Last night, Sarah Palin kept trying to shut down Joe Biden by quoting General McLellan, who commands our troops in Afghanistan. One problem: General McKiernan commands our troops in Afghanistan. Bob Mackey responds:
I worked for General McKiernan for a few months in 2002-2003. A damn fine officer who does his job and does it well. A good commander, loved by his troops, who has one of the hardest jobs on the planet. Thanks to the Surge and the war in Iraq, he's had to fight his war--the real war against Al Qa'ida and the Tailiban, those fellows who planned and attacked the United States on 9/11--with a bare minimum of troops, sketchy logistical support and one of the most hostile terrain on the planet. And he is doing a good job.I never worked for General George Brinton McClellan, but I know who he was. McClellan was the commander of the Army of the Potomac in 1861-1862. He was beloved by his soldiers, but was far, far from a good commander. His Grand Army landed on the James River Peninsula in the spring of that year, and after a series of battles (called "The Seven Days" battles), was soundly thrashed by the Confederates led by Robert E. Lee. He was temporarily removed by Lincoln, only reassuming command after the debacle of Second Bull Run. He led the Federals at Antietam in September 1862, but after failing to destroy Lee's army, was finally removed by Lincoln.Governor Palin, I know General McKiernan, and he is no George McClellan.
