I love CNN. I'll have good night's sleep now that I know Sec. Gates is a republican and he met with President-elect at a fire station

Oh oh. Looks like the DC airport "fire station" just got outed. It's been the perfect covert meeting place for years. You didn't think the POTUS elect just walks into any building and holds a meeting, did you? Oh well, they'll have to turn it into a Hooters.

Obama, go meet him at Starbucks. What's on the menu and stale? Russia and Venezuela Lemonada Loaf Cake for $1.99. Get a new guy who really knows what's going on before horrible things happen!

Texas Teacher December 2nd, 2008 8:18 pm ET
. . . finding the old Texas Teacher speechless is no easy feat! . . .

—————–

YES, IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whaaattt? I don't get it — but I'm sure Obama does! It's the sort of convolluted stuff he gets!!!!!!!!!!

Continuing Gates = Continuing the Bush wars

Is he telling the truth ???So much for transparency in the Obama administration—-actually , I am vary glad,good choice!!!

Dr. Mimi – you are speaking to the wrong "gentlemen". Perhaps you should make your suggestions to the radical Islamists.

Thanks to President-elect Obama for keeping Secretary Gates!

Y A W N

Really, CNN. Really. Insecure much? Relax, would you? We won't abandon you for FAUX/FOX NOISE/NEWS just because sophomoric and misleading article headlines are put on the ticker.

Sheesh.

While we may never achieve an American government truly free of partisan quarreling and agenda-squashing, the fact that Obama has reached across the aisle for such a key appointment — for the first time time in history — portends well for this administration.

I don't think CNN is making a big deal out of puffery this time. While some posters are correct that the parade of "Breaking News: Obama picks _______ for Secretary of ______" has become a bit played, this appointment is indeed a biggie and deserves to be appreciated for its historical and political significance. I feel CNN is being long-sighted in giving it expanded attention.

Obama is a master of this – he did the same thing when he snuck off to meet with Bilderberg and Hillary. Nice transparency in gov't.

Now that it totally cool

And, by the way to "O.G." – "Are you saying that OBAMA agrees with President BUSH about something?"

You have a very short attention span (or more likely a very low IQ). Remember Donald Rumsfield was finally ejected for his complete incompetence and George Bush had no choice based on the outcry than to get a real individual with real intelligence and real credentials instead of yet another Republican Yes-(Wo)/man

Robert Gates is probably the single and only individual with integrity in the entire Bush administration and will hopefully do a superb job now that he has some real leadership. (There were hopes that Michael Mukasey also had integrity but they've been dashed.)

Looks like another meeting of the bitter club convenes at CNN's comment section tonight.

I think that this is a good choice, as he has served for 8 other Pres, and 1 more couldn't hurt. As to the political standpoint, I don't really care. He looks like he could be a good choice, no matter if he's CIA or anyother organization we're not supposed to talk about. He seems like a good choice, and that's what I believe!

i salute ya

submit comment. Would this be a good article?)>

Did BHO really have a choice here ? All the eligible dems had already badmouthed the milatary to the point none of the would ever have the respect from our nations forces that is needed to carry out the position.

To the morons who keep asking "is this really news?", you should pay attention to all the "breaking news" alerts that CNN/MSN/Every other online media outlet put on their sites on a daily basis. **Breaking news**-Obama picks ______ as Secretary of _______–**Breaking news**-Obama picks his nose. It is all quite retarded. Yes, I said retarded. Get over it, PC punks.

Well I guess Obama's pick of Gates is his post election affirmation that McCain was in fact reight when he said the Surge (Gates and Company) was a success and we should not just pull out of Iraq and call it quits. I wish Obama could just be man enough to come out and say it. Hillary as Sec State represents a back room deal with Bill Clinton that he had to make in order to get support for the election. Obama is a pawn…thats all.

Daggone Obama is shady.

Gates is much shorter than I imagined him to be. I guess James Bond or Ethan Hawke in real life isn't that handsome.

I'm rather speechless…. I don't know what to think of this story!

And finding the old Texas Teacher speechless is no easy feat! *LOL*

I had a good feeling about this man when we saw him with Obama's new cabinet members yesterday. That much I know.

