Charles Krauthammer: Withdrawal Date Will Continue To Hamper War Effort

Charles Krauthammer: I'm still not sure that Obama is prepared to bypass, or to overcome, the impediment that he has created with the withdrawal date. Yes, he reiterated the mission. Yes, he reiterated his commitment. But he had an opportunity where he could have said...All he has to do is to say once: "The date is one that will be conditioned upon." He hasn't said that. Some of his aides have. But the vice president said no. He said, "You will see in July 2011 a lot of our troops leaving. You can bet on that." That's pretty hard evidence that at least that is what they are thinking about.

And unless the president dispells the impression that we begin leaving by clockwork, automatically, in July 2011, the Afghans--from the president on down to the lowest peasant in Kandahar--are going to wonder, "Should I really give intelligence and support to the American side when they are going to start leaving in 13 months?"