Gates will stay on as Secretary of Defense.
Gates will stay on as Secretary of Defense.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has agreed to stay on under President-elect Obama “for at least the first year.” Obama will make the announcement official next week when he introduces his national security team. Politico’s Mike Allen reports:
The selection of a member of President Bush’s inner circle allows Obama to deliver on his promise of a bipartisan Cabinet, even though Gates has an intelligence background and has not been an active Republican.
The appointment has substantial advantages for Obama, who now can keep his pledge of drawing down troops in Iraq with the aid of an architect of the Bush administration’s successful troop “surge” strategy. The presence of Gates also will help finesse Obama’s relationship with Gen. David Petraeus, the former U.S. commander in Iraq and now the head of the U.S. Central Command, which includes Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Did he check with Kay on this one first?
November 25th, 2008 at 4:56 pmThe appointment has substantial advantages for Obama, who now can keep is pledge of drawing down troops in Iraq with the aid of an architect of the Bush administration’s successful troop “surge” strategy.
when was the "surge" successfull? Did I miss something about the purpose of the "surge"?
November 25th, 2008 at 4:59 pmIf you believe there is a possibility that al Qaeda will strike during the transition period or closely after the beginning of the term, it makes sense to maintain continuity in the Defense Dept. at least for the time being. As his administration progresses, he can always fire Gates if Gates isn't cooperating with his policy.
Besides, Obama kept looking us right in the eye and saying he would be bipartisan. Do we think he was lying?
November 25th, 2008 at 5:01 pmQue to complaints about 'IS THIS CHANGE'.... 10, 9, 8, 7...
November 25th, 2008 at 5:08 pmYep, this is a good place to do the continuity thing while changing everything else. Wingnuts only understand all-or-nothing, so if he leaves one high profile person in place, they won't be able to claim he's changing everything. If they can't use absolute terms, they're left to just sputter and howl randomly.
And Defense is a good place to do it. Troops & officers tend to get nervous when political appointees are shuffled in and out over their heads. Plus, there's strategic considerations. Plus, Gates is OK.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:09 pmjstrick Says:
The appointment has substantial advantages for Obama, who now can keep is pledge of drawing down troops in Iraq with the aid of an architect of the Bush administration’s successful troop “surge” strategy.
when was the “surge” successfull? Did I miss something about the purpose of the “surge”?
They are quoting Politico. Politico is a right leaning website that tries to claim they are "Fair and Balanced", in other words the web's version of Faux Noise.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:10 pmIs Obam willing to dump "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?" I'm thinking Gates is opposed to doing away with DADT. I'm not sure Gates needs to stay. I'm not sure he needs to go.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:10 pmI'm guessing that Obama noticed that stressing "DADT" early in his first term brought nothing but heartache to Clinton.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:14 pmYep, this is a good place to do the continuity thing while changing everything else.
well, it would be, if they were changing everything else...
sadly, they're NOT 'changing' everything else.' Not even very much of it, from what I can see.
Btw: Did anybody notice that Dept. of Labor is NOT thought to be essential to the "financial" team? WTF?
November 25th, 2008 at 5:15 pmtokin, I freely admit that I tend to see everything through the prism of good intentions at this point with Obama, so I'll just point out that the economic team are basically informal positions while Labor is a full cabinet secretary. My guess is that it takes more time to vet and prepare for a cabinet appointment. That's what I'm hoping it is anyway. With his background, it would be very surprising to me if Obama didn't end up stressing labor's interests more than any president we had since LBJ. Plus, the economic advisors are about budget and the economy. Sec of Labor is about labor policy.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:20 pmI agree with you 49erDem, Obama has a lot more on his plate than DADT. But Gates is sure as hell is not change, unless we want want to compare him to Rumesfeld.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:22 pmGates has overseen veterans getting screwed over and denied benefits systematically, not even attempting to reverse the course Rummy set for screwing over the war wounded. As a concerned veteran, I have to give this selection a big Boooooooo!
I will be loud on this choice if this is true.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:29 pmF_ck Gates.
Lieberman called Obama's cabinet appointments "near perfect". That speaks volumes...
November 25th, 2008 at 5:34 pmIs this "change" from Obama on the Iraq war? It;s laughable for a so-called "progressive" president to keep on a hard-core Republican who shouts down even the hint of a real timetable for withdrawal, let alone the immediate exit that we need and Obama, the candidate, promised.
http://www.sunstateactivist.org/ssablog/
November 25th, 2008 at 5:34 pmEt tu, Obama?
November 25th, 2008 at 5:36 pmWayne: "Gates has overseen veterans getting screwed over and denied benefits systematically"
Different boss, different policy. Gates takes his orders.
