“But the commanding general of multi-lateral forces in Iraq has left little doubt that if a new president wanted to withdraw from Iraq faster than would reflect Petraeus’s considered military opinion, he’d be happy to go home to his family.”
Whatever you think of Gen. Petraeus, or the war in Iraq, this is a worrisome development when our general staff feels free to go on TV and start saying things like this.
It’s the third-world generalissimo sort of behavior that coup d’etat’s are made of. The general should be invited to go home sooner rather than later if this is truly his opinion, and he’s so confident that he is willing to trumpet it to the media.
Not sure what you find objectionable. He’s saying he’d be happy to be replaced and go home if the president preferred another general’s advice. I’d encourage you to go to NewsBusters and view the video and see if that affects your opinion.
He is NOT Douglas MacArthur. Truman, as much as I disagree with his actions on many things, did exactly the right thing in relieving MacArthur of his command.
I think what he said is perfectly reasonable...
I'm contemplating the options in my mind, comparing them to Hillbama or McCain accelerating the invasion on the southern border and expanding socialized government still further. So far, Petraeus keeps coming out on top. I like Gen. Pace, too. Both are more likely to be GWashington types than any other politicians we know. . . But don't rush me, I'm still thinking.
The statement isn’t that bad. Not even close. But it is more than obvious and not as insightful as it might be.