“It’s not exactly the kind of speech you would have heard from Henry V or Churchill.”
Charles Krauthammer and Stephen Hayes slammed Barack Obama’s weak Afghan Surge speech tonight.
As usual, Krauthammer was right on:
Charles Krauthammer: I thought it was a rather strange speech. It was defensive and it was a lot of hedging. the president said at the end that our resolve is unwavering. He said in August this was a war of necessity. And then he gives us all of the reasons that we need to start leaving in a year and a half. And among the reasons he gave was that it was a very expensive war and we have a bad economy and that’s at least of equal importance. It’s not exactly the kind of speech you would have heard from Henry V or Churchill. And it’s not exactly the kind of speech you heard from George Bush when he announced his surge.
Stephen Hayes: The most important role of a president is Commander in Chief. This felt very small to me. The president in one sentence called this the common security of the world is at stake. And literally in the very next sentence he said we’re going to get out in July 2011. If it is the case that the common security of the world is at stake you don’t say that we need to figure out the problem in 18 months or we’re out of here.
Related… STACLU writes: “Message to Obama: A war cannot be ended — a war is either won or it is lost.”
December 1st, 2009 | 9:39 pm | #1
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Vince Humphreys and DNC Fail!, Paul Alyunov. Paul Alyunov said: Krauthammer and Hayes Slam Obama’s Weak Afghan Surge Speech (Video): Charles Krauthammer and Stephen Haye.. http://bit.ly/82HB4J [...]
December 1st, 2009 | 9:39 pm | #2
Obama’s speech was so dispassionate. It’s like he feels our guys will punch in on the clock, do their eighteen months, then clock out. He’s treating it like a job. He is forgetting that people’s lives are at stake. Families will be torn apart. Obama already showed with his willingness to surrender in Iraq that he cannot be trusted with the military – there’s nothing worse than sacrificing many lives then withdrawing needlessly in defeat.
December 1st, 2009 | 9:41 pm | #3
[...] Charles Krauthammer and Stephen Hayes on Obama Speech, at Gateway Pundit [...]
December 1st, 2009 | 9:43 pm | #4
Charles and Steve were right on as usual. Obama’s whole speech was just one long contradiction. He praised the troops although he never once supported their mission in Iraq. He talked about the new found freedom in Iraq even though he once feigned indifference to their possible genocide. He talked about how Afghanistan had never been dealt with responsibly when he hasn’t done a damn thing there for ten months and voted against funding it.
He talked about how America has brought freedom and liberty to the world when he himself has ignored the cries for freedom in Iran and Honduras and Burma. He talked about how he has repaired the damage to the muslim world while Iran is increase it’s nuke production and testing missiles. He even had the gall to piss on George Bush who only last year was beloved by almost every single man and woman on that campus and in that room.(Obama’s people and the media excluded of course.)
In short I would say that was the most insecere speech I have ever seen him give.
December 1st, 2009 | 9:43 pm | #5
“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars to be treated and appreciated by their nation.” – George Washington
“Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.” – Abraham Lincoln
“I’m giving this sucker enough troops to fill half a football stadium and 18 months to get us out of here.” – Barack Obama
December 1st, 2009 | 9:53 pm | #6
Krauthammer was the real star of Perfect Strangers — Bronson Pinchot rode on his coattails.
Seriously, Krauthammer has done a fine job making a living off of whining about every single thing Obama does.
I’ll leave you chickenhearted warmongers to rage amongst yourselves.
December 1st, 2009 | 9:56 pm | #7
++
Taliban & AQ are celebrating tonight!!
Tevan Orgley @ 9:53 pm #6
aww, the truth is a tad upsetting hey..
get over it.. he won!!
==
December 1st, 2009 | 10:01 pm | #8
If a guy could make a living off of whining about every little thing Obama has done wrong, we’d all be millionaires. Instead, we’re all going to be paupers BECAUSE of all the little and big Obama does wrong DAILY.
December 1st, 2009 | 10:01 pm | #9
bg — ???
You might try writing in complete sentences, as I have no idea what you are trying to say.
Are you saying that the Taliban is happy that we’re sending more troops in?
Do you know what you were trying to say?
