| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Gopher
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
|
 Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:17 am Post subject: Robert M. Gates Likely to Remain as SecDef... |
 |
|
This is good news and it strongly suggests two things: SecState will likely be a Democrat (R. Holbrooke, I hope; I dislike J. Kerry); and the American govt will likely close Guant�namo.
| Quote: |
Barack Obama is considering a mix of Washington insiders and high-profile business executives to head various cabinet positions, one source involved in the cabinet gathering process told CNN.
For Secretary of State, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is high on the list. Also on the list is Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, a former presidential candidate who endorsed Barack Obama early in the Democratic primary season. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former U.N. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke are also interested in the job.
For Secretary of Defense, there are indications current Defense Secretary Robert Gates will stay at the post "for a certain period." Gates, the former CIA Director under the first President Bush, has been praised by members of both parties for his leadership at the Pentagon over the last two years. Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, a former United States Army Captain and a member of the Armed Services Committee, is acting as the go-between with Gates... |
CNN Reports |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
| This is probably a wise move. The future SecDef can intern as deputy SecDef. Gates is pretty satisfactory to the American middle, and he should be allowed to finish whatever it is Obama thinks he's in the middle of. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gopher
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
I believe they will close Guant�namo. Gates has advised doing this for some time. It represents something the Obama Administration can do very simply and directly by executive order. And it will be a major accomplishment B. Obama can point to for all of those who are going to harshly measure him by the first one-hundred days yardstick.
Besides that, I imagine the intel that the president-elect has received in the last few days might have changed his mind on this or that and he sees the wisdom in uninterrupted national-security continuity for a year or so into his term. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| John Kerry as Sec of State? Say it ain't so Obama... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Since we've just changed commander in chief during a war, it's a good idea to keep some continuity in the administration of it. In particular, Iraq still has not signed on to the troops staying past New Year's and that is going to make things extra-sticky even before Inauguration Day if it isn't resolved soon.
I don't see Kerry as Sec. of State. Obama has a political debt to pay and putting Bill Richardson at State would be an easy fit and not bring on accusations of pandering. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Freakstar
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:49 pm Post subject: Re: Robert M. Gates Likely to Remain as SecDef... |
|
|
| Gopher wrote: |
This is good news and it strongly suggests two things: SecState will likely be a Democrat (R. Holbrooke, I hope; I dislike J. Kerry); and the American govt will likely close Guant�namo.
| Quote: |
Barack Obama is considering a mix of Washington insiders and high-profile business executives to head various cabinet positions, one source involved in the cabinet gathering process told CNN.
For Secretary of State, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is high on the list. Also on the list is Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, a former presidential candidate who endorsed Barack Obama early in the Democratic primary season. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former U.N. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke are also interested in the job.
For Secretary of Defense, there are indications current Defense Secretary Robert Gates will stay at the post "for a certain period." Gates, the former CIA Director under the first President Bush, has been praised by members of both parties for his leadership at the Pentagon over the last two years. Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, a former United States Army Captain and a member of the Armed Services Committee, is acting as the go-between with Gates... |
CNN Reports |
Other than Kerry and Gates, I'm not too familiar with the other names discussed. Looks like I need to do some research. And by "research" I don't mean looking for quotes on Wikipedia. 
Kerry as Sec. of State? Huh? I say bring back Colin Powell (though I doubt he'd accept the position even if he were offered it).
Keeping Gates is probably a good choice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gopher
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Surely you must have heard of B. Richardson?
Here is a link to R. Holbrooke's book on Yugoslavia. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Freakstar
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Gopher wrote: |
Surely you must have heard of B. Richardson?
Here is a link to R. Holbrooke's book on Yugoslavia. |
I've heard of both Richardson and Holbrooke but admittedly, I'm not too familiar with them or what they stand for. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Milwaukiedave
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Location: Goseong
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I agree keeping Gates on is a wise move. I don't think he should tap Kerry for Sec of State. Someone like Richardson would be better suited for that. There are also quite a few good people out there for Surgeon General. Many are hoping Obama will pick former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
