Jones Emerges as Strong Voice for Obama

Jim Jones’ rocky start in the Obama administration as national security adviser now seems like a thing of the past. Where once Jones lamented publicly that he was unsure of his role, he has now settled in as a top administration voice, wielding his four-star clout in the Pentagon and dispelling worries that Obama is weak on security. He’s especially proved his worth in the recent Afghanistan debate, notes Politico.

With tensions mounting between the White House and Stanley McChrystal, Jones delivered the perfect smackdown Sunday. “Ideally, it’s best for military advice to come up through the chain of command,” he said on a talk show. “He used very loaded military language,” says one ex-Clinton official. “Jones played it exactly right.” He’s also come to accept Obama’s open, hear-all-viewpoints approach, and keeps him apprised of all options. (More James Jones stories.)