President Obama: Article Showed Poor Judgment, But I Want to Talk to McChrystal Directly Before Any Final Decisions
EmailABC News’ Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller report:
In the Cabinet Room of the White House late Tuesday afternoon, President Obama – flanked by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates — was asked if he has plans to fire General Stanley McChrystal.
“General McChrystal is on his way here,” the president said. “And I’m going to meet with him. Secretary Gates will meet with him as well. I think it’s clear that the article in which he and his team appeared showed poor judgment. But I also want to make sure I talk to him directly before I make any final decisions.”
The president added: “Let me actually make one last point about this. Even as Gen. McChrystal is on his way here, I want everybody to keep in mind what our central focus is. And that is: success in making sure al Qaeda and affiliates cannot attack the United States and its allies.
“And we’ve got young men and women there who are making enormous sacrifices, families back home who are making enormous sacrifices,” the president said. “And so whatever decision I make with respect to Gen. McChrystal or any other aspect of Afghan policy is determined entirely on how I can make sure that we have a strategy that justifies the enormous courage and sacrifice that those young men and women are making over there and that ultimately makes this country safer. I know Secretary Gates feels the exact same way.”
-Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
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“I think it’s clear that the article in which he and his team appeared showed poor judgment.” – Barack Obama
Jake, you left out the rest of the quote.
“but unfortunately it was full of truth.”
Posted by: Noz | June 22, 2010, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
“but unfortunately it was full of truth.”
yes, but Obama must either fire him or accept his resignation. Soldiers lives rely on a strong chain of command. A disconnect at the top will have a negative effect on our troops.
Posted by: Sigmonde | June 22, 2010, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
I was not surprised at what Mr. McChrystal said about Mr. Obama. I was surprised how accurate Mr. McChrystal was.
Posted by: young_voter | June 22, 2010, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
I used to support President Barack Hussein Obama, I really did, but with all due respect, is Barack Hussein incapable of learning? Seriously, did he not realize he was wrong to call the white Cambridge policeman “stupidly” for removing a belligerent black man from the proximity of the target of his anger before he got all the facts? Did he not get Nancy Pelosi’s memo that “dissent is the highest form of patriotism”? Gen. McChrystal is dissenting from Barack Hussein, and what does he get? name-called “poor judgment.” It is time we had a President who isn’t a vindictive thin-skinned egomaniac. It is time we had a President who can take some dissent without calling people names. It is time we had a President who is actually capable of learning. It is time for Palin ’12, PUMA!
Posted by: Obamacrat for Palin | June 22, 2010, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
But I Want to Talk to McChrystal Directly Before Any Final Decisions
—
That means he’s history but Obama thinks he might repair a little of the damage if he can appear “thoughtful”.
Posted by: smartlillena | June 22, 2010, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
Now, why say it is the truth what McChrystal said? He showed not poor judgement, but no judgement in his comments, so it follows that he might not know the truth if it hits him in the face. Bottom line is that you just don’t say that about your boss or your co-workers, especially if you are top man in a war that your country is waging. That’s ridiculous.
Posted by: SusanSC | June 22, 2010, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm
As a Canadian I have to say that I cannot believe the lack of respect that has been afforded Pesident Obama since the day he took office.The behavior of the GOP since day one has been petty and vindictive to the Nth degree and the media seems to have played along.I think your President is doing all he possibly can given the awful circumstances he not only inherited but now finds himself in.
Posted by: scott | June 22, 2010, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
That’s awfully sweet of you, our Canadian neighbor to the North. Now please tell the few people who actually care about world popular opinion.
In the future, we reserve the right to call the President by his full legal name, something he has used himself in speeches during his close to 18 months in office.
Spare us your PC outrage. Really lame.
Posted by: Aaron | June 22, 2010, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm
scott,at least you admit to being Canadian,not like the late,unlamented tierra.The problem with Obama is that if anything he has been given preferential treatment throughout his life.From living in a mansion in Jakarta to living with a grandmother who was vice-president of one of the largest banks in Hawai’i, he has had a life of relative comfort while creating a myth of deprivation.He benefited from Affirmative Action throughout his college years at two institutions (why he had to leave Occidental is never explained).When he was elected to the Presidency he continued to expect favorable treatment; apparently you think he continues to merit it.His criticism pales in comparison to what George Bush received;The media elected him when they refused to publish the truth about his backround and his academic history.Now that he has been revealed to be a complete tyro and intellectual phony you want to continue the Affirmative Action viewpoint:”he is doing all he possibly can” as if that is an excuse for not having the sense God gave geese.What he inherited is a country that was protected from terrorism until his moronic advisers changed policies that have lead to repeated terrorist attempts,at least one of which was successful. Maybe you believe his Gulf plans (if any) are great- the majority of Americans don’t.
