Gibbs On The Obama/McChrystal Meeting

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The President thought the meeting was very productive, an extension of the meetings that have been had thus far as we reassess and reevaluate moving forward in Afghanistan. The President has selected General McChrystal because of his ability and his leadership and I think after having seen him again, it simply underscored the fact that — many of the reasons why he picked him.

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They both agree that this is a helpful process. General McChrystal expects that the President and others are going to ask him questions about the assessment that he’s made and that we’re going to ask questions of our diplomatic side, of our intelligence side, and of all of those involved in this to get the best strategy for success in Afghanistan.

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If Obama were serious about Afghanistan — or even if he wants to look serious — he would have asked McChrystal to fly home with him on Air Force One, and sit and talk for a few hours.