Introducing a panel discussion about President Obama's consideration of whether to send additional troops to Afghanistan, Brian Kilmeade asked if it is “possible the president delayed making a decision in order to push through health care reform.” Kilmeade's comments follow earlier Fox News attacks suggesting ulterior motives for Obama's deliberations on Afghanistan, first that he “delay[ed]” his decision in order to win the Nobel Peace Prize and later that Obama was delaying a decision until after the November 2009 elections.
Abandoning earlier attacks, Fox now suggests Obama is “delay[ing]” Afghanistan decision to “push through health care reform”
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Kilmeade suggests health care reform is setting timeline for Obama's decision
Kilmeade: “Politics playing a role?” On the November 11 edition of Fox & Friends, Kilmeade introduced a discussion by saying, “Seventy-four days after General [Stanley] McChrystal gave his Afghan troop recommendations, the president now reportedly on the verge of sending an additional 30,000 troops or more to Afghanistan. Is it possible the president delayed making a decision in order to push through health care reform, which is still on hold? Back with our panel to discuss it. Politics playing a role?”
Graphic: “Delay Troop Decision for Health Care?” During the ensuing discussion, on-screen text appeared that read, “Political Strategy: Delay Troop Decision for Health Care?”:
Fox News personalities previously accused Obama of withholding troops to secure Nobel Peace Prize
Morris: Obama “delaying the decision to commit troops to Afghanistan ... because he wanted this prize.” During an appearance on the October 12 edition of Hannity, Fox News contributor Dick Morris stated, “I think the reason that Obama was delaying the decision to commit troops to Afghanistan is because he wanted this prize, and he probably knew he was nominated for it, he knew roughly when the decision is being made, and I don't think he's going to send troops until after that award is safely in his pocket.” [Hannity, 10/12/09]
Kilmeade: “I'm wondering, does [the Nobel Peace Prize charter] have anything to do with the delay of the deployment of 40,000 troops in Afghanistan?” Responding to initial reports that Obama had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Kilmeade stated, “I'm looking at the charter -- and we're just getting this now -- but this guy, Alfred Nobel, stipulated the peace prize should go to the person who will have done the most or the best work of the fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses. I'm wondering, does that have anything to do with the delay of the deployment of 40,000 troops in Afghanistan, because that was his big postulization over the last week or so. 'Should I put more troops in?' ” Kilmeade went on to say, “If you add forces to a war, you can't win.” [Fox & Friends, 10/9/09]
Krauthammer suggested Obama was delaying decision in part because of electoral calculations
Krauthammer: “I think they'd rather have a decision after the November odd-year elections.” On Special Report, Fox News contributor Charles Krauthammer stated, “I think it's correct that they are postponing the decision till after the elections in Afghanistan, but -- perhaps it's only a coincidence, but that's also after the elections in the United States. Because it's going to be unpopular either way, and I think they'd rather have a decision after the November odd-year elections.” In response, host Bret Baier asked, “But are you saying there's a political calculation domestically for liberals in New Jersey or Virginia if the decision is, 'Let's go with the full troop contingent'?” Krauthammer replied, “Suggesting that cynicism is possible in this administration. That's as far as I'll go.” [Special Report with Bret Baier, 10/26/09]