Mark Sanford
has to explain away deception and misuse of public funds, while the former
General is still serving time in publicity purgatory for one large misstep,
more preyed upon than predator, acknowledged and paid for with a no-excuse
resignation.
Petraeus
is praising an inspirational book by a dying soldier who has called him hero
and mentor, “Tell My Sons” by 41-year-old Lt. Col. Mark Weber, who served under
him in Iraq and Afghanistan and is now fighting terminal cancer.
Weber’s book, addressed to his three boys, has been lauded by the current Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs and three of his predecessors as well as Donald Rumsfeld and
former Vice-President Walter Mondale.
Petraeus’
testimonial is the most poignant: “The book arrived at a challenging time for
me. It is wonderful--equal parts inspirational and sobering. It is a tremendous
reminder of the blessings that we all have, regardless of our personal
situations...it was inspirational, at a key moment.”
Whether
or not Sanford can rehabilitate himself is of no great moment, but the loss of
Petraeus is another matter. His military-political skills will be missed.
The man who got us out of Iraq without a Vietnam-like disgrace
is still only 60. When the next President takes office in 2017, Petraeus
will have been out of the armed forces for the six years required to qualify
for Secretary of Defense.
In
the light of current doubts, even among Democrats, about the stature of Chuck Hagel, a President Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden or Jeb Bush might be well advised
to turn to Petraeus, who understands the Pentagon in his bones and who, if the
armed forces were still plagued by abuse of women, would be highly motivated to
solve the problem.
That
could be a second chance for both a man who fell from grace and the nation.
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