Friday, November 21, 2008
The Gates Question
I like the idea of Obama asking Gates to stay on for at least a year as Secretary of Defense.
"Gates is a great choice because of the respect he has gained from all quarters after the fiasco that went before," says Anthony Zinni, a retired four-star Marine who once headed the U.S. Central Command. "He would also provide continuity at a critical time." The key to Gates' sticking around, Zinni suggests, is how many Pentagon political appointees Obama would let Gates keep if he stays, which would deny Democrats those crucial national security positions. "I think he won't stay without his team," Zinni says of Gates, "and the [Obama] Administration can't let him keep them." Then, uncharacteristically for this particular parlor game, Zinni adds, "But what do I know?"
I have read that Gates really want to keep Gordon England as his Deputy. The Obama transition team wants to have their own guy in the room with Gates (Richard Danzig or one of his minions). I hope they work something out.
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