Good.

OMG I thOUght hE wAs 4 cHaNGe?


I enjoy this conundrum.

This has sounded sensible to me since first hearing about it. I DO hope it's only for a year or so, though. The sheer number of troops on the ground isn't something to take lightly and this position should should take an especially long time for transition.

No, he's quite different from Donny R. He happens to be competent.

It's normal for a new president to leave the existing defense cabinet intact for at least a year or so.

Even W did that.

well hell, if Gates is doing a good job, i see no reason he needs replaced.

FTFA:

And retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones as national security adviser.



I thought he was dead! And I had no idea he was a Marine!

2wolves: No, he's quite different from Donny R. He happens to be competent.

B-b-b-but he's not on the TV box all the time! How am I 'sposed to know we're winning?

Asa Phelps [TotalFark] Quote 2008-11-25 07:45:13 PM
It's normal for a new president to leave the existing defense cabinet intact for at least a year or so.

Even W did that.

Um, no he didn't...

Donald H. Rumsfeld was sworn in as the 21st Secretary of Defense on January 20, 2001, and served until December 18, 2006.
Source..
Link (new window)

Cool.

Gates always seemed like a smart, STFU and GBTW kinda guy. I like the fact he's almost never in the news, unlike his showboat predecessor.

Good - this is the one Cabinet position where transition is far, far more important than fresh blood.

Good. Makes sense.

Good move.

Is this the guy in charge of keeping us safe since 9/11? Because if so, I support this move.

This is a smart decision that puts the best interest of the country and the troops ahead of any partisan political posturing. Which is precisely why I'm sure we will soon read all kinds of froth from the NRO about why this is a poor decision...for Obama.

The more things change (TM) the more they stay the same

Asa Phelps: It's normal for a new president to leave the existing defense cabinet intact for at least a year or so.

Even W did that.

What?

From the NYT article: "President-elect Barack Obama has decided to keep Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in a show of bipartisan continuity in a time of war, the first time a Pentagon chief has been carried over from a president of a different party, Democrats close to the transition said Tuesday."

As it says on the front of HuffPo...

"Critical military issues left in trusted hands while Obama focuses on economic crisis."

That sounds good to me.

crypticsatellite
Good.

Why?

Not to imply that I think it's bad, but why do you think it's specifically good?

Smeggy Smurf: The more things change (TM) the more they stay the same



You can use the "Sup" tab above the post submission box to make a better ^TM if your computer won't make one.

And I don't like this. Obama and the country has a whole need to grow a pair and stop being so goddamn scared. Has Gates given us victory? Just because he's not as much of a dipshiat as Rumsfeld doesn't mean he should stay.

Our fear is digusting.

Karma Chameleon
And I don't like this.

Why?

Not to imply that I think it's good, but why do you think it's specifically bad?

So far I have been content with Obama's picks. When was the last president who came along and didn't completely clean house and fill it up with his buddies? You can't completely remove politics from this process, its impossible. But ,unlike our current disaster of a president, Obama is choosing qualified intelligent people who atleast have a chance at making things better. Keeping the current SOD is a great decision and shows he is serious about making decisions for the good of the country and not just political posturing.

I think Obama should keep Bush too.

Karma Chameleon: And I don't like this. Obama and the country has a whole need to grow a pair and stop being so goddamn scared. Has Gates given us victory? Just because he's not as much of a dipshiat as Rumsfeld doesn't mean he should stay.

Our fear is digusting.

What did you want him to do differently?

Karma Chameleon: And I don't like this. Obama and the country has a whole need to grow a pair and stop being so goddamn scared. Has Gates given us victory?

No, we attained "victory" in Iraq already. What we need is an exit strategy from an occupation.

Steed Lankershim: So far I have been content with Obama's picks. When was the last president who came along and didn't completely clean house and fill it up with his buddies? You can't completely remove politics from this process, its impossible. But ,unlike our current disaster of a president, Obama is choosing qualified intelligent people who atleast have a chance at making things better. Keeping the current SOD is a great decision and shows he is serious about making decisions for the good of the country and not just political posturing.

I am seriously unhappy with his economic team. Clinton was just about as instrumental in the destruction the middle class as Reagan and Bush. And now we have the same bastards that did it.

mrexcess: Karma Chameleon
And I don't like this.

Why?

Not to imply that I think it's good, but why do you think it's specifically bad?

I understand there is a need to be pragmatic, but my personal political beliefs make me just wish for once we could think outside the box here, say fark it and try something entirely different. I get sick of "national security" being the force that drives politics. How much worse could things get if someone totally out of left-field (no pun intended) were picked? Gates has done nothing remarkable that I can think of which would merit him staying. I think most people just want him to remain because of boogeyman rhetoric and propaganda.

And no, I don't really have another recommendation, so I'll STFU.

bartink: Karma Chameleon: And I don't like this. Obama and the country has a whole need to grow a pair and stop being so goddamn scared. Has Gates given us victory? Just because he's not as much of a dipshiat as Rumsfeld doesn't mean he should stay.

Our fear is digusting.

What did you want him to do differently?

End this whole goddamn thing. Now.

Death to America: I think Obama should keep Bush too.

I didn't know they had the position of Court Jester at the White House.

Only a radical Muslim socialist would appoint Gates as Secretary of Defense.

I am starting to like Obama after all. At first, I was worried he was actually going to implement many of the changes he proposed, such as withdrawing quickly from Iraq, increasing taxes on the wealthy, etc., but now it is obvious that he is not planning on implementing any of his changes.

I voted for McCain, but it is possible that Obama may have been the best choice for a republican voter.

