AFGHAN MESS - AT 5:20 P.M. ET:  It's pretty clear that the Obamans would like to find a quick way out of Afghanistan, the better to pacify their pacifist base and further impress the deep intellectuals on the Nobel Peace Prize committee.  It would be sad if the Afghan president provided an excuse.  From The Washington Post:

KABUL, Oct. 17 -- There is a growing fear among western officials in Afghanistan that President Hamid Karzai and the nation's Independent Election Commission will not accept the findings of a United Nations-backed fraud investigation that is expected to call for a runoff to settle the disputed election.

Such a decision by Karzai would deepen Afghanistan's political crisis and leave no clear method for resolving the allegations of massive fraud that have undermined the credibility of the election nearly two months ago. It would also be a setback for the Obama administration, which has urged the candidates to follow the electoral process to yield a legitimate winner.

"That's the brick wall," said one western official in Kabul familiar with the process. "It's going to be quite chaotic and confusing."

COMMENT:  Meanwhile, the region is in flames.  There's a new offensive underway by Pakistani troops next door to Afghanistan, with Pakistani stability very much in doubt.

And the president dithers.  He was asked in August for more troops for the Afghan struggle, by General McChrystal.  It is now October, with no indication of when a decision will be made.

I'm sorry the decisions faced by the president are so tough, but he was elected to make them.  So make them.

October 17,  2009