Regarding McChrystal: Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

[Political Tiger]

If the President doesn't fire McChrystal he'll be accused of being a "coward." He he does fire McChrystal he'll be accused of being a "thug."

[Jennicut]

1. Yup. To me, he either demands his resignation or he makes the guy

beg for his job and has diminished power. Either way, he lost the President's trust and the COIN strategy is failing anyway.

[bigwillq]

2. That's ok.

Obama will get over it. He always does. He's cool like that.

[saltpoint]

3. It's harder from the president's view than it is from mine. That said,

Afghanistan is already a tough sell. McChrystal, and McChrystal's senior staff, have made a tough sell all the harder.

If the president rings me up in the next half hour or so, I'm going to tell him that a change of command in Afghanistan is necessary.

There are troops who serve well below McChrystal's rank who deserve better than to have their commander bad-mouthing the White House.

[zipplewrath]

4. It's an opportunity

It's an opportunity in my mind. One way or another he can use this as an excuse to make a major shift. And he can do it without alot of apparent "drama". He can shift the policy, and McCrystal can't say a word about it. He can put more civilian control over McCrystal, and the good General has to salute and say thank you. Obama can shift to Biden's approach and all McCrystal can say is "Brilliant Joe... er Mr. Vice President".

It's a chance to be dramatic without alot of "Drama".

[elocs]

5. I am sure that Obama is the most pissed that McChrystal put him in this position.

He sure didn't need it.

[VMI Dem]

6. Its a great opportunity to acknowledge that his war has been a huge mistake.

He can then begin pulling out immediately.