Karma Chameleon: bartink: Karma Chameleon: And I don't like this. Obama and the country has a whole need to grow a pair and stop being so goddamn scared. Has Gates given us victory? Just because he's not as much of a dipshiat as Rumsfeld doesn't mean he should stay.

Our fear is digusting.

What did you want him to do differently?

End this whole goddamn thing. Now.

Okay "now" was stupid, since he's not even in office. But ASAP. I'm too excited for the Shield to think straight right now.

ch-ch-ch-change?

/not too concerned
//a man's gotta prioritize, after all

He is neither a neocon nor one of Bush's drinking buddies, so he can't be that bad.

Karma Chameleon: End this whole goddamn thing. Now.

You think thats the Sec Defenses job? He follows orders of the POTUS. If you want Obama to end it now, okay.

Gates will do what he is told. This war is going to wind down once the details are worked out with the people whose country we are occupying. You do think we should collaborate with the Iraqis, right?

I voted for obama, but am sickened by this movement. not just the change aspect, which was obviously just a ploy to get elected. The fact that Obama thinks Robert Gates, the man chosen by Bush to be Secretary of Defense, is the best man for the job is pathetic. Also, wtf is with all these picks so far??? Gates, Hillary Clinton, wtf?? I voted for Obama because he wasnt bloody hillary clinton

Death to America: I think Obama should keep Bush too.

Rape, Jews, Bacongrease. Remember it. Your profile makes you a douche.

runaway06: I voted for obama, but am sickened by this movement. not just the change aspect, which was obviously just a ploy to get elected. The fact that Obama thinks Robert Gates, the man chosen by Bush to be Secretary of Defense, is the best man for the job is pathetic. Also, wtf is with all these picks so far??? Gates, Hillary Clinton, wtf?? I voted for Obama because he wasnt bloody hillary clinton

I have no problem with ANY president keeping a cabinet member that is good at his/her job.

Semi-Sane: I am starting to like Obama after all. At first, I was worried he was actually going to implement many of the changes he proposed, such as withdrawing quickly from Iraq, increasing taxes on the wealthy, etc., but now it is obvious that he is not planning on implementing any of his changes.

I voted for McCain, but it is possible that Obama may have been the best choice for a republican voter.

While I feel your post has a hint of snark to it, I cant disagree that Obama is a better republican than the republicans.

Fiscal conservative(controlled, itemized spending), an actual defense strategy, and a more effective government format with actual oversight.

He will keep his promises though, but understands economics comes first, progressive agenda second.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Enjoy your change, Obamabots.

Arnold T Pants: Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Enjoy your change, Obamabots.

You musta been really dying for that one.

Karma Chameleon
I understand there is a need to be pragmatic, but my personal political beliefs make me just wish for once we could think outside the box here, say fark it and try something entirely different.

Changing something just to change it? There

I get sick of "national security" being the force that drives politics.

I agree, and I think there are worrying signs that Obama's administration might be less friendly to the civil liberties side of the national security equation than he'd let on during the primaries. But is the retention of Gates one of those signs? I'm not sure... I just don't know. I've watched some of the Congressional testimony with Gates, but I don't feel like I have anything resembling a clear picture of his virtues, or his vices. Is he someone who is responsible for the degree to which "national security" drives politics?

How much worse could things get if someone totally out of left-field (no pun intended) were picked?

They could get a lot worse, or a lot better, or stay mostly the same, I suppose.

I think most people just want him to remain because of boogeyman rhetoric and propaganda.

I'd like to know why people support him, too.

Arnold T Pants: Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Enjoy your change, Obamabots.

Your a douche too. GIve him a chance. He is our president, you don't have to vote for a man to support him as the leader. He won fair and square.

Arnold T Pants: Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Enjoy your change, Obamabots.

Enjoy one party rule, troll.

runaway06: I voted for obama, but am sickened by this movement. not just the change aspect, which was obviously just a ploy to get elected. The fact that Obama thinks Robert Gates, the man chosen by Bush to be Secretary of Defense, is the best man for the job is pathetic. Also, wtf is with all these picks so far??? Gates, Hillary Clinton, wtf?? I voted for Obama because he wasnt bloody hillary clinton

Well democracy isn't very democratic. You basically have a one in several million say in one of two ways that your state's electoral votes are distributed to one of two candidates.

Even then, the marginal value of your vote is effectively zero. No matter how you cast your vote, there is almost zero chance that you had any influence on the outcome of the election.

How coulkd you posibly think that you could have communicated your complex intentions to a candidate under such circumstances.

This reflexive "OMG GATES IS BUSHIE!!!1!eleventy!!" crap is just that, crap. Gates is the most competent, apolitical person in Bush's cabinet, and things at the Pentagon and in Iraq have improved considerably since he's been in charge. Obama replacing him with some dovish idealist just for the sake of it could cause some serious problems. Better to have continuity on defense issues for the time being, and let the administration worry about the economy.

globalwarmingpraiser: Arnold T Pants: Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Enjoy your change, Obamabots.

Your a douche too. GIve him a chance. He is our president, you don't have to vote for a man to support him as the leader. He won fair and square.

I knew there was a reason I tagged you as "libertarian, not totally batshiat insane". Actually, I don't know why the Republicans are rubbing it in. I mean, enjoy the non-change.

runaway06: Hillary Clinton, wtf??

Hillary Clinton as SecState is a political masterstroke. Her ballywhack was domestic healthcare policy and she could have been Obama's most serious critic on that issue within the Democratic Party. With this position she'll be marginalised in terms of domestic policy. While it is very important in terms of international relations, you don't win or lose a second term on the strength of your foreign policy.

Didn't Gates replace Rumsfeld?

Same as the old boss?