A Woman's Place: The CINC
America's next Commander in Chief
In 2008, I voted for Republican John McCain for President. At a time of ongoing global security threats (jihadist terrorism, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, threats of WMD, global financial crisis, etc.), I believed that America needed a strong national security leader with deep military experience. I liked Barack Obama, but thought the first-term Senator from Illinois had less experience to effectively handle the significant challenges we faced. I was wrong.
Obama demonstrated strength in dialing up the fight against al-Qa’ida and the bold operation that killed Osama bin Laden. While serving on Obama’s National Security Council, I gained firsthand appreciation for his strategic and thoughtful approach that strengthened American alliances and avoided the pitfalls of large-scale troop deployments into open-ended military conflict.
Some are now confronting the question of whether Kamala Harris has what it takes to serve as Commander in Chief amid another era of rising international conflict. This time, however, the skepticism is driven by the suggestion that a woman might not be strong enough for the job. To this I say: bullshit.
Women Leading National Security
I spent the majority of my nearly 15 year CIA career driving counterterrorism operations after 9/11. And during this era of enormous consequence, as we took the fight directly to al-Qa’ida (and later ISIS) — the vast majority of my bosses were women.
Far broader than the depiction in Zero Dark Thirty, there were a multitude of female protagonists leading our nation’s counterterrorism fight. Bad ass, strong, brilliant women who stood ready to bring terrible violence against those who would harm America. Women driven by duty and instinct to protect all of us. Great leaders I would jump at the chance to work for again.
In 2019, the CIA would promote women to the top leadership posts of each of the Directorates under Gina Haspel—the first woman to serve as CIA Director. Glass ceilings were shattered at CIA—the world’s premier intelligence organization and arguably the most indispensable agency to U.S. national security—because the mission requires the best people for the job.
Margaret Thatcher, Angela Merkel, Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi. Other nations have turned to women who not only shattered barriers but led their nations with unwavering resolve during critical moments of war and conflict. These women navigated the complexities of military engagements and geopolitical crises with a boldness and clarity of vision that redefined leadership on the global stage. They proved that strength, strategic acumen, and decisive action transcend gender.
Harris in the Situation Room
Washington Post journalist David Ignatius recently interviewed current and former officials who have directly observed and engaged with Harris in sensitive national security settings—including the Situation Room.
“She’s more hard-line than most people think,” said one retired four-star general who has briefed her many times.
“She’s always the same person, pushing for information, making sure people aren’t bulls----ing her.”
When it comes to discussions on using military force - “Her approach is to measure twice, cut once. But she’s not afraid to take the shot.”
“They all expressed versions of the same basic theme: Harris behaves like the prosecutor she was for much of her career. She’s skeptical, probing, sometimes querulous. She can be impatient and demanding. But she asks good questions. And if she’s convinced of the need, she’s not afraid to act.”
During her DNC convention speech, Harris pledged “As commander in chief, I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world. And I will fulfill our sacred obligation to care for our troops and their families, and I will always honor and never disparage their service and their sacrifice.”
Best Person for the Job
Harris is undoubtably one of the most qualified individuals to vie for the role of Commander in Chief.
As Vice President, she has negotiated with foreign leaders, strengthened alliances vital to U.S. security, and deeply engaged with our military at home and abroad to ensure they have the support and resources to advance our national interest (not her own).
As Senator serving on the Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, she developed deep insight and understanding of the foreign threats we face from Russia, Iran, and China and tackled complex security issues from counterterrorism to cybersecurity.
As Attorney General in California she took on transnational organized crime and cartels smuggling guns, drugs, and human beings threatening the safety and security of communities across America. This on top of a career of public service as a prosecutor—focused exclusively on protecting and serving the people.
Contrast that with Trump’s reckless, destabilizing, and seditious experience as President.
Trump embraced and glowingly admired the dictators of Russia, China, and North Korea.
Trump alienated allies, weakened NATO, and betrayed and abandoned Kurdish partners vital to our fight against ISIS.
Trump surrendered to the Taliban making an agreement that lead to their takeover of Afghanistan and freed 5,000 Taliban fighters.
Trump publicly undermined U.S. intelligence agencies and dismissed their findings, often siding with adversaries like Putin. He also stole and illegally hoarded classified information at Mar-A-Lago after leaving office.
Trump has threatened to turn the military against American citizens that oppose his candidacy, calling them the “enemy from within.”
Trump’s chief of staff and former Secretary of Homeland Security, Marine General (Ret) John Kelley confirmed that Trump privately disparaged U.S. service members and veterans, calling fallen soldiers “suckers” and “losers” and did not want to be seen with veterans who lost limbs in defense of our country. This builds upon Trump’s public mocking of the late Sen. John McCain for being a POW. Kelley also warned that Trump is a fascist that would rule like a dictator.
In addition to Kelly, Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence, former National Security Advisors (LTG (Ret) McMaster and Amb. John Bolton), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Gen (Ret) Mark Milley), and former Secretaries of Defense (Gen (Ret) Jim Mattis and Mark Esper)—ALL believe Trump is unfit to serve as Commander in Chief again.
For her strength of character and experience and the weakness of his, over 700 current and former national security and military leaders, among others in an individual capacity like Gen. (Ret) Stanley McCrystal, have endorsed Harris for President over Trump.
It’s time to turn the page on the archaic, sexist belief system that produced the phrase “a woman’s place is in the kitchen” instead of the office, the boardroom, or the Situation Room. It’s time to realize that America is best served by the best person for the most important job in the world. It’s time to make Kamala Harris the Commander in Chief.
Great essay, Matt! In 2008 I strongly considered voting for John McCain too. (Then he selected Sarah Palin as his VP and made my choice much easier.) I deeply appreciated your thoughtful, common sense based argument for Kamala Harris and your clear admiration for the women with whom and under whom you have served. My son recently told me that when he describes me to a new friend who hasn't met me, he refers to me as a Boss Ass Bitch. I was flattered.
Matt,
Excellent article. I wish more people could see and read it as you make some very poignant points that might wake some people up.