Gen. Stanley McChrystal has been summoned to the White House for a presidential spanking over some jaw-dropping remarks he and his aides made to Rolling Stone, which profiles the general in an issue that hits newsstands on Friday. The article, fittingly titled The Runaway General, features highly critical comments about senior Obama administration officials including National Security Advisor James Jones (a “clown,” an unnamed aide remarks), Vice President Joe Biden (“Biden? Did you say: Bite Me?” another anonymous aide quips), and the president himself.
The blogs are ablaze with speculation about whether McChrystal will keep his job over this flap, which is really no small manner. McChrystal has effectively undermined the president’s authority—and at the worst time possible too, since things are really not going terribly well in Afghanistan presently. For what it’s worth, McChrystal says he’s sorry for shooting his mouth off:
I extend my sincerest apology for this profile. It was a mistake reflecting poor judgment and it should have never happened. Throughout my career, I have lived by the principles of personal honor and professional integrity. What is reflected in this article falls far short of that standard.
Heads are already starting to roll over the debacle. The first to go? McChrystal’s civilian press aide, Duncan Boothby, who arranged access to the general and his inner circle. Expect more fallout in the days to come.