December 1st, 2009 | 10:03 pm | #10
opaobie — apparently you weren’t paying attention to what was going on before Obama was president, or are just not too perceptive.
December 1st, 2009 | 10:07 pm | #11
Tevan Orgley = Jim Beam
He’s a real Wild Turkey!
December 1st, 2009 | 10:28 pm | #12
++
uh-Obama flashbacks!!
“Let Me Make This Clear”
“For at least a year now, I have called for
two additional brigades, perhaps three,”
==
December 1st, 2009 | 10:31 pm | #13
[...] Gateway, Krauthammer and Hayes have an O speech smackdown. Also, cut-and-run [...]
December 1st, 2009 | 10:45 pm | #14
Tevan Orgley
December 1st, 2009 | 10:03 pm | #10
Apparently your to f**king stupid to know what’s going on right now.
December 1st, 2009 | 10:47 pm | #15
Obama was talking on both sides of his mouth. Sending men and women to die for the cause he does not believe. Would the leftists consider Obama a war criminal now?
December 1st, 2009 | 10:48 pm | #16
++
Tevan Orgley @ 10:01 pm #9
re: [Do you know what you were trying to say?]
yes..
and/but, don’t ask me if i give a bats guano if you don’t..
not to mention what you have to say, i don’t feed trolls ..
==
December 1st, 2009 | 10:53 pm | #17
Obama, the flip flopper in chief.
Krauthammer/ Cheney (Liz) 2012!
December 1st, 2009 | 10:53 pm | #18
Tevan Orgley = Troll
December 1st, 2009 | 10:55 pm | #19
I’ll leave you chickenhearted warmongers to rage amongst yourselves.
Please do. Emphasis on “leave.” You won’t be missed.
December 1st, 2009 | 10:57 pm | #20
For some reason tonight, I didn’t think President Obama’s speech fit together.
It’s also the first war speech I’ve heard where the commander-in-chief worked in the economy & diplomacy, too.
December 1st, 2009 | 11:03 pm | #21
I predict history will soon diagnose Obama as having a pathological need for affirmation; he is the perfect people-pleaser who rose to power on the codependent tendencies of half the nation.
His mission is to set up a society where healing empty souls comes first, and where self-affirmation and self-reliance is selfish. When up against an obligatory decision, the only principle he has is that the result must convince everyone that it stemmed from this singular worldview.
The war in Afghanistan has nothing to do with it, and the result is obvious.
December 1st, 2009 | 11:09 pm | #22
++
another uh-Obama..
he’s is most definitely not receiving good reviews from all
the leftist talking heads (MSNBC/NYT/etc) on Charlie Rose..
they have the same expression on their faces as the Cadets had..
not very “happy”, no no no, not at all happy with their paper savior..
saying things like “emotional detachment”, “very defensive” and actually correcting some of his errant policy, i am honestly surprised.. one would think they were pro-war.. but are they truly waking up, or just teasing for attention, will they be saying the same things tomorrow or next week??
God, their negativity is depressing, unbelievable!!
==
December 1st, 2009 | 11:22 pm | #23
JR said:
Obama already showed with his willingness to surrender in Iraq that he cannot be trusted with the military – there’s nothing worse than sacrificing many lives then withdrawing needlessly in defeat..
What’s so crazy to me is that he (and his handlers) really think they have the entire nation fooled. And the world, I should add. Outside of his crazy, die-hard supporters, who really beleives that Obama is for the military. Maybe I should rethink that..his diehard supporters HATE the military.
His speech had no clear theme. As someone said on another blog, he was reading from tow different teleprompters. And it sure seemed like it to me! One was extolling the virtues of American exceptionalism, the other doing the usual apologizing, bowing and scraping.
And please, where is the sense in deploying troops, to turn around and bring them right back? Who actually believes that is logostically impossible?
Obama tried to talk tough. I think he failed in that regard.
BTW, does anyone have any results from polling that was done after the speech?
December 1st, 2009 | 11:23 pm | #24
logistically possible.
*sheepish*
I shunned Preview a long time ago. Maybe it’s time we made up.
December 1st, 2009 | 11:42 pm | #25
‘So go over there and fight for a year or so
and then we’ll bring you back home.
