General Stanley McChrystal is the commander over there, and doing a fine job from all accounts. He's got a lot on his plate, and I'd bet our President does too.
"I’ve talked to the president, since I’ve been here, once on a VTC [video teleconference]," Gen. Stanley McChrystal told CBS reporter David Martin in a television interview that aired Sunday.The reporter acts like it's some sort of scandal, but McChrystal talks to his commanders and the Joint Chiefs talk with Obama.
"You’ve talked to him once in 70 days?" Mr. Martin followed up.
"That is correct," the general replied.
I would like to see the President read McChrystal's report and act favorably on it, but I don't think it's a big deal that they don't talk. They're both busy men.
I'm wondering how often General Bradley talked with FDR when Bradley was running the campaign to defeat Germany. Or how often MacArthur talked to Truman during the Korean unpleasantness.
This isn't a big deal.
2 comments:
Agreed- MacArthur pretty much ignored Truman...
There is a chain of command, and EVEN Generals have to follow it.
You are right, in normal circumstances this would not be a big deal. What makes this a big deal is the president's disregard for what his commanders say.
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE58P0Y120090926
Gen. McChrystal's troop request was shelved "while President Barack Obama decides what strategy to pursue."
Now, if you were the President of the United States, and your country had troops on the ground, fighting in a foreign country...don't you think you may want to hear the "Ground Truth" about what one of your strategy options may entail?
The story from the JCS might not be the same as the story from their subordinate. One of my old battalion commanders once told me that if you wanted the real pulse of a unit, ask the Lance Corporals to speak freely. I think that the same applies at the higher levels of command as well.
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