40,000 more for Karzai... Recreating Vietnam?
* As recalled by a fly on the White House wall -- 5 weeks ago*
McCHRYSTAL: "You want me to do this, Mr. President?," is what I am saying. "What I need is 40,000 more troops and here's why." If this is the mission, that is what I really need to succeed at it, and I am with great respect giving you the benefit of my sober judgement on the matter.
OBAMA: Yeah, I've got that perspective. Thanks, General. ...So, Gates! You telling me I give 40,000 troops and I get a stable democracy?
GATES: Sorry Mr. President, but that one's mostly for Hillary I believe. All we can do, at most,is provide the military conditions that will allow a properly crafted civilian settlement to take hold, democracy or whatever it may be.
OBAMA: You're not off the hook, Bob, but alright for the moment. ..So what about it Hillary, we get a stable democracy in Afghanistan for 40,000 more troops?
HILLARY: Gosh! Isn't this Bush's war?! {Scattered, nervous laughter} ...Look, it depends on Karzai more than anyone.
BIDEN: General McChrystal, why don't you wait outside. Is that okay with you, Bob, and you, Mr. President?
GATES: Stan, maybe you can go ahead back on over the bridge, and you can stop up in my office later, okay?
OBAMA: {nods}
* Door shuts*
OBAMA: Alright then, what about Karzai, Hillary?
HILLARY: He's actually a schmuck to be honest with you, Mr. President.
OBAMA: {turns and quickly raises his eyebrows to RAHM}
BIDEN {shaking his head}: Total Schmuck!!
OBAMA: And remind us how he got himself in there, Panetta?
PANETTA: Well, it was my Agency, as you know, Mr. President, but Cheney really ran the show.
BIDEN: With Libby, one needn't bother to add.
PANETTA: Kind of like American Idol actually. Talent search kicked up this Karzai guy.
HILLARY: Did he have to denounce Roe v. Wade in order to be named President? Or the Dixie Chicks?
BIDEN: {Chuckles, wanly} We understand, Leon, water under the bridge. Are you saying you support Karzai now?
PANETTA: Uh...no, I can't say that!
OBAMA {to no one}: Can't say that.
BIDEN: So you agree with the schmuck assessment, then Leon? I mean, don't let us put words in your mouth.
PANETTA: Well... creep, maybe. ...Creep, crook. Conman.
HILLARY: All the C words except "Competent."
PANETTA: Conflicted?
RAHM: Corrupt.
OBAMA: Confounding.
BIDEN: Secretary Gates, where does this leave us? If you are saying that the 40,000 troops will succeed only if a guy with those credentials comes through for us, it seems obvious that we've got more work and the 40,000 is not even the real issue here. I mean, does anyone disagree?
OBAMA: Turn up that volume, Joe.
McCAIN, on TV: The President will make the right decision, I know. The point is that *delaying* that decision can put our men and women in further danger. General McChrystal has said what's needed and it's time to act now without delay!
HILLARY {shaking head}: And he's the brainy one, right? Not Palin, but him?
RAHM (cracking a knuckle): What a FUCKWIT!
BIDEN: See, this the thing. This is what I meant about becoming Lyndon Johnson, Mr. President.
OBAMA: I wonder if President Johnson got to read the letters that I do.
GATES: {Eyes rise, meet with Biden's, and lock...}
==========================================================
McCHRYSTAL: "You want me to do this, Mr. President?," is what I am saying. "What I need is 40,000 more troops and here's why." If this is the mission, that is what I really need to succeed at it, and I am with great respect giving you the benefit of my sober judgement on the matter.
OBAMA: Yeah, I've got that perspective. Thanks, General. ...So, Gates! You telling me I give 40,000 troops and I get a stable democracy?
GATES: Sorry Mr. President, but that one's mostly for Hillary I believe. All we can do, at most,is provide the military conditions that will allow a properly crafted civilian settlement to take hold, democracy or whatever it may be.
OBAMA: You're not off the hook, Bob, but alright for the moment. ..So what about it Hillary, we get a stable democracy in Afghanistan for 40,000 more troops?
HILLARY: Gosh! Isn't this Bush's war?! {Scattered, nervous laughter} ...Look, it depends on Karzai more than anyone.
BIDEN: General McChrystal, why don't you wait outside. Is that okay with you, Bob, and you, Mr. President?
GATES: Stan, maybe you can go ahead back on over the bridge, and you can stop up in my office later, okay?
OBAMA: {nods}
* Door shuts*
OBAMA: Alright then, what about Karzai, Hillary?
HILLARY: He's actually a schmuck to be honest with you, Mr. President.
OBAMA: {turns and quickly raises his eyebrows to RAHM}
BIDEN {shaking his head}: Total Schmuck!!
OBAMA: And remind us how he got himself in there, Panetta?
PANETTA: Well, it was my Agency, as you know, Mr. President, but Cheney really ran the show.
BIDEN: With Libby, one needn't bother to add.
PANETTA: Kind of like American Idol actually. Talent search kicked up this Karzai guy.
HILLARY: Did he have to denounce Roe v. Wade in order to be named President? Or the Dixie Chicks?
BIDEN: {Chuckles, wanly} We understand, Leon, water under the bridge. Are you saying you support Karzai now?
PANETTA: Uh...no, I can't say that!
OBAMA {to no one}: Can't say that.
BIDEN: So you agree with the schmuck assessment, then Leon? I mean, don't let us put words in your mouth.
PANETTA: Well... creep, maybe. ...Creep, crook. Conman.
HILLARY: All the C words except "Competent."
PANETTA: Conflicted?
RAHM: Corrupt.
OBAMA: Confounding.
BIDEN: Secretary Gates, where does this leave us? If you are saying that the 40,000 troops will succeed only if a guy with those credentials comes through for us, it seems obvious that we've got more work and the 40,000 is not even the real issue here. I mean, does anyone disagree?
OBAMA: Turn up that volume, Joe.
McCAIN, on TV: The President will make the right decision, I know. The point is that *delaying* that decision can put our men and women in further danger. General McChrystal has said what's needed and it's time to act now without delay!
HILLARY {shaking head}: And he's the brainy one, right? Not Palin, but him?
RAHM (cracking a knuckle): What a FUCKWIT!
BIDEN: See, this the thing. This is what I meant about becoming Lyndon Johnson, Mr. President.
OBAMA: I wonder if President Johnson got to read the letters that I do.
GATES: {Eyes rise, meet with Biden's, and lock...}
==========================================================
The thing is that Cao can easily switch parties and presumably should 
