Two Good Men

National Review Online ^ | June 11, 2007 | W. Thomas Smith Jr.

[AlbertoMG]

Pace’s not being renominated has nothing to do with his performance as chairman of the JCS. It has everything to do with what he symbolizes (American leadership while fighting a difficult war in Iraq) to the usual salivating suspects on Capitol Hill. And it was clear to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and surely to President Bush, that Pace’s reconfirmation hearings would have been turned into a congressional circus: With poll-driven politicians focusing less on Pace’s performance and plans for the present and future prosecution of the war, and more on what has gone wrong in Iraq for the purposes of “show” and heaping blame, regardless of whether or not it is deserved, on any symbol of the Bush White House. ... You can be sure, those who question Mullen during his forthcoming confirmation hearings — though most of them know little about the Navy, the Marine Corps, any other branch of service, or what is actually taking place in the backstreets of Iraq or the backcountry of Afghanistan — will look hard for chinks in the armor. They’ll use loaded inaccuracies to describe what is happening in Iraq: Words like “escalation,” “occupation,” “tragedy,” and “failure.”

Beyond Capitol Hill, some on the Left fear Mullen, suggesting that he would eagerly expand the Iraq war into a much broader Persian Gulf war. Not sure I buy that. Then there are those on the Right like Elaine Donnelly — who I almost always agree with — who would argue that Mullen is “an ardent advocate of ‘diversity’ quotas and other controversial goals for the military.” She makes her case here. ...

[George W. Bush]

Appeasing moonbats over his anti-sodomy comments.

It's a political job to be Chief. He should have known not to give his true opinion in public.

Too bad. But the Senate is just adding his scalp to their belts to appease their sodomy/moonbat faction.

[sgtbono2002]

Everything in this Congress is a political circus.

Thats what happens when a pack of clowns, freaks, geeks,killers, and bubble eyed morons are elected.

Its time the circus left town and was replaced by competent patriots. Patriots that love America,and dont vote party at every turn.

[wildcatf4f3]

oh BS! it’s about the gays...get real.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

Everything in this Congress is a political circus.

Thats what happens when a pack of clowns, freaks, geeks,killers, and bubble eyed morons are elected.

Its time the circus left town and was replaced by competent patriots. Patriots that love America,and dont vote party at every turn.

The US Capital

[thegreatbeast]

I can’t help but feel that this is an abandonment of General Pace. He did nothing but his job.

[Clock King]

NO! What we need are leaders who have enough backbone to tell a micro extremist group to STFU. Gays are what, 3-5%, and their “politcal” issues are what, sex?? They don’t have/or mean squat. And a President should have had the guts to say so.

[George W. Bush]

I understand what you're saying. But you get to 5-10% of the population when you start counting in the parents and siblings and friends of soldiers who prefer sodomy to natural sex.

As for these hearings, they would have been excruciating for the general, having to explain exactly how he could avoid discriminating against them or keeping his subordinates from discriminating against them. The questions would be along the lines of "even if they're not telling, how do we know that you're not asking? Or making assumptions, etc.".

I don't think SecDef took this decision lightly. And Pace may not have wanted such a grilling when the choice was offered.

Undoubtedly, many of the Xlinton element at the Pentagon is working on this, there may have been other remarks the general made privately that they're informing the Dim Senate about.

Sorry, he probably had to go.