Obama Ousting Top Bush Pentagon Officials

Although President-elect Barack Obama's decision to keep Robert M. Gates at the helm of the Pentagon will provide a measure of continuity for a military fighting two wars, many of Gates's top deputies are expected to depart their jobs, according to senior defense and transition officials.

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, Gates's right-hand man in running the Pentagon day to day, is widely expected to leave his post, said the officials, one of whom noted that England's speechwriter is reportedly taking another job.

Leading candidates to replace England include Obama campaign adviser Richard J. Danzig, who could eventually replace Gates; Pentagon transition review team co-leader Michèle A. Flournoy; and possibly former Pentagon comptroller William J. Lynn, said Obama transition officials and sources close to the transition.

The anticipated turnover of many key positions suggests that although Gates will help provide some continuity, the status quo will not necessarily endure at the Pentagon.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Robson]

Every individual who works for the USA DOD and our government should be required to disclose their loyalty and pledge allegiance to the USA only. We do not need employees who are wishy washy on their loyalty and allegiance and those which have multiple citizenship by default, whether it be Mexico, France or Israel. It is a very legitimate concern that Americans who get automatic citizenship to Israel, unlike most Americans have a potential conflict of interest.

[disgusted48]

Rumsfeld is still there holed up somewhere. Find him, pry him out of his chair, toss him out the back door, toss his chair out the back door and then fumigate.

[Coinyer101]

for those concerned about gates not carrying out obama's policies:
12-02-2008 3:41 PM
By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (Associated Press) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates is signaling a willingness to forge ahead with two key priorities for the incoming Obama administration: accelerating the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and shutting down the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

Gates, the only Republican Cabinet member asked to stay on by President-elect Barak Obama, says that military commanders are looking at ways to more quickly pull troops out of Iraq in light of the 16-month timetable that was a centerpiece of the Democrat's campaign.

He also says it will be a high priority to work with the new Congress on legislation that will enable the U.S. to close Guantanamo, where more than 200 detainees suspected of terrorism are still being held.

[zizyphus]

Gates was the number two guy at the CIA during the Iran/Conta crack for arms deals. That is reason enough to disqualify him.

[urthsong1]

You might want to read The Progress Report to see their take on Gates and the rest of the new security team. http://pr.thinkprogress.org:80/

[Kache]

That is a really good article. Thanks for the link urthsong1.

The more I know about Robert Gates, the more I think he would have been Obama's pick for DOD even if he had not already had the job.

To quote Gates - America cannot simply kill or capture our way to victory over the long term.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

This just shows Obama is way ahead of his critics. Obama's strategy is to start out with established people from both sides of the aisle and yes from the Clinton administration. I agree with Chris Mathews that some of this is for cover to promote a more progressive agenda but mostly so that Obama can groom people like Danzig and Rice who will most likely be your future Defense Secretary and SOS. I said all along we should watch the people Obama is putting in place as undersecretaries and lower positions in his administration. These are the Obama people that will take over towards the end of his administration and hopefully if he is successful further down the road.

[smilodon1]

Gates needs to go. He's as bad as Rumsfeld but with more sophistication. Check it out here: http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/111908a.html

[HowietheScreamer]

Makes sense. Just because Obama is keeping Gates doesn't mean he wants to keep all the OTHER Bushies that infest the Pentagon. Gates is at best, on borrowed time. One year, maybe 18 months and he'll be replaced by Danzig.

[PhilipTaylor]

This is VERY GOOD NEWS!

We need FRESH THINKING on both wars including:
1. Increased use of smart technology in intelligence gathering and processing
2. A holistic approach to problem-solving including negotiation, incentives, and Pinpoint Military Precision.

The days of invasion as the primary problem-solving tool is OVER as more cost-effective and productive methods are needed.

Establishing a World Wide HOTLINE for TERRORIST INFORMATION using the Internet, databases, and alternative forms of communication is needed to put the ENTIRE WORLD of Peace Loving People to work to Identify the where, who, when, and how of Terrorist Activities. Software is available to find trends and patterns and weed out flawed information so the World can be more proactive and precise in targeting Terrorists.

