Gates: "I Consider Myself A Republican"
At a press conference a few moments ago, Defense Sec. Robert M. Gates, who was formally reappointed yesterday by Pres.-elect Barack Obama, confirms that he does indeed have a party affiliation.
"I felt when I was at the CIA that as a professional intelligence officer, like a military officer, I should be apolitical, so I didn't register with a party," he said, adding,"... I consider myself a Republican. Until yesterday, all of my senior appointments have been for Republicans."
Gates also said he has not determined how long he'll stay on in the position. In other words, he hasn't agreed to a set leave date. "I've thrown away the clock because it was absolutely useless at the end of the day," he said with a chuckle.
Well, I'd keep my bags packed if I were you, as you'll be the first one blamed and the first one thrown under the bus if anything goes wrong with the Obama Administration's handling of national security.
Heck, you might not make it out of the Senate hearings intact either.
Gates was just a sop to token bipartisanship, anyway.
In a year he will be gone. Probably replaced by a female.
No hearings for Gates, seeing as how he's already been confirmed. But otherwise, Hermie and Wes are right. SecDef Jamie Gorelick, anyone?
Please explain how a former US Senator who presently holds NO federal office can "formally reappoint" anyone to anything?
Until President Bush's term expires on Jan 20th 2009 and Mr. Obama takes the oath of office as President, Mr. Obama can only announce his plans, nothing more. The power to appoint is given exclusively to the President, NOT to the President-elect-Presumptive.