In his previous writings and speeches, Defense Secretary nominee Robert Gates has been among the many national security experts who recognize there are no good military options for Iran. In the summer of 2004, Gates and former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski co-chaired a task force sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations that argued for opening a dialogue with Iran, a position Bush has so far rejected.
For that reason, the right wing is angered over the Gates nomination. Frank Gaffney said subscribing to Gates’ ideas would “engender strategic perils the United States can ill-afford.” Last night on Hannity, former Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) claimed Gates would “negotiate with terrorists,” and criticized President Bush for not picking a nominee that would satisfy “those of us that have supported him and supported his leadership in fighting this war.” Watch it:
Transcript:
I have a little different concern about Robert Gates. He is from the Brzezinski, Scowcroft, the James Baker ilk. He made a speech a couple years ago talking about how we should negotiate with terrorists, negotiate with Iran. I’m worried about his worldview. If the President is going to work with the Democrats, I want the President to tell those of us that have supported him and supported his leadership in fighting this war and winning this war that we’re not going to see a war run by consensus and committee like we did in Korea and Vietnam and Central America.
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