Ever since President Obama announced his Afghanistan surge, I’ve argued he’s not doing enough to maintain (let alone build) public support for what promises to be a long, costly and difficult mission.

In an interview in today’s Wall Street Journal, Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed similar concerns:

American public support for the Afghan war will dissipate in less than a year unless the Obama administration achieves “a perceptible shift in momentum,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an interview. … “People are willing to stay in the fight, I believe, if they think we’re making headway,” he said. “If they think we’re stalemated and having our young men and women get killed, then patience is going to run out pretty fast.”

This is the second time in recent weeks that Gates has spoken out about the challenges in Afghanistan. (The first was his interview with 60 Minutes two weeks ago.) Clearly, he is doing what he can to raise awareness of and support for the mission. Contrast that with President Obama, who has yet to give a major interview or speech outside the White House on Afghanistan (let alone visit the war torn nation).

Tags: afghanistan, communications, obama, wall street journal