PETRAEUS ON THE MOVE? – AT 9:16 A.M. ET:  There's great buzz on the internet this morning about the future of General David Petraeus, the best-known American military officer of this generation.  Toby Harnden of Britain's Telegraph, has the best coverage:

This summer it will be musical chairs among President Barack Obama’s national security team. Leon Panetta, the CIA Director, is widely tipped to take over from Bob Gates as Pentagon chief. General David Petraeus, who is said to be exhausted and eager to leave Afghanistan, is being tipped by NPR as a serious contender for Panetta’s job.

We note that NPR is National Public Radio, not always known for its precision.  The story about Petraeus has not been confirmed.

It wouldn’t be unusual for a military officer to take over at Langley but Petraeus – known to some as King David – has no specialist intelligence background, though he’s certainly spent plenty of time as an intelligence consumer.

The possible move shows that the Obama administration is having a hard time finding a slot for the general, once considered a potential 2012 nominee for Republicans.

And...

One big thing the CIA job would do is give Petraeus an entry point into the civilian politics of Washington. Certainly, Petraeus is extremely well connected in DC for a military man but there’s no doubt that a stint at CIA would be a broadening experience for him.

Which means, of course, he would be an even more attractive presidential candidate in due course.
Petraeus in 2016 anyone?

COMMENT:  Well, I don't know.  We haven't had a general in the White House since Eisenhower, and he wore five stars and had far greater stature than Petraeus. 

I'm fascinated by this report, though, because it does make sense.  Panetta would probably be a solid choice, at least in Obama's mind, for SecDef because he's loyal to Obama and is well regarded as an administrator.  He's unlikely to develop a Hillary-like following.

Petraeus at CIA might bring to mind the awful CIA reign of Vice Admiral William Raborn, the father of the Polaris missile program, who was made CIA director and almost turned the agency into a sinking ship.  But Petraeus would bring to the CIA an understanding of unconventional warfare that could improve the agency's product. 

I'm not sure Obama would want to enhance the general's political credentials because he's widely believed to be a Republican.

The real change will come at the State Department.  When Hillary leaves at the end of Obama's turn, and if Obama is reelected, who will fill Clinton's shoes?  Some of the candidates talked about – John Kerry and Samantha Power – are beyond depressing and would send us rushing for sedatives.  We might also buy land in Australia. 

We hope, of course, that Obama will be sent by the voters back to the South Side of Chicago, and will not have the chance to make all these juicy appointments.  He could work for Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

April 5, 2011