McKiernan out?

Nothing against LtGen McChrystal - but unlike some, I am not all that happy with this rumor coming out of AP.

The Pentagon will replace its top general in Afghanistan as President Barack Obama tries to turn around a stalemated war, defense officials said.

The exit of Gen. David McKiernan comes as more than 21,000 additional U.S. forces begin to arrive in Afghanistan, dispatched by Obama to confront the Taliban more forcefully this spring and summer.

McKiernan, on the job about a year, has asked repeatedly for additional forces. Obama’s revamped strategy for Afghanistan does markedly increase the number of U.S. forces in the country but focuses on nonmilitary solutions as a better long-term solution.

Military officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said McKiernan will be replaced by Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement. Defense Secretary Robert Gates was likely to announce the new leadership in Afghanistan later today, an official said.

I hope this report is wrong. Gen. McKiernan is the right man at the right time in the right job. Only now are his ideas starting to be put in place. He needs, no - deserves - another year.

If true, I would be interested in the reasons and hope they are health related, as again - nothing against LtGen McChrystal - but General McKiernan is, well; the right man, right now.