A closer look at the war in Aghanistan on Veteran's Day

[0:08] ..." some 40042000. Troops. Are we going to see that number go to Afghanistan anytime soon."...

[0:18] ..." a couple of days ago on CBS a very -- pentagon correspondent David Martin. Who said of the president's made up his mind about 30000 troops and continue. The counterinsurgency strategy that you signed on to"...

[0:58] ..." wars. On two fronts and then of course in the wake of Fort Hood. If it's clear that there's been such a burden on our our military personnel. Is it difficult for President Obama to two"...

[1:19] ..." the two wars that you -- and of course the shootings at Fort Hood he was there yesterday for the memorial service he'll be at Arlington cemetery. -- Elaine -- cross at the tomb of the unknowns. The flower and -- and then he'll deliver an address in the amphitheater. I think it's difficult for any president in wartime and has a history of our country in modern times has been it's more often more time than not. Do you think that his words imparted the necessary. Compassion and strength that was required at such an event at at Fort Hood yesterday. Well I think so I think so but you know it's interesting. There are a number of people minority in this country who is not going to give him any credit for anything and is going to point out that anything -- is wrong. These are the people who believe he was born in the United States at -- after. So I've heard some criticism that somehow he wasn't immediately compassionate -- on the day of the shooting although he did noted in horror. And I think it's just in the eye of the beholder. To me when he said the Fort Hood was entirely appropriate."...

[2:37] ..." That's got to -- gotta tell you I sympathize with the prime minister brown he writes a letter personal and writing every. Family of the soldiers British soldier killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. He says his handwriting is bad actually wrote a letter scrawled -- what have you. The woman received at the"...

[3:21] ..." How many personal letters for every fallen soldier -- people in the United States receive from the president the United States. I mean not just this president and his predecessors. I give creditors prime mister grant from making the attempt and I think"...

[0:00]" So joining us now is ABC's Sam Donaldson and and Sam let's start -- because it is veterans' day. -- general McChrystal has requested some 40042000. Troops. Are we going to see that number go to Afghanistan anytime soon."

[0:16]" I don't think 40000 but you know there was a report a couple of days ago on CBS a very -- pentagon correspondent David Martin. Who said of the president's made up his mind about 30000 troops and continue. The counterinsurgency strategy that you signed on to last march. -- those -- denied that city has made up his mind there's three or 45 plans in the table he still considering. I they'd be less than 45 40000. But the important thing Ari is not the number of troops to be it is the strategy. Do we stay on counterinsurgency. Meaning by the Taliban. And they are Afghans after all or do we shift to fight al-Qaeda and that gives us an exit out if if things don't work out."

[0:57]" Here we are were fighting two wars. On two fronts and then of course in the wake of Fort Hood. If it's clear that there's been such a burden on our our military personnel. Is it difficult for President Obama to two -- hold the observances today and and hold his head up high."

[1:17]" Well I think it's difficult -- a number of reasons the two wars that you -- and of course the shootings at Fort Hood he was there yesterday for the memorial service he'll be at Arlington cemetery. -- Elaine -- cross at the tomb of the unknowns. The flower and -- and then he'll deliver an address in the amphitheater. I think it's difficult for any president in wartime and has a history of our country in modern times has been it's more often more time than not. Do you think that his words imparted the necessary. Compassion and strength that was required at such an event at at Fort Hood yesterday. Well I think so I think so but you know it's interesting. There are a number of people minority in this country who is not going to give him any credit for anything and is going to point out that anything -- is wrong. These are the people who believe he was born in the United States at -- after. So I've heard some criticism that somehow he wasn't immediately compassionate -- on the day of the shooting although he did noted in horror. And I think it's just in the eye of the beholder. To me when he said the Fort Hood was entirely appropriate."

[2:37]" That's got to -- gotta tell you I sympathize with the prime minister brown he writes a letter personal and writing every. Family of the soldiers British soldier killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. He says his handwriting is bad actually wrote a letter scrawled -- what have you. The woman received at the -- is up in arms saying that it it -- my electricity misspelled the name and she can't read the letter so we called her up. Try to and he apologized and that and so site on the and she complained to on the phone and now mr. Murdoch that's Rupert Murdoch the fox. Urgent. Mr. Murdoch's newspaper in London is beating him over the head guy -- C'mon guys. How many personal letters for every fallen soldier -- people in the United States receive from the president the United States. I mean not just this president and his predecessors. I give creditors prime mister grant from making the attempt and I think what is happening to him isn't there. He admits he has a hand writing problem. -- At a course unlike some of our politicians Reagan being an example who lives in Teflon president and nothing staked everything is good. Anything he just seems to come back and hammering Monday head toward hey he's there was a cartoon. Character many many years ago Al kept the job that stick with the -- cloud above his head February walked it rained on and."