One bit of buzz about Barack Obama’s Cabinet possibilities makes particular sense: keeping Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who has proved a thoughtful, steady leader in that post at a time of two wars. The Wichita native’s answer to the “what if” question has softened a bit – from April’s “the circumstances under which I would do that are inconceivable to me” to last summer’s “I’ve learned never to say never.” Now, CNN reports, no one who works closely with Gates is dismissing the idea completely.
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12 Comments
President-elect Barack Obama should try to keep Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in his new administration. Robert Gates is a consumate manager not showing a lot of predilection for
partisan political positions.
Robert Gates is indeed a Wichita native. He was raised in the College Hill neighborhood on south Belmont and earned his Eagle Scout award. He graduated from East High School in 1961 reportedly with straight “A’s.” I been told but not confirmed that his brother was a principal of Southeast High School in the 1980’s.
He served in the Air Force and eventually earned a PhD from Georgetown University in Russian history. His career was with the U.S. State Department and C.I.A.
Upon retirement, he became President of Texas A&M University from which he was recruited by George Bush to serve as Secretary of Defense.
In my opinion, this would be a great show of support by President Obama to convince Mr. Gates to continue to serve.
The above information is from my notes and I think it is basically correct.
Gates does seem like one to be kept. A qualified technician; not a political hack.
I have no problem keeping Gates on at DOD for a year or so.
After Rumsfeld the
scene of the accidentPentagon, Gates apparently has restored moral among those at the top of military command. Generals can be more open and honest (as in declaring the “Surge” is only “successful” as long as American troops are there and in peril, but accomplished little else)Ive heard their might be a postion for Powell too
I will give Gates this: while he used diplomatic language, he didn’t sugar-coat just how badly Rumsfeld had screwed everything up. And, as Ben indicated, that military policy and strategy shouldn’t be driven by blind ideology and arrogance.
He’d probably do. I suppose Powell would too, although I must question the “good soldier” instinct that led him to propagandize for Bush. Maybe he’s learned his lesson?
Mccain apparently has much more influence over GAtes than Sen. Roberts and Tiahrt combined. Gates needs to go.
Mccain apparently has much more influence over GAtes than Sen. Roberts and Tiahrt combined. Gates needs to go.
At your convenience, I’d like some details on that, Phantom. Thanks.
Rage, I think Phantom is referring to the tanker.
Yes.
I know the election’s over and Tiahrt and Roberts won resoundingly, but they really didn’t do anything to help Boeing win the tanker deal in the first place, if anything they sabotaged it.
The military vehicle program is being challenged by both Northrop and by Boeing, seems Gates is incapable of having an open and fair bidding.
Roberts and tiahrt have turned the tanker contract into their political cash cow, and will milk it for just as long as they can, who knows may even be a factor in their next election.