Gen. Richard Myers Critical of Bush Administration for Not Re-Nominating Gen, Peter Pace as Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

- NPR NEWS: GEN. MYERS TELLS NPR’S TOM BOWMAN THE DECISION “FURTHER POLITICIZED THE OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN”
- EXCERPT BELOW; AUDIO AND WEB STORY AVAILABLE AT LINK BELOW

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September 26, 2007; Washington, D.C. – General Richard Myers tells NPR Pentagon Reporter Tom Bowman that the Bush Administration’s decision to not nominate General Peter Pace for a second term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was based on politics, not performance: “You know, if you're not satisfied with the performance of a chairman or any senior officer, fire him. But that wasn't the case here. I think it was done in a way that further politicized the office of the chairman. And that's a very dangerous trend for this country.”

Gen. Myers, who held the Joint Chiefs Chairman position prior to Gen. Pace, tells NPR that he believes both he and Gen. Pace offered their best military advice to the President: "It goes back to, do you think you were effective in advising the secretary of defense and the President? Were they listening and were you trusted advisers? I think the answer is yes in both our cases. I think we were trusted advisers. Does it mean that civilian authorities were always going to follow your advice? No it does not.”

Bowman’s full interview with Gen. Myers is available at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14707004 (The interview will air Thursday, September 27 on NPR News’ All Things Considered.)

Source: NPR News' All Things Considered.