Barack Obama on 60 Minutes

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Barack Obama appeared on 60 Minutes and discussed Afghanistan, health care, and “fat cat bankers” who receive exclusive blame for all that is wrong in the world. The majority of the interview dealt with Afghanistan, and the President mentioned that the decision to send more troops isn’t popular, but is necessary. I agree, but it’s also fairly easy to see that he attempted to make it more popular.

The President stated that the success of the tropp surge will begin to be known in December of 2010, with a reduction of forces to begin in July of 2011. Barack Obama states that a deadline is needed to make a point to the Afghan people, to drive home the point that the United States will not have an open-ended commitment. I agree, but of course, there’s no mention of how many soldiers will return home, or a final date to fully withdraw.

This assures that no matter what happens, Barack Obama can pretend it was his plan all along. He can send two soldiers home in July of 2011, and technically, he is keeping his word. Basically, he’s walking a tight rope trying to be everything to those on the left, and those on the right. Hopefully, the surge is successful, and American soldiers can return home as quickly as possible.