THE OTHER MULLEN – We mentioned in our first post today, just below, that the man we quoted, Rev. Peter Mullen, was one of two Mullens to make news today.  The other is Admiral Mike Mullen (ret), former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Mullen was in the famous picture of America's top leaders, in the situation room, taken during the bin Laden raid. 

Have you ever wondered what our military men and women think of Obama?  We're getting some sense of it now, as many former Navy seals, and others with long military careers, express their revulsion at Obama's taking too much credit for the killing of bin Laden.  As one retired general said last night, the only time a leader should mention himself is to take blame, never credit.  Credit is given to those whose lives are on the line.

Admiral Mullen weighs in with his comments, as reported by the Washington Times:

Adm. Mike Mullen, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has joined the chorus of concern about the politicization of Osama bin Laden's killing a year ago Tuesday.

The retired four-star admiral told NBC News that he worries "a great deal" that the bin Laden raid could become a political football this campaign season, although he did not specifically call out President Obama and his campaign for doing so.

"Well, I worry about it, just because it's the political season," Adm. Mullen said. "And from my perspective, the president's support, the decision that he made, and obviously, the result stand alone in terms of the kind of call presidents have to make, and he made it. I do worry a great deal that this time of year that somehow this gets spun into election politics. I can assure you that those individuals who risk their lives — the last thing in the world that they want is to be spun into that. So I'm hoping that that doesn't happen."

COMMENT:  An exceedingly diplomatic comment, proper for Mullen, but you know exactly what he's saying.  He properly gives Obama the credit for making the right call, but expresses concern over politicization.  Well, who dragged it into politics?  Obama, again and again.

May 2, 2012