
In a Rolling Stone magazine interview this week titled The Runaway General, General Stanley McChrystal spoke brazenly about President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl W. Eikenberry, and others from the Obama administration.
Some highlights (or lowlights depending upon your view) of McChrystal’s thoughts on the Obama administration (that appointed him commander of all U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan).
McChrystal described his first meeting with Obama as disappointing and said that Obama was unprepared for the meeting.
National Security Adviser Jim Jones is described by a McChrystal aide as a “clown” stuck in 1985.
Others aides joked about Biden’s last name as sounding like “Bite me” since Biden opposed the surge.
More from the Rolling Stone article about McChrystal’s initial thoughts upon meeting Obama (a man he voted for):
Their first one-on-one meeting (with Obama) took place in the Oval Office four months later, after McChrystal got the Afghanistan job, and it didn’t go much better. “It was a 10-minute photo op,” says an adviser to McChrystal. “Obama clearly didn’t know anything about him, who he was. Here’s the guy who’s going to run his f*cking war, but he didn’t seem very engaged. The Boss was pretty disappointed.”
McChrystal has apologized for the ‘profile’ and his comments directed towards the President and White House, but Obama and Defense Secretary William Gates have summoned the General to D.C. for a sit down chat chewing out.
Most commentators expect McChrystal to lose his job over the interview. If he is as skilled and good as both his supports and critics claim then he should apologize, bury his head, and keep the job. It’s just too vital a time in Afghanistan for such turnaround at the top.
The complete piece is a great read and thorough depiction of General McChrystal both good and bad. You can read the entire piece HERE @ Rolling Stone.
UPDATE: Word is traveling that Gen. McChrystal has submitted his resignation to the President.
UPDATE 2: Obama announced Gen. McChrystal will be relieved of his duties and replaced by Gen. David Petraeus. Watch Video HERE.