Sec. of Defense Gates: "Obama more analytical than Bush"

[scheming daemons]

Tell us, Robert Gates, what's the difference between working under Barack Obama and working under George W. Bush as defense secretary?

"That sounds like the subject of a good book," Gates said with a smile.

"It's really hard to say," he continued during an interview aired Sunday on "Meet the Press" on NBC.

"I think that probably President Obama is somewhat more analytical. And he makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue. And if they don't speak up, he calls on them."

And the former president?

"President Bush was interested in hearing different points of view but didn't go out of his way to make sure everybody spoke if they hadn't spoken up before," Gates said.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29453760/

[Ferret Annica]

1. President Obama is such a breath of fresh air

I sure wondered for a while if we would ever see adults in charge of the White House ever again.

[Jennicut]

2. I think that perhaps Gates enjoys working with Prez Obama much

more then working under that other guy...the idiot.

[PretzelWarrior]

3. understatement of the century. in related news,

the Pacific Ocean is much wetter than the Gobi Desert.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. The difference? Like freaking night and day, is all!

:eyes:

[Trocadero]

5. Reading between the lines: "Well, President Bush was a first class dumbass..."

[bleever]

6. Translation: "Bush cared, if people were paying attention

to his caring;

Obama really cares, and is willing to pay for the attention that brings."


:patriot:

[TahitiNut]

7. "Anal" is 40% of "analytical."

:shrug:

[SeattleGirl]

8. Gee, ya think?

:eyes:

[autorank]

9. Translation - Obama is an excellent leader; Bush was a lout

who didn't care what people thought and wouldn't call on those who disagreed with him or gave him any grief.

imho anyway;)

[WinkyDink]

10. Translation: "Bush couldn't wait to get out of the room."

[chill_wind]

11. Translation: Bush couldn't FIND his way out of the room. We're not talking a real high bar here.

Though I don't question Pres Obama is not only "somewhat"- but probably a lot more- analytical.

[WinkyDink]

16. You mean like this?

[chill_wind]

17. Exactly so. (Nothing like visuals). :-) n/t

[bullwinkle428]

12. In the same way Albert Einstein is more analytical than Pauly Shore...

thank you, Jim Ward, of the Stephanie Miller show!

[PopSixSquish]

13. Secretary Gates Does His "Captain Obvious of the SS Duh" Impression

Secretary Gates must really look forward to meeting with the President these days.

[tigereye]

14. no shit...

[gmoney]

15. Sec. of Agriculture Vilsack: "Rutabaga more analytical than Bush"

Film at 11.

[SoxFan]

18. SoxFan: "Snow shovel more analytical than Bush"

[old mark]

19. The more I see of Gates lately, the more I think he was a great choice.

If most of Obama's advisors turn out to be of this caliber, I will feel a lot better, and so far I have little reason to think they are not.

mark

[win_in_06]

20. Then you must credit Bush for choosing him

as well as Obama for keeping him on. I wonder how long he will stay, and how long the Chairman of the JCs will stay.

[damonm]

21. True, but...

After Rummy, Bush didn't have much of a choice but to put in someone competent - Congress would've shot anyone else down in flames.

[old mark]

22. Right - I think Bush had to have someone who was capable, and I think his experience with the

previous guys and the CIA will be a real asset.

mark

[Life Long Dem]

23. Gates was saying...

President Obama wants everyones input that's in the "room" on the issue, and if he doesn't hear from someone, he'll call you to get your input on the matter.
:spray:

[AnnieBW]

24. President Obama speaks in complete sentences

whereas Dick Cheney's lips moved whenever * spoke.

[Phx_Dem]

25. To be fair, a slug is more analytical than Bush.

Still it was nice to hear him say. A reader posted the following comment on TPM. I thought it was interesting.

The significance of what Gates said yesterday about the different "styles" of Bush and Obama isn't that Obama asks people's opinions. It's that he makes his advisors voice their views in meetings in front of their colleagues -- and thus be accountable for them. Cheney famously never spoke up in meetings. Cheney was never responsible for his opinions and policies. His insanity never had to withstand scrutiny. That is the point. That is what led to catastrophe.