dead by 2014,then if we left in 2011

[social_critic]

18. more what dead?

would you pls clarify for us?

[saigon68]

23. Women, kids, wedding guests,little troopies etc

Also a few new amerikan Gold Star Mothers will be created for Corporate Interests and Profit$

[karynnj]

13. 2011 was always where they would START to draw down the troops

Whether this is a real change will be seen next summer. Last year, the 2011 draw down was projected as very significant and a turning point. If that really is the case - this will be consistent with what was said then. Biden pointed out that they did follow the promised steps in Iraq. (That also is interesting as we still have a substantial number of people in Iraq.)

[ProSense]

16. Biden made that clear

on CNN last night.

[karynnj]

21. Thanks for the link.

[kenny blankenship]

17. I guess when we get to 2014, we'll find out what 2014 *really* meant.

But then someone else will be President and Obama's fluid definitions will have washed away, according to a much more final and definite timetable.

[karynnj]

20. Wht did you think 2011 meant?

If you thought it meant that the war was over and all the troops home - it did not come from any of the President's statements.

[Roland99]

3. Guess I can hold my breath a little longer.

:eyes:

[Dr.Phool]

5. How can he say that, when he won't be around then?

[elleng]

24. ...

:thumbsdown:

[Stuart G]

6. I am very disappointed because Obama said

, that we would begin pulling troops out in 2011.
Now it looks like that may not happen at all .
.Imagine the death and destruction by us staying an additional 3 years..(on all sides)
and then a large number of troops will be there a long time after that.
Very disappointed, and very sad..

There is not much more to say..

[sarcasmo]

36. Yep, just a whole bunch of lip service to get elected.

[rug]

7. What the hell is a drop dead date for transitioning?

[Xithras]

25. Yeah, I don't see how a "drop dead date" is possible for this sort of thing.

The term is used for a date that, if not achieved, will result in the termination of the project. "Smithers, I need that report by Tuesday or you're fired", or "Our company needs to have that delivery in by January 1, or we lose the contract."

So, if we don't transition out by that date...what happens exactly? What makes it a Drop Dead Date? Do we fire the troops?

[rug]

29. "Smithers, pack your things and prepare to get the fuck out of my office!"

[Javaman]

8. And if Obama isn't reelected?

Then it becomes the zombie war?

We. Are. Never. Leaving.

I get really tired of the goal posts being moved in an effort to "pacify" the masses.

[davidwparker]

14. Be voting Dennis. He understands how to get out: "You

get out."

You ask the military to come up with a plan to execute a withdraw in 6 months.

How do you get out? You get out. Unless we are really there for something else ...

[Javaman]

27. Same here...

I had always preferred Dennis.

It's amazing how such a smart guy has been so tarred and feathered by the media.

He upsets the apple cart and the powers that be don't like that.

[sarcasmo]

37. CIA needs the fields to fund their missions. Never ended is right.

[montanto]

9. No it isn't . eom.

[Beacool]

10. I'll mark the day on my calendar.

Is that the same Joe who said that the stimulus was needed to avoid unemployment going above 8%.

:eyes:



:7

[karynnj]

15. That was an administration goal - and it was true that without the

stimulus the rate would have gone higher than 8% - and far higher than it did go.

Is there anyone who meets your approval other than Madame Secretary Clinton?

[Beacool]

19. Oh, I like Joe very much.

He's just repeating the WH B.S., as it behooves all VPs.

:D

[karynnj]

22. and SoSs - who were more hawkish on that than either the VP or POTUS????

[Starbucks Anarchist]

28. I forgot the Princess of Peace voted against going to war.

:rofl:

[Beacool]

31. And the "Chosen One" wasn't even in the US Senate.

So what?

:shrug:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

33. Only people like you refer to him that way.

And it's ironic, considering Hillary was the presumptive frontrunner (i.e., "the chosen one") for quite awhile.

I'm waiting for the day when you don't present yourself as a major hypocrite. Obama can't do right by you no matter what, but an ideologically identical person like Hillary is some sort of gift from heaven.

For the record, I wouldn't even care if you thought Obama was the devil, as long as you'd admit you're still bitter about the primaries. Just be consistent.

[Beacool]

34. You started it, my friend, by calling Hillary the "Peace Princess".

Tit for tat.

As for "hypocrisy", that's the left's middle name.

:D

[Starbucks Anarchist]

35. Because you've never used similar terms without provocation?

:rofl:

Most of your posts are love letters to Hillary disguised as slams against Obama. Don't act like you've never pulled that stunt before. Just own up to it.

[surrealAmerican]

11. Even for Biden ...

... that is an extremely poor choice of words.

The content of what he's saying is a big disappointment too.

[placton]

12. Joe - be lyin' n/t

[hughee99]

26. Not only a poor choice of words (unfortunately, one of Joe's specialties)

but I'll bet this date is every bit as firm as the 1 year to close the detention center in Guantanamo.

[Stuart G]

30. Because of the uncertainty of decisions like the above,,,That is why

I am so sad today.
Sure, 2014, ..way off in the distance..sure.......???But conditions can change..and we may be there, in a supporting role..or even combat role,
forever..

What if there is a Tet like offensive next summer???Could happen??then what???
What makes Obama and his team think they could do, what so many others.. couldn't do?

Is this nation bulding where there is no nation?
or fighting an enemy that knows no boundries..??..and
How can we win the hearts and minds of the people, the Afghan people when we kill so many? by mistake?? that is what war is..

So Obama draws down a few thousand troops...then what?? You tell me..

[Skittles]

32. *yawn*

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

38. Yeah, it's the drop-dead date NOW

wait 'til 2014, then the drop-dead date will move out a few years.