Afghanistan Speech Update

In my earlier post about President Obama's speech on Afghanistan, I mentioned House Speaker John Boehner lamenting "that the plan is based more on the calendar than on strategy," but these sentiments in fact were expressed before the speech. Boehner later said that he could endorse the plan in general. His exact words were:

"As I understand it, the top brass at the Pentagon are comfortable with the president’s strategy. And I have said since the president took office that if the president listened to his commanders and his diplomats in the region, that I would support his plan. I am generally supportive of the plan, because there is enough flexibility in the withdrawal to take into consideration conditions on the ground."

Nancy Pelosi, despite her own reservations, also endorsed Obama's timetable. "The good news is the President is bringing the war in Afghanistan to an end," she said. "The President, for his reasons, has the timetable he has. I respect that."

Back later.