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Grassley, Harkin, Braley support Obama firing McChrystal
President Obama’s firing of Gen. Stanley McChrystal was appropriate given the derogatory remarks about the president and his administration by the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, members if the Iowa congressional delegation said June 23.
Sen. Tom Harkin
Sen. Chuck Grassley
Rep. Bruce Braley
They agreed McChrystal had shown disrespect for the president and, in doing so, had shown disrespect for the principle of civilian control over the military.
“What the general said was an affront to the commander-in-chief even if what was said was accurate,” Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley said in a call with reporters.
“Gen. McChrystal’s comments were inappropriate and I support the President’s decision,” said Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.
“I firmly believe Gen. McChrystal stepped out of line in his remarks about our civilian leadership and it was appropriate for him to be removed,” Rep. Bruce Braley, a Waterloo Democrat, added during his weekly conference call. Obama, he added, “asserted his role strongly.”
McChrystal was relieved of his command after a Wednesday morning meeting with Obama. He had come under fire for remarks disparaging remarks he made about Obama, Vice President Biden and other members of the administration. McChrystal’s comments were reported by Rolling Stone magazine, which had a reporter embedded with him.
Obama replaced McChrystal with Gen. David Petraeus.
“One of founding principles in our democracy has always been the civilian role of commander-in-chief and the requirement for the chain of command in the military to respect that title and the role of the commander-in-chief,” Braley said.
“The comments that were made by Gen. McChrystal and his staff undermined the president’s authority and had the potential to endanger the mission they are currently trying to execute.”
The timing of the change in command in Afghanistan is unfortunate, Grassley said. McChrystal had been trying to achieve the same success Petraeus had in Iraq “and that might be the only way to get out of Afghanistan quickly and with a victory.”
“We’re just beginning to crank up what we sent 30,000 additional people over there to do,” he said. McChrystal had done a good job “and has the confidence of President Karzai and is one of the few Americans over there who does.”
“But the general said things he shouldn’t have said,” Grassley added.
Braley has had concerns about both McChrystal and Petraeus. He was critical of Petraeus’ leadership in the Iraq War.
McChrystal, Braley pointed out, was recommended for discipline for his role in the cover-up of former NFL player Pat Tillman’s death by friendly fire while serving in the Army Rangers in Afghanistan. The Army declined to take action on that recommendation.
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If you talk smack about your boss and he finds out it is kind of implied that will happen. The military is bi partisan and its about the mission and not the party in charge.
I'm sure Obama breathed a huge sigh of relief having Senator Gras*sley's bles*sing.
Once again, Grassley supports Obama. It seems like he supports him a lot more often than he oposes him.
It seems as if almost all of US troops dislike the Obama Administration. This is probably because of the overly-restrictive rules of engagement, which Obama has implimented. These rules cause troops to hold their fire if the insurgents' weapons are not visible, or if any civilians are in harms way (insurgents in both Afganistan and Iraq tend to hide behind civilians quite often). They also have to read captured insurgents Miranda rights, as if they were US citizens. I don't blame them for disliking these rules. They make their job much more difficult and more dangerous, and have probably contributed to the higher US casualties in Afganistan, since they were implimented.
Must agree on this. The situaton is well "off mis*sion" for the U.S. Military. They are not meant to be Police. Totaly different function.
We should have thought of that before Dubya and Company ran in guns a blazing.
There were those of us who were trying to talk the masses out of walking blindly into an misunderstood conflict at the time, but obviously no one listened.
Certainly not enough and/or not the right ones listened.
Uh, Libertarian, weren't those ROE's McChrystal's? http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/23/world/asia/23tr…
They never let something like the truth get in the way of their narrative.
Excellent link 2p. Thanks.
It's amazing how nothing is ever Obama's fault. Face it; he's the commander in chief. These rules changed after he became president. If he disagreed with them, he would change them. And, I seriously doubt that McChrystal, a veteran war general, is the original source of these new ROE.
It's amazing how EVERYTHING is Obama's fault. Listen carefully: McChrystal was chosen because of his adherence to counterinsurgency doctrine. One tenet of COIN is minimize use of artillery and air to reduce civilian casualties.
Be honest: if Obama had written the ROE, you would accuse him of micromanaging. Instead, Obama let McChrystal control ops, and you're still not satisfied. So, when do you people gin up some contrived impeachment drama? Or, are you going to spare the country that ordeal, and just hire a hit man?
Obama clearly isn't serious about victory. That's why he changed the "War on Terror" to the "Overseas Contingency Operation." He's more worried about hurting Muslim's feelings than achieving victory or the lives of our troops.
Mchrystal is Obama's handpicked general for the job. You don't think he told him what the new rules of engagement were going to be? Why else do you think he changed who was in charge?
Argumentum ad ignorantium, Libertarian. YOU need to provide the proof that Obama wrote the ROE. All I see here is bellyachin' because you dislike Obama so intensely. And, you overlook the fact that the current Afghanistan strategy was produced by the military, NOT imposed on the military by Obama.
"It seems as if almost all of US troops dislike the Obama Administration."
That is kind of like saying "It seems that Libertarian22 is a thoughtful and unbiased person", but there is absolutely no evidence to support the claim.
Have you recently conducted a private poll of all military members on their feeling on the current administration? If so, please let me know where that may be published.
Kind of the role of the military now after the Bush doctrine started these wars. Different type of war and killing so many civilians by mistake all the time doesn't help any cause they might be pushing.
MacArthur lost his job for wanting to nuke China. McChrystal may lose his job for acting like an adolescent passing notes in the clas*room.
He's been relieved.
THIS CURRENT REGIME IS SO SENSATIVE.. IF YOUR A BUSINESS THEY ARE COMING AFTER YOU ……….MORE TAXES AND REGULATIONS ………
The problem is the complete lack of professionalism displayed by General McChrystal.
When I was in the Army as an NCO many years ago there would be no way we would ever say anything even slightly negative about the chain of command or our mission where any of the soldiers would catch wind of it. That's just not done. We could voice our opinion to our commanders but as leaders you are expected to tow the line.
But as a Tea Partier, you wouldn't know anything about serving in the military.
McChrystal is Obama's handpicked general.
McChrystal is lucky he wont be spending time in Levenworth
That's rediculous. What exactly do you think he said that would justify that type of punishment?
Insubordination is a crime in the military. Conducting himself this way in a time of war–in the war zone–might even give rise to charges of treason.
He should have been shlt canned and had his pension ripped from him at the very least.
Insubordination is a crime in the military. Conducting himself this way in a time of war–in the war zone–might even give rise to charges of treason.
He should not have been given the opportunity to resign. He should have have been shlt canned outright and had his pension ripped from him at the very least.
Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.
UGH!I did a crazy long response to your post but my internet cut out and I lost it all! Oh well, just wanted to say that it was a great article! Awesome!
Obama showed ‘poor judgement’ on the golf course.
I accept you and it surely about to guide lot of people.
We all agree that your theory is crazy, but is it crazy enough?- Niels Bohr (1885-1962)
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