my guess at the Democratic Senators strategy on Gates

[steve2470]

My guess is that 1) they figured that ANY Defense Sec. candidate Chimp sends them is not good enough; 2) they didn't want to appear "obstructionist"; and 3) they wanted to save their energy and marshal their resources for the gigantic fights to come in 2007, culminating in the Chimp's resignation or impeachment in 2007 or 2008. What do you think ?

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Must... Keep... Powder... Dry...

Never know when we'll need it.

[Warren Stupidity]

3. Yup.

Our Brave New Leaders will attack on the domestic issues that are safe and sanitized for corporate consumption, but they remain afraid to lead on foreign policy. This will be a year of disappointments and a huge lost opportunity.

[QuestionAll...]

4. it's become so dry it's blowing away. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. That has been the strategy for ever and a day

either they will fight once they have the gavel, or they will ontinue to roll over. They do the latter... there will be severe consequences

I am sick and tired of keeping the powder, never to be used, dry

[stillcool]

5. I don't pretend to get it..

maybe Lawrence Walsh can write another book.

[greenman3610]

6. Oh please

there is such a thing as choosing your battles.

Gates is the choice imposed on the Pres by the grown ups
behind the Iraq study group (Gates is a member).

That alone is a humiliation and a reprimand to junior.

Fine. so, instead of fighting the lost battles of the
Iran Contra 80s, let's get on to the people's business that
we were elected for - investigate this current crisis, the
Haliburtons, the Custer Battles, the war profiteers, the
rationale of lies.
Senator Leahy, I am sure, means it when he says the
Pres should be "terrified" of what is coming.
( I am sure he relishes getting Mr "Go fuck yourself" Cheney
under oath) The dems
have all the more momentum in what they need to
do by avoiding a drag at this moment fighting a no
win battle in a
still- republican congress.

Wait till January, baby.

[TayTay]

7. I agree

Gates is there for 2 excruciating years in which the Bush Admin's policies on the war and how they prepared for it, conducted it, staffed it and paid for it will be put under a microscope.

Gates is a caretaker for the final years. He will do, as much as anyone for this job.