Obama Goes Long
17th September 2009
Foreign Policy put up a copy of President Obama’s metrics for the Long War. With these standards he’s going long on the Long War. Of course, this is from a Congressional briefing and is the starting point for an ultimate statement of goals and aims, but his first offer is all in and consistent with his March 2009 statement.
While everyone can quibble with any element on the list, it is hard to read this and not see the former Bush Administration proposing much the same. Those who support the Long War will have to feel support for Obama on this. Those opposed will be looking for something.
All of this obviously plays into the current politicking with health care reform and other big ticket legislation like energy, labor, and financial reform. I’m kind of surprised the Obama would publicly do this without first trying to secure Republican support for that other legislation. It’s an interesting line of persuasion and pretty obvious, too.
I’m reading the metrics in detail now and will post later on the persuasion applications.