In the meantime, we’ll do every thing we can
to keep Afghan civilians from getting caught in
any crossfire, in which case you are on your own.
And if you punch any terrorists we will prosecute you.’
I wonder how they will define “Victory”?
December 2nd, 2009 | 12:00 am | #26
i found it to be more of another one of hie me me me ramblings
December 2nd, 2009 | 12:00 am | #27
oh no i forgot blame bush
December 2nd, 2009 | 12:21 am | #28
++
Gary Gross @ 10:57 pm #20
great read/eye opener/reminder, thanks for sharing..
==
December 2nd, 2009 | 12:40 am | #29
++
crystal @ 11:22 pm #23
re: [poll]
via RCP
found this poll, doesn’t include tonight’s speech..
The Dreaded X
[A rather striking visual representation of the deteriorating public support for President Obama's handling of Afghanistan over the last four months:]
Axelrod vs. the Afghan “Timetable”
[So in one breath Axelrod says Obama's plan will adhere to an "accelerated timetable," and in the next he says that they're not not putting a timetable on the withdrawal plan, even though they've declared this will all be done in three years?]
==
December 2nd, 2009 | 12:59 am | #30
++
OT..
crystal @ 11:22 pm #23
speaking of polls, Sarah on Oprah
= her biggest audience in 2 years..
==
December 2nd, 2009 | 1:00 am | #31
Although I always have to turn up the volume on the tv when he speaks, I really like listening to Charles Krauthammer. Even on those rare occasions that I disagree with him, which I don’t on this, he states his case so well that I totally understand and respect his point of view. I’ve never heard Krauthammer whine about anything. The troll upstream who said otherwise has either never listened to him or doesn’t know the difference between whining and pointing out foolishness.
December 2nd, 2009 | 1:20 am | #32
When I look at Obama I can’t help but think that this is a man pretending to be President. He is never seen sitting at the Presidential Desk because it would show him to be unequal to the job. So he chases an audience which makes him appear authentic. Sad!
During the dark days of WW2 when Britain was being bombed nightly Churchill said–This is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end but it is the end of the beginning. He was a large man suited to a big job — who had the people on his side because they trusted him to lead.
December 2nd, 2009 | 1:38 am | #33
JR said:
Obama already showed with his willingness to surrender in Iraq that he cannot be trusted with the military – there’s nothing worse than sacrificing many lives then withdrawing needlessly in defeat..
Its hard for most of us to believe that Obama doesn’t love this country or our Military the way we do. 3-1/2 months to make a decision to send more troops to Afghanistan — causing needless injuries and deaths. Then he proceeds with yet another lofty speech as though he was always engaged in the issue. To the average American it doesn’t ring true.
Obama goes on about the cost of the War rather than our ultimate victory over the Taliban and Al Qaeda making his speech sound like empty rhetoric. If he is planning on walking away then why sacrifice more of our soldiers for what he considers a lost expensive cause.
December 2nd, 2009 | 1:59 am | #34
[...] Few conflicts are won after the winner sets a date for it to wind down. If it worked that way, why not pick next week? The trouble of course is that victory is not the sole aim of this strategy; rather withdrawal is seen to have quite a bit of inherent value. That these twin goals often work at cross-purposes is what spawns a President’s wartime speech full of the hedging and uncertainties that Charles Krauthammer observes. [...]
December 2nd, 2009 | 2:17 am | #35
Dante at 10:53 pm: “Krauthammer/ Cheney (Liz) 2012!”
Very good idea!
.
December 2nd, 2009 | 4:59 am | #36
[...] Krauthammer and Hayes Slam Obama’s Weak Afghan Surge Speech (Video) [...]
December 2nd, 2009 | 5:50 am | #37
I think football coaches should announce their next offensive play to the opposing team. That way, the fans could see the intelligence of the coaches and could rest assured knowing that the announced play is the best possible solution to getting over the goal line.The sportswriters could dissect the play even before it’s put into action so that we, the fans, would realize the vast knowledge of the sportswriters regarding the strategic planning of the coaches.
Then, we could sit back, turn on the TV and watch the results of that play evolve.
