This was SecDef Gates call......I don't agree with it (nor did I agree with Gates being the man to replace SecDef Rumsfeld).
But make not mistake. Our CinC most certainly has a set. He has brass balls in terms of standing by what he believes in....come hell or high water (no matter who agrees with him or not). I respect that in him.
If you think that GWB didn’t have anything to do with Pace’s firing, I’ve got a bridge you may be interested in.