The Hiller Instinct: President orders more troops

There was no way one speech would unite an America divided by the war in Afghanistan that's already lasted eight years, claimed the lives of more than 800 members of the U.S. military and cost more than $165 billion. 

But he tried.

He supported a surge now, and a rollback later with troops to begin leaving Afghanistan in July 2011.

Theoretically, that should satisfy hawks and doves. But politically -- don't bet it will -- because starting to bring troops home isn't ending the war, and the president didn't say when it would end.

Similarly, the president's $30 billion surge will divide his own party, since some Democrats believe more war is just more wasted money the nation can't afford to spend.

So here's my conclusion: Nearly all Americans believed Barack Obama represented change, but there was never broad agreement on exactly what the changes would be.

Now, we know what he wants to do in Afghanistan, and my guess is many more Americans will think "too much" or "too little" rather than "He got it just right."

I’m Andy Hiller, and that’s my instinct.

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