Obama in talks with Gates on Pentagon role

[FarCenter]

By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington

Published: November 18 2008 22:41 | Last updated: November 19 2008 02:22 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/596576ca-b5c0-11dd-ab71-0000779fd18c.html

President-elect Barack Obama and Robert Gates are negotiating terms under which the defence secretary would remain as Pentagon chief in his administration, the Financial Times has learned.

Mr Obama, through an intermediary, has approached Mr Gates, who has served as defence secretary under President George W. Bush since 2006, about accepting the position, which would place a respected Republican appointee in his cabinet.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Mr Gates is seriously weighing the option. The two men are ironing out policy and personnel issues before a final offer could be made.

Mr Gates, the former head of the Central Intelligence Agency, has won bipartisan acclaim for his handling of the Pentagon since replacing Donald Rumsfeld in 2006.

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[Jack_Dawson]

1. Why not? He's not Rumsfeld

:beer:

[camera obscura]

2. I don't mind, as long as it's not permanent - maybe waiting until Wes Clark can come in?

I imagine it would be really hard to brief a newbie in time for January anyway.

[bdamomma]

3. well it's Gates decision if he wants to stay on.

and hoping he will not stay on permanently.