Yes he needs to go. Once a Bush slave always a Bush slave. He is a republican and he will stab anyone in the back to prove it. Go and live with Bubba and cut bushes on the ranch.

Gates needs to go. Bring in CP he cares about the troops and will mdo mthe right thing for them and us.

"untested and inexperienced." Sound like anybody we know? Uhm, like the guy this country just hired?

Wow… just wow.
I'm amazed at the amount of blind hatred and ignorance here.
Just because Gates was appointed by Bush does not make him a bad guy.
He is very well respected by both parties and has done a fine job given the mess he was handed.
Being a Republican does not automatically make one a Bush supporter or a right wing religious nut.
Grow up people… this grade school mentality is flat out disturbing.

That was a close one Rockford, we save the country for years of turpitude. Can you imagine
VP: Sarah Palin
Secretary of State: Joe the Plumber

I'd like to see Gates as a 4 year member of the eteam as National Security Advisor.

out with gates no bush appointee should be left .including general betray us.eight looong years is enough.the only change can happen is out with all of bushes appointees.

about the only person I like that Bush has hired. Go back to Texas A&M Mr. Secretary. You've done more than your fair share of work for this country. Obama, with all his puff and fluff, might be served better by somebody like John Kerry.

For all you anti-Obama folks moaning over the 'Clintonites' working in the new Administration……think about it.

Think about the fact that of all the Democrats with 'White House' experience over the last 25+ years……THEY ALL……worked in the Clinton White House!

So……if Obama wants people with White House experience, where is he supposed to look?

I guess you'd rather have him hire the untested and inexperienced……and fail.

Yep……I got your number !

Mel, if you paid attention, you would note that the President-Elect is planning on returning to Hawaii for a memorial service prior to the 1.20.09. That service is consistent with his grandmother's wishes, not your political agenda.

It would be a good thing if Gates stayed on……at least for a while. Gates has been a preety good SecDef, far better than Rumsfield could ever be!

Gates understands how to run a governmental organization and he has a solid understanding of the military and of people. Most importantly, he understands the need to listen to the professional Soldiers (Generals/Admirals/Senior NCOs), the need to heed their advice and the need to let THEM do their jobs!

Thing is……Gates only planned to be the SecDef for a couple years….as a favor to Bush. So……we'll see…..

nobama got everybody all riled up on "change", then he downplayed it knowing that its pretty much not goin to happen. the only "change" that happens is when the old potus leaves and the new one comes in, thats it. nobama and his false image duped over 65 million people. his ushering in a whole lot of former clinton staffers, no "change" in that andndont tell me the clinton years were great, because all we got out of them was liers and an adulterer. nothing but washington insiders that are only goin to look out for theirselves.

I would replace him…

SOS – Wright
SOD – Ayers
SOC – Rezko
SOA – Oprah
SOI – Daly

Gates knows his clock may be on the short end of the ticking spectrum. He's expendable, just like everyone else. I would get rid of him and start fresh with someone more in command of our Defense. Right now, I wouldn't trust any of Bush's cronies.

Senator John Kerry is a better choice for Secretary of Defense.

My understanding is that Sec. Gates is very well respected by the leaders of the Democratic party, including President Elect Obama so I would welcome him as our defense secretary. Let's not forget that it was Sec. Rumsfeld and not Sec. Gates that led us into this mess.

If he's the best man for the job, then let's keep him there regardless of who appointed him. After all, isn't that what PE Obama pledged to do?

What is the purpose of Robert Ggates traveling to Lithuania and spreading his idea of anti ballistic shield constructed in Poland to defend Europe and America from attack by Iran and North Korea???
Is is not the idea that originated from Rumsfeld and GW Bush Jr.
I see it as "all of the same" and nothing for "change"

So much for CHANGE look like a return of washed up ol' Clinton administration just 8 years more senile. Just another promise of change unfulfilled by a dishonest man.

Gates seems to be a nice guy,but so did Putin.Hes got to go,cant trust anyone Bush put in.Now MEL,go and wash your hands and get ready for supper,youve been playing on that computor too long.

"Isn't keeping a secret the #1 requirement in his career field? Tee hee hee."

No. Tee hee.

The primary requirement is to possess the administrative skills to manage one of the largest organizations in the world. Near the top are visionary leadership, having the respect and loyalty of his subordinates, and the ability to interact effectively with a largely self-serving political machine. Gates qualifies.

Secretary Gates has done an outstanding job in the wake of the turmoil left by Donnie Rumsfeld at the Pentagon……..He deserves to stay on for the Obama administration until a more permanent succesor is found.

