It's not the election in Afghanistan that is the reason President Obama is putting off vitally important military decisions - it's the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia. In less than two weeks voters in those states, which solidly backed Candidate Obama one year ago, are very close to electing Republican governors. If that happens, every Democrat up for re-election in the House and Senate will turn on the Obama agenda in favor of their own political ambitions. The president knows this very well and is desperately trying to avoid giving far left Democrats in those states a reason to stay home on November 3.

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Today's Washington Post contains a large article citing all sorts of "Democratic strategists" in anticipation of a big loss in Virginia. The party line and the excuses coming from the administration will blame Democrat R. Creigh Deeds for how he handled his campaign, refusing early offers of strategic advice and failing to reach out to several key constituencies that helped Obama win Virginia in 2008. (source) All this before a single vote has been counted. Is it any wonder that someone would refuse "help" from these people?

The Democrat candidate in New Jersey, incumbent Jon Corzine, has taken every bit of help and advice he could get from the White House. Every Corzine TV ad is being screened by the president's team. Corzine aides are giving daily briefings to the White House. Mr. Obama's pollsters have taken over for Mr. Corzine's polling team, and White House operatives are on the ground for everything from internal strategy sessions to obscure pep rallies with Latino supporters. (source) While Corzine's poll numbers have gone up since Team Obama switched the main issue from the candidate's records to Republican Chris Christie's weight, there is still a real possibility that this very blue state will go red in the first major election of the Obama era.

And that's what everything going on in Washington is about right now. The decision to send more much needed troops to Afghanistan could alienate New Jersey and Virginia voters who would otherwise vote for the Democrat. The White House's war against the Fox News Channel is an attempt to minimize any criticism of the administration which may sour New Jersey and Virginia voters on the Democrats. The false urgency the administration is putting on the health care reform issue is actually an attempt to ram Obamacare through before already shaky Democrats in the House and Senate realize the American people are quickly turning against President Obama's far left and failing tax & spend agenda.

Regardless of what happens on November third, one thing is certain. Team Obama will take credit for any victories and blame others for any defeats. That's what they've done all along.