TPMDC Karl Eikenberry
Stanley McChrystal
GOP Praise Petraeus, Continue Hammering Obama Afghanistan Policy
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
You won't likely hear broad opposition from the GOP to President Obama's decision to replace General McChrystal with General Petraeus in Afghanistan. But they will continue to hammer the administration for having set a 2011 troop withdrawal date in that war, and criticize the civilian leadership in Afghanistan, particularly Ambassador Karl Eikenberry. In other words, McChrystal's expected firing, and all the coy warnings that came with it, will ultimately change little about the politics of the Afghanistan war on the Hill.
"We are confident that General Petraeus' leadership will have a very positive effect on the situation in the region," Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said at a press conference this afternoon. "The hearing for General Petraeus' confirmation will probably be the fastest in the history of the Armed Services Committee."
McCain serves as ranking member of that committee. He appeared alongside Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) to weigh in on Obama's decision, and to highlight continuing differences, including over the withdrawal date, and the civilian leadership in Afghanistan.
The senators even tiptoed toward suggesting that Eikenberry should go as well.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, David Petraeus, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Karl Eikenberry, Kit Bond, Lindsey Graham, Republicans, Stanley McChrystal, White House
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Administration To Slash Bailout Cost Estimate
The Obama administration is set to cut the estimated cost of the TARP bailout program, to at least $200 billion less than the $341 billion estimate in August, and is looking at using some of the savings for new job creation efforts. The lowered cost has come from fast repayments by big banks, and less spending on some rescue programs than was originally thought.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:45 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10:15 a.m. ET. Obama will meet with senior advisers at 10:45 a.m. ET. Obama and Biden will meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at 11:30 a.m. ET, and they will have a working lunch at 12:15 p.m. ET. Obama and Biden will meet at 3:30 p.m. ET with Gen. Stanley McChrystal and Ambassador Karl Eikenberry. AT 7:30 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will host a holiday reception for members of Congress.
Topics: Afghanistan, Bailout, Barack Obama, Karl Eikenberry, Roundup, Stanley McChrystal
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Report: Obama Wants Revised Afghanistan Options
President Obama reportedly wants revisions to all the options for Afghanistan that have been presented to him. This comes after Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, a former commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, has strongly disagreed with sending more troops, arguing that more troops would only make the Afghan government more dependent on the United States.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will make a statement at 9:15 a.m. ET, on the economy. He will depart the White House at 9:30 a.m. ET, en route to Alaska. He will arrive in Anchorage at 4:50 p.m. ET, will meet with service members at 5:10 p.m. ET, and will deliver remarks at 5:30 p.m. ET. He will depart form Anchorage at 6:55 p.m. ET, en route to Tokyo, Japan.
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, David Petraeus, Harry Reid, Health Care, Joe Biden, Karl Eikenberry, Roundup, Sidwell Friends School
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