The Redhunter

My take is that Odierno is a lot more impressive than Ganbar. Ganbar talked a lot but didn't always answer the question, or parts of a multi-part question. Odierno is more succicinct and off-the-cuff, while Ganbar seemed to give scripted answers.

At 29 minutes in, Ganbar gives his final statement. Note how he moves his pad of paper and pens around. Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but the way I read it is that he is not sure of himself and was nervous. Perhaps he's just not used to appearing before journalists who aren't controlled by the government. At any rate, he needs to attend Toastmasters. Odierno, on the other hand, is confident and his demenor gives cause for confidence.

Odierno is quickly becomming my favorite general, as his frankness and ability to communicate make him effective, I think, at give-and-take with the journalists. He sometimes seems frustrated by a lack of understanding back home what what he sees as progress in Iraq, and you can see his emotions just below the surface. Love him or hate him, he's clearly comfortable in dealing with the press.

Indeed, at the July 19 press conference, Al Pessin of the VOA said to him "You said it's part of your job to tell the story of the progress that's happening in Iraq, and you've been doing that. And we've had a virtual parade of your division commanders here through the briefing room TV screen doing the same thing...." indicating to me that Odierno has been assigned the role of primary communicator.

Compare this with Gen Ganbar, who seems to me almost a "type"; if hollywood had to invent a character molded in a totalitarian system that squashed all individuality, he would fit the bill.

Lest readers think I am being overly critical, I should note that all this tells us just how evil Saddam's system really was. From the comfort of our homes we wonder why Iraqi's won't "step up to the plate." On the one hand, fear of being killed by the insurgents is surely a prime cause; better to keep your head down. So too is concern that the Americans won't stick it out, so why risk being associated with them. But also I think we must take into account that totalitarian systems leach all initiative out of individuals.

As is so typical of any reporting from Iraq, all this leads to a good news-bad news conclusion. I'd follow Odierno up any hill. Let's just say that I hope Ganbar is better at commanding troops than he is at giving press conferences.