Posted by: Nephron | June 22, 2010, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm
I wonder how Gen. McChrystal would have reacted to a subordinate who directed the same comments to the general? I think we know. He sacked his press aide before leaving for D.C.
Posted by: B.Bear | June 22, 2010, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
I would hope that General McChrystal does not get fired. He has served his country all of his adult life. President Obama has done nothing for this country. I still can not believe he is our President. I hope Obama is a one term president. I am from Illinois, Obama has done more damage than good for Illinois. Illinois is in a financial mess.
Posted by: Joann | June 22, 2010, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
“.He benefited from Affirmative Action throughout his college years at two institutions (why he had to leave Occidental is never explained)”
No evidence for this of course….beyond the color of Obama’s skin.
Posted by: Ryan C | June 22, 2010, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm
Lacks maturity and shows poor judgement.
McCrystal sounds like a perfect fit with the Obama administration.
What time is the party tonight at the White House?
Posted by: justin | June 22, 2010, 8:23 pm 8:23 pm
Ryan C,there is no evidence to the contrary- no academic honors, no Phi Beta Kappa,no Phi Kappa Phi,no honors courses, no history of being on the honor roll,no release of grades or transcripts,no LSAT results,no significant publications.There is no evidence of extracurricular activities.Even his claim of being in the Black Student Association at Columbia was bogus.How do you explain his admission?
Posted by: Nephron | June 22, 2010, 8:29 pm 8:29 pm
No evidence he left Occidental?
Posted by: Nephron | June 22, 2010, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
“Soldiers lives rely on a strong chain of command. A disconnect at the top will have a negative effect on our troops.” – Sigmonde
Yeah, but I have an out for NoBo.
All he needs to do is name a Commander in Chief Czar.
: o )
Posted by: Noz | June 22, 2010, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
It took 9 months after the O took office and soldiers were dying in Afghanistan, before O would even meet with McChrystal.
It took more than 50 days after the oil spill before the O would meet with the CEO of BP.
Yet, BARELY ONE DAY after a MAGAZINE ARTILCE appears that criticizes poor Pwecious O, he summons the General to him? Narcissism beyond belief.
It is a sad state of affairs, where this decorated military general, who has dedicated his life to protect the American people, has to now grovel and crawl before the big O, who never sacrificed anything for anyone except himself, who has contempt for Americans and goes around on apologies tours, who ignores the plight of the people of the Gulf and Tennesse after the floods, who plays golf while people suffer, who lies and lies and lies and lies, who bows before foreign kings and emperors while our American soldiers fight so no American will have to bow before a foreigh leader ever again.
THIS is what my beloved America has come to.
Mr. Jake: while you are concentrating on the General making these comments, would you kindly utlize your journalistic cred to investigate the CONTENT of what the General said, and the TRUTH in these comments? How bout them apples?
Posted by: decentAmerican | June 22, 2010, 8:40 pm 8:40 pm
He sacked his press aide before leaving for D.C.
Posted by: B.Bear | Jun 22, 2010 7:23:09 PM
Exactly. And President Obama ought to sack McCrystal or accept his resignation prompty– face to face.
Posted by: progressive mama | June 22, 2010, 9:07 pm 9:07 pm
No evidence for this of course….beyond the color of Obama’s skin.
Posted by: Ryan C | Jun 22, 2010 8:04:29 PM
Exactly. This kind of crapola is getting old and tired.
Posted by: progressive mama | June 22, 2010, 9:12 pm 9:12 pm
The behavior of the GOP since day one has been petty and vindictive to the Nth degree and the media seems to have played along.
——
Exactly, Scott. The GOP is a failed party with no ideas. Bitterness and vindictiveness is all they have. They were bad when Clinton was elected. They are worse now. They have no solutions, no agenda, nada… but they cling to power and have corporate special interest allies. The problem with Obama is that he believes in incremental change– and he rightly acknowledges the failures of the last admin in most areas. The GOP is about conserving the failed status quo; the middle and lower classes, the environment and the rest of the world be darned.
Posted by: progressive mama | June 22, 2010, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm
Well of course the general has to go… what is all the dithering about? Mr. Gates should have fired him, like, yesterday…
Why the kabuki play??? Let’s move on…
Posted by: Quo Warranto? | June 22, 2010, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
“has to now grovel and crawl before the big O, who never sacrificed anything for anyone except himself”
Oh yeah? Let’s see any of you right-wing loudmouths run for President. Nobody is asking the naughty General who doesn’t have the courage to speak his mind directly to the CinC to crawl, but he fully deserves to stand tall before The Man.
Posted by: Skip | June 22, 2010, 9:54 pm 9:54 pm
It is laughable that remarks criticizing Bush over the Iraq War during his reign were routinely labeled unpatriotic by many Republicans and being sympathetic to the terrorists.
