Research Briefing

With The Country Continuing To Shed Jobs, And The World Awaiting His Decision On Afghanistan, Obama Will Spend Week Barnstorming For Democratic Candidates

OBAMA WILL SPEND THIS WEEK BARNSTORMING FOR STRUGGLING DEMOCRATS

Obama Attending Rally For Gov. Jon Corzine And Fundraisers Scheduled For Bill Owens, Gov. Deval Patrick, Sen. Chris Dodd And DNC. “President Obama has three days of political travel next week. On Tuesday, he’ll be in Manhattan for fund-raisers for the DNC and Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate in the NY-23 special election, which could see a D takeover of the seat held by Rep. John McHugh (R), named secretary of the Army by Obama. The West Wing hopes an upset in that race will be seen as a TIE-BREAKER if the parties split the NJ and VA gubernatorial races. On Thursday, the president will headline a rally for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine at Fairleigh Dickinson University. On Friday, Obama will raise money for the reelection of Sen. Chris Dodd and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.” (Mike Allen, Politico Playbook, 10/16/09)

MEANWHILE, U.S. ECONOMY CONTINUES TO SHED JOBS

In September, 263,000 Jobs Were Lost, Worse Than Expected. “Employers eliminated more jobs than expected last month as the unemployment rate climbed to 9.8%, another sign that a rapid recovery in the labor market is unlikely.  Nonfarm payrolls declined by 263,000 in September, the Labor Department said Friday, noting that the largest job losses were in construction, manufacturing, retail trade and government. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires survey had expected a 175,000 decrease.” (Maya Jackson Randall, “Jobs Cuts Unexpectedly Accelerate,” The Wall Street Journal, 10/2/09)

Over 15 Million People Currently Unemployed.  “The number of unemployed -- officially at 15.1 million -- is greater than the population of all but four states. The proportion of people who have been searching for work for longer than half a year rose to 35.6% of the unemployed, from a third of the work force in August.” (Maya Jackson Randall, “Jobs Cuts Unexpectedly Accelerate,” The Wall Street Journal, 10/2/09)

U.S. In Longest String Of Job Losses Since 1939.  “September was the 21st straight month of job loss — the longest unbroken stretch of losses since record-keeping began in 1939 — bringing to 7.2 million the number of positions that have been axed since December 2007. And that understates the damage. During the recession, the economy has failed to create another 2.7 million jobs that were needed simply to employ new workers — like high school and college graduates, immigrants and stay-at-home parents who want to go back to work.” (Editorial, “Wanted: Leadership On Jobs,” The New York Times, 10/4/09)

AND YET ANOTHER WEEK HAS PASSED WITH NO ANSWER FOR GEN. MCCHRYSTAL

Gen. McChrystal: “Time matters; we must act now to reverse the negative trends and demonstrate progress.” (Stanley A. McChrystal, “COMISAF’s Initial Assessment,” Headquarters International Security Assistance Force, 8/30/09)

And Obama “Is Holding Off Major Decisions That Could Put Its Military Forces On A Firmer War Footing In Afghanistan Even As Doubts Grow About Whether The United States Can Win There.” (Anne Gearan, “White House Postponing Hard Calls On War,” The Associated Press, 9/15/09)

• In March, Obama Pledged “America Must No Longer Deny Resources To Afghanistan.” “To achieve our goals, we need a stronger, smarter and comprehensive strategy.  To focus on the greatest threat to our people, America must no longer deny resources to Afghanistan because of the war in Iraq.  To enhance the military, governance and economic capacity of Afghanistan and Pakistan, we have to marshal international support.” (“Remarks By The President On A New Strategy For Afghanistan And Pakistan,” The White House, 3/27/09)

On Campaign Trail Obama Promised To Act With “Proper Regard” To The Advice Of His Military Commanders: “I will act with proper regard for the costs and consequences of action, based on the advice of military commanders ...” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks of Senator Obama: A Sacred Trust, Kansas City, MO, 8/21/07)

• And Criticized Bush For Pushing Generals Aside. “There were generals at the beginning of the conflict that said this is going to require many more troops, will cost us much more ... those generals were pushed aside.” (Abdon M. Pallasch, “Obama Says He Will Listen To Generals About The War,” The Chicago Sun-Times, 3/12/08)

McChrystal Report Was Intended To Implement March Strategy, “Not Send The Debate Back To First Principles.” “What’s odd about the administration’s review of Afghanistan policy is that it is revisiting issues that were analyzed in great detail -- and seemingly resolved -- in the president’s March 27 announcement of a new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. The recent recommendations from Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal were intended to implement that “Af-Pak” strategy -- not send the debate back to first principles.” (David Ignatius, “Careful to A Fault On Afghanistan,” The Washington Post,” 10/15/09)

CNN’s Barbara Starr Reports White House Does Not Want Afghanistan To Get In The Way Of Health Care.  ”The White House is not ready to hear what the General has to say. All indications are McChrystal now believes he needs 30-40 thousand additional troops. Military sources tell us they worry, it’s a huge decision the White House does not want to get in the way of other issues like health care. But senior military officials have long signaled they can’t wait too long given Afghanistan’s collapsing security.” (CNN’s “The Situation Room,” 9/18/09)