Obama Votes "Present" on His Afghanistan Strategy

OBAMA FOUND A WAY TO VOTE "PRESENT" ON HIS AFGHAN STRATEGY.
He couldn't duck a decision as he did so often in his previous positions, so he came up with the most middle of the road strategy possible.
The problem is it was probably the worst possible decision, SHOWING OBAMA'S INCOMPETENCE AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
This was obviously a political decision about the 2012 election and not a decision about winning the war in Afghanistan by defeating the Taliban and Al Qaeda and making the U.S. more secure.
1. The Taliban and Al Qaeda must be jumping for joy today, knowing that they have to hold out for only 18 months.
2. The Taliban and Al Qaeda can now be assured of a halfhearted participation by Afghan troops and police who will see no point in risking their lives with the U.S. pulling back on a fixed short time table.
3. Obama made the Afghan War Lords happy since they can remain neutral or support the Taliban behind the scenes rather than risk retribution from the Taliban when the U.S. retreats.
4. The Afghan drug cartels (often these same War Lords) are happy because they know business will be as usual if they just hold out 18 months.
5. Meanwhile, U.S. troops are being asked to risk their lives for a president who has announced a retreat date before the surge even begins whether we are winning or losing the war. This must be a real morale booster!
6. The U.S. commanders only got 3/4 of the minimum they requested and got a retreat date to boot; being loyal to the CIC Obama, they are saying they are satisfied.
7. The other coalition countries are going to be very reluctant to send their troops into combat situations, losing lives, when there is a planned retreat date.

ALL OF THIS TOOK OBAMA OVER THREE MONTHS OF DITHERING TO FIGURE OUT A STRATEGY THAT MIGHT BENEFIT HIM IN 2012, WHICH WAS CLEARLY HIS MAIN OBJECTIVE.