Obama Pool Report for Wednesday, January 14

Obama offered strong support for Timothy Geithner at a photo-op with Biden and Sen. Lindsey Graham, and Graham warned of more casualties in Afghanistan as the U.S. steps up its commitment.

When he got asked about his embattled Treasury nominee's delinquent tax issue, Obama responded:

"Tim Geithner, when I nominate him, was rightly lauded by people from both sides of the aisle … as somebody who was uniquely qualified" to handle the economy.

"Is this an embarrassment for him, yes. He said so himself," Obama said.

Obama said it wasn't an intentional mistake, and one that is common for people who work for international institutions, and "It has been corrected." He repeated his mantra that if were his standard for cabinet secretaries, vice presidents, or (oddly) reporters that a person hadn't made "a mistake in your life," no one would be qualified.

Here Graham jumped in with some bipartisan support.

"Now's not the time to think in small political terms," Graham advised.  "I think he's the right guy."

All three men spoke at some length during the photo spray, which followed Graham and Biden's trip to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Obama also took a question about Bin Laden's new tape, although it had originally been directed at Biden. He referred back to his "one president at a time" rule.

"Bin Laden and Al Qaeda are our number one threat when it comes to American security," Obama said.

"We're going to do everything in our power to make sure that they cannot create safe havens that can attack Americans. That's the bottom line," Obama continued.

Biden then said he was encouraged with the assets in place in the region.

After those two questions, aides hustled the pool out of the room, though Obama still bantered with some fotogs.

At the top of the meeting, Biden went first, speaking for more than five minutes. All three men were sitting in a conference floor on the 8th floor of transition HQ in front of a coffee table.

Biden, with a white handkerchief in his suit pocket and his legs crossed, said, "I'm not going to discuss any details of the trip," but then offered a few.

"It is amazing the competence of our military commanders and the sacrifice our military is making in Afghanistan and Pakistan." He may have meant to say Iraq here.

"We went to listen, not to convey policy," Biden continued.

There was a white sheet of paper in front of him with a few notes.

"I made it absolutely clear that I was not there to make policy," he said. He said he was there to occasionally express concerns about "some of their actions or lack of action."

He said there is going to be "a significant shift" in Afghanistan. After six years of war, "It has not gotten better," he said.

"Things are going to get tougher in Afghanistan before they get better," Biden said.

"Pakistan's position on Afghanistan is going to affect our ability to succeed," he said.

Graham then took his turn. The close friend of John McCain said of people the group met in the three countries: "A lot of the leaders of these countries were surprised that there would be a bipartisan delegation" so soon after the elections.

"The campaign's over but the war is not," Graham said.

Graham said it was a "fair criticism" to say that "we have taken our eye off the ball in Afghanistan."  He said reengagement would come at a heavy price.

"Unfortunately, casualties are likely to increase," he said he wanted all Americans to know. But he said the game plan justified the costs.

At one point, Rahm Emanuel poked his head out of what looked like his office across the hall, visible through a glass window.

Graham spoke glowingly about Obama's popularity abroad. "I cannot tell you how much enthusiasm we saw in Pakistan for the new president," he said.

"There is a moment in time for this country to reengage the international community," Graham said.

He made a pitch for Biden-Lugar legislation to provide aide to Pakistan, and even made a pitch to his own constituents.

"The money is needed in Pakistan because we cannot win in Afghanistan without Pakistan."

Graham offered some football optimism about Iraq. "We're inside the twenty," he said.

Geoff Earle
NY Post