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2010-10-03 Home Front: Politix

Woodward Hints at Powell as Next SecDef, Slams Military Leaders

Bob Woodward indicated that former JCS Chairman and Secretary of State Colin Powell might get the nod to replace Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense when Gates leaves in 2011.

Dear God, no! Please let him realize that he he has already done all that duty requires, and more, and that it is time for younger men and women to take up the burden.

Obama's Wars is Woodward's latest look at the innermost workings in and around Washington's halls of power, and the book gives some of the most detailed behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Obama White House to date.

Obama's Wars also highlights the personalities of those involved with carving out the current war strategy -- and the results aren't always flattering. For instance, the relationship between Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General James "Hoss" Cartwright, the Vice Chairman, "couldn't be more hostile".

Army vs. Navy? I'm quite certain they could be much more hostile.

General Cartwright works with Vice President Biden -- and around Admiral Mullen -- developing a counterterrorism strategy that would use fewer troops and resources than the counter insurgency strategy. Mullen is incensed and balks at presenting it to Obama, to which Cartwright retorts, "I'm not in the business of withholding options."

I didn't realize that Vice President Biden was a strategy maven. Which only goes to show the limits of my knowledge.

General David Petraeus, who is CENTCOM Commander through most of the book, seems wedded to his own version of counterinsurgency and thinks fighting terrorist with nothing more than drones would make more enemies than allies. "This is a chainsaw not a stiletto," he says, referring to the Biden-Cartwright plan.

National Security Council chief Jim Jones, a former Commandant of the Marine Corps, challenges the Pentagon on the demand for more troops without an evaluation of the impact of the previous increase.

Posted by Anonymoose 2010-10-03 14:26|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top

#1 " didn't realize that Vice President Biden was a strategy maven. Which only goes to show the limits of my knowledge."

Snark of the month.....

Posted by Slaick Oppressor of the Faith8847 2010-10-03 15:35|| 2010-10-03 15:35|| Front Page Top

#2 Investigate Powell for employing illegals. That should take care of the possibility of him as Sec of Defense. California is finding out that it IS illegal to hire illegal aliens.

Posted by Black Charlie Chinemble5313 2010-10-03 15:40|| 2010-10-03 15:40|| Front Page Top

#3 Obama will select someone based upon his or her loyalty and commitment to the DISMANTLING of DoD. I doubt General Powell fits that bill.

Posted by Besoeker 2010-10-03 15:51|| 2010-10-03 15:51|| Front Page Top

#4 IIRC there were a good load of retired generals who were willing to stab Bush in the back during the period 05-08, often on TV. Surely they could get anyone of those for 30 pieces of silver again.

Of course, he could offer it to McCain. The ego and RINO status should qualify him. The real reason he's bitching about Obamacare is that it's not McCaincare. It would open up the seat in Arizona for another shot. It would get great MSM play with its faux bi-partisanship.

Posted by Procopius2k 2010-10-03 18:52|| 2010-10-03 18:52|| Front Page Top

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