Reaction to Obama’s ouster of Gen. McChrystal

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Reaction to Obama’s ouster of Gen. McChrystal

Reaction to President Barack Obama’s ouster Wednesday of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, and naming of Gen. David Petraeus to take over the war:

“War is bigger than any one man or woman, whether a private, a general, or a president. And as difficult as it is to lose General McChrystal, I believe that it is the right decision for our national security. The conduct represented in the recently published article does not meet the standard that should be set by a commanding general. It undermines the civilian control of the military that is at the core of our democratic system. And it erodes the trust that’s necessary for our team to work together to achieve our objectives in Afghanistan.” — Obama.

“Gen. McChrystal was a fine soldier and a partner for the Afghan people, but we believe Gen. Petraeus will also be a trusted partner.” — Waheed Omar, spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

“Our operations in Afghanistan are continuing and will not miss a beat.” — NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

“There is a role for the military in our society, and that role is that you not only obey civilian leadership, but you respect civilian leadership. And if you don’t, then you resign.” — Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

“Unlike President Truman and Gen. (Douglas) MacArthur, there was no direct challenge of the president’s authority or constitutional responsibilities. Gen. McChrystal’s admittedly unprofessional and impertinent remarks clearly do not constitute the necessary broad grounds for dismissal.” — Kirk Lippold, who commanded the Navy destroyer USS Cole when it was attacked by al-Qaida in Yemen’s Aden harbor in 2000 and is now with the nonpartisan advocacy group Military Families United.

“We lost a good general, but the president, in my view, had no other choice, because to keep him there would have blurred a line that served this country very well for a very long time. … Dave Petraeus is our best hope. If things don’t change, nobody can pull it out in Afghanistan.” — Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.