Diyala General goes public asking for more troops

Maj. Gen. Mixon, the commander in Diyala province was just shown on CNN saying he needed more troops. (CNN article.)

If the goal is to pacify that province, he is undoubtedly right, but why is he asking for more troops on TV rather than through channels?

Did he ask his superiors and get a no? Why would Mixon take the extreme step of going public? Was he told that the White House wouldn't authorize more troops?

(Later: He said he has been in touch with Gen. Raymond Odierno, the No. 2 U.S. commander in Iraq, about more troops in Diyala, even before the troop escalation that the administration calls a "surge" began in February. He said Odierno has been "providing them over time as they have become available.")

Publicly extorting against Bush's "support the troops," "commanders on the ground" politics is a huge step for a Maj. General.