The deceptive July 2011 Afghan withdrawl date "designed to placate a skeptical public and liberals"

[Better Believe It]

US Liberals Express Anger over Obama's Decision to Raise Troop Levels
Deployment of 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan causes most ardent supporters to become disillusioned
by Ewen MacAskill in Washington
December 2, 2009

The White House is extremely conscious that part of the base that helped get Obama elected last year is in danger of being eroded. The decision to put in a date for the beginning of withdrawal of US troops was primarily a political one, designed to try to placate not only a US public sceptical about the war but the liberal, anti-war wing of the coalition that Obama built. It did not appear to have worked, with some liberal commentators noting that it was only the start of the process and large numbers of US troops come remain in Afghanistan for years to come.

Public opinion polls show that support for the war has gradually waned since the start of the year, with hostility higher among Democratic supporters than Republicans.

The anti-war protests that were a feature of the Bush presidency have been in little evidence this year but that could change. A new coalition has been formed in response to Obama's decision, the Emergency Anti-Escalation Rally, and announced today it is to protest in front of the White House on 12 December.

Read the full article at:

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/12/02-15