I was both surprised and saddened today by the news that General Pace will be replaced as the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Surprised because less than a week ago I had read that Secretary Gates was planning to nominate this fine Marine for another 2 year term. Saddened because after reading this it all became crystal clear.

Switching course, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Friday he has recommended Adm. Mike Mullen, currently chief of naval operations, to replace Gen. Peter Pace as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Gates said he had originally intended to seek another two-year term for Pace, but concluded that would have resulted in a divisive Senate confirmation focusing on the Iraq War.

“It would be a backward looking and very contentious process,” Gates said at a Pentagon news conference.

Pace has been either chairman or vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs for the past six years—a period that covers the Iraq war.

But Gates said that after consulting with senators in both parties, he had concluded that “the focus of his conformation process would have been on the past and not on the future.”

If this is the real reason for the Secretary’s decision, I find it weak and indefensible. Take a look at the distinguished military record of this Marine and tell me what Senator or Congressman if properly doing their job would challenge his credentials. Does the Secretary believe just because the person sitting in the chair at the hearings will have a new name, that the grandstanding and questions will be all that different?

I have only briefly read on the General’s proposed replacement, Admiral Mike Mullen. His bio shows him to be a very capable officer in the US Navy with adequate experience. Congratulations and wishes for success would be offered if he is confirmed as the new Joint Chiefs of Staff but for me, it will be laced with a bit of disdain, not for the Admiral but for those who once again based their decision on the unwillingness to take on Congress.

Happened upon this after writing the original post but it reaffirms all that is said above.

Written by Sue

One Response to “Change for the better..time will tell”

1. ~J~ says:

   June 8, 2007 at 5:42 pm

   At this point in our government’s history, if anyone sat before a committee and was perceived to be of an opposing view and asked to go pee he would have a contentious hearing just to grant permission for that.