Republican Senate Armed Services Committee members welcomed the news of the nomination of Gen. Jospeh Dunford to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Tuesday, and suggested the Marine commandant will be readily confirmed in Congress.
“He’s outstanding — Senator [Lindsey] Graham and I have known him for many years following his days in command in Iraq and Afghanistan — he has my full and complete support,” said committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz.
When asked if he saw any red flags at all with Dunford’s nomination, McCain, a retired Navy officer, kindly quipped, “well, he’s a Marine.”
“I don’t think the president could have chosen better,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. “I think he’s the best choice the president had among many good choices.”
McCain said while the confirmation process will likely be expedient, “Obviously, we’ll be thorough, but I don’t see any obstacles.”
Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., called Dunford “phenomenal.”
“I think its a great choice,” Ayotte said. “I had a chance to visit with him when he served as the commander in Afghanistan and so I think he understands the threats that we face — he certainly understands the conditions on the ground. I think he will be an excellent chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”
