Orszag Attends Monday's AfPak Meeting

[Clio the Leo]

Wars actually cost money. Wow, someone finally gets it.

Following an unusual nighttime meeting in the Situation Room Monday, President Barack Obama has finished debating the Afghanistan/Pakistan policy with his advisers and will announce a decision shortly, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said early Tuesday.

"After completing a rigorous final meeting, President Obama has the information he wants and needs to make his decision and he will announce that decision within days," Gibbs said in an e-mail to POLITICO.

Asked why Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag was at the table Monday night (though he was not on the participant list distributed in advance), Gibbs said simply: "Cost is a concern."

Many observers expect Obama to unveil his decision on additional troops for Afghanistan early next week.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/1109/Obama_set_to_decide_AfPak_costa_concern.html

[Thrill]

1. His promise of halving the defecit by the end of his term isn't even possible

if he escalates the war. Especially with their reluctance to raise taxes on the rich more than the Clinton yrs.

[Kdillard]

2. So true. It seems like every aspect of the situation is being taken into

Consideration.

[BeyondGeography]

3. Very positive

Impersonating an empire on a credit card must stop. By 2012, Obama will have made this totally clear.

[HopeOverFear]

4. I can respect that.

[ClarkUSA]

5. That's the CHANGE I voted for. I HOPE he ignores Hillary's/Gen. McChrystal's troop surge advice.

President Obama needs to listen to his VP, not the warmongers in his cabinet and at the Pentagon. I'm sure whatever his decision is,
it will be one that takes everything into account, much of which we'll never be privy to.