Who's On First? Obama's State Dept. Spokesman Can't Even Explain Who Is Doing What Regarding Afghanistan

I'm sorry but there is no other word to explain how Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have laid out responsibility in Afghanistan other than "clusterfuck." There is no better way to show this than to caption below an exchange between reporters and the acting spokesman for the State Department. First, let's look at ALL of the players involved in setting Afghanistan policy, then you will see the exchange between Acting Spokesman Robert A. Wood of the State Department and reporters, from the article here at CQ Politics:

First it drafted the sharp-elbowed Richard Holbrooke as its special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, tasked with "reformulating and carrying out American policy in what many call the most problematic region on earth," according to news reports.
Then there's Gen. David Petraeus, the hero of Baghdad, calling shots as boss of the Central Command.
Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns is in Moscow talking about Afghanistan. Deputy Secratary James Steinberg was in Munich last week jawing about it.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is also bearing down on the faltering war, of course, as is V.P. Joe Biden. Super-juiced Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry is said to be in the on-deck circle as U.S. ambassador to Kabul.
Then Wednesday the White House announced that it has asked former CIA analyst Bruce Riedel, now at the Brookings Institution, to chair a 60-day interagency policy review of U.S. policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Now, let's look at the "Who's On First" slapstick that happened with Wood and the press:

"I may be dense here," a reporter asked Acting Spokesman Robert A. Wood, "but I thought that was what Holbrooke was going to be doing, and that that was the whole reason why his title was special representative and not special envoy like (George) Mitchell," Obama's delegate to settle the Israel-Palestinian problem.

Wood:
"Well, I haven't seen -- I know that that was in planning. But let me just outline again what Ambassador Holbrooke's responsibilities, his mandate is, and that's to coordinate amongst all U.S. government agencies who have involvement with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan. "Mr. Riedel is going to be, you know, sort of overseeing this review of our policy, but that is separate from what Ambassador Holbrooke is doing. Ambassador Holbrooke is out in the region, he's going to be coordinating, as I said, amongst the various agencies -- excuse me, various U.S. government agencies -- and contribute to this review process, and of course continue to work with the governments of the region."

Reporter: "So Holbrooke is not leading a review?"

Wood: "Well, I haven't actually seen the announcement, but my understanding is that Bruce Riedel would head this -- chair this overview."

Reporter:
"Well, I'm sorry, I still don't understand the distinction. It seems like -- it seems like you have two people essentially doing the same job."

Wood:
"No, I don't think that's the case at all. Again, I'll have to refer you back to the announcement, because I haven't -- haven't seen it. I've been in a meeting, as you know, and at a press avail.
"So -- but, again, just to focus on what Ambassador Holbrooke is doing, and he, again, is going to be -- he is the special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan. He will be basically..."

But, said a pesky reporter, "Secretary Clinton said specifically, February 5th in a press availability, that Richard Holbrooke would be -- is co-chairing the ongoing policy review at the White House."

Wood:
"That could very well be his title. I haven't seen, as I said, what's come out at the White House on that. But I -- I believe Mr. Riedel is -- is the chair. But it could be very well that it's been decided that, you know, they are co-chairing. I don't know. I haven't seen the releases. So I have to refer you to the White House for more specific details -- only because I haven't seen it."

Remember back during the Presidential campaign when conservatives tried to call out Barack Obama's inexperience? They were labeled as "racist" or "hateful" or "partisan." Well, the reality is that they were right and the American people elected a guy who has never led anything in his life other than a bunch of welfare moms in Chicago on a mission to point out how unfair and ugly America is.

This exchange between the State Department and the press encapsulates just how much in disarray this whole administration is in. G_d help us all.