re: Obama and the military brass at odds with strategy to fight ISIL

Bush actually had quite a bit of criticism from retired military officers (which is usually how the military lets its opinion be known) in the lead up to the Iraq invasion. Bush got better at being the Commander in Chief as his Presidency went on, mostly because he eventually learned the most important rule, let the people who've spent their whole life doing their jobs, do their jobs.

I actually understand Obama's reticence to introducing ground forces to stem the ISIS/ISIL/Whatever the hell they are calling themselves this week offensive. One of the key points of his Presidency was finally getting combat forces out of Iraq.

It is, quite rightly, seen as a cornerstone of his time in office, whether one agrees with it or not. If he has to turn right around and put them back in Iraq then it is a serious blow to his administration and likely will not be meet with cheers and spontaneous celebration parades by the American public.

Unfortunately the situation may very well require an American ground presence. Sometimes being the President means doing something unpopular but necessary and taking public opinion polls hit.