The Karzai Factor

" There are a lot of questions about just how legal the recent Afghanistan elections -- and that is said to be behind -- White House reexamination of war strategy. Tonight national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin reports this is in the first time the honesty of Afghanistan's leader has been disputed."

" Afghan President Hamid Karzai has long surrounded himself with questionable characters -- Before the August 20 election he reached out to warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum. His presidential choice is a well known drug runner as his Karzai's own brother accused of 2004 and 2006 of dealing in opium. One point one million -- nice three point one million votes are currently question voters arrived at some polling stations to find all the ballots already filled out. The Obama administration says the election is the reason the president is rethinking his strategy. Get an election that -- let's just say is inconclusive at one level. But it but if you read the report can you read any review of any counterinsurgency. And it's dependent on the government and its legitimacy to its people. Oranges and -- Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair warned in February before the president announced his new Afghan strategy. To expect fraud and inconclusive results quote. The issue of contention now is the gap between the August 20 election date and the election results which are expected to take nearly a month to count. Additionally if there is a runoff election the debate over executive authority will be extended."

" This election should be surprised to know one when I was and Afghanistan last year I heard from sergeant through general that the biggest impediment to progress in Afghanistan is corruption. Corruption by its president and by -- the president's crooked. Drug dealing brother."

" Now Republicans suspecting the White House may be trying to stifle the commanders views are calling for general stand the crystal."

" Come back to Washington to testify. Unfortunately it now appears that the president. Has developed a sudden case of buyer's remorse the real reason they're doing a strategy review is based around sticker shock."

" And the crystal -- anticipated request for up to 40000 more US troops expected tomorrow. In response to Republican calls from a crystal to testify on Capitol Hill. Tonight Press Secretary for Defense Secretary Robert Gates tells us. -- gates is quote more than willing to have a crystal come back to Capitol Hill to testify. After the strategy has been reviewed -- confusing Jennifer Griffin live at the Pentagon thank you."