But somehow this general is doing the right thing by criticizing his President and Commander-in-Chief?
A little consistency would be wise.
Posted by: Lydia | June 22, 2010, 9:57 pm 9:57 pm
“where this decorated military general, who has dedicated his life to protect the American people”
Well he obviously didn’t dedicate his whole life, because before it was over he disrespected the highest office elected by…the American people. Right-wingers don’t really give a hoot in heck about protecting all Americans. They only want to protect the Americans they choose to protect.
Posted by: Skip | June 22, 2010, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm
This kind of crapola is getting old and tired-except that it is all true.Ever applied to a professional school?
Posted by: Nephron | June 22, 2010, 10:29 pm 10:29 pm
How silly of you, Mr. Obama, to say you will wait to after a meeting with the general to make any decision…
Really, Mr. O, grow a pair…
The general must go, regardless of any personal culpability or lack thereof by the general…
There is no possibility that you cannot cashier him… to do otherwise will be weakness…
It’s not about him… or you… there are brave young Americans in mortal danger in a foreign land, sent there… by YOU! It is about them, and their mission…
Cut the crap and get on with winning this war and bringing them home victorious…
Posted by: Quo Warranto? | June 22, 2010, 10:47 pm 10:47 pm
Why the delay Mr. President? Does Barry have any liberals from the vietnam era Johnson administration around for advice?
LBJ once said of a critic he was bringing into the Cabinet, “I’d rather have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in.”
Meaning in this case that McChrystal is far more damaging to Barry when he’s out of the Army and free to criticize Obama’s conduct of the war, than he is in the Army where his speech can be restricted (Apparently not all the time)
McChrystal will be quoted more in the media and write a book so Barry will be too worried about that with November elections already not looking good for Democrats.
Posted by: bl | June 22, 2010, 10:51 pm 10:51 pm
Mr. Obama, if you are not planning on winning in Afghanistan… then bring our boys home… now! Don’t spill any more of our young boys’ blood in a fruitless war of attrition only to throw in the towel later…
You should be having meetings everyday on this matter, not monthly meetings. Our guys go on patrol every day, not monthly.
Posted by: Quo Warranto? | June 22, 2010, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm
“Why not let McChrystal run our country for a while and send Obama to Afghanistan”
Because we don’t want an apparent nutcase like McChrystal running our country.
Posted by: Skip | June 22, 2010, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm
Mr. Obama, you sent young Americans to Afghanistan… to fight, to kill… to sometimes die or return horribly wounded… You sent them… they did not just wander over there!
You owe them your attention… you should be conducting daily meetings on this war, not monthly briefings…
Duty is the most sublime word in our language. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.
Robert E. Lee
Mr. Obama your duty is to give your foremost attention to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq… do you duty… everyday (not monthly).
Posted by: Quo Warranto? | June 22, 2010, 11:12 pm 11:12 pm
“Military brass don’t respond well to threats or intimidation”
Are you seriously trying to tell us officers don’t get called before their superiors to have things clarified if their superiors think there might be a misunderstanding? Or are you saying they don’t like it when their civilian superiors expect it? -Either way you seem to pretend or actually know little about the military.
Posted by: Skip | June 22, 2010, 11:29 pm 11:29 pm
I think this is America isn’t it??? Didn’t this man (McCrystal) fight for our country and our constitutional rights… like “FREEDOM OF SPEECH”… Just a thought…
Posted by: Barbara Ashworth | June 23, 2010, 2:58 am 2:58 am
“Oh yeah? Let’s see any of you right-wing loudmouths run for President. Nobody is asking the General who doesn’t have the courage to speak his mind directly to the CinC to crawl, but he fully deserves to stand tall before The Man. Posted by: Skip | Jun 22, 2010:
All of you left wing nuts are really funny. You bash what you know nothing about. It does appear that you are from the White House and put down anything other than left wing talking points. You can’t make your point on the issues so you must put everyone down who doesn’t have blinders on. This brave General seems to have had enough and is finally telling it like it is even if doing so gets him in a whole lot of trouble. LOL
Posted by: LOL | June 23, 2010, 4:26 am 4:26 am
“Because we don’t want McChrystal running our country. Posted by: Skip | Jun 22, 2010 11:04:10 PM”
No joke? Instead you want what/who we have in DC running our country off the cliff? You are really funny. LOL
Posted by: LOL | June 23, 2010, 4:32 am 4:32 am
President Obama: Article Showed Poor Judgment
Depends on what the purpose behind giving the interview was.
The article may show ingenious judgement.
Posted by: Noz | June 23, 2010, 9:43 am 9:43 am
Sounds like the president is going to make a sensible decision to me. I know right wingers hate the fact that Obama is sensible versus being a trigger happy cowboy.
Posted by: TV | June 23, 2010, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm