Stakes high as Obama mulls next move in Afghanistan

[0:12] ..." will happen from the series of meetings that we're seeing at the White House this week."...

[1:14] ..." least go down that track. Instead he's gonna say we're gonna get al- -Qaeda wherever you can find them and we're gonna help the Afghans. In training their army and their security forces defend themselves. Because the Taliban and bad guys as far as many it was in the western concerned. Are Afghans. And so"...

[1:43] ..." Senator McCain even today as saying that the President Obama would be wise to follow general -- in the crystals recommendations. -- have the"...

[2:11] ..." his recommendations for the president's decision. The military as general. Jones the National Security Adviser pointed out this last weekend follows the orders of the civilian leadership. And salutes and says. How high and we'll do it"...

[2:52] ..." for his public. Advocacy. Of in the crystal type approach. By the White House although I think neither of them is in danger of actually being fired. But it. They've now been admonished the point that I doubt either one of them. Or any other uniformed officer will speak up in opposition to a course that the president may very well decide on. You'd think this decision is coming soon from President Obama. By the White House said weeks I think it probably won't be weeks but it probably will be. To allow one or two weeks but I"...

[0:00]" This is Mary Blake WBZ Newsradio 1030 speaking with Sam Donaldson. About Afghanistan that is front and center on the Obama administration's plate this week. And Sam what do you expect will happen from the series of meetings that we're seeing at the White House this week."

[0:55]" I think the president -- and move away from so called nation building something that. Peter the Great. Alexander the Great. British. The Soviets couldn't do and I mean by that instead of saying we can shape Afghanistan. To be if not a pure democracy at least go down that track. Instead he's gonna say we're gonna get al- -Qaeda wherever you can find them and we're gonna help the Afghans. In training their army and their security forces defend themselves. Because the Taliban and bad guys as far as many it was in the western concerned. Are Afghans. And so for us to go in there and say about this portion of Afghan we like and we're gonna help this push him Afghan reloaded did actually fight. On the ground is simply I think the president is going to do."

[1:43]" Senator McCain even today as saying that the President Obama would be wise to follow general -- in the crystals recommendations. -- have the political ramifications here."

[1:54]" Now most Republicans do support the idea a general McChrystal is recommendations ought to be followed. But the problem their courses that general McChrystal like general McArthur alone I'm not suggesting is the same degree. Of in subordination if you will. It can't just -- his recommendations for the president's decision. The military as general. Jones the National Security Adviser pointed out this last weekend follows the orders of the civilian leadership. And salutes and says. How high and we'll do it and secretary gates on Monday reinforced that."

[2:42]" They didn't. Talk about general McChrystal by name and also I can tell you couldn't in my sources admiral Mullen the chairman of the joint chiefs is. Not really -- regarded for his public. Advocacy. Of in the crystal type approach. By the White House although I think neither of them is in danger of actually being fired. But it. They've now been admonished the point that I doubt either one of them. Or any other uniformed officer will speak up in opposition to a course that the president may very well decide on. You'd think this decision is coming soon from President Obama. By the White House said weeks I think it probably won't be weeks but it probably will be. To allow one or two weeks but I would be very surprised if we're still here at the end of November waiting for a decision because -- general. McChrystal needs a decision is long as he's in command there he can't really move until he knows what he's gonna move with and where. And what the mission news thank you very much Sam Donaldson always pleasure gave Eric Wright taking our Mary Blake WBZ Newsradio 1030."