CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT THE NSC

National Security Advisor and retired marine general Jones is out and his deputy Thomas Donilon is in. I am skeptic about putting former flag or general officers in diplomatic positions (such as the present ambassador to Afghanistan) or as national security advisor because the positions require a different skill set than what it takes to be a successful commander. Colin Powell did well as President Reagan's NSA while a serving three-star; Jones did not. Powell worked well with Reagan's inner circle, Jones could not penetrate it.

UPDATE: LMC fav and maximium super-babe Michelle Malkin has a post on Donilon's background at Fannie Mae before the collapse. The more I read about Donilon, the more it looks like he has no background in foreign policy of consequence and his skill set runs more to domestic policy. One wonders what the consequences will be of this pick, especially since Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mullen will likely hang it up next year.