Cartwright Passed Over for Top U.S. Military Post
Tuesday, May 24, 2011WASHINGTON -- President Obama has decided to pass over Gen. James Cartwright for the U.S. military's highest post as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to defense sources (see GSN, Dec. 17, 2010).
(May. 24) - Vice Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright, left, stands with President Obama at a White House event earlier this month. Obama has decided against appointing Cartwright to the country's top military position, according to defense sources (Saul Loeb/Getty Images).Said to be Obama's "favorite general," Cartwright enjoys bipartisan support in the Senate -- which would have been asked to confirm him -- and was believed to be the front-runner to take the post when Adm. Michael Mullen retires this summer.
However, serving as the nation's No. 2 military officer since August 2007, the Marine general has frequently crossed swords with Mullen. It is widely believed this discord jeopardized the 61-year-old officer's hopes of continuing his military career.
Cartwright's spokesman declined comment on the matter.
The Rockford, Ill., native did not actively lobby for the chairman's job but would have been happy to undertake the post, according to a number of military officials.
He is widely regarded as a brainy and enormously capable officer who has established close ties with top Pentagon and White House civilians, but has clashed with a number of his peers over both substantive issues and operating style. Full article
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