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Editorial See other Editorial Articles Title: White House shakeup The Brown Shoes Problem By Ron Marks Senior Fellow, George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute The late comedian George Gobel once told a story about how he felt like a pair of brown shoes in a room full of tuxedos. That, most sadly, is the story of Jim Jones as the Obama NSC advisor. First of all, let’s make it clear; Jim Jones was a fine general. He ran his commands well, was respected and liked. And, also let’s face it; you don’t get to be a four star general without some form of political prowess. However, I think Jones was outgunned and outmatched in his Advisor position from day one. It is a different game at the White House. The role of the national security advisor is a combination of bartender/psychiatrist to the President and he must be a savvy political insider. At their best, like Sandy Berger, Henry Kissinger or Brent Scowcroft, a National Security Advisor must have the ear of their boss. The President must trust them, their judgment and their expertise. They must also navigate the deep waters of politics in Washington’s foreign policy community. Foreign policy is an insular ... The late comedian George Gobel once told a story about how he felt like a pair of brown shoes in a room full of tuxedos. That, most sadly, is the story of Jim Jones as the Obama NSC advisor. First of all, let’s make it clear; Jim Jones was a fine general. He ran his commands well, was respected and liked. And, also let’s face it; you don’t get to be a four star general without some form of political prowess. However, I think Jones was outgunned and outmatched in his Advisor position from day one. It is a different game at the White House. The role of the national security advisor is a combination of bartender/psychiatrist to the President and he must be a savvy political insider. At their best, like Sandy Berger, Henry Kissinger or Brent Scowcroft, a National Security Advisor must have the ear of their boss. The President must trust them, their judgment and their expertise. They must also navigate the deep waters of politics in Washington’s foreign policy community. Foreign policy is an insular world. The high level bureaucratic players have often known each other from the days of graduate school – Georgetown, Fletcher, SAIS. They also have deep agendas they are pressing forward. And, the political appointees such as Hilary Clinton are pursuing goals well beyond foreign policy goals. Jones, a man of professional military “get it done” attitude never stood a chance. And, in a White House, with the ever so faint taint of anti-military attitude, well it simply wasn’t going to work. As for his replacement, Tom Donilon, I think that will be a much better fit with the President. He is a savvy political player with long time links to the Democratic Party. Donilon knows the games of the town from his time on the Hill nearly twenty years ago. He also knows the players, big and small. And, most importantly, he has the President’s trust. As for the kind of policy Donilon puts forward for the President, well don’t be surprised if it is more aggressive and with an eye on the 2012 election. Obama is in trouble for now. But a better economy and a perceived successful withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan would go a long way to help him return to office. And, Obama will need the cooperation of the remaining Democrats on the Hill. Another area in which Donilon can assist. Bottom line: Tom Donilon is no pair of brown shoes.
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#1. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
No, he's a pair of sneakers. He supported Biden for prez, if that gives any idea of how stupid he is. He is a complete political hack and sycophant. The national security establishment is appalled that this political climber has been entrusted with this position. SecDef Gates and Jones were completely opposed to this dilettante being elevated to this position.
#2. To: TooConservative (#1)
Does it really matter who he supported for VP when the Israeli lobby controls US foreign policy and therefore defense through control of Congress as a result of funding the election campaigns of lawmakers? So an adviser's job is just to figure out ways of how to fool the people about what's going on.
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