WASHINGTON (CNN) – Since 2006, he has garnered an image of fixing problems at the Pentagon - he was the anti-Rumsfeld, and his time was to be short.
But Defense Secretary Robert Gates now faces a host of issues he thought he would be leaving behind as the new administration prepares to move in and he stays on.
At a Pentagon briefing Tuesday, Gates summed up what he had to look forward to.
"I have no intention of being a caretaker secretary," he said. "Our challenges from the budget to acquisition and procurement reform, war strategy, care of wounded warriors, meeting the needs of war fighters, decisions on important modernization and capitalization projects and more all demand the personal attention of the secretary of defense, and they will get it."
That is heavy lifting for somebody who has said his new time as secretary of defense will be "open-ended."
Troop Movements
Expectedly, all eyes will be on how Gates and President-elect Barack Obama will work together on troop decisions for Iraq.
For months during the presidential campaign, Pentagon officials would scoff at the idea by Democrats of a specifically timed troop withdrawal from Iraq.
After the election, the tone out of Pentagon officials seemed to change as a Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi government said all U.S. troops would be out of Iraq by 2011, putting the Pentagon somewhat in line with the Obama plan.
On Tuesday, Gates seemed to show support, but with a caveat, for the president-elect's plan when questioned by reporters on whether he would be at odds with Obama's 16-month withdrawal plan.
"He (Obama) repeated his desire to try and get our combat forces out within 16 months. But he also said that he wanted to have a responsible drawdown. And he also said that he was prepared to listen to his commanders. So I think that that's exactly the position the president-elect should be in," Gates said.
Afghanistan, however, will be a different story. During the campaign, Obama accused the Bush administration of forgetting about the war and pledged to put his focus there.
As NATO refuses to add more troops and the Taliban gain more strength militarily and politically around the country, a plan by Gates to rescue that military campaign was put into place - a plan the president-elect will have to review.
"One of the first priorities of the administration will be to look at our strategy and approach in Afghanistan ... but as the president-elect has made clear, it's a very high priority," Gates said Tuesday.
The plan calls for four combat brigades - about 20,000 troops - to flow into the country by the end of 2009, talk between Afghan tribal leaders and reconcilable members of the Taliban - Gates refused to hold talks with al Qaeda members - and better cooperation and support for Pakistan, where many of
the fighters who enter Afghanistan come from.
Budget Woes
For months the Pentagon has been working on the upcoming budget for the tricky transition time. Just days after Obama is sworn in, he has to present his budget to Congress.
Pentagon officials have been working on and planning for everything the new president will need in the defense budget to keep funding levels current.
Pentagon officials told CNN this month the baseline budget request for the Pentagon would be $524 billion, $9 million more than last year, and that does not include the emergency supplemental for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan worth billions more.
In reality, Gates will be facing numerous budget cuts in defense spending as the belt tightens for the Pentagon for the first time in eight years.
With deputies chosen by the new president, Gates could have a hard time keeping strong funding for major programs he backs, such as National Missile Defense, from the budget ax under Obama.
Obama has said he wants to dramatically cut back funding to the program, a major Bush administration focal point that came to life in his tenure.
Fixing the Big Breaks
Gates reputation as a fixer was cemented early in his tenure when he approved the resignation of the Army surgeon general after the fallout of the Walter Reed scandal in March 2007.
Similar moves in influencing the removal of both the Air Force secretary and chief of staff after the service's nuclear weapons program was found to be in disarray proved Gates had no problem cleaning up messes.
His problem now is that he punted some messes to the next administration and now finds himself fielding those punts.
One example is the ongoing saga of the Air Force's replacement tanker program. In September, Gates halted a broken acquisition competition which has delayed the service from getting new refueling aircraft for decades, leaving it for the next administration to handle.
As resources focused on the war on terror over the last eight years, little was done to watch the weapons acquisition programs.
Between 2001 and 2008 the Pentagon was allowed to spend $400 billion on weapons programs where many of the big-ticket items were a bust, according to industry analysts.
The list is long, from the bungled Air Force tanker to the new presidential helicopter program to the Navy's latest high-tech ships. Almost every major acquisition program is plagued by cost overruns, and poor performance, senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre reported this month.
"The key is to figure out a way to make the system work better. And I think that will be a high priority," Gates said Tuesday.
The job might not be as hard as he thinks as tightened spending for the Pentagon's budget over the coming years will play a heavy role in cutting the fat and streamlining new and existing weapons program purchases.
While Gates recognizes his place in history as the only current secretary of defense to be asked to stay by a new administration, he will also have to pay attention to his effectiveness, as he will eventually find himself surrounded by staffers not totally in line with him.
