The McChrystal Fallout

If he hadn't learned it already, Barack Obama must surely now be aware that governing is really about managing and containing crises, with brief respites for giving speeches on policy. He tried to pivot away from managing the Gulf oil crisis, and -- blam -- he's hit in the face with rank insubordination by the man to whom the fate of his presidency is yoked -- Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of the Afghanistan war campaign.

Today, Mr. Obama planned to focus on health care -- again. Safe to say that no one will notice.

As McChrystal makes his way across the Atlantic to prostrate himself before the commander in chief, the White House will grapple with several important questions. What was McChrystal's intention in granting an interview to Rolling Stone? Was it to push back against perceived slights?

Did he mean to demean Vice President Biden in the piece, or did the author misconstrue McChrystal's attempt at humorously noting the strategic differences between them? Can Mr. Obama afford to dress down McChrystal publicly without damaging the mission itself? Will the reaction to the interview re-polarize the debate about the future of American policy in Afghanistan?

Because, really, for Mr. Obama, the most important thing, at the end of the day, is winning the war. That's why McChrystal probably won't be fired. That's probably why McChrystal won't resign. And that's why all of the actors in this drama are going to have to at least pretend to get along: there are lives at stake -- American lives, which are being lost at a rapid clip, based on the premise that the decision to extend the war in Afghanistan is to our vital national interest.

More coverage:

McChrystal Ordered to W.H. to Explain Critique
White House Leaves Door Open to Firing McChrystal
Top Democrat David Obey Calls for "Dangerous" McChrystal to be Relieved of Command
McChrystal, Staff Disparage Team Obama
The McChrystal Fallout
Fallout From General McChrystal Comments
Pictures: General McChrystal and President Obama
General McChrystal Clearly in Four-Star Trouble
Gates: McChrystal Made a "Significant Mistake"
Hamid Karzai Backs McChrystal amid Uproar
McCain, Lieberman, Graham: McChrystal Comments Inappropriate
McChrystal Apologizes for Critical Remarks

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The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder is CBS News' chief political consultant. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here. You can also follow him on Twitter.

[RespectOthersAlways]

Gen. McChrystal is a product of the toxic environment created by Tea Bagger extremists who have a no-holds barred campaign to delegitimize President Obama's administration with a vitriolic campaign of devaluation, denigration, vilification and nullification.

These Tea Baggers have carried partisan politics to its illogical conclusion. They created an environment where a 4-Star General felt it was Ok to violate every cannon of military discipline and the time-honored constitutional underpinnings of this democracy ? the precepts and principles of which he, Gen. McChrystal, not only swore to uphold, but fought for and defended along with countless others for decades.

In a real sense, General McChrystal is a victim of this Tea Bagger extremist illness afflicting the nation. So, while we blame McChrystal for a total breakdown of discipline and chain of command, we must see this travesty for what it truly is: the bitter fruits of Sarah Palin, John McCain, Scott Brown, Rush Limbaugh, Mario Rubio, Glenn Beck, and others who, everyday, sow toxic seeds of intolerance and disregard for the lives of their opponents. Along with these Tea Bagger extremists, we must also blame the House and Senate Republican leadership who, by their deafening silence and disciplined unreasonableness, continue to fan the flames, cuddle up to the extremists, and nurture a dangerously toxic political environment unworthy of civilized and intelligent humanity.

Yes, Gen. McChrystal got carried away with the excesses of Sarah Palin, Scott Brown, Mario Rubio and others. In so doing, he ruined a great career. Unfortunately, this lesson will certainly escape most of our Tea Bagger Republican friends who profit significantly from this extremism.

[bodontno2]

How can anyone be so far out in the never never land to say someone in the generals position is misguided by what you call other peoples excesses. If he is that easy swayed he needs to be replaced. I am the only one responsible for what I am saying. Its about time we all accept responsibility for what we do and say and quit always trying to blame someone else, just because they may think different than we think, politically or otherwise.

[TechnicalGuy]

What America needs is to back up to the day when a President had to ask congress to declare war. FDR did so, to his credit. Harry did not, too bad. JFK did not, too bad. I suppose they thought that they were doing right, trying to block the communist domino game, but history shows that it only made things worse.

Jim the Tech Guy

[BCnD]

I agree with you scoobydob. My son, who is a soldier, and if put in McCrystal's position, would not have been an idiot to stage an interview, knowing that what ever you say will go out to the public, whether is how you said it or not.
As a retiree, I saw some military, both enlisted and officers get away with disrespect. That's because they were in the click. Just like McCrystal will get away too, but I believe that this is being all staged by McCrystal in order to get out of this war, which looks very very bleak.

[Mortar_29]

This is just the beginning folks.

[BCnD]

You r the dunce here GRandma. If McChrystal was a real rebel like McArthur/Truman, he would have ended this war by now. He incompetence and disrespect to his superiors will now cost him his job. Or is this how he did it for him to to get out?

[meshine]

This war and the Iraqi war was inherited by this administration so they are stuck with it whether they like it or not. This General was picked by this President to manage and hopefully win this war. Military Generals work for the Civilian Government that was elected by the American people. The war was a mess before general McChrystal took over and it remains a mess. If the General has a problem with his Civilian bosses, he should bring his discontent to them face to face rather than complain about his bosses to the press. It is very important that we win in Afghanistan because if we leave that country in it's present state, it will not be very long before the Taliban and Al Qaeda re-organize themselves to the point where they can attack us on American soil. No American citizen wants a repeat of 9/11. Our civilan leaders and our military leaders should be focusing their attention on defeating our enimies rather than focusing their attention negatively on each other. McChrystal needs to understand that American soldiers are dying in Afghanistan at the hands of our enimies. The elected civilian government is not McChrystal's enemy and if he cant figure that out, he needs to resign or be fired from the important military position that he currently holds.

[Mortar_29]

He has brought his discontent to them. They dont care.

[newerdeal]

How can we win a war against people that hide behind women and children ?

Our killing of women and children is their best recruiting tool !

That is the problem.

Look at Israel. When they figure it out then maybe they will tell us ?

[rickwar]

by Mortar_29 June 22, 2010 1:33 PM EDT

Follow them off a cliff?

Go do some history pal, it's been done, perhaps not over a cliff but they've followed their leaders.

While following the commanders decisions may get you killed, it could also well save your life.

Being in the service, is about following orders, it's not about ME! Using your logic and each thinking individually will get others killed, plain and simple

[Mortar_29]

You think I dont understand about following orders? Seriously? I spent 21 years in the infantry. I know what it means to follow orders.

But, when faced with the continued sub-standard civilian leadership, who continually undermine the military's efforts, put insane rules on them, and give little support to their efforts...after awhile, the troops begin to have no faith or trust or respect in that leadership.

I have seen it at lower ranks before. Some idiot 2nd LT who comes in and has no clue. While the troops salute him and say "yes sir"...they also begin undermining him. Why? So someone will get rid of him before he gets them all killed!

So, as I said...the general should be fired. But, Obama's boss had best wake up and come to the defense of the military. Before things really get out of hand.

[barbcomp]

He better have his letter of resignation in his hand when he meets with his boss (Obama) today. This man and his people in Afganistan need to get out of the way and let others get in there and finish the job.

[Mortar_29]

Obama wont let them finish the job. That is the point that the general and other officers are saying.

[rickwar]

Think about what George Bush told the American people, think about the lies that led to the mess we are in, think about what the miltary "advised", think about Rumsfeld, think about Cheney, then think about this:

"Of course the people don't want war . . . But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship . . . Voice or no voice, the people can always to brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy.

All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.

It works the same in any country."

? Field Marshal Herman Goering