Barack Obama’s choice to replace Gen. James Jones as national security advisor has good and bad points. Jones needed to go. He, Gates, and Petraeus have not served Obama well, as they have tried to be tails that wag dogs. But is Donilon the right choice?
Retired Marine Gen. James Jones resigned Friday as the White House National Security Adviser and was replaced by his deputy, Thomas Donilon.
Like other top changes in the White House, President Barack Obama turned to a familiar face already on his team, and the swap will have little impact on policy. However, it could strain relations between the White House and the military.
While Jones has deep ties to the military, Donilon didn’t serve in uniform, and his lack of experience helped make him suspect to top Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other Pentagon officials, according to Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward’s new book “Obama’s Wars.”
Jones, 66, had told people for weeks that he planned to leave at the end of the year. Three officials, who all requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media, said his departure was hastened after he was quoted criticizing both White House staff and Donilon in Woodward’s book.
Jones referred to political staffers in the White House as the “Politburo” and “water bugs,” Woodward reported. Jones lauded Donilon’s organizational skills, but he also thought that Donilon was prone to making rash decisions.
After last year’s earthquake in Haiti, for example, Woodward wrote that Donilon rushed into Jones’ office to demand that the head of the U.S. Southern Command be relieved for a slow response. “Calm down,” Jones told Donilon, according to the book. “It was an example of how Donilon made impulsive statements and snap judgments,” Woodward added.
Jones also criticized his deputy’s lack of experience overseas — Donilon hadn’t been to Afghanistan or Iraq. “You have no credibility with the military,” Jones told Donilon, the book reported.
Gates shared the concerns about Donilon, Woodward wrote. “Gates felt that Donilon did not understand the military or treat its senior leadership with sufficient respect. The secretary later told Jones that Donilon would be a ‘disaster’ as Obama’s national security adviser.”
Gates said Friday that he welcomed Donilon’s appointment.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Gen. Jones and I have had a very productive and very good working relationship with Tom Donilon, contrary to what you may have read,” Gates said. “And I look forward to working with him.”
Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also welcomed Donilon… [emphasis added]
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That Gates and Jones dislike him is a big plus. He disagrees with Petraeus on COIN, another point in his favor. Also good is his close working relationship with Obama. On the other hand, I’d prefer someone with military experience, who would better know what is and isn’t realistic when military options are discussed. Also he is a perennial Washington insider with bankster ties. I’m reserving judgment for mow, but I think I’d prefer Colin Powell.
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