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Obama Lashed McChrystal in Tense Faceoff

Prez reads commander riot act over his 'Chaos-istan' dig

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 5, 2009 4:13 AM CDT
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(Newser) – President Obama's talk last week aboard Air Force One with Afghanistan commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal wasn't merely a meeting, as was widely reported in the press, but a dressing down over the general's "shocking" recent comments calling for more troops, says the Telegraph. McChrystal was called on the carpet for outspoken remarks in a speech in London, where he ripped an alternate strategy advocated by Vice President Joe Biden to rely on drone missiles and special forces strikes at al-Qaeda targets.

In the speech, McChrystal scoffed that such an approach would result in "Chaos-istan." Asked if he would support the strategy, he responded: "The short answer is: No." McChrystal was quickly ordered to report to his commander in chief on the tarmac at Copenhagen, where Obama was pitching Chicago's bid for the Olympics. "People aren't sure whether McChrystal is being naïve or an upstart," a source tells the Telegraph. "He doesn't seem ready for this Washington hard-ball and is speaking his mind too plainly."

President Barack Obama meets with Gen. Stanley McChrystal aboard Air Force One in Copenhagen.
President Barack Obama meets with Gen. Stanley McChrystal aboard Air Force One in Copenhagen.   (AP Photo/White House, Pete Souza)
U.S. President Barack Obama pauses during the Chicago 2016 bid presentation at the 121st International Olympic Committee session at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo are competing for the right to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The IOC...
U.S. President Barack Obama pauses during the Chicago 2016 bid presentation at the 121st International Olympic Committee session at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. Chicago, Madrid,...   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 36 comments
KurtRambis4va
Oct 6, 2009 1:27 AM CDT
Stop bitching...You're both right and wrong, in a sense. True, voting present is supportive of a bill, while holding onto an alternative. However, this can still be used to show how a representative used this to keep negative publicity at bay for future campaigns. NPR breaks it down here: http://www.npr.org/templates/s...
Timinator2K
Oct 5, 2009 12:49 PM CDT
That's the beauty of retiring from the military, you can rip this Presidential Phonie a richly deserved new one...and the Pantywaste-in-Chief has to bend over and take it like the non-man he is.
Timinator2K
Oct 5, 2009 12:44 PM CDT
Yes, military GENIUS Biden and a Traitorous Know-nothing President, oh yes, we're on the correct path...to destruction. Can't wait to FIRE this Commander-in-Peed-in-Panties.

 
Afghanistan • Joe Biden • military • Copenhagen • Air Force One • President Obama • Stanley McChrystal

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