General Petraeus...here's my take

[GalleryGod]

He's GENERAL WESTMORELAND with brown hair.
Take it to the bank,troopies.
That is all.

[MrModerate]

1. Actually, he's pretty smart, and as far as I could tell . . .

From only a few face-to-face visits in Iraq shortly after the end of "major combat operations," seriously dedicated to finding military/governance solutions to the mess he found in Iraq.

The problem is, of course, that to the man with a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. There *are* no military/governance solutions to the mess in Iraq, and even the most well-meaning and capable people (and there's a shortage of such types associated with Iraq, you may have noticed) can't get much done that's worth doing.

[Lint Head]

2. The problem is that he supports a criminal that taken over our

precious White House. :dem:

[Youphemism]

3. I've worked for bosses I thought should do some time in jail...

...that doesn't mean I "supported" them.

I think there's a fair chance that Patreus loathes Bush -- and even more likely, Cheney -- and may provide Obama with some very good suggestions. What's more, Patreus is clearly a politically aware general, and realizes who his next boss is likely to be.

Finally, Patreus is now in charge of both Iraq *and* Afghanistan. When he was only responsible for Iraq, supporting Bush's agenda worked well to make *him* look good. Now that he's on the hook for both places, Obama's proposed shift is probably looking better to him all the time.

Whether from Patreus or other military folks, my bet is that Obama is getting some good informational ammunition out of this trip.

[niceypoo]

11. He is a Bush toadie who has tied his fate to a failed president

screw him

[SoFlaJet]

4. my take...

he's gone the minute Obama is sworn in...

[Sensitivity]

5. Petraeus may well be ideologically Democratic. I don't know. Who does? Some attacked Clark during

Kosovo.

[wmbrew0206]

8. I'll bet you $50 donated to the charity of your choice that Petraeus serves for over a year

after Obama takes office.

[wmbrew0206]

10. Kicked for a response

[SoFlaJet]

14. I won't take that bet Bill

after seeing Obama with him today

[BuyingThyme]

6. I think he's going by General Time Horizon now.

[MurrayDelph]

7. Actually, I thought back further

He's General Custer, trying to "War Hero" his way to the White House.

[kentuck]

9. He wants to run for President in four years..

As a Republican.

[niceypoo]

12. He kisses Bushes ass....

...that is why he hasn't been demoted and 'retired' which is what happens to commanders who disagree with Bush on Iraq

[Avalux]

13. Petraeus isn't drive ideologically. He will do whatever the next Pres wants him to.

When Obama is elected Petraeus will do what is asked of him so he can further advance his own ambitions. If he can successfully manage a withdrawal over 16 months he'll be a hero. He knows that.