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

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

Fo' sure!

Deadlines are only final for the dead, I suppose.

would you pls clarify for us?

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

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.)

on CNN last night.

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.

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.

:eyes:

:thumbsdown:

, 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..

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?

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.

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 ...

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.

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

:eyes:



:7

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?

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

:D

:rofl:

So what?

:shrug:

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.

Tit for tat.

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

:D

: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.

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

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

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

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..

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