General David Patraeus to leave Afghan command?

According to Times of London and The Washington Post, David Patraeus will be replaced in Afghanistan.

RT:The Times of London is reporting from exclusive sources that General David Petraeus, the commander of the US-led international coalition in Afghanistan, is to be replaced.

“General David Petraeus, the most celebrated American soldier of his generation, is to leave his post as commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan. The Times can reveal that the Pentagon aims to replace General Petraeus, who was appointed less than eight months ago, by the end of the year. Sources have confirmed that the search for a new commander in Kabul is under way,” reported The Times.

The report said the US is seeking sweeping changes of top US leadership in Afghanistan with the aim of establishing a view the efforts were not dependent on Petraeus’ reputation. The goal is to replace him by the end of the year.

The reason for the shake up appears to be that the administration wants to try a political solution in Afghanistan. 

Reuters: Petraeus has been a towering figure in Washington and difficult to challenge politically. He had what was seen in the United States as a good track record in Iraq. And he was backed by Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — making it very hard for those within the U.S. administration who disagreed with his assessment to win President Barack Obama over to their point of view. 

Moreover, Obama had already sacked two generals — Generals David McKiernan and Stanley McChrystal — and could hardly dismiss a third. (If I remember rightly — and no doubt someone will correct me if I am wrong — no president since Abraham Lincoln has changed his generals so frequently in wartime.) Promoting Petraeus would be far easier.

His departure, especially with Gates on his way out, could create the space for Obama to recalibrate Afghan strategy, backing away from the military surge and focusing more on a political settlement - if he wants to do so.

Two quick thoughts here. First, Obama seeking a political solution in Afghanistan is no surprise.  Getting Afghanistan off the table before election will help his chances and certainly appease his base.  Second, if this report is true, the "Patraeus 2012" talk will start hitting high volume.

I am not sure where I stand on a President Patraeus.  We know he is a Republican, but is he the hard nose fiscal conservative the country desperately needs?  I simply don't know.  I would image as a general in the US military, his executive skills are beyond reproach. I do worry about how he handles himself politically.  The 2012 battle will not be for amateurs. 

Via: Memeorandum

Via: RT

Via: Reuters

President Petraeus?

Once again I am hearing rumblings of General David Petraeus for president. Today the UK Telegraph is talking up the possibilities of a Patraeus run in 2012. 

[...] Many voters yearn for an outsider, someone with authenticity, integrity and proven accomplishment. Someone who has not spent their life plotting how to ascend the greasy pole, adjusting every utterance for maximum political advantage.

In this toxic climate, perhaps the only public institution that has increased in prestige in recent years is the American military. Its officers are looked upon, as General George Patton once noted, as "the modern representatives of the demi-gods and heroes of antiquity".

Where better to look for Obama's successor, therefore, than in the uniformed ranks? Not since 1952, when a certain Dwight Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during the Second World War, was elected President, have the chances of a military man winning the White House been more propitious. [...] 

I guess the view from the other side of the pond is a wee bit distorted. Americans may long for a president with true integrity, but Americans are also keenly aware of what is going to be required in 2012.  For starters, any successful 2012 candidate is going to have to have impeccable fiscally conservative principles. With all the wild and irresponsible spending taking place now, only a true fiscal conservative will have any chance of setting our financial house in order.

For me, there is another very important criteria, the next president must understand that progressive policies are a threat to our liberties and be gung ho to thwart or set back these insane policies.

As much as a stand up guy as David Patraeus is, I have not seen anything that tells me he meets the criteria above. Unless Patraeus can convince me otherwise, I am not going to take a  risk on him.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: UK Telegraph