Dem Officials See New Signs That Gates Will Remain At Defense

Democratic officials said they see new signs that President-elect Barack Obama will ask Defense Secretary Robert Gates to stay in his post.

If Gates stays, no reconfirmation hearing would be needed, officials said.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[dreamgypsy]

Respectfully, President-Elect Obama, this American believes Gates must leave the position, the CHANGE I personally envisioned (as I believe was and is yours) for America should be reflected in your Cabinet, thus keeping a 'failed' Defense Secretary appointed by a 'failed' and 'false' Commander in Chief/thief, just wouldn't be in the best interest of these United States of America...Thank You for taking my opinion into consideration.
Peace

[mcantwell]

Robert Gates needs to make his mind up already or get out of the way for Hagel or Clark.

[FirstShirt]

Good democratic strategy. Advance to the rear.

[Coinyer101]

i knew it. a repub. of course.

[Indie2008]

If Obama's team think that keeping Republicans and rivals in top positions is going to blunt criticism and win their favor, I'm afraid they are in for a let down. The right-wing pundits and Republican partisans will start on January 21 to blame Obama for the very policies they have defended for the past eight years under Bush.

[weepingforbrunnhilde]

I think Obama's primary concern (or at least, a top concern) on this front is to keep dangerous group think from emerging and to avoid surrounding himself with yes men.

Not to say there isn't also political calculation, of course, but we should beware reducing everything Obama does to two-dimensional political motivations. He's way more sophisticated than that.

[Indie2008]

Possibly a little too much continuity...?

[HST]

Noooooo!

[Vinca]

NO< NO NO

[Ramirez]

Leaving Gates at SecDef is an excellent and logical move. The best other candidates for the position - Hagel, Lugar, and McCain - are all Senators and would take months to bring up to speed.

Gates is a patriot and a fine manager. He has done an outstanding job so far.

[Kache]

What a brilliant move. No confirmation hearing means that the new administration's Iraq policy does not get trashed through a confirmation hearing. The best way to leave Iraq is as quietly as possible.

[LadyMing]

I'm okay with keeping Gates for the transition, (a few months-to-a-year) but I want him replaced with Wesley Clark.

[FirstShirt]

Never happen. Clark is not respected in the military and has a history of being politically active...a no no in the military.

[Coinyer101]

PO! he has a lot of respect in the military and all the experience necessary to boot! he also opposed the stoopid iraq war! ur a mo ron.

[JadedAggie]

I'm personally okay with Gates as long as you replace his deputies, whom are intolerable. He has done the best he can do with the horrible hand that he was dealt.

[GeoLee]

Bilderberg? I guess the press missed the initiation ceremony for Barack.

[Liberoservative]

This is a good move as long as Obama moves to put in his own appointees in the lower posts.... Gates lasts for two years at the max, IMHO.... Unless he has some Epiphany and comes to the light....

[Kache]

What makes you think Gate is a Republican? He's not.

[OliverTwist]

Isn't Gates married to Pinnochet or something? Or was that the Shah? It's all a blur of blood and terrorism.

[robXdion]

For now. . . . .