Bizarro World: Webb to the left of Kerry on Afghan War. Wants "clear end point".

[beachmom]

I am on his newsletter list so this is his e-mail. Notice who caused Kerry the "headache" in regards to Pakistan. Honestly, Kerry needs to talk to Webb. I don't know if they get along though. I rarely see Webb at SFRC hearings.

Senator Webb has recently spoken out on U.S. policy in Afghanistan, arguing that there must be a clear endpoint and set of conditions under which the U.S. will leave the country. Webb has also noted that U.S. presence runs the risk of being viewed by the Afghan people as an occupying force and that the United States is at a critical turning point in Afghanistan as to whether we are going to formally adopt nation-building as a policy.

On Thursday, the Senate passed the FY2010 National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report, which included provisions advocated for by Senator Webb to increase transparency and accountability in U.S. assistance to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Additionally, Senator Webb today was named Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel. As chairman, Webb will draw on his extensive experience and expertise in military and defense matters to strengthen congressional oversight over a wide range of issues relating to the welfare, professional development, and quality of life of servicemembers and their families.

Now this is not the Feingold position. But I would say it is halfway between Kerry and Feingold, definitely eyeing the door OUT of Afghanistan. From the guy who said we could have won in Vietnam!!!!

[ProSense]

1. He didn't support setting a deadline for withdrawal from the illegal Iraq war.

What changed?

[beachmom]

2. Well, he isn't talking about a deadline here either.

He is not in the Feingold position for Afghanistan, which is to set a "flexible timetable". It's in the murky middle. Kind of like the Levin/Reed amendment that happened at the same time as Kerry/Feingold amendment back in '06.

[karynnj]

3. I'm not sure I could put these on a left/right spectrum, but I suspect Webb is for counterterrorism

vs counterterrorism plus.

Kerry has spoken of the risk of being perceived as an occupier too. In fact, he got substantial push back from many experts, including I think the author of Kite Runner, in the hearings when he suggested that could happen soon.

Parsing what Webb is saying, "that the United States is at a critical turning point in Afghanistan as to whether we are going to formally adopt nation-building as a policy." He really seems to just be saying that we are at a critical point where we are defining our strategy. It is not far off to call the fuller McChrystal plans, nation building. (I suspect that a reagan Republican would be against that.) I suspect this means he is not for the counterinsurgency approach.

If so, Kerry is for a more comprehensive plan.

I am far more impressed with Corker than Webb on the SFRC. Webb was at the NATO meeting, but I think ignored the Afghanistan ones. He should be good on that sub committee.

On the Pakistan question, I am surprised they didn't cool it. I would guess that if Pakistan did divert money in a future year, they would have the ability to not fund it in the next budget.

[beachmom]

4. Well, I am defining "Left" as get out and "Right" stay forever and bomb

everyone in sight. Clearly, quite a bit of space in between. But Webb sounds closer to Left than Kerry. I have never heard Kerry say end game, exit strategy, etc. He also dodges questions about how long we will be there.

[karynnj]

5. I agree - though Webb doesn't say when either

I think Kerry has kept his opinion of what to do very close to the vest. His op-eds have been more on the process, than on a recommended strategy. I suspect that that is because he wanted to go there first. I will be interested in his speech Monday.

I suspect that Webb is closer to Buchanan (on that issue only).

[beachmom]

6. Actually, he is pretty supportive of the President:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/10/25/webb-gets-the-last-word/

On Afghanistan, which has loomed large as one of Obama's top foreign policy issues during his first year, Webb praised the president's deliberative approach.

"The process that this administration is using is, I think, a very proper and smart process," Webb told King.

Webb contrasted Obama's deliberations on Afghanistan with the previous administration's approach.

"If you look at the way the Bush administration maneuvered this country into the war in Iraq, you can see the long term results of bad decision-making," Webb, a Vietnam War veteran, said.

Webb also suggested that Obama should not accept, without any scrutiny or additional input, the reported request for 40,000 additional troops from Gen. Stanley McChrystal's, Obama's top military commander in Afghanistan.

"Gen. McChrystal is one voice," Webb told King before pointing to the extensive military and combat experience of Ret. Gen. Jim Jones, Obama's National Security Adviser.