Explain this to me without slandering the Republicans

It's Washington Times, so, Moonie alert, but still,

Thomas W. O'Connell, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict (SOLIC), has told Eric Edelman, undersecretary of defense for policy, that he will leave in several months. Administration officials said the generous lead time is partly political. The Pentagon does not want to be without its top special operations adviser during the November elections at a time when covert warriors are playing a leading role in hunting and capturing al Qaeda terrorists.

I repeat, "Administration officials said the generous lead time is partly political. The Pentagon does not want to be without its top special operations adviser during the November elections...."

Screw the war, screw the guys in the field risking their lives, there's an election.

What the hell is the Pentagon doing worrying about US congressional elections in the middle of a war?

If that doesn't sum up this administration.....