Michael Moore's warning to Obama
Is Moore right that Obama risks losing support, and his job, by becoming a "war president" in Afghanistan?
On the eve of President Obama’s address to the nation about his plans for the war in Afghanistan, filmmaker and political activist Michael Moore published a heartfelt “open letter” to the president on his website, pleading with Obama to not become the “next war president.” Moore warned Obama that if he goes through with escalating troop levels, he’ll “destroy the hopes and dreams” of his strongest supporters, and become a “one-term president.” Should Obama take Moore’s threats seriously?
Obama should ignore the letter: Michael Moore’s open letter tells Obama what "anti-war liberals” think about a troop escalation, says Brad Templeman in Examiner.com, but Moore's threats aren't credible. “Obama ran to the right of Sen. John] McCain on Afghanistan,” and that “hawkish stand” probably helped get him elected.
“Should Obama be worried about Michael Moore’s provocative open letter on Afghanistan?”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Moore has a point, sort of: “In spite of himself,” Moore has touched on a “very important point,” says Jazz Shaw at The Moderate Voice. For the surge in Afghanistan to work, Obama must clearly explain “what the extra troops will accomplish, what our end goals are, and how long it will take.” If he can’t do that, Obama should “take Michael Moore’s advice and get out of Dodge.”
“When Michael Moore Makes Sense (Sort of)”
The Left should have seen this coming: Michael Moore is right that 30,000 more troops “won’t make a bit of difference” in winning the war, says liberal blogger Taylor Marsh, but Obama really has “no palatable political way out” of Afghanistan, and Moore and his “politically tone deaf” allies need to “deal with it.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'From his election as pope in 2013, Francis sought to reform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Israel blames 'failures' for killing of medics
speed read 14 Gaza medics and 1 U.N. employee were killed by IDF special forces
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Hegseth reportedly shared war plans in 2nd group text
Speed Read The defense secretary sent information about an attack in Yemen to a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK