Official: Gates to remain SecDef

[unhappycamper]

Official: Gates to remain SecDef
By Beth Fouhy - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Nov 26, 2008 6:44:18 EST

CHICAGO — President-elect Barack Obama will keep Defense Secretary Robert Gates in that job for at least a year, according to an official familiar the two men’s discussions.

Obama is expected to announce the selection of Gates and other members of a national security brain trust next week. Gates has served as President George W. Bush’s defense chief for two years.

Gates, a moderate with long-standing ties to Republican administrations and the Bush family, would fulfill an Obama pledge to include a Republican in his Cabinet.

Retaining Gates provides stability for a stretched military fighting two wars during the turbulent changeover in administrations. Gates once said it was inconceivable that he would stay on past the close of Bush’s term on Jan. 20.

But the 65-year-old former spymaster had recently turned mum in public on the circumstances under which he would stay, even briefly, in an Obama administration.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_gates_obama_112508/%2e

[LaurenG]

1. Ugh -

I assume Obama sees some value in keeping him that many of us don't.

I don't like this at all. x(

[BOSSHOG]

2. My hope

is that Gates will maintain continuity until General Clark is qualified to take the job in 2010. Clark has to be retired from the military for ten years before he could take that post. I see no other reason.

[LaurenG]

3. That's a good thought - I hope you're correct. nt

[rakeeb]

4. why is Wesley Clark a better choice than

Colin Powell?

Powell was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and he already has cabinet level experience.

Clark's only Washington experience was as a major and colonel.... and he sorta got put to pasture early by William Cohen and/or Gen Hugh Shelton.

[snappyturtle]

5. I don't like this choice either. It seems Gates' history with the Iran

Contra scandal has been disappeared. It will be interesting to see him interact with Iran. If Casey hadn't have died, Gates, might be an ex-con today.