The disgraceful treatment of Gen. Pace

NY Post Editorial:

The U.S. Marine Corps famously never leaves its combat casualties behind. The same can't be said of Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

That became painfully clear last week when Gates announced that he and President Bush would not be reappointing Gen. Peter Pace for a second term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as they'd planned.

Not that the two appear to believe Pace has done a bad job, or is otherwise undeserving of reappointment. Far from it.

The problem is that Senate Democrats made it clear that Pace's confirmation would mean a fight. And it appears that neither Gates nor the president have the stomach for that.

...

This is a strange decision.

After all, when it comes to the war in Iraq, the president has been ready and willing to fight for his policies - indeed, he recently forced the Democrats to back down from attaching a withdrawal timetable to the troop-funding bill.

And he's also shown himself willing to go to the mat for people in whom he deeply believes: He has refused to bend to demands by Democrats (and not a few Republicans) for the head of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

So why the reluctance when it comes to Gen. Pace? The Brooklyn-born (and Teaneck, N.J.-raised) Vietnam vet has served his country admirably for the last 40 years - yet is now forced to accept early retirement.

Needless to say, Democrats - led by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin of Michigan - enjoyed the administration's stand-down on Pace. They understand all too well that the president has demonstrated weakness before the world.

And don't think for a moment that al Qaeda, and the mad mullahs of Tehran, didn't notice.

...

The Washington Times says the administration was avoiding a fight with Levin and Clinton over gays in the military too. The Times also indicates that support from Sen. Warner and Sen. McCain was also tepid at best. However the administration overcame similar "support" to get Gen. Casey approved for Army Chief of Staff. Gen. Pace deserves better.

Kathleen Parker describes Gen. Pace as collateral damage in the political war.

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