Joe Klein, ahead of others, says he has information indicating General McChrystal has submitted papers of resignation following the publication of an article in Rolling Stone (article here):
[Updated at 6:04 p.m.] Gen. Stanley McChrystal has “offered to resign,” according to a Twitter post from Time magazine’s Joe Klein on Tuesday. Earlier, Klein, citing “a very reliable source,” told CNN that McChrystal had already submitted his resignation.
Gen McChrystal made a very poor decision in terms of allowing anyone from Rolling Stone access to he and his staff, first and foremost.
In terms of ROEs, that is an issue that should have been screamed from the highest towers for some time.
I submit this: Gen McChrystal was wrong to engage the media, and was wrong to speak out of school. I believe Mr Obama will accept McChrystal’s resignation and that, also, is wrong.
This is a situation that will result in more American deaths in Afghanistan particularly in light of the specified announcement of a withdrawal timetable.
Taking McChrystal off the military chart will indicate immaturity on Mr Obama’s part, as well as his thin skin and his listening to advice from his hyper-political staff. Even U.S. Grant was retained. Even Patton was retained. Even MacArthur was retained for some time.
On the other hand, Mr Obama is no Lincoln, no FDR, no Truman. He makes Carter look cogent.
BZ
McChrystal was an Obama supporter and voted FOR Obama… Screw him and his Kenyan CiC…
Then let the cards fall where they may. If that is indeed the fact pattern, then he should be both surprised with Mr Obama’s ROEs and disappointed by Mr Obama’s decision.
He’ll get his retirement; he’ll move on.
If he DID in fact vote for Obaka, then he so clearly DESERVES what he is about to get.
Fuck him. Move his ass aside and let a REAL soldier preside.
BZ
I agree 100%.
well, ‘major’ at my site sure gave some links showing McChrystal isn’t what I thought he was…quite negative stuff.
And, yes, he says he voted for THE ONE, so ya, let’s let an America-loving general move up. On the other hand, ya think O’ll pick one IF he recognizes one?
I’m betting a LOT of those comments were supposedly off the record… Just plain Bad juju to let the media in the door at a major combat staff…
My greatest disappointment, NFO, was his allowing this contact from Rolling Stone in the first place. Was he so naive as to think that he would receive a gushing article from the author?
Petraeus, as you already know, has replaced McChrystal.
BZ
One further point:
Now that Obama has made this decision, he completely OWNS this war now. It belongs wholly to HIM after he made this move.
BZ
BTW, at worst, this was an Article 88 UCMJ issue which does NOT demand resignation or removal from service.
BZ
BZ, the other thing this does, is get Gen Patreaus out of town, so he can’t be courted to retire and run for Congress… Just sayin…
Being active duty, I won’t speak critically of a general officer, but I will speak frankly about the magazine. This article should come as no surprise to anyone, not its tone anyway. Just take one look at “Generation Kill,” and you will clearly see RS’s routine stance on the military as an institution. Screw them, and the horse they rode in on.
Hoover saved Grant from the last spot… then Carter saved Hoover from it… now Obama is doing the same for Carter.
How come we keep getting worse Presidents, faster, as time goes on?