President Barack Obama speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009, before presenting 2008 medals of Science and medals of Technology. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)AP – President Barack Obama is prepared to accept some Taliban involvement in Afghanistan’s political future and appears inclined to send only as many more U.S. troops to Afghanistan as are needed to keep al-Qaida at bay, a senior administration official said Thursday.