Your title is misleading. Gates was a analyst, not a spy. Not everyone who worked at CIA is a "spy".

HOW BORING! HOW STUPID! THIS IS WHAT THE PUBLIC LOVES, MEANINGLESS FLUFF! THE PUBLIC AND CNN ARE ON THE SAME PAGE……… IGNORANCE IS BLISS. LOOK AT ALL OF THE PROBLEMS OUR ECONOMY AND THE WORLD FACE BECAUSE CNN REFUSED TO REPORT ON THE DEMOCRATES CHASTISING THE REPUBLICANS WHO OPPOSED THE FANNY MEA AND FREEDY MAC GIVE-AWAYS. NOW WE ALL ARE GOING TO SUFFER BECAUSE CNN IS NOT A REAL NEWS REPORTER………

Now, what we really want to hear about is Obama's secret meeting with Senator Craig in the airport's bathroom…! That covert intercourse would be very interesting I think!

Gates= Obama's best pick. Jones = close second. Hillary = Obama's worst pick. MSM frenzy over this cabinet selection process = just plain silly. You'd think Obama was the first President to pick a cabinet the way the MSM is fawning over it. Why not wait until Obama has actually done something before trying to give him a report card.

*yawn* s whats… this is no spy story… if hes not the SOD hell be behind the scenes pulling the wrong strings somewhere

is it really news?

I love this guy!! FIrst the clandestine meeting with Sen. Clinton after she left the primary, now this! No telling how many times he's outsmarted the press that we'll never hear about . Hold on to your seats, folks, we'll never outfox this new President.

Gates is a strong and principled professional – a good choice. Still I would have preferred Colin Powell, but | suspect Colin wants to stay low-profile and out of the fray.

Gates was hosed at the fire station. How did he get there? I think he used the underground submarine inlet from the Pentagon.

I am so glad and impressed to see the Obama team, including Hilary. It speaks very highly of both Hilary and Obama. Only great and confident minds can put the past behind and move forward. It requires character. intelligence and above all good will. Congratulations both of you.

Continue on is incorrect grammar. Continue is sufficient to convey the meaning.

Huh, and here I thought it was in a mens room at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Go fiqure.

I echo Jackie in Dallas' sentiments.

I like Gates and I have always had great respect for Colin Powell…except for his speech at the UN that convinced many of the need to invade Iraq, which I didn't buy at the time.

Obama is building a very qualified and formidable cabinet.

Let's see in a year how things shape up.

The fact is that Russia is Obama's biggest potential weakness, Putin is not opposed to rekindling the cold war as noted in language referring to repositioning nuclear targets, etc, as well as by Gates remarking on cold war rhetoric in the U.N. Gates is probably one of the most qualified people to help with that side, and the guy has tact. The middle east, Europe, Africa, globalists of all stripes could all swoon over Obama, but while this may all take place, Putin could care less, and will continue to work on his Topol missiles, find ways to keep the Middle East stirred up to get the oil prices higher, and then if he can succeed, continue his military build up. No one wants to talk about a cold war in hopes things won't get stirred up, but the fact is, the current direction of leadership in Russia is the real threat, they will stop at nothing, and if human life is not valued, who is to say at what lengths Putin will stop, I would not rule out anything. Terrorism is a minor threat in comparison to the Russian threat. Underestimate at our own peril.

My Comment is:

Good God! There are so many important things in the World to talk
about rather than where Gates and Obama talked and why there.

I think the press should start sharing with America and the World
the good things people of the World are doing to help the less of us
get along, and what those of us that are in good shape can do to
help others, not this kind of Tabloid crap. who cares?

Gates is first, an American of the United States. WE need more role models like the moderate wings of the Elephants.

On the road, in a hurry, little time for private meetings, how else were they meet? Ummm, though a bit surreal for sure…

Or maybe meet in GW's office enclosed by a bubble

She's an illegal immigrant living off taxpayer money in Public Housing.

Now, someone is hiding her and even CNN has been ordered to leave the story alone.

Maybe the spy Sec. of Defense can find her.

