Should McChrystal run for President?

Soon after the Rolling Stone article on General McChrystal caused the resignation/retirement/firing of the same, I was asked, "Should McChrystal run for President?"

After the inner monologue of snarky Obama jokes subsided in my head, I considered an honest answer to that question.
For better or worse, this was the answer I gave:




Bottom line. EVERY soldier, from newly enlisted on up take an oath:

“I, (MY NAME), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

That’s a hard pill to swallow.

But notice that the President is SECONDARY to the Constitution.
If there is a conflict of the two, a soldier’s PRIMARY mission is to defend the Constitution over the orders of the POTUS.

Now, that having been said, should McChrystal have said the things he said? Yes – right AFTER he resigned his commission – not before. As citizen McChrystal – not as a general under the President’s command.

Would I vote for him if he ran for President?
Hell no.

Being a general is HARD.
But if he can’t do that properly and by the book, how could he properly run this country?
Being the President is HARDER.

But hey, that’s just me…

Endeavor to persevere

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Tennyson