[FTracy3]

I'm not clear where in this article it says that Obama is "ousting" anyone. Or does that just make for a better headline? (Note, it's not the source story headline).

[lthuedk 1]

Good. I hope the shadow government is permanently retired and the People returned to absolute authority. Both Traitriot Acts and Military Corporate Act must be repealed and archived as documents of subversion, while full authority is restored to the People. Toss the totalitarians out by tossing their documents of subversive authority.

http://www.light-to-dark.com/oops.html

This isn't a fascist state. The Constitution will do just fine.

[willfarnaby]

Dear President-Elect:

Time to promote that wonderful black woman who tried to do her job - competently and properly - and report government / military financial abuses and wastefulness, and was slapped down for her effort.

[CRT4Obama]

Her name is Bunnatine Greenhouse, former SESer, from Army Corps of Engineers

[willfarnaby]

Thanks for the info!

[willfarnaby]

Dear President-Elect:

Don't forget to clean out the stench of the Bushies' bag men and women in the EPA, the Interior Department, etc.

Are such "environmental stewards" as Mark Reyes, still sucking at the taxpayer's teat?

[jagoneely]

I couldn't agree with you more. All the environmental agencies should be sacked, ASAP. They can always go back to work for Big Oil....

[jagoneely]

OOPS! Not the agencies, but the tools that run them...

[lovered]

I am happy he kept Gates and I hope he stays. Hopefully Obama will listen to him instead of vice versa. Conservatives are happy about this choice. We want Gates to stay!!!

[LeftRight]

"Hopefully Obama will listen to him instead of vice versa."

First, I'm sure that if Bob Gates gives advice to President Obama he will listen to it, and then he will do the right thing.

Second, the position of SecDef is SUBSERVIENT to that of President. That's why Gates should be listening to Obama when he gives instructions, and Obama should only be listening to Gates when Gates gives advice after Obama ASKS for it!

[DFutureIsNow]

Don't waste your time with the conservanutz, they dont understand how government works, they think Petraeus is in charge of "the wars" you know does whatever he wants and Bush was just elected warm his chair and to say after 8 years "I wasn't prepared for war".

[jagoneely]

It must be nice to have a president who doesn't share your political party, but still cares what you think.

[Grunty1]

[Hopefully Obama will listen to him instead of vice versa]

HAH! No.

[CarolinaDem]

When will you learn that 'conservative' is only a term of appropobation with respect to taste in neckties? Otherwise it just means indifferent to the needs of others. Period.

[willfarnaby]

Judged by their deeds, "Conservative" means "Consumptive".

[StillIRise]

Why are conservatives happy about this choice? Because Gates was appointed by a conservative president? This is exactly what's wrong with the Republican Party today. They're more concerned with labels and superficial facades rather than with substance, which was made evident with their attraction to Sarah Palin. Gates has demonstrated a non-partisan, non-ideological pragmatic approach to his responsibilities, and his grasp of our engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan will serve President-Elect Obama in this transition. Unlike our current President and members of his party, Obama is not intimidated by Gates' affiliation with the Bush administration, because Gates will now be serving his agenda, not Bush's. Obama is so far above and removed from the labeling and partisan politics that Republicans are driven by, that Republicans or conservatives like you will probably never understand the full scope of the foundation of the government he is building. They say ignorance is bliss, and so I understand why conservatives are happy about this choice! It has nothing at all to do with what you want ... it's about what's best for our country at this crucial time in our history, and cleaning up the mess that your party has left behind.

[Pearlman]

I have met with Mr. Gates on a couple of occasions, and I agree. I agree that there will be a no nonsense, non-partisan, and non-ideological approach in what he does. Whether his way of doing things will fit with Obama's is hard to say, but I do hope the two eventually mesh well.

[lochnessmonster]

England's speechwriter is reportedly taking another job.

I think if you are in this type of position, you should be able to write your own speeches. Then have someone correct your grammar. How many layers of positions are in these /departments.

[KarateKid]

Or hire someone who already knows grammar.

[CarolinaDem]

Actually I think my plumber WOULD like to have a speech writer; he's so busy!

[PennLawyer]

Sarah Palin desperately needs a writer - not just for speeches, but for anytime she opens her mouth in public. I'm sure he would LOVE Wasilla!