What was the President thinking?

In the six weeks that Marine Commandant General James Amos has been on the job, he has twice publicly embarrassed his commander in chief over his (Amos') opposition to the repeal of DADT. How did the President choose a new Marine commandant who is so violently opposed to one of the President's own top priorities? Did no one in the White House, the President included, understand how weak it continues to make the President look having his military commanders undercut their own boss on national TV, over and over again? They couldn't have chosen a Marine Commandant who agreed with the President on this issue? And more generally, do they not see how weak it makes the President look to constantly be challenged by others, and have them get away with it, time and again?

I think re-election is going to be very difficult if the public starts to believe that the President is a pushover. Yet that is the theme that this White House seems intent on promoting. At some point, this is going to catch up with them - and it just did, a few weeks ago, during the elections. Americans don't vote for people they think are weak.