Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal mentioned Sunday he’s voting for Vice President Harris due to her “character,” sidestepping questions on former President Trump’s health for the best workplace.
“I feel character is what an individual does after they’re beneath strain. It’s a mixture of their deep-seated beliefs, the issues, their core values, and the self-discipline they need to execute these, to reside as much as them,” McChrystal mentioned in an interview on CBS Information’s “Face the Nation” with Robert Costa.
“So I feel once we have a look at Kamala Harris, we have a look at her historical past, she got here up as a prosecutor, an legal professional basic, into the Senate. She has lived quite a lot of experiences that I feel construct in somebody the form of character that is going to be needed within the presidency,” he continued.
McChrystal endorsed Harris in an op-ed in The New York Instances on Thursday, touting the vice chairman’s character whereas avoiding naming her political opponent.
Within the Sunday interview, Costa pressed McChrystal on the quite a few nationwide safety and navy officers who’ve thrown their assist behind the vice chairman over the previous president.
Requested instantly whether or not he thinks Trump is match for workplace, McChrystal didn’t point out the previous president and GOP nominee.
“I imagine that Vice President Harris is match to steer the nation within the presidency. I feel she’s received the character,” McChrystal replied.
Costa pressed once more: “Is he match for workplace or not?”
“OK, Bob, let’s be sincere. Why would a retired navy officer come on to endorse his opponent?” McChrystal mentioned.
“You inform me,” Costa countered.
“As a result of I feel character is essential, and so I am voting for character. I am voting for Kamala Harris,” McChrystal mentioned.
McChrystal has beforehand criticized the previous president. Throughout an interview in 2018, he mentioned he would flip down a proposal to hitch the Trump administration and mentioned, “I do not suppose he tells the reality.” He additionally mentioned he believed Trump was immoral.
The GOP nominee lashed out at the retired general a number of days after the interview, writing in a submit on the social platform now often called X, “‘Common’ McChrystal received fired like a canine by Obama. Final task a complete bust. Identified for giant, dumb mouth. Hillary lover!”
Ten retired high navy officers have backed Harris over Trump within the presidential race, as have hundreds of high nationwide safety officers.
