Bill Gates Open To Obama Administration Role

Washington Post:

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who is in Washington this week to press his foundation's education and global health agenda, said he is keeping an open mind about taking a role aiding the incoming Obama administration.

Asked in an interview yesterday with The Washington Post whether he would consider serving in the new administration, Gates left the door open.

"Certainly my full-time job is being chairman of the foundation," Gates said. "If there was some committee or pretty focused task where I could contribute, I'd be glad to consider that, and I hope that the things we've learned about education -- including the mistakes we've made -- I hope we do get a strong dialogue and I'm very optimistic we'll have that with these people."

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

If Obama does have an IT czar Gates would be perfect to run it but it will not happen because Gates would have to give up his huge business interests.

[11907281]

That would be like asking Cheney to head up the EPA !!

[Woodguy]

Ok, so I have my complaints about Microsoft products, too. And maybe Bill Gates is not a technologist. But, he has a great strength: he is a visionary. He can see past tomorrow, anticipate future needs, see the big picture, and formulate plans to achieve progressive goals.
I say he should be the person to select a new CEO for at least one of the Big Three automakers (and the boards, too). Bill has the capacity to select people who share his forward-thinking visions, exploit their strengths, and come up with a new product.
Steve jobs would also be good in this role, so in the spirit of competition, have him choose a progressive CEO for a different automaker.
Before you know it, we'd have automakers putting out cars that exceed anything else seen in this country so far.

[KarateKid]

Before you know it, we'd have automakers putting out cars that exceed anything else seen in this country so far.
__________­__________­__________­__________­_______

But there would be security updates weekly, and your car would restart automatically even if you instruct it not to.

[jymfrancais]

i think he's smart enough....­bring him in.

[lechatnoir]

Bill, your OS is not up to par and you know it. Why don't you work on that instead?

[KarateKid]

I use Mac OS 10.5 and my laptop has Windows Vista Ultimate, and have not had problems with either one. In fact, OS 10.5 crashed a couple of times, Vista Ultimate has not crashed at all. Go figure.

[SeconLine]

Windows seems to run pretty well only on Apple-made machines.

[steveo39]

Right-o. Get Steve Jobs instead.

[freshnotbitter]

Didn't Hillary Clinton sue Microsoft and destroy their forward progress? I seem to remember that Gates resigned is executive duties after that one and Microsoft hasn't made such progress since that time.

I don't think the Clintons are all that interested in Gates programs. They've got their own fish to fry.

[Fabini]

Yeah, I think I saw that on the SciFi channel.

[KOisGod]

LOL

[Ireply]

Interesting how some folks comment on the Windows operating system to bash Gates. His company has managed to produce software the entire world depends on. That achievement is beyond monumental. Every company misses opportunities and takes bad steps. Every industry/company takes steps that are good for it and it only. Every whim and desire of every user, especially those that are completely unrealistic and misinformed, is secondary to the direction an industry/company takes. You want a better operating system? Try writing one yourself. Walk a mile in those shoes, and then start writing intelligent critiques.
The tribalism of "Gates should stop giving his money to other countries and spend it here" is somewhat misguided. George Bush (current president) has probably provided more aid to African countries that any other US president. If there is one fine thing he has done, that is it. And some of those countries unprecedented "civil" wars in progress.
We are propping up large failing US financial institutions that are laying off American workers left and right and you think Gates's money can save the country?? Try establishing a company and see if you want to pay someone 25 dollars per hour or 45 dollars per hour. I could say more but there is so little time.

[Fabini]

Making someone dependent is NOT monumental. Making someone empowered, is.

[Ireply]

Ok.. I'll use microsoft windows, you use a pen and paper.

[BabsfromKansas]

running off to pass your wisdom on???

[kgb999]

The problem is not how Gates spends his money on charity. The problem is that MS and Gates have a very aggressive program of firing Americans and replacing them with workers on temporary visas who get shipped home without the need for retirement or other benefits. MS keeps one or two American project managers and cycles out the foreign workers to avoid paying an American workforce.

Gates' company puts Americans out of work to increase their bottom line - even though he's one of the richest men on the planet.

[Ireply]

That may very well be true. Again, a business will do whatever it can to rake in more money. The only way you can curb this is by making it illegal or more difficult. Not a terrible idea. Can't say I am against it outright. Then you are involving the lawmakers in additional regulation of private business.

[dadw5boys]

Gates does not fire Americans and replace them. People move on from MS to start their own businesses mostly.

