OBAMA ANNOUNCES HIS ANNOUNCEMENT - AT 5:26 P.M. ET:  The president said today he would "finish the job" in Afghanistan.  Reminded me a little of Churchill's appeal to FDR before America's entry into World War II:  "Give us the tools and we will finish the job."   Not that Obama reminds anyone of Churchill.

The New York Times has the story:

WASHINGTON — President Obama said on Tuesday that he will announce his decision on how many more troops to send to Afghanistan next week, and that it is his intention to “finish the job” that began with the overthrow of the Taliban government in the fall of 2001.

Mr. Obama, offering a tantalizing preview of what looms as one of the momentous decisions of his presidency, said he would tell the American people about “a comprehensive strategy” embracing civilian and diplomatic efforts as well as the continuing military campaign.

Although the president is inexcusably late in making his decision, there may be reason for cautious optimism that he'll get it reasonably correct:

While he avoided any hints of the new troop levels he foresees in Afghanistan, the president signaled that he will not be talking about a short-term commitment but rather an effort muscular enough to “dismantle and degrade” the enemy and ensure that “Al Qaeda and its extremist allies cannot operate” in the region.

COMMENT:  We'll see next Tuesday night.  As always, we wish for the president - any president - to make a decision that advances the national interest.  So far this president has been a major disappointment, when applying that standard.  He can, if he has the will and wisdom, improve the record.

November 24,  2009