Monday, October 26, 2009

The Afghan War: Another One of Obama's 'Present' Votes

While in the Illinois Senate, Obama voted "Present" 129 times. A "Present" vote is like voting "Maybe". It neither says that you are "For" or "Against" a piece of legislation. Supporters of Obama will point out that Obama voted 4000 times in his Illinois career and that voting "Present" 129 times is an insignificant number. However, all votes are not the same. Some are just procedural. The true fact is that Obama voted "Present" on some of the most difficult issues that were before the Illinois Senate; like his voting twice on partial birth abortion legislation.

Today, we have a request from the field commander for additional troops in Afghanistan. It has been more than a month since that request was actually made. However, Obama has still not made a decision. The literal pickle that Obama finds himself in is that the polls are showing a declining support for the war. His left-wing base is totally against any escalation of this or any other war. However, Obama is on record saying the Afghanistan War, unlike Iraq, is the "good war" and it was the war that he would fight to win.

So, as a result, we have the equivalent of another Obama "Present" vote for the war in Afghanistan. In this case, doing nothing is the same as voting "Present". It appears that the only time Obama is tough is when he's up against Fox News and the Chamber of Commerce. Otherwise, indecision will prevail. And, that's a sign of weak leader.

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