Well we have been hearing what President Obama needs to do and I do know it's very tempting to just follow the conventional wisdom at every turn.
But remember, this are the same people whom when the President makes the decision they advocate they will criticize him and rip him to shreds just like they have done during the BP oil spill.
As a political animal President Obama knows this, so just be open minded and bare with me, here is another perspective, a different perspective from what we have all being hearing:
McChrystal “Stone’d”…How Badly Hurt? - By Greg Palkot
LONDON - I will probably be in the minority here, but I don’t think the Rolling Stone article about General Stanley McChrystal was all that bad to him. And maybe it shouldn't be a firing offense.
If you simply listened to the punditry, and simply read the selected quotes you’d think he should face the firing squad.
But a closer examination of the story by reporter Michael Hastings suggests a different take.
Let’s look at the article point-by-point as, no doubt, will happen today inside the White House.
President Obama - There is NO McChrystal direct quote critical of Obama in the article. Just an unnamed advisor making observations including the President being “unprepared” in an early meeting. He described McChrystal as “disappointed.”
Obama Afghanistan War Review - A rare direct quote from McChrystal. "I found that time painful. I was selling an unsellable position." Frank , but hardly damning.
V.P. Biden- No McChrystal direct quote critical of Biden. There’s a reworking of an early dispute with Biden over policy. The only current reference is an obtuse line from the General about Biden during some banter with aides.
Richard Holbrooke – No McChrystal direct quote specifically critical of Holbrooke. A second-hand critique from an unnamed source saying the General called him a “wounded animal.” And a line from the General about regretting receiving an email from Holbrooke.
Ambassador Eikenberry - A lengthy re-tread of the public dispute between Eikenberry and McChrystal and others. A few retrospective direct quotes from McChrystal like "I felt betrayed," but again, hardly damning.
NSA Jim Jones, Sen.’s McCain and Kerry-Critical comments from unnamed aides. No McChrystal input
Secretary of State Clinton- There’s actually praise for her from yet another unnamed source. But once again, nothing from McChrystal.
Ok lets cut the crap, this is what will happen. President Obama won't fire McChrystal, there will be lots of meetings and lots of things said in private and in the end the General keeps his job.
Do I agree with this, Hell NO!. But do I believe it's what will happen, yes, and not for the reasons that Palkot referred too in his article.
No matter how you spin it a General "Going Rogue" is a BFD, lets not forget McChrystal is a general and he serves at the pleasure of the President like any grunt under his command, military or civilian.
I'm not expecting McChrystal to change and so does Obama, if he did then he would really be a fool.
What he can expect is more pressure to show results on his war strategy and in this case McChrystal as the architect is the one with the responsibility.
If McChrystal were to quit he would look like he could not handle the job and his strategy would not have produced the results he said it could, this benefits President Obama in a couple of ways. He could:
- Double down on a failed strategy, very unlikely.
Or
- Take a whole new and different approach, what that approach will be I dunno but it probably won't include a faster withdrawal as KO would love to see.
President Obama is like a robot stuck on "compromise" button, not a rational man but a thinking man looking for a way out that pleases both sides in any conflict, in this case the military and civilian sides.
He does not follow conventional wisdom, so don't expect him too, and to many that borders on irrationality.
He likes taking the long road approach cause it's not how quick you get there it's if you get there at all, the man hates shortcuts and will not settle on NO for an answer if there is HOPE it can get done it shall be done.
That's the man we elected, love him or hate him thats what we got.
UPDATE: George W. Bush was stuck on the "Don't Give A Fuck No Matter What Anyone Says... Except Cheney" Button