And 00mph00, Obama never promised an "immediate exit." He promised to begin exiting immediately.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:42 pm49erDem Says:
Wayne: “Gates has overseen veterans getting screwed over and denied benefits systematically”
Different boss, different policy. Gates takes his orders.
Bulldooky.
If Gates had any scruples he would have fought for the men and women he has overseen rather than allowing them to get the shaft, no matter who the boss is.
That goes for anyone appointed by Bush to the VA also. Everyone of them must be replaced.
I cannot give Obama a pass on this one, if true.
I will be making that clear, responding to the emails I get all the time from the transition team.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:50 pmWhy should he have a bipartisan cabinet? We should he embrace a failed political party? And why does bipartisanship only become important in DC when Democrats take power?
When Republicans were in power no-one cared about bipartisanship.
I'll tell ya, I don't think better of Obama for this. I think far worse. This is not "change". So far liberals have a hunk of warm spit in our eye.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:50 pmI would think that if Gates refuses to implements Obama's policy? He's fired.
I am really growing tired of those who are attempting to judge Obama's Presidency before it starts. Pay attention people. After the events of the last few months in financial circles, it's hard to say what will need to be done on Jan. 21st. If you expect commitments to particular actions for hypothetical events? We might as well keep the neocons and Psychochristians.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:51 pmPeople, come on. Obama has never ever sold himself to the American people as a liberal in any way. He presented himself as a thoughtful centrist who leans towards populism (you know, the community activist thing)and a person who could change the way government was working in Washington. He never was even close to the "most liberal Senator in Congress." His positions on certain issues were to the right of other candidates in the primaries.
Hey, I wish he were as liberal as conservatives were saying he was, but he just isn't. But, I keep pointing out that the two most progressive presidents in history, Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt, both came into office as centrists and both were sensitive to the public as I believe Obama is.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:58 pmInteresting as Gates did speak up against Bush. I'm wondering what will be done with the puppet General Petraeus who was so fare up Bush's butt he could be found. Petraeus has lied and did what ever Bush/Cheney told him and he even openly lied to Congress. I hope Obama kicks him out quick.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:15 pmThis shows Obama is leaving the military alone for awhile. He can only challenge the profitability of corporate America on one major issue at a time. If he did health care and defense simultaneously, our President would be in trouble.
Eisenhower's Military-Industrial Complex lived on Bush supplied steroids for eight years. It's now the Government-Industrial Monstrosity. Between the financial crisis and impending health care change, the U.S. Chamber may experience "Roid Rage".
The appointment of Gates indicates Obama may wait to take on our mostly contracted military. It also means little change in our current military priorities, which could include backing up Israel on Iran.
The Admiral cancelled his Christmas party. Good taste or other priorities? Time will show...
November 25th, 2008 at 6:22 pm49erDem Says:
People, come on. Obama has never ever sold himself to the American people as a liberal in any way.
Doing right by our veterans is not a liberal or conservative issue. It is simply the Right thing to do. And because I believe that, and I have been an advocate for veterans issue long before I ever posted on this blog when they first opened, or before Obama was even running for an office of any time, I will not give up that advocacy for anyone or any thing.
Talk me down with facts, not bullsh!t.
pete Says:
I would think that if Gates refuses to implements Obama’s policy? He’s fired.
I am really growing tired of those who are attempting to judge Obama’s Presidency before it starts. Pay attention people.
Because he has not stood up for veterans, Gates is the WRONG choice. You F_cking pay attention. I have been paying attention to veteran issues a long time and I am tired as hell of veterans getting the shaft and people thinking it is not an issue, that is is just not that importaint.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:23 pmIn Order to Cut spending...Obama will have to go where the Money is...The Dept. of Defense.
Everyone knows many Pentagon Projects are Overpriced Weapon systems designed for the Cold War, and Not the threat America Faces Now.
Sec. Gates is a good manager, and I believe he is also Non Ideological.
He may just fit the bill for the task at hand.
Obama often thinks several moves ahead,
November 25th, 2008 at 6:24 pmI sound riled, I know, but the systematic maltreatment of our men and women serving has me pissed off to no end. The crap must stop.
I oppose Gates being selected.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:26 pmThe other thing to watch under Obama is "don't ask, don't tell". If superficially closeted gays can no longer serve in our armed forces, America is moving in the wrong direction.
The DIA already has the tools to find gay servicemen and women. When they get a green light to "ask", they'll surely tell. Stay tuned...
November 25th, 2008 at 6:30 pm49erDem writes:
"Obama has never ever sold himself to the American people as a liberal in any way."
Too true. That why he was my third choice during the primaries.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:34 pm.
Bilbo...
Got CHANGE?
No silly, it's called "COMPROMISE"... er, BIPARTISANSHIP!
