Obama Sacks Gen. McChrystal. You agree? - Orange County Register
Wednesday, 23 June 2010 17:00
Just moments ago, President Barack Obama told the nation that he has relieved Gen. Stanley McChrystal of his job leading the war in Afghanistan just days after the release of a Rolling Stone article in which the general and his staff disparaged the president and much of his national security team.
"War is bigger than any one man or woman whether a private, a general or a president,'' Obama said, flanked by his top national security team. "As difficult as it is to lose General McChrystal I believe it is the right decision for our national security. The conduct represented in the recently published article does not meet the standard that should be set by a commanding general.''
While announcing he was relieving McChrystal, Obama said he was replacing him with Gen. David Petraeus, who was the architect of the surge strategy in Iraq. Petraeus stood at Obama's side while the president made the announcement.
In announcing his decision to make the change in Afghanistan leaders, Obama made it clear that there would be no policy shift in Afghanistan.
"This is a change in personnel but it is not a change in policy,'' Obama said. "We will not tolerate a safe haven for terrorists,'' he said.
The Rose Garden comments were made after Obama met privately in the Oval Office with McChrystal Wednesday morning. The president then met with his national security team. Surrounding Obama and Petraeus during the announcement was Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen.
Here's what Royce, R-Fullerton, said:
"General McChrystal and his team killed and captured thousands of insurgents, including al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq. I spoke with General McChrystal about al-Qaeda's designs on Afghanistan and Pakistan two months ago in Afghanistan. America has just lost our leading practitioner of counterterrorism on the basis of a sketchy article with many unattributed quotes."
And this from Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Santa Ana: "If there's a silver lining to General McChrystal's departure, it's that we have a real opportunity to step back and seriously evaluate the effectiveness of our military operations in Afghanistan.
"It's time for us to direct our attention to Pakistan, where al Qaeda is now located, and find a responsible way to scale back our efforts in Afghanistan. Doing so will allow us to focus on the important problems here in Orange County, including record unemployment and a foreclosure crisis."
And Rep. John Campbell doesn't seem thrilled with Obama's decision. Here's his statement:"Throughout American history, we have had generals who have been great military commanders, but not necessarily good politicians. Generals Patton, Pershing, and Sheridan immediately come to mind. There is no argument that General McChrystal should not have made those comments, but we ought to place precedence on having the best military leader, and the most capable warrior in the job so that American, Afghan, and NATO forces have the best chance of success in Afghanistan."
Finally got something from Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Costa Mesa, who is a longtime expert on Afghanistan. Here's his statement:
"The situation in Afghanistan is in obvious disarray and it's not because of personnel, it's because of policy. President Obama was right to assert his authority given the circumstances, however, the president's focus is ultimately misplaced. This really isn't about General McChrystal, even though his behavior warranted his removal.
"If it weren't for bad policy, the President wouldn't have to change personnel. The frustration expressed by McChrystal and his aides highlights the failure of our current policy in Afghanistan.
"Whether it was McChrystal or anyone else, they are not going to be successful in achieving the goal of a centralized power dominating from Kabul. It will not work. We are working with the wrong people. We've shunned the Northern Alliance and non-Pashtuns who defeated the Taliban in the past. Those people are still available to us. Instead, the State Department has pushed the idea of focusing on a central government in Kabul, with a an untrustworthy and corrupt partner like Hamid Karzai at the helm, while placating the Pakistanis and Pashtuns.
"We should be decentralizing power in a way that is consistent with Afghan tradition and empowering the tribal leaders if we are to have any real success in Afghanistan."
This just in from Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona:
"I respect the decision of our Commander-in-Chief and the affirmation of civilian authority over the military chain of command. Now our nation's national security team must move forward. I'm pleased General Petraeus will be in command and believe he is an excellent leader. At all times, our first priority must be to our troops who remain in harm's way as they continue to carry out a counterinsurgency strategy to eradicate the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan. I look forward to working with General Petraeus as he takes over in Afghanistan in order to bring security and opportunity to the people of Afghanistan.
"General Stanley McChrystal has faithfully executed his duties as Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan and I thank him not only for his work there but for his many years of dedicated and honorable service to our country."
