My Conversation with Robert Gates

Wednesday, I spoke with Defense Secretary Robert Gates in an exclusive conversation that aired Wednesday on PBS. I asked Secretary Gates about a number of pressing issues including the recent increase of violence in Iraq, the president's decision to set a withdrawal date for most American combat forces and the notion that we are not winning in Afghanistan.

I also asked him about the lessons learned from President Bush's notion of "shock and awe."

Here's a clip:

Watch my full interview with Secretary Gates here.

Comments

[elghoul]

Hey Tavis,

I just want to elaborate on something I heard you say...
" I man is not born president but we as people make him that way..."
You are wrong. A man is born a leader. Indeed it makes a village to make
a man, but not every man is a leader...
So lay off on opinions that are not founded and leave Obama alone.
Be thankful that a black man has been elected president, and you are not gonna train him
or make him to be president, but he was born a leader and meant to be president...
Why not turn a new leaf and forgive the guy for not giving you an interview and not showing
up for the african american convention...You see the man is into doing things and not
into a get together where people jive for 2 hours and then revert to their old ways after that.
The african community needs an Obama now just like it needs a Martin Luther King or
a Malcolm X during the proud era of free and engaged black americans...

[momof3inGA]

PBS is one of the few legitimate journalistic outlets that exists. I used to love watching The Newshour with Jim Lehrer and your show regularly.

In all honesty Tavis -- I haven't watched your show since you began blatantly undermining then-candidate Obama.....­particular­ly after he failed to appear at your "State of the Black Union" event -- and after you rudely and publicly turned down the very intelligent and capable Mrs. Obama -- who was willing and eager to appear in her husband's absence.

I may start watching your show again...but haven't decided yet.

[elghoul]

Bless you man. I am not black but truly african from Africa.
I was elated when Obama was making headway and on his
way to make history, and you got somebody like Tavis who
has a problem recognizing the historical moment we are living.
Instead of cheering for another black man who was meant to be
not only his leader, but the leader of the free world. He still reminesces
on the fact that Obama dared not show up to the state of the black union,
a get together now that is void of the living soul Martin Luther King and malcolm X
used to infuse in that movement. Tavis, whydo not you be a good brother and cheer
for your brother who is the first black US president, forget about it and be a good sports
be the big man and move on...Ego is a downfall for many....

[hoosier96]

Hey, what a coincidence. I looked up your bio. I'm also a Maconaquah grad, my Dad was in the service and stationed at Grissom, and I am a grad from IU, 'cept I was in Alpha Kappa Psi, not Kappa Alpha Psi.

Small world.

[mmz]

I always watch your show, Tavis! You get the best of the best!