They should have met and talked in a phone booth like Get Smart

He's a pck of George W. So he's allright.

What do you see in her background that will help us prevent Mumbai types of attacks in our cities?

Nothing,

Better start buying armored cars to drive your kids to school and get yourself a flak jacket to get to work

The rise and rise of Barack Obama is definitely going to be a movie. I hope they get a fresh actor that we've never seen before. There are so many out there, why use Will Smith?

Gates is a great American and deserves to be retained. I think it was pretty gutsy of Barack to keep him. Who cares about his politics, men and women are dying. We're finally doing the right thing for a change. It feels good and makes me happier than ever to be an American.

Maybe Gates actually puts country first. Heaven knows we need THAT.

I love people who can keep secrets. Loose lips have sunk a lot of ships in DC lately. It's a new day.

Where is the phone shoe?

To Business owner in NY:

Are you Joe The Plumber's brother with another question for our new president?

Are you a ghost writing a book too? … LOL……

Gates and Obama must have had a really good laugh at all the pundits and reporters who were desperately trying to determine who Obama was meeting with, even trying to listen in on PE Obama's phone conversation.

I like Gates. I got the sense that he was staying more for the soldiers than the president elect, and that says a lot. He can put his politics aside to do the right thing. He may have a future in politics, who knows? I'd vote for him a whole lot faster than Sarah P.

Thank you so much SOD Gates! I was wanting to know who P-E Obama had met with. I thought it might have been Sen. Clinton.

You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you (me) free!

Sooooooooo.

My name is Bond.. Gates Bond!

Great, that's all that matter. "Looking forward to it".

Wow ,and I thought it would be a phone booth,how exciting.

Gates is the single redeeming element of Bush's presidency – he is the only member of the current administration who has put our troops and military success ahead of the Bush corporate agenda. Gates challenged the air-force to use more UAV's and re-think its operations. He has helped the U.S. military get up to date equipment. Clearly Obama is putting our troops first with this move.

Well…
That was about as interesting as Obama off teleprompter…

"We did meet the day he came to Washington to meet with the President. We met when he went back to the airport. We actually met in the fire station at National Airport and they pulled the trucks out so that our cars could go in."

Man!! I haven't heard a much more private meeting since the last season of the "Sopranos" was over, LOL!

Is this really even remotely news worthy? When will CNN stop sucking up to Obama and print something other than puff pieces?

The Gates unit has been forbidden to discuss his dealings with the Borg.

I, too, have my reservations about Hillary (and Bill) Clinton…but she won't be stiring up things against Obama in the Senate and he can send her out of town whenever she annoys him, but that's another story…

Re: keeping Gates as Secretary of Defense…I think that this is a good move. Gates is a solid professional who doesn't take any crap off of anyone in the military (remember he got rid of the Air Force Chief of Staff) and is respected by them.

The last thing we need is for Obama to listen to those far-left "progressives"…they'll just march him off a cliff for ideology's sake.

lol The media can't keep up with the Smooth man. He is just too suave. I Love that man. LOL.

Are you saying that OBAMA agrees with President BUSH about something? SHOCKING! He should be reprimanded!

Hum, could the airport fire department actually be Cheney's "undisclosed location"???

Why didn't they meet in Dick Cheny's "Undislosed Location"?

Such riveting journalism is truly amazing.

Regardless, I am glad Gates will at least stay on for a while. The real question is will he retain all of his authority or will he be second guessed every step of the way.

"It's long been suspected that he was a Republican, he's donate to party causes before and served for Republican presidents."

'he's donate to party causes"? Did you mean 'hea has donated to party causes'?

yet another error. either CNN's grammar, or editing, or both…are in the crapper.

Gee, if Gates and Obama can't even keep a secret for a month, is that a good sign?

Seriously, who else would President Elect Obama vet for the job at the current time? Personally, I'd prefer Colin Powell, but too many people won't forgive him for being the Bush patsy at the UN. Hopefully, Gates will remember who his new boss is after Jan 20th, and remember he is there for Obama's agenda, not Bush's!

GENTLEMEN, PLEASE PUT OUT THESE FIRES.

