Afghanistan General Summoned to D.C., PR Consultant Resigns After Damaging Rolling Stone Profile

The Obama administration is furious over a soon to be published Rolling Stone profile of Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, titled “The Runaway General.”

According to the Daily News, the profile says McChrystal took control of the war, “by never taking his eye off the real enemy: The wimps in the White House.”

Another source is quoted as calling National Security Adviser Gen. (Ret.) Jim Jones a “clown.” McChrystal has already issued an apology, and is now scheduled to appear in Washington D.C. to defend himself on Wednesday.

The communications consultant who set up the Rolling Stone interview, Duncan Boothby, has already resigned.

Giving Rolling Stone access doesn’t always lead to trouble, we should note. When PRNewser interviewed Siemens Corporation VP, communications and marketing Jim Whaley this past fall, he told us that as director of communications for the United States Military Academy at West Point, he gave a Rolling Stone reporter complete access to the facility, which turned into a popular story and bestselling book, Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point.

Our sibling blog FishbowlNY has a list of people who may not have been “pissed off” the Rolling Stone profile

McChrystal’s apology statement after the jump.

“I extend my sincerest apology for this profile. It was a mistake reflecting poor judgment and should never have happened. Throughout my career, I have lived by the principles of personal honor and professional integrity. What is reflected in this article falls far short of that standard. I have enormous respect and admiration for President Obama and his national security team, and for the civilian leaders and troops fighting this war and I remain committed to ensuring its successful outcome.”

Launch a social media campaign that will build your brand and deliver results in our online Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting June 7. Speakers include Abigail Cusick (Bravo Digital), Gregory Galant (Sawhorse Media), Alex Leo (Thomson Reuters Digital), Jim Tobin (Ignite Social Media), and many more. Read the reviews.