The H1-B Vias is a way the U.S. Government and Corporations can grab the best and the brightest people in the world.

Or do you think the POOR and HUNGERY masses are all the U.S. wants as immigrants ???

[JolieN]

Ya, give Bill a job

[pixy242a]

What a hateful person. Valerie Plame is not a politiician. Take it out on an individual to spite the opposition and put security personel in danger.

[Fabini]

Pixy - Was this the correct forum for your post?

[pixy242a]

Ur right. Oops!!! this comment was about Bob Novak -- how did I post it here ?

[Mike4Obama]

Yeah, and when I was eating my nachos earlier, I had a curvy one.

I HATE CURVY ONES!!!

[Furby]

Thanks, I needed that :)

[edgemo]

...... once again wiping coffee from my keyboard..­..

[TiaL27]

Microsoft is a monopoly . There are better, more innovative products out there, but its hard to compete with a monopoly. I don't want Bill Gates anywhere near President Obama.

[desi4obama]

iTards and their cult like obsession with Steve Jobs who pockets billions peddling overpriced shiny pastic objects. Jobs doesn't have charitable bone in his emaciating over-glorified salesman body.

[KarateKid]

Having a bad day, huh, Des.....

[Furby]

o no, it's the "tard" guy again. Seeking ideas on an alternative word for tard that doesn't sound so toopid.

[unbozo]

No thanks! We don't need any H1B/L1 fanboys in this administration.

[TallGrrl]

Um...if we'd invest in EDUCATION, maybe we could make a poor state like Mississippi or Alabama a high-tech hub like Bangalore.
Alas, we haven't. It isn't. And Bill went where he could find people with the skills to do what he needed.
I'm not hating Bill. And if there was a spot in the new administration for him, I'd love to see him take it.
Hell, why not conglomerate the Big Three and have Bill and Steve run it!?
They both have more money than God and her wacky nephews, so we wouldn't have to pay them more than the average person who works on the line. If at all.
We'd have auto innovation like no one's ever seen here!

[BabsfromKansas]

i like the way you think!

[kgb999]

The problem isn't a lack of educated Americans. Redmond is full of American engineers who were FIRED. Not for a lack of skill - but because someone from a 3rd world country will work for way less and doesn't have any long term liability.

They are importing tech slaves and replacing our skilled workforce with them. If the current crop of skilled Americans can't get a job for a decent wage ... how will increasing the number of Americans MS won't hire help?

[unbozo]

"And Bill went where he could find people will the skills...y­ada yada yada."

Well TallGrrl you obviously haven't a clue what you are talking about. There are plenty of "qualified" people in this country this just can't live on the wages that someone in Bangore India can. It is simply about wages and NOT education.

Also, I'd like to point out to you that more young people would probably have more interest in getting degrees in science and math if they could make a decent living at it.

...and lastly... why do you hate America?

[SeanGardner]

Great. I could see Bill in that "Technology Czar" position Obama has talked about. Or, Gates could be a great Education Secretary.

[Fabini]

Please, back away from the caffeine and take a breath. Better yet, go back and read a DOS manual.

[Citizen54]

Or load up a copy of Windows v. 1.

[KarateKid]

LMAO

[BabsfromKansas]

Interestin­g...hadn't thought of him as Ed Sec!??

[Furby]

hahahahaha­hahahahaha­hahahahaha­hahaha ouch my gut hurts hahahahahah stop it you're killing me hahahahahahahah

[tre]

Then the Obama Administration will crash two or three times a day.

[BabsfromKansas]

LOL

[PATina]

hahahahaha­hahahahaha­hahaha

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

LOL great one!

[darkday]

Great idea. Gates is a good 50 IQ points smarter than anyone serving in government right now.

[Fabini]

Stephen Hawking is retiring this year. If you're interested in IQ.

[kgb999]

But isn't he prepping for a new career as space traveler?

[toocoldout]

He's smart, but he's no Bill Gates.

[Furby]

and that ain't sayin much. It means the smartest guy in government right now has a 20 IQ.

[Skwege]

Out come The Apple trolls.

I love the products, but their users and the attitude Apple encourages is rather obnoxious.

Gates was making billions when Steve Jobs was busy nicking ideas from Star Trek:TNG reruns.

[kgb999]

Vista is horrid - as was the bug-riddled failure called WindowsME.

[KarateKid]

Actually, I have had no problems with Vista Ultimate, much to my surprise pleasantly. (I was forced to use a PC by my company) This coming from a Mac user at home.