.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:38 pmOops,
November 25th, 2008 at 6:40 pmwrong link in #28
Should be...
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2008/11/scoop_mccain_an/
If nothing else, if there's one thing these cronies are good at, it's following directions.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:45 pmEasy there, Wayne. I do pay attention. And the SecDef is a position that needs Senate approval. Tell your Senators you object and why.
And my point was that the SecDef is responsible for implementing the policies of the Administration. I would assume that Gates has given assurances to Obama that he will do just that. If he proves faithless he can be removed.
Between the ongoing financial meltdown and fumigating the DOJ Obama already has the fullest plate in modern American history. If he takes a new broom to every department we face the real danger of wasting precious time on needless political bickering and on the job training. I'm no fan of Gates myself but, he is more palatable than countless others and I'm not going to condemn the President elect for things that have not yet happened.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:48 pmBadger Says:
Sec. Gates is a good manager, and I believe he is also Non Ideological.
He may just fit the bill for the task at hand.
Obama often thinks several moves ahead,
Obama doesn't seem to be thinking about the veterans that threw their support behind him with the selection of Gates.
This has been happening under Gates' watch:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-combat25-2008nov25,0,3682816.story
Someone please tell me who is thinking about our veterans with this decision?
November 25th, 2008 at 6:50 pmObama is smart. He'll ask Gates,'what would bush have done here?'...then do the opposite.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:53 pmHow about we save the freaking out over veteran's issues until we see who Obama's VA pick is? Wouldn't that be, you know, more reasonable?
He isn't going to please everybody with everything, but any weakness Gates has on veteran's issues (and they are important issues) can be mitigated with a good pick for VA.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:56 pmHey Wayne, I'm not going to argue with a veteran about these things and certainly not a veterans' advocate, but Obama has a great voting record when it comes to veterans issues. He gets 80% from DVA and a B+ from IAVA. I believe organizations tend to take on the personality and the values of their leaders. I am uncomfortable with ANY member of the Bush administration staying on, but at this point, I'm going to continue to give Obama the benefit of the doubt.
Bob Roth, I'm on the same page. I tend to use primaries as opportunities to send messages, so I always vote for the most liberal Dem in the group. That's why the party has NEVER nominated the candidate I supported in the primaries and I've been voting since 1972.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:57 pmWayne,
Obama Campaigned on Treating The Veterans Right. Many Veterans Groups supported his candidacy for that very Reason.
If Obama doesn't keep his promises about Veteran's Issues, there will be LOTS of people and groups pointing that out.
I think Obama is being sincere, and will not let the Vetrans Down...but if he does...I'll be right there with you.
I just think we should give him a chance to prove his sincerety.
November 25th, 2008 at 7:02 pmWayne, as a veterans' advocate, who would you like to see running the VA and who would have been your better choice for Sec Def?
November 25th, 2008 at 7:03 pmJackie says: Petraeus has lied and did what ever Bush/Cheney told him and he even openly lied to Congress. I hope Obama kicks him out quick.
Jackie, I don't trust Patreaus for lying, and pandering to the Bush/Cheney crowd, but he has had the correct military approach to guerilla war. He is very smart, and will do the best job of any general likely to get the chance in the MidEast. It is a sorry commentary on our military that only one seemed to learn, should I say, not forget what we learned in VietNam. If his strategy cannot stabilize Afghanistan militarily, we are in big trouble there.
I can hear the chants already, Afghanistan is not like Iraq, which is true, but it is a guerilla war, and must be fought as such. More than a surge as in Iraq is needed.
Keeping Gates allows Obama to concentrate more on the economy. He should stay a year, unless he cannot follow orders. I trust he can.
November 25th, 2008 at 7:21 pm49erDem Says:
Wayne, as a veterans’ advocate, who would you like to see running the VA and who would have been your better choice for Sec Def?
Mac Cleland for either selection would be my first choice. If Cleland got the SOD nod, then Tammy Duckworth for VA or if Obama wants to be bi-partisan, Chuck Hagel for the VA
November 25th, 2008 at 7:22 pmI'm not saying this is a good pick but what is Gates going to do, refuse to follow a change in policy from the President? He'll just have to resign if he won't do his job.
And anyone seen Rummy? Oh yeah, he's a pariah who can't cross the border. Even Gates can see Obama is not Bush and Iraq has no more prestige or power left for old D.C. hawks.
November 25th, 2008 at 7:24 pmOh my God! I see sooooo much Change!!!!!
November 25th, 2008 at 7:52 pmWith the mess overseas, this is most likely a good choice, he needs someone informed of the present situation, change might happen here sometime in the future, but now....not a good idea.
