Aparently President Narcissist has made a “decision” on Afghanistan, which is to (1) not give the commander the troops he needs, (2) run up a trial balloon for a week to see how the public likes the idea, and (3) duck and cover while it all sorts out:
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama met Monday evening with his national security team to finalize a plan to dispatch some 34,000 additional U.S. troops over the next year to what he’s called “a war of necessity” in Afghanistan, U.S. officials told McClatchy.
Obama is expected to announce his long-awaited decision on Dec. 1, followed by meetings on Capitol Hill aimed at winning congressional support amid opposition by some Democrats who are worried about the strain on the U.S. Treasury and whether Afghanistan has become a quagmire, the officials said.
The U.S. officials all spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the issue publicly and because, one official said, the White House is incensed by leaks on its Afghanistan policy that didn’t originate in the White House.
They said the commander of the U.S.-led international force in Afghanistan, Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, could arrive in Washington as early as Sunday to participate in the rollout of the new plan, including testifying before Congress toward the end of next week.
No, he’s not “incensed” by leaks — he’s counting on them to float his trial balloon, because public opinion is still sharply divided over Afghanistan, and guess who doesn’t want to be the bad guy?
Washington (CNN) – If President Barack Obama decides to send 34,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, a new national poll indicates Americans would be split over whether to support such a move.
Half of the people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey say they’d support such a decision, with 49 percent opposed.
But support for a troop buildup of that size is greater than the 45 percent of the public who support the war in Afghanistan. The survey indicates that 52 percent oppose the war.
Huh? What? If that seems confusing, I apologize for quoting CNN. It’s what happens when they’re desperately trying to twist themselves into an opinion that attempts to offend nobody.
And of course, in the spirit of “not letting a good crisis go wasted, Congress will use Afghanistan as an excuse to raise your taxes.
After months of listening to conservatives caterwaul over deficits and health care, senior House Democrats want a graduated surtax on individuals and corporations to pay for another big drain on the treasury: the Afghanistan war.
Three full committee chairmen — including the House’s top tax writer, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) — are backing the initiative together with the chair of the party caucus, Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), and close allies of Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Notice how Pelosi uses her dues to suggest the tax increase. Notice also how she makes a fatal flaw in using noted tax cheat Charlie Rangel to propose the tax increase.
Funny when you think about it, really.

What Dems think of when they think "Big Tent"
So where is Obama while all this is playing out? He’s playing camp-out in the backyard:
An invitation to the event on Tuesday evening has become the most sought-after ticket in the US.
The event, in honor of the visiting Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, is a chance for Mr Obama and his wife Michelle to welcome the Washington elite – and a smattering of Hollywood celebrities – into their new home.
Note to the Obamas — it’s only temporary — don’t get too comfortable. And it’s public housing, at that.
Whereas President George W. Bush would hold his 140-person dinners in the formal state dining room, the Obamas have broken with recent tradition by taking a “big tent” approach that will accommodate 400.
Oh, Come let us Adore him . . .

Perfect clothing for spending the night in a tent
Secrecy surrounds the event with the White House jealously guarding details of the guest list and menu, though produce from Mrs Obama’s new vegetable garden is expected to be used and curry is suspected by some to be on the menu for the first time.
That would b the magical vegetable garden that sprouted fully-grown veggies in only four weeks, and was later found to have unacceptble levels of lead in the vegetables for human consumption?
Hillary Clinton will be a guest, along with Bobby Jindal, the Republican governor of Louisiana, whose parents were Indian immigrants.
Which has to absolutely gall President Narcissist. If Jindal doesn’t completely steal the spotlight, he’ll certainly be salt in the wound.
And I’m not sure it’s exactly camping weather in the District of Columbia. I know it’s too cold for that crap here in South Texas.
Funny.
~Johnny~