Why Was Marine Gen. Cartwright Not Chosen As The New Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff?

Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testifies on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., Dec. 3, 2010. U.S. Army photo by D. Myles Cullen

General's Role Did Not Cost Him Joint Chiefs Post, Gates Says -- L.A. Times

Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Gen. James Cartwright was accused of circumventing the chain of command during 2009 administration talks on troop levels in Afghanistan. But that was not a factor in his not getting the top job, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates says.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Wednesday dismissed as "garbage" reports that a senior Marine general was passed over to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff because of his back-channel role in the 2009 administration debate on sending additional troops to Afghanistan.

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More News On Why Gen. James Cartwright Was Not Chosen To Be The New Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff

Gates: Debate over troop numbers didn't sink Cartwright's job chances -- Stars and Stripes
Gates denies US general punished for dissent -- AFP
Gates: Joint Chiefs Selection Was About Team-Building -- ABC
Gates Says Teamwork Was Key to Picking New Joint Chiefs Chairman -- Wall Street Journal
Gates says Obama put a premium on unity among national security aides -- Washington Post/AP
General Passed Over for Giving Obama Advice -- Truthdig
Cartwright, Geeks’ Best Pal, Is Out of Race for Top General -- The Danger Room

My Comment: Sounds like politics to me .... and ruffled feathers.