In his first public comments about the firestorm caused by Rolling Stone‘s profile of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, President Obama said today that the general and his team had shown “poor judgment” in the article, but that he wouldn’t make any decision about McChrystal until the they have had a chance to meet.
“General McChrystal is on his way here,” Obama said. “And I am going to meet with him. Secretary Gates will be meeting with him as well. I think it’s clear that the article in which he and his team appeared showed poor judgment. But I also wanna make sure that I talk to him directly before I make any final decision.”
Obama then emphasized that the mission in Afghanistan was his central focus. “Whatever decision that I make with respect to General McChrystal or any other aspect of Afghan policy is determined entirely on how I can make sure that we have a strategy that justifies the enormous courage and sacrifice that those men and women are making over there, and that ultimately makes this country safe,” he said.
Watch:
