Is It Right Wing Delusion?

Can we write off criticisms of Obama's foreign policy simply as right wing delusion? Powerline makes interesting points:

Osama bin Laden famously said that "when people see a strong horse and a weak horse, by nature they will like the strong horse." The truth of that statement depends on which meaning of the word "like" is being employed. People may not like the strong horse in the sense of feeling kindly disposed towards it. But they will tend to like that horse in the sense of backing it. (The question, "who do you like in the fifth race today" is a question about which horse one is backing not which horse one wants to pet).

and thus

Speaking of leaving Afghanistan sooner rather than a little later, Great Britain's new Minister of Defense, has said he wants to withdraw British units from Afghanistan as quickly as possible, and Prime Minister Cameron is said to be preparing for a "rapid withdrawal." Like the Afghan government, the Brits see Obama's weakness and are reacting accordingly. You might pet a weak horse, but you'd be a fool to back it.

Since his emergence as a national figure, Obama has fretted about America's lack of popularity in the world. It does not seem to have occurred to him that, though being disliked may be unpleasant, the most serious trouble begins when a nation is viewed with contempt by its enemies and with pity by its friends.

Of course the smart argument against being the "strong horse" is the question of when does it end? When do we ever get out of Afghanistan? The right's answer, of course, is "when we win". But do they honestly believe that is possible? How do we win in that godforsaken place. Like the New Zealanders this past Sunday, I don't mind playing for the tie here, keeping troops there to go after AQ and Taliban should they get too big for their britches, but being perfectly happy just keeping them on their back heels all the time and bopping them on the head when they get too big for their britches or out of line.