Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal on Thursday endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., saying "leadership in our country is first and foremost about character."
McChrystal told Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC that his endorsement of Moulton — though the Massachusetts third-termer did not make the cut for the second round of debates later this month — was influenced by "personal competence" and "specific policies."
"I think about competence, not just personal competence but the ability to shape and lead an honest good team," he said. "And, lastly, about specific policies or politics."
McChrystal, 64, the four-star general who led U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said he had known Mouton "for years" and called him "my friend."
"I know he's been a combat leader," he said. "I've been able to watch him up-close in his values.
"He's the right person for the future. And we've really got to think about what's right for the decades in front of us.
"There's going to be emerging requirements," McChrystal added. "We need to be set up with a forward focus."
Moulton said the endorsement "means a lot to me personally and it means a lot to the campaign," adding that voters will not be swayed by the debates.
"I don't think the summer debates are going to decide the election," he said. "Voters don't go to the polls until February of next year.
"Our response on the ground has been fantastic," Moulton added. "Those are the voters who are ultimately going to make this decision.
"America is ready for a new generation of leadership," the congressman said. "We need to put someone forward who is strong enough to go toe-to-toe with Donald Trump."
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