Dr. Gates is an excellent Defense Secretary. He's cleaned up a great deal of the mess created by Rumsfeld and I think its important that in this day and time we sustain a sort of stability in the DoD as the transition comes upon us. He will not be the long term guy there, but he's an excellent guy to be there for 1-2 years to keep things smooth for now. Anyone who says Gates isnt doing a good job is frankly very ignorant. (And I'm a lifelong Democrat who happens to recognize talent even from the other side)

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah I'm so sick and tired of this crap

It would be good to keep him during the transition until everyone else is up to speed. They can then bring someone else in to ease into the role, to make sure there are no gaps in security.

Mike November 14th, 2008 3:23 pm ET

If the American people criticize Obama at all during the next 4 years….does that automatically make us racist?

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No, but asking that question does automatically make you appear to be very stupid.

If he has no interest……..NEXT!!!

i hope so. the rest of the names are wash up loosers to obama or bush anyway

I agree with Powell. He's be good there.
But Gates is okay in my book too.

Obama is putting the old Clinton Staff back together to run his Admin. So much for that "Change" crap but you democrats fall for that everytime! One term and he's voted out in 2012!

let this loser go. he is a bush man and we need to clean out as much of that diaster that we can.
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What makes him a loser? Of you're a closed Dem who would rather through out qualified people for worthless party members. How about Obama keep his word and pick a staff of QUALIFIED people regardless of which party them belong to…..or are the borken promises and lies going to continue?

I would like to see Powell or Hagal in this post. Kerry should be SOS. Hillary does not and should not play 2nd fiddle to anyone. She needs to run again in 12 or 16. There is not place in the Bid Daddy O Show for Hillary. She is a good NY Senator and should run for POTUS some other time. Keep your enemy close Obama but not too close.

How about David Gergen for Sec. of State? He would be brilliant, though I would still be happy with Sen. Clinton!

secretary gates is well-respected around the world and within DoD. although there are many who are as capable, it is not prudent to change out the leadership of the defense dept in the middle of a war, especially if gates is making great progress with undoing the cluster-screw that rumsfeld pt us in. if he wants to stay, pres. obama couldn't be served by a more respected, intelligent, and savvy patriot who can work across both sides of the aisle. don't let your dislike of pres. bush extend to the few great americans in his adminstration who are competent and dedicated to the cause of our nation.

I would prefer Colin Powell, but as long as its a rational Republican I'll be satisfied. The process of getting us out of Iraq needs to have a Republican face.

And, while we are at it, why not a Republican (like William Cohen) for the State Department.

It's time to depoliticize our defense and foreign policy. Destroying bipartisanship in those areas was the Bush administration's original sin.

Dream on Gates, your filthy non-investigation of Karl Rove and the rest of the Bush thugs will get you about as close to the Democratic administration as I am to the Beta XZ5 gallaxy (200 million loght years away)

Does anyone else find it funny that there is an article on the ticker about how a CIA master and current Defense Secretary can keep a secret?

Isn't keeping a secret the #1 requirement in his career field? Tee hee hee.

Okay, i need to know why you in the media are talking Obama not attending his grandma's funeral.

Did Obama ever go to his "beloved" grandmother's funeral?

Gee, I thought she was his "rock" "cornerstone foundation"!?!

Let's see, she died on a Tuesday and today is day number eleven.

When did he go to pay grandme some respect? He went to
Washington to see his new house…right?

Robert Gates is a very decent person and a good secretary. He has fundamentally changed the approach that Pentagon took towards two wars.

The mess is now a given. Complaining is useless. Looking forward is the solution.

let this loser go. he is a bush man and we need to clean out as much of that diaster that we can.

Chuck Hagel is the man for Gates job.
I think all the Bush men should be let go.

If the American people criticize Obama at all during the next 4 years….does that automatically make us racist?

Get rid of him!!!!!

It would seem very prudent of the new administration to keep someone like Gates around to help through the transition period,perhaps even longer depending on the situation at hand.It is a position that is best handled by someone who at least has a grasp of the goings on and not left to someone to learn on the job.

If Obama keeps this guy,he loses my backing.I dont trust him as far as I could throw him.Didnt we learn anything from putting the first Bush in office.

Gates hasn't been around that long and frankly I haven't heard too much praise for him. Get General C. Powell and call it a day.

I know there are more capable men or women in this country who can do a better job than Gates. Number one, he was appointed by Bush, and that alone means that he needs to go and I do mean go. The only way we are going to get any credit around the world is to let ALL of the Bushies and theirs out of DC and away from the mess that they have caused. I know iti s going to take us more years than eight to try to straighten up the mess this man has caused us around the world.

will mccain take this mans job??

Robert Gates has been a breath of fresh air, and a very competent Secretary of Defense. I hope he stays on.

Gates is okay as Secretary of Defense. I say personally, let him go. Replace him with either JOHN KERRY or CHUCK HAGEL!

Secretary of State = Bill Richardson
Secretary of Defense = Chuck Hagel
DNC Chair = Claire McCaskill

If Hillary supporters want to see her in an Obama Administration, Obama could put her in as Secretary of Health. That is the only position I would trust Hillary in.