Democrats have begun lining up behind Gates, indicating they are inclined to vote for him. When Bush announced Gates’ nomination on Nov. 8, Democrats began extending their support. Sens. Harry Reid and Daniel Inouye said they hoped Gates was swiftly confirmed, while Biden said he was inclined to vote for him.
They’re OK with replacing Rummy with a Rummy clone?
I thought we won that last election – what did we gain?
It seems to me that Gates has two major attributes: (1) He ain’t Rumsfeld or Rumsfeld’s man; and (2) he has no past lies to Congress to cover up (at least about Quagmire Iraq Nam). I don’t like Gates very much, but it seems to me that getting rid of Rummy is worth a lot.
Of course, Congress should start an investigation of Gates’ role in Iran-Contra.
Comment by bhelverson — November 21, 2006 @ 5:49 pm
Gives the Dems an excuse to do some checking into Iran/Contra. Yeah, it should have been done 15 years ago, but better late than never, right?
Comment by Mommadillo — November 21, 2006 @ 6:47 pm
Defense Secretary nominee Robert Gates has more than enough baggage to warrant an investigation.
However…
However he has one trump card that beats any attempt to drag his past into the nomination hearings; he sat (until nominated) on the Iraq Study Group with Baker and Hamilton. As much as anyone, he is part of the upcoming report.
There is no way of telling what will finally be decided to get us out of the mess in Iraq. However there isn’t a politico in Washington, or for that matter the whole US, that hasn’t dove for political cover behind the upcoming report from said Iraq Study Group rather than forthrightly deal with the shambles in US foreign policy.
Whether Gates has anything to atone for misses the point. MSM hints nightly that the IDSG Report on Iraq will cure the disease. By that logic, having one of their boys, Gates, in a position, Defense Sec, where he coordinates action on the cure appears appropriate.
Comment by jje — November 23, 2006 @ 9:52 pm
Hopefully, they are picking their battles, and this is not the biggest priority.
Comment by carol b. from austin — November 27, 2006 @ 8:57 am
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