Apparently, The One doesn’t like to be upstaged or lectured on the reality of the situation in Afghanistan. I mean, how dare, DARE, one of those commanders on the ground that he promised again and again to listen to speak out after being mostly blown off during the first 8 months of the President in Campaigners administration?
According to sources close to the administration, Gen McChrystal shocked and angered presidential advisers with the bluntness of a speech given in London last week.
The next day he was summoned to an awkward 25-minute face-to-face meeting on board Air Force One on the tarmac in Copenhagen, where the president had arrived to tout Chicago’s unsuccessful Olympic bid.
So, and I’m just guessing here, but, I would suspect that Obama lectured McChrystal about following The Plan and politics and keeping his mouth shut, rather than listening to General McChrystal discuss the challenges and intelligence regarding Afghanistan.
Gen James Jones, the national security adviser, yesterday did little to allay the impression the meeting had been awkward.
Asked if the president had told the general to tone down his remarks, he told CBS: “I wasn’t there so I can’t answer that question. But it was an opportunity for them to get to know each other a little bit better. I am sure they exchanged direct views.”
Get to know each other? What, is this kindergarten? Obama has had 8 months to get to know McChrystal. Now it is high time to actually be THE Commander in Chief.
An adviser to the administration said: “People aren’t sure whether McChrystal is being naïve or an upstart. To my mind he doesn’t seem ready for this Washington hard-ball and is just speaking his mind too plainly.”
Proving yet again that the Barry admin thinks strictly in terms of politics and how they can make Obama look good while still voting “Present.” If the president is too busy running to NYC for dinner and a show, going on Letterman, and popping off to Copenhagen to meet with the commander of the the forces in Afghanistan, well, what is McChrystal supposed to do? Apparently, speaking ones mind is verboten in the Barry Admin.
(McChrystal) told the Institute of International and Strategic Studies that the formula, which is favoured by Vice-President Joe Biden, would lead to “Chaos-istan”.
Obama stated time and time again during the campaign that Afghanistan was the real war, with Iraq being a distraction, yet, when push comes to shove, we find out the real distraction is Obama thinking the presidency is about being a rock star, rather than any of those pesky Constitutional job duties.
Tom Maguire: We are eagerly awaiting Obama’s Plan.
Flopping Aces: Word comes down that Obama was a bit upset with his General actually having an opinion on how to win this war. Imagine….a military professional coming up with plans on winning instead of a politician. The gall of the General:
Weasel Zippers: God forbid a GENERAL have an idea how to win a war. Anyone have even a shred of doubt Obama will lose this war?.
More: When you hear the liberals yammering on about Conservative glee over Obama’s inept Olympics deal, how it is un-patriotic or something, give them this back
Nearly two dozen House liberals have signed onto a bill introduced this past week that would prohibit an increase of troops in Afghanistan.
A bill introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) on Thursday would bar funding to increase the troop level in Afghanistan beyond its current level.
Lee and 21 lawmakers — largely from the liberal Congressional Progressive Caucus — introduced the bill, H.R. 3699 on Thursday.
Hmm, laughing at Obama’s Olympics loss vs. surrender in Afghanistan (‘memba, they wanted to surrender in Iraq, too.)
Also from the Hill
Tuesday’s bipartisan, bicameral leadership briefing on Afghanistan will mark the first time in six months that House Republican leaders have been invited to the White House to discuss official business.
Of course, this is probably one of the only meetings the WH has had on Afghanistan. Kinda tough to plan when Obama needs to jet off for an appearence on Letterman or something.
Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU
Apparently McChrystal forgot something about the chain of command. Generals do NOT make policy and should not speak publicly about it while in uniform. Generals take their marching orders from the CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT except in banana republics where they have military coups. After being summoned to Air Force One we shall see how long it is before that General tries to decide policy.
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