Petraeus Sees Europe or Hawaii as Next Posting

With rumors circulating that Army Gen. David Petraeus  could be the new military head of NATO, we've learned that if that doesn't come his way, he wouldn't mind heading Pacific Command, the Hawaii post normally reserved for Navy or Marine Corps brass.

The potential promotion is seen as a token of appreciation for the general's performance as the chief military commander in Iraq, where the criticized surge has apparently worked and driven out much of the insurgent terrorism that was seen last year. If Bush does not nominate him for his next position before September, there is a chance that a Democratic president might not promote the general, who has been closely tied to the administration and surge.

Our Linda Robinson, meanwhile, also hears that some Democrats might fight moving Petraeus out of Iraq. One Democratic senator on the Armed Services Committee, for example, told her that he believes Petraeus's continued presence in Iraq "is vital."