If Obama still has faith that McChrystal can achieve the mission in Afghanistan — big if, obviously — he ought to keep him. A new general would introduce a new variable in an extremely unpredictable situation, and the new guy would have to take a certain amount of already valuable time to get up to speed. He would go into the job knowing that his predecessor believed no one in the diplomatic corps or much of the administration is willing to stick their necks out to help him.

Meanwhile, the fired McChrystal would be free to offer his unvarnished take on 60 Minutes, etc., ripping Obama for being unprepared, distracted, etc. and claiming that the administration is losing a winnable war because of internal divisions.

Fans of Obama tell me he takes the long view and is patient. I am skeptical of that assessment, but I hope they’re right.