Panel Plus: 10/11

" And welcome to FOX News Sunday panel applause look Bill Kristol Nina Easton Liz Cheney and Juan Williams. So let's continue the argument the unfinished argument about let's -- and wrap it up here in five minutes because I know we'll be able -- that's. About Afghanistan. Liz you know the argument is should the president give general -- all the troops he wants which appears to be. Around 40000 but if you're gonna change the mission and the bush Cheney administration. Over the course of the Iraq War changed the mission. Doesn't that reflect the number of troops -- you should --"

" Well the president already changed the mission in March he said in -- I wanna counterinsurgency strategy sent cinema crystal out to carry that out to implement it. And now Jenna and Chris still and by the way you've got a situation where he is supported up and down the -- commanded appears. The military is united in terms of -- and he needs what he -- and so when your commander has come in and said. If you want me to carry ammunition and if you want it that you're not risk mission failure this is what I need the notion that you're gonna sit here in Washington and you're gonna sort of come up with other concepts or other ideas. You gonna make arguments like the Taliban's not really connected to al-Qaeda anymore or we -- do you counter terrorism which is vice president Biden's position apparently. Yeah we tried that and it didn't work in the crystal says it can't work so it seems to me. This is not a decision -- should've taken the president this long to remake -- already made it we gotta give the general what he needs to fight the war."

" Let me just say the military is not the sole arbiter of American policy that's actually and I and I think that you would remember from the bush Cheney -- there were times when the president and vice president differed with the general with field. About how we."

" Nor was it executed Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington not with not when I found no way I know you again."

" I thought you don't give the general exactly what he wants that means you're betraying the troops that means you're -- American without that's not the case that could be that people are half. Having -- considered look at the best policy the best strategy to pursue why do you have to undermanned undermine -- of patriotism and of course the thing we're having. Having a spirited debate."

" I didn't undermine their patriotism at all I think that they -- on judgment here I'll and I we'll find out okay. -- still who is the commander on the ground who is the leading expert in the strategy that. He says won't work. You know you gotta have a pretty good reason not to listen to what he's saying now maybe the president will do the right thing."

" No we're not we're not getting anywhere we're not solving this problem I know you'll be able to bring us together. I think there's an extra people which is the default should be the recommendation of general -- over -- unless you're gonna fundamentally change strategies that we're getting out of there it's. We could fighting Pakistan and African Afghanistan all of that which I don't think -- animals were wrong in the earlier isn't Iraq. And as some would argue. That that President Bush listen too much to them in the early years -- activity and ultimately he would change policy because -- got -- you didn't separate military assessment and got a serious plan for search. If if if President Obama has that he of course is entitled to go ahead of that I'm just thing as a practical matter. He sent general crystal over six months ago they haven't begun to really implement the air temperatures in much we don't have. We've just gotten this -- thousand troops over it's a little odd to say suddenly oh my god we're changing. Direction if you want to change -- the president to camp but I I would say this Clinton events and politics and I'm -- of -- which have substantively on the politics that I just think it's pretty easy for them. Not to mention -- and they are setting up a -- situation what happened last democratic president took over 93 he didn't sandwich the equipment -- the forces that requested by the generals some. And we had a tragedy and we are pulling out disarray and I just think Pratt and politically and practically if used to send any troops and -- If you want -- exit strategy get out of Afghanistan change policy. Fundamentally. Change NATO policy. You know added that he can do that they'll be pretty big future. But if he's gonna fight the war I just think practically -- politically at home to open yourself up to the charges that he's finding it and half hearted way. That is repeating the mistakes President Clinton made his first year in office I just think it I can't imagine -- opened -- and look what happened to George Bush politically."

" When he when he resisted making change and and at the end of the day finally did -- General Petraeus when when he needed I think it's worth revisiting history. Who did bush stand up to the Iraq study group for example that bipartisan group. I'm he stood -- the entire trip conventional wisdom in Washington he stood up to leaders of his own party not just Democrats and it was a very lonely decision to make. And at the end of the day he he was right so I you know I think I think it's worth it for this president to go back and you know keep that in mind and I think out over the but I do."

" Charles what's the lonely decision what's the equivalent is that isn't. Scaling back in Afghanistan -- routed or the giving across the when he --"

" I think it's the president has the president has said we have to destroy the Taliban or will become a safe haven for al-Qaeda the what is America -- and I don't I don't I mean look -- do it but that's I -- that he has stated that as his. Mission and so he needs to take actions to get that done and I. You know it and I think I do think probably short term that's gonna have some political cost problem 2010 election. But I think overall I think it's gonna help the standing politically if the war turns -- and again you have to go back to selling this war. And it's -- when there are limited successes along the way. He has to get out there and point to them and take ownership of and you have to take ownership. And this war in -- way he hasn't done yet."

" Thank you panel -- much -- we solved everything but. And I at least is that half hearted this time and that was certainly an improvement -- anyway. And how will CNN Sunday and please send us your thoughts after you watch panel plots on our block."