McCain: McChrystal Comments "Inappropriate"
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), along with 2 colleagues, says comments attributed to Gen. Stanley McChrystal in a new story in Rolling Stone are "inappropriate" and cross a line in the traditional relationship between a president and the military.
"We have the highest respect for General McChrystal and honor his brave service and sacrifice to our nation. General McChrystal's comments, as reported in Rolling Stone, are inappropriate and inconsistent with the traditional relationship between Commander-in-Chief and the military," McCain said in a joint statement with Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
In the article, published today, a McChrystal aide says the general who heads coalition forces in Afghanistan was disappointed by his first meeting with Pres. Obama. McChrystal thought Obama was "uncomfortable and intimidated" by a group of top military brass in an Oval Office meeting early in his term.
McChrystal has been summoned to the WH to explain his comments, according to news reports this morning. Already, the article has cost one Pentagon PR consultant his job.
But while some have likened McChrystal's comments to Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the Korean War general fired by Pres. Harry Truman, McCain, Lieberman and Graham stopped short of calling on McChrystal to step down or be fired.
"The decision concerning General McChrystal's future is a decision to be made by the President of the United States," the 3 said in the joint statement.
Read the whole Rolling Stone article here.
I support Sen McCain comment on McChrystal was out of line for the comment he made. As an officer in the service appointed by the President, McChrystal was wrong. He need to be fired. This is the second incident that have come to surface.
Obama never had any intention on winning the war in Afghanistan in my view. His earlier troops delays that General McChrystal was virtually begging for back in the summer of 2009 already proved that. When Obama finally did send the troops that McChrystal requested-in addition to the long delay, they fell significantly short of the number needed. Obama is very cunning-not intelligent-but cunning and knows that General Petraeus is already burdened down with the entire Central Command that overseas Afghanistan and now wants to have him give us a miracle as of yesterday with overseeing day to day operations there as well! Obama has a leftist background with Marxist teaching since his youth. He was probably tickled pink that General McChrystal said a few wise cracking remarks towards his majesty the "Commander in Chief" and in of all places Rolling Stone Magazine-and they said they would never publish it (a lie as usual of course)-and That is a danger to National Security? Give me a break! What General McChrystal said was nothing compared to General MacArthur's well prepared document that he let reporters intentionally have and certain politicians in Congress to be read on the House Floor itself criticizing Truman-a far cry from what McChrystal did. A perfect opportunity for Obama to prove he's the "Man in Charge" by firing McChrystal in a time of the most intense operations in Afghanistan. Obama has no care or concern that our Finest are in Harm's Way. The more body bags coming back from Afghanistan should prove the war is not "winnable" at the end for Obama- he pretty much insured that after firing a Great General today.
I understand where you must stay professional...but we all should know whats going on...if they president doesnt know whats going on why should we cover his ass...of course it was dumb on his part to admit that to the rolling stone...he should know how to play the game...but even as we sit here and chop him down I know we are all glad he said what he said.