Go to the top and click search. Type "robert gates" in the search bar and hit enter.

[Seen the light]

Nothing but tons of angst and lots of threads warning about the ties Gates has to things like Iran-Contra, faulty intelligence, and covert operations in the Middle East. A good article by Mother Jones was published in '06 when Gates was up for nomination here: http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2006/11/Gates%20Files.html

Will we see the same type of criticism towards Gates now that Obama has decided to keep him on? I have a funny feeling about that....

[tabatha]

1. Obama has no choice.

The first 100 days of his administration will be spent on the economy.

[Seen the light]

2. "Obama has no choice."

Funny, but I thought he was the President-elect.

:shrug:

[Generator]

3. That's no choice we can believe in

In Obama speak.

[FSogol]

4. He's only keeping him for one year.

Good idea imo. If the war worsens, Obama can replace him. There has never been a change of Presidency during wartime so have good continuity makes sense.

[Seen the light]

5. Link to that?

And the thing about there never being a presidential change during wartime is simply inaccurate.

[FSogol]

10. Rachel Maddow said Gates was asked to stay on for up to one year.

What Presidency changed during wartime? Roosevelt to Truman doesn't count.

[Seen the light]

14. That's still one year too long

And, now correct me if I'm wrong because I wasn't around back then, but didn't the presidency change hands a couple of times during Vietnam?

[dflprincess]

15. Johnson to Nixon (eom)

[awoke_in_2003]

19. Only through death...

Truman succeeding FDR. here is a link to all of our little (and some big) problems:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_wars

[davidpdx]

21. There hasn't been one in a long time

and until Clark becomes eligible, I think leaving Gates in the position says something for continuity.

[proud patriot]

6. that's a lot of interesting reading

:)

[TexasObserver]

7. It's a strategem, and a sound one, designed to focus on the economy.

You don't understand why, and that's unfortunate.

[Seen the light]

9. So the office of Secretary of Defense isn't that important right now?

Gotcha.

Nothing says sound strategy like keeping Bush's guy in charge of the Defense Department for at least twelve more months. What could possibly go wrong with that scenario? :shrug:

[TexasObserver]

11. Do you always try to restate what others say so its fits your delusion?

Or is this time the exception?

[mvd]

8. It's not a decision I would have made.

But I can see the reasoning - Gates knows about the Iraq situation. Problem is, based on his past, he has worked for people like Bush. So his judgment overall might not be so sound - maybe Obama can shorten the year he supposedly gave Gates.

[iamthebandfanman]

12. gen. jones is scary too

he campaigned with mccain a lil if im not mistaken

[mvd]

13. I'll hold off judgment on that one

I've heard Jones might be a good fit.

[Seen the light]

16. I know he sits on the corporate board of Chevron

That makes me nervous right there.

[awoke_in_2003]

20. how long has he been retired?

Need 10 years minimum, which is why Wes Clark cannot be SecDef

[Thrill]

17. Jack Reed said he recommended to Obama to keep Gates. And he's not a hawk

he voted against the Iraq war.

[Seen the light]

18. Well at least that's good to know n/t