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Top Choices for McChrystal's Job

Mattis, Rodriguez, Allen head candidate pack

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 23, 2010 7:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – With Gen. Stanley McChrystal looking like a goner, attention has turned to the Afghanistan commander's possible replacements. Marine Gen. James Mattis and Marine Lt. Gen. John Allen appear to be frontrunners, though Thomas Ricks notes in Foreign Policy that Mattis, ironically, "has a reputation... for speaking a little too bluntly in public about things like killing people."

Army Lt. David Rodriguez, currently McChrystal's No. 2 in Afghanistan, is another top choice, and David Wood writes on Politics Daily that choosing Rodriguez would "enable a seamless transition of command, while it would take either Mattis or Allen some months to settle in with their own battle staffs." Ricks suggests a "whole new team in Afghanistan"—one headed by Gen. David Petraeus, for whom McChrystal's job would be a step down in the echelon.

Gen. James N. Mattis, U.S. Marine Corps, arrives to testify at a pretrial hearing for Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich Monday, March 22, 2010 at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, Calif.
Gen. James N. Mattis, U.S. Marine Corps, arrives to testify at a pretrial hearing for Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich Monday, March 22, 2010 at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, Calif.   (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
John R Allen.
John R Allen.   (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Allen)
Robert Gates is guided by Army Lt. General David Rodriguez, right, Dec. 8, 2009, in Kabul, Afghanistan. Picking Rodriguez would make for a smoother transition than with Mattis or Allen.
Robert Gates is guided by Army Lt. General David Rodriguez, right, Dec. 8, 2009, in Kabul, Afghanistan. Picking Rodriguez would make for a smoother transition than with Mattis or Allen.   (AP Photo / Justin Sullivan, pool)
US army commander in Iraq General David Petraeus during a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, June 10, 2007. McChrystal's job would be a step down for Petraeus; some say he should take it anyway.
US army commander in Iraq General David Petraeus during a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, June 10, 2007. McChrystal's job would be a step down for Petraeus; some say he should take it anyway.   (AP Photo/Wathiq Khuzaie, Pool)
Army Gen. Martin Dempsey meets with President Bush in the Oval Office, June 14, 2007. Dempsey, commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command, formerly oversaw training of Iraqi security forces.
Army Gen. Martin Dempsey meets with President Bush in the Oval Office, June 14, 2007. Dempsey, commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command, formerly oversaw training of Iraqi security forces.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Navy Adm. James Stavridis gives a press conference in Pristina, Kosovo on Dec. 9, 2009. Stavridis, the top NATO commander in Europe, is also a candidate for McChrystal's job.
Navy Adm. James Stavridis gives a press conference in Pristina, Kosovo on Dec. 9, 2009. Stavridis, the top NATO commander in Europe, is also a candidate for McChrystal's job.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 3 comments
Ucantusethatname
Jun 23, 2010 8:44 AM CDT
Let's get serious and appoint a person who are really qualified to lead U.S. forces in Alfghanistran. How about Leon Panetta, the current CIA Director, who lacks any substantive experience to serve as intelligence director or as a military leader? Or any of BO's cabinet appointees who lack enough sense to pay their incomes taxes. There is always Eric Holder, who is more interested in suing Arizona than in halting the flow of Illegal immigration. Chris Dodd or Charlie Rangel, both lacking a basic understanding of ethics, could serve with a lack of distinction. A final suggestion: Rod Blagojevich, who needs a job and could barter with the Taliban on behalf of America's interests in a trans-Afghanistan pipeline.
shusss
Jun 23, 2010 7:40 AM CDT
Another idea--bring the troops home, use them to guard the southern border.
US • Politics

 
Afghanistan • David Petraeus • Lt. Gen. James Mattis • Afghanistan war • Martin Dempsey • Stanley McChrystal • James Stavridis • Stanley McChrystal Rolling Stone • Gen. John Allen • Gen. David Rodriguez

 
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