I KNOW THERE IS MONEY TO BE MADE BY WAR.

AND I AM NO PACIFIST. BUT THERE HAS TO BE

A BETTER WAY, A SMARTER WAY, A HEALTHIER WAY.

LETS GET OFF THE PATH OF WORLD DESTRUCTION,

IF WE CAN. I AM CONVINCED WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB.

Secret meetings in fire stations, eluding reporters, hiding cars. It's just like one of those covert-op spy movies (play funky music here).

WOW! This is more important than the financial crisis! What's next? That Dick Cheney was secretly running the country??! Oh, that wouldn't be news….that would be the Truth!

Everyone loves a good intrigue!

. . . AHHH, , , , THAT IS FUNNY.

For the President-Elect to meet with an ex-CIA Chief in the Fire Station of D.C.'s International Airport, just to confirm face-to-face whether ex-spy Gates want to stay on the job during the transition as Secretary of Defense, is absolutely astonishing, gutsy, and somewhat hilarious.

If Steven Spielberg or any other producer makes a movie of Obama's historic and unlikely campaign-run, this airport scene must be included.

WAW! That was indeed a BIG secret!!!

. . . AHHH, , , , THAT IS FUNNY.

For the President-Elect to meet with an ex-CIA Chief in the Fire Station of D.C.'s International Airport, just to confirm face-to-face whether ex-Spy Gates want to stay on the job during the transition job Secretary of Defense, is absolutely astonishing, gutsy, and somewhat hilarious.

If Steven Spielberg or any other producer makes a movie of Obama's historic and unlikely campaign-run, this airport scene must be included.

Thank you CNN. I will be able to sleep tonight, without that lingering mystery keeping me awake.

CNN – That is a wierd title. You guys are as creative as the fortune cookie writers. Take that however you like…

This is news?

Great story about two great men who will bring peace to the world!!!
God Bless Obama/Biden and their whole team!!!!

Gates is a professional. If someone isn't they need to go.

Obama is right, we don't want to get stuck in ideology we want action (common sense, pragmatic, focus on security, energy and health care) by keeping it clear.

Professionals are more likely to be able to see the difference. I hope Obama can remove any infantile secretaries or under secretaries as soon as they are found out. With all the jobs to fill it would be hard to imagine that some didn't sneak through.

While I'm still on the fence about the Clinton appointment, I think Obama made an excellent decision in keeping Gates. During what will likely be a period of military realignment, experience and an awareness of the realities in Iraq will be crucial.

Those "secrets" are bridge club discussions compared to the secrets he really knows as former CIA chief. Tell us who really killed JFK, then we'll really be cooking.

With people like secretary Gates; no wonder there is so many leaks in government. Obama better watch his back with all of these diarrhea mouth moninees who are trying to undermine his presidency!!!!

Both President-Elect Obama and Secretary Gates made the right decisions.

Golly! They are going to light up the Christmas Tree… Barack Obama is the Fairy….. On Top!

That's cool, Secretary Gates. Neat story. Thank you for staying on, putting aside partisan politics and doing what is in all of our best interests.

I realize the auto industry needs help…and I know where they can get the help they need–
Why don't they contact Exxon, Mobile, Texaco, or one of the others that report record profits–after all one can nott exist without the other!

Obama! A Life-Long Spy…… Chripto…. Where were you…

I love secrets. Thank you Secretary Gates for telling America what really happened on November 10th.

Great. Now it seems like Obama is doing what Bush told him to do at their meeting since he went to Gates right afterwords. Colin Powell!

If we could ger more of this mans spirit of cooperation out of the republican party in generaly this nation would be in a far better place than it is now – we can only hope that this attituded is infectious and carries on once PE Obama is inauguarated…the last thing we need is the divisiveness that has been the norm (or the bile being spewed by some of the republican AND democrat bloggers alike) – now is not the time it….

Yeah "Change" we can believe in…Yawn.

"a lifelong spy"?

CNN, enough of these pathetic attempts to make an article seem more important than it is with such ridiculous titles

Good Man – His integrity is above reproach.

Sweet… lol!