Oh yeah, I should add that the coaches of the defense would totally endorse this approach.
December 2nd, 2009 | 7:33 am | #38
Well said, Chris Vehr.
December 2nd, 2009 | 8:46 am | #39
[...] toe in the water, give it a shot, but is ready to leave. All it did was compound the uncertainty. via the Gateway Pundit Charles Krauthammer: I thought it was a rather strange speech. It was defensive and it was a lot of [...]
December 2nd, 2009 | 8:53 am | #40
If I got a nickel for everytime I heard,
“Let me be clear…”
I wouldn’t have to worry about the dems raising my taxes. ; )
December 2nd, 2009 | 10:06 am | #41
Tevan OrgleyNo Gravatar
December 1st, 2009 | 9:53 pm | #6
Krauthammer was the real star of Perfect Strangers — Bronson Pinchot rode on his coattails.
Seriously, Krauthammer has done a fine job making a living off of whining about every single thing Obama does.
I’ll leave you chickenhearted warmongers to rage amongst yourselves.
No arguments, just smear and slander. Typical leftist.
The chicken-hawk stuff is a dead give away — a deeply unserious person trying to be convincing.
December 2nd, 2009 | 10:07 am | #42
[...] Gateway Pundit: Krauthammer and Hayes Slam Obama’s Weak Afghan Surge Speech (Video): “It’s not exactly the kind of speech you would have heard from Henry V or [...]
December 2nd, 2009 | 10:15 am | #43
[...] Germans weren’t impressed with Obama’s strange speech last night either. Der Spiegel reported: Never before has a speech by President Barack Obama felt [...]
December 2nd, 2009 | 10:34 am | #44
[...] Germans weren’t impressed with Obama’s strange speech last night either. Der Spiegel reported: Never before has a speech by President Barack Obama felt [...]
December 2nd, 2009 | 11:12 am | #45
A strange speech, a small speech ( Dr. K & Steve Hayes are spot on) and just nuts.. the President advances 30,000 of our blood and treasure into Afghanistan while sounding the call to surrender and then, to muddle more, he pontificates on conditions for pull-out, stating he’ll execute our surrender “responsibly, taking into account conditions on the ground.” Excuse my asking the obvious, Mr. President, but if those dang conditions on the ground are so critical, then why declare to the world exactly when you’re pulling out? ….. those beautiful, committed cadets and our cherished blood and treasure are being set up .. and set up to fail.. the self-serving cynicism of those West Point remarks shocked & dismayed me but did not surprise.. this man-child only serves one god: the one he sees in the mirror.. I’ll be saying a little prayer for our service men and women today… nuts, just nuts.
December 2nd, 2009 | 11:34 am | #46
“Tevan OrgleyNo Gravatar
December 1st, 2009 | 9:53 pm | #6
[...]
I’ll leave you chickenhearted warmongers to rage amongst yourselves.”
Oxymoronic much?
December 2nd, 2009 | 11:36 am | #47
Pray for a leader. A solid man or woman with the heart of an angel and the sword anointed in heaven to fight the worst men who allow the devil to wear their faces.
Obama has failed. Pray for a leader.
December 2nd, 2009 | 4:00 pm | #48
Mr. Obama, what do people mean when they say you are “smart”?
December 3rd, 2009 | 3:39 am | #49
[...] Germans weren’t impressed with Obama’s strange speech last night either. Der Spiegel reported: Never before has a speech by President Barack Obama felt [...]
December 4th, 2009 | 3:33 pm | #50
[...] reading: Gateway Pundit: Krauthammer and Hayes Slam Obama’s Weak Afghan Surge Speech (Video) The Powers That Be: Obama’s West Point Speech: Wrong Message in the Right Venue Hot Air: Matthews [...]
December 18th, 2009 | 6:41 pm | #51
[...] A Big Stage Diary of a Mad Conservative: Matthews calls West Point the enemy camp Gateway Pundit: Krauthammer and Hayes Slam Obama’s Weak Afghan Surge Speech (Video) Howard Portnoy, Hot Air Green Room: OK, Here’s the Plan: There Isn’t One Greg Gutfeld, Big [...]
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