AFGHANISTAN

Candidates Debate Current War

Biden argues for gradual pull-out.

Oh right, we’re at war. But Vice President Biden was firm Thursday night that that won’t be the case much longer. “[Even] If the measures the military has taken do not take hold, we will not continue. We are leaving in 2014. Period.” Ryan didn’t so much attack the Obama administration’s plan to pull out, as the fact that it was announced. “We agree with the timeline,” Ryan conceded. “But you don’t want to broadcast to your enemies ‘Put this date on your calendar,’” Ryan said. “What we don’t want to do is embolden our enemies to hold and wait out for us.” Biden retorted firmly, saying, “Martha that’s a bizarre statement. Forty-nine of our allies signed on to this position—49 said OUT IN 2014 … Nothing political about this.”