On competency
November 12th, 2008 10:23 am · 1 comment
This isn’t the doctrinaire liberal opinion, of course, but it appears Obama is thinking about retaining Defense Secretary Robert Gates, at least for a while; and on the surface, at least, I think it’s a good idea.
I like the idea of an Obama presidency being all about competency, regardless of party. Keeping Gates, as Spencer Ackerman notes here, would be a good political move; but in terms of transitioning in Iraq, it would be a good strategic move, which is more important.
Obama was elected to fix the country’s problems. If keeping a Republican like Gates around to continue an approach that’s already borne some fruit, I’ve got no problem with that whatsoever.
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Tags: Obama · National Security
There is currently 1 comment on this blog postView Topic | Comment on this blognewsjunkie
11/12/08
9:47 AM | I think (and hope) that Obama wishes to keep Gates on only for a transitionary period. There are all sorts of rumblings that a terror attack MAY happen during the transition (very close to or on Jan 20)..and certainly some knowledge and continuity during that time would be truly beneficial and reflect, as you say Gil, competency..HOWEVER, I have been reading the writings of former CIA agent named Ray McGovern since before the Iraq war and found his information to have proven accurate over the test of time...Here is an excerpt of a piece he wrote about Gates back in 2006 (he worked with him personally)..I find it alarming..and wish therefore, for a quick transition..once Obamas cabinet is up and running.. I think the link will speak for itself.. but first a small excerpt...
"Character Counts; So Does Integrity
Those of us who had front-row seat to watch Gates' handling of substantive intelligence cannot overlook the manner in which he cooked it to the recipe of whomever he reported to. A protégé of William Casey, President Ronald Reagan's CIA Director, Gates learned well from his mentor. In 1995, Gates told the Washington Post's Walter Pincus that he watched Casey on "issue after issue sit in meetings and present intelligence framed in terms of the policy he wanted pursued." Gates followed suit, cooking the analysis to justify policies favored by Casey and the White House.
The cooking was consequential. Among other things, it facilitated not only illegal capers like Iran-Contra but also budget-breaking military spending against an exaggerated Soviet threat that, in reality, had long since passed its peak."
LINK http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/550
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