November 25th, 2008 at 7:56 pmDo you know why Gates was chosen by Bush? Because he agreed to SURGE and keep the occupation going. Believe it or not Rumsfeld was convinced it was time to start pulling out. But, hey, Bush must have been right all along, because the SURGE worked. Obama said so. (got change?)
November 25th, 2008 at 8:13 pmThe first year or two of the Obama admin will have some pain as Obama will have to do things that are unpopular.
November 25th, 2008 at 8:16 pmDoes that make him a good president. Bush is really unpopular, he must be the best president ever!
November 25th, 2008 at 8:21 pmOh my God! I see sooooo much Change!!!!!
Dude, this is about the only position he isn't changing.
I'm concerned about veterans' issues too. Dems have been in the right on this since at least before 2006. If they don't follow through, then veterans essentially become what the evangelicals have been to Republicans - do some talk, get their votes, then forget about them.
However, we did get the GI Bill 2 through. That's a good start.
But it's worth remembering that not everything goes top down through the Executive branch. A lot of it can be done more broadly by looking at the IAVA ratings for your local congresspeople and voting accordingly.
I've still got hopes that Obama's going to come through for vets (Duckworth, pleez!!!) but even if he doesn't make it a priority, it's not like he's actually going to block initiatives coming from other directions.
As he likes to say, change happens from the bottom up.
November 25th, 2008 at 9:28 pmTANJ.
November 25th, 2008 at 10:02 pmPeople expect pain. But they expect honesty about our problems and how to navigate treacherous waters. That is sorely lacking.
I expect shared sacrifice and for corporations to quit making money hand over fist on our tax dollars.
Most Americans don't want a free lunch, but a fair shake. Most want a good job to do, one where they're more than an input to be manipulated, reduced or outsourced.
Most Americans want a government that works and a Congress that balances individual with business interests. We have sorry leadership in this country in government and business.
November 25th, 2008 at 11:19 pmWhat does Obama think he is doing? Let's hope he reads the words of an Ray McGovern: you can read them here: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/11/20-3
November 25th, 2008 at 11:31 pmAbleCluster Says:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lovely. Corruption is bliss isnt it!
Is your ISP watching?
----
See this stupid and annoying shit?
I say when we do we take it out back and beat the living shit out of it.
F UCK YOU ASSWIPE!
November 26th, 2008 at 12:41 amBuckie Boy Says:
With the mess overseas, this is most likely a good choice, he needs someone informed of the present situation, change might happen here sometime in the future, but now….not a good idea.
November 25th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
__________
I reluctantly agree. I can't say I'm a fan of Gates, but I can understand the incoming administration not wanting to rock this boat just yet. I'm hoping that it will be a short-term extension rather than a long-term one. A few months, rather than a year.
I'm also wondering if this is a decision that's waiting on the Senate race in Georgia - perhaps the desired pick is a Senator in a red-governed state, but the administration doesn't want to rob the Democrats of vote #60?
November 26th, 2008 at 6:07 amOne year with Gates should give Obama the time to get our troops back home from aWol's two stupid land wars in Asia.
November 26th, 2008 at 8:27 amAlthough I had a negative reaction to the news that Obama is keeping Gates, I think that it may actually be a very shrewd move. It will be much harder for the GOP now.
November 26th, 2008 at 9:16 amWhile I am opposed to Gates, I can see the reasoning behind this decision and respect it. With uncertainty rocking the nation, Obama should avoid a messy transition, keep Gates in office, and use his authority to ensure that the SoD doesn't continue to promote Bush's policies. Gates does seem to be bipartisan, and I'm sure the Republicans will be pleased with the move...until they find another triviality to moan about in order to calm their post-election blues.
However, I was anticipating the appointment of a deputy secretary more opposed to the Iraq War who would ultimately replace Gates. We'll see what happens.
November 26th, 2008 at 10:44 amElBruce Says:
Well, I totaly respect your opinion.
November 26th, 2008 at 2:04 pmHowever, I disagree on the matter this is the only position he ins't changing. He has been picking Clintonites and NeoCons for his administration. In a time he has a mandate for Change! Gates, is a War Criminal. Obama wining the election does not change this. Gates was on the back stage of Iran-Contra scandal. The atrocities commited by the USA in Nicaragua.
The World is watching, and if the USA does not change its direction, it will be impossible to restore its international image. It has to prossecute the administration officials who have comited war crimes, Gates included!
I still have hope for this new administration, but I'm not going to follow it as though it is some religious sect. I'll be skeptical and critical because we are talking about Polititians, not the comon type, but Washignton type! I'm hoping for real meaningfull change, not rethoric and 'slgans'.
Thanks for discussing the matter so civilized! There is nothing wrong in exchanging different ideas!