In The New Republic, Lawrence F. Kaplan cites many problems with letting the genie out of the bottle–having 4-star endorsements for candidates.
All my military career I was, like the majority of military men and women, apolitical. I voted, but I didn’t get involved. The President, whoever he might be, was my Commander in Chief. I was expected to do what he felt was necessary. Period. There is no place in the professional military for politics. Military folks understand this. Politicians don’t.
During the eight years of Clinton’s Presidency, his wife was deeply involved in the promotion of flag officers. Kaplan mentions this as something of an aside. Everyone with stars gets them through approval of the White House, and eight years is a significant portion of an officer’s career. I have to wonder who we have at the top right now. Anyone with three stars or less was probably promoted during that time. I hope they were promoted on merit. I not sure that’s the case. For that reason, Kaplan’s analysis agrees:
The politicization also may have a longer-term pernicious effect. There is a reason–beyond the Constitution–that political neutrality and military professionalism go hand in hand: As the nonpartisan ethos of the Armed Forces weakens, so, too, can traditional measures of military effectiveness. “Politicization erodes the cohesion, morale, and professional dedication of the officer corps,” says Kohn, who points to a hemorrhage of officers during the Clinton era as evidence of what follows when the military adopts partisan views and expectations. And it has: According to a survey taken by the Triangle Institute for Security Studies before the 2000 election, 64 percent of officers identify with the Republican Party, twice the percentage who did two decades before, and only 8 percent list themselves as Democrats. Given recent history, this may stand to reason. But, now more than ever, the Armed Forces need to be able to retain officers, maintain morale, and operate effectively, regardless of the party in the White House.
It might surprise many Americans to discover that this separation is uncommon in the world. When this country was formed, it was unique. It is the reason America has never sincerely feared a military coup.
I’d say there are two polar opposites in this game which can help with the distinction. Merrill McPeak has been vocal, first for Dean and then for Kerry. He wants a job. He didn’t receive the respect he felt he deserved as Air Force Chief of Staff. Tommy Franks said nothing. He delayed making an endorsement, then backed away from the public eye once he did so. McPeak the opportunist, and Franks the professional.
They each fit the candidate they endorsed.