Gates: US Commits to Send MORE Troops to Afghanistan FOR 2009 WTF Are they planning to stay on?

Gates: U.S. to send more troops to Afghanistan
Troops will be deployed regardless of Iraq situation, defense secretary says


updated 11:58 a.m. ET, Fri., April. 4, 2008

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT - The United States intends to send many more combat forces to Afghanistan next year, regardless of whether troop levels in Iraq are cut further this year, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.

It is the first time the Bush administration has made such a commitment for 2009.

Gates, speaking to reporters on his way to Muscat, Oman, from a NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania, said President Bush made the pledge at the summit on Thursday.

-SNIP

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23955451


later article says:

"Gates said he advised Bush to make the pledge to allied leaders in Bucharest even though the movement of the unspecified additional troops would ultimately be a decision for the next president, who will take office in January. "

HOW CAN THEY MAKE COMMITMENTS FOR ANOTHER PRESIDENT? IS THIS A PREDICTIONS BASED ON DIEBOLD MACHINES COUNTING THE VOTES?