Democrats Lose Patience Over Wars, Gitmo

Democrats are having misgivings about the war in Afghanistan and the shuttering of Guantanamo Bay, particularly in the more liberal House, the New York Times reports. Though Congress is sure to approve another $96.7 billion in war funding, the House took out $80 million to close Guantanamo, saying the White House must provide more details. If Afghanistan worsens, President Obama could find himself on a short leash.

Rep. David Obey says he’ll give Obama a year to demonstrate progress in Afghanistan, just as he gave Nixon a year on Vietnam, but he’s “extremely dubious” Obama can accomplish his goals. “It’s wrong,” Rep. Alan Grayson says of the Afghan war. “There is no need in the 21st century to do this to make us safe.” (More Barack Obama stories.)