He did not want to stay on, he admits, but could not say no to a man elected by the people to be president.
But with an open-ended time line for his departure, he has gotten rid of enough people to know when it's his own time to go.
From CNN Politics
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GATES IS NOT ANOTHER BUSH MORON.
GATES IS DR.GATES & CONSIDERED VERY
INTELLIGENT & AN EXPERT ON WORLD AFFAIRS.
I think Gates is a good man. And given a chance under a sound Adminastration he will do the right things for the Def dept. and the U.S.
Kudos to Defense Secretary Gates! He knows how to truly put his "Country First."
i think its a good idea to keep gates for little while. its true he's anti- rumsfeld, when Obama takes office on jan. 20th, Gates is going to throw all of rumsfeld supporters out of the pentagon and start a new team that has a resposible idea of how to get out of iraq.
I think after a year or so we may just have a new democratic convert
Secretary Gates will excel at whatever his responsibilites are; however, Obama kept him and Gen Jon – both republicans – only to fire them at some point in the future and try to prove that all republicans are stupid and should never be elected in this country.
Gates is a very smart man. That is why Obama wants to keep him.
I think the fact that Gates is staying on means thhat Obama has no intention of pulling out of Iraq. The Liberals will be disappointed with BO before he is even inauguarted.
This man has my confidence for now. He sounds like a pretty thorough, thoughtful individual. Not the kind of ideologue the Bush admin. typically appointed.
Plus, there's a lot of stuff going on at the Pentagon right now and we're still full tilt in the middle of two wars. It makes better sense to leave the guy in the trenches who at least has a working knowledge instead of bringing in somebody cold.
Kudos to both Obama and Gates. I wish them the best in sorting out and resolving America's myriad national security issues and international conflicts.
I would prefer Obama not recycle ANYBODY from the Bush administration, but I get the sense that Gates is strive to implement Obama's strategies to the best of his abilities.
So, is this guy a Hawk or a Dove? Will there be more of the same with the US continuing its influence in Iraq, with more focus in Afganistan? Will we be dealing somehow with North Korea, Syria, Venezuela and Iran in an unpleasant way? Is it actually going to be more of the same, only worse? What will be his approach to Russia and China and how will his title conflict with policy that Hillary wants to pursue?
Obama should get rid of him, period......it's no different than putting in McCain.......
Since "SAXBY" won the election in Georgia, the Dems & Obama will have gridlock......so whatever they try to do, it will be stopped by the "Firewall" as "Saxby" has said he will do, it doesn't matter what it is, the Republicans will NOT vote : yes or present.....
From here on, they will vote NO, to practically whatever it is, just to make OBAMA look bad, that's the way politics IS....
Larry C.
Houston TX
I find it funny that Obama STRONGLY opposses the wars and Gate's point of views and yet he sticks with him.....
I find it funny that Obama also STRONGLY opposses having direct dialouge with rougue dictators and yet he picks Hillary Clinton to be Secretary of State which she has said many times she would NOT sit down with these rougue dictators....
Do you get the feeling that we'll have a "mad white house" the next four years????
hahahahaha can't wait!!!!
I meant that Obama WANTS direct talks with rougue dictators......
Obama's luring Dr. Gates to say on for at least a year shows the best of both men and their intentions toward the Middle East muddle and our nation's role in the fiasco.
Gates is as smart as Obama and Clinton, and certainly seems every bit as hardworking.
We are blessed, even in this time of high crisis, with having such a deep bench for these leadership positions. Only in America!
He is an honorable man and I'm sure he'll do fine.
This is a big Obama Supporter who applauds the President-elect's decision to retain Robert Gates, and who applauds Robert Gates for his unselfish and dedicated service to the country. It would be up-lifting to be a fly on the wall during a President Obama Cabinet meeting watching and listening to the smart, experienced, and independent minded folks Obama is surrounding himself with.
Why should we need a Secretary of Defense? Obama promised his voters he is going to negociate his way through his term just as Clinton did when he ignored the first attack on the World Trade Center.
I HAVE ALWAYS VIEWED GATES AT BEING AT ODDS WITH BUSH EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE OLD FRIENDS. GATES NEVER SEEMED TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH BUSH'S WAR DECISIONS WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE BUSH REALLY TOOK GATES ADVICE.
Hey Larry C. Maybe now Obama will actually have to make good on his pledge to work across the aisle. With sensible proposals, there are enough moderate Republicans that will back them. Remember, Obama was elected President, not Emperor. With 58-59 Senators, the task is far less than formidable.
However, there will be hard questions and opposition. Remember, both Obama and Clinton (Hillary) have decreed that the standard to approve judges is 60, not 51. Obama may well have to live by his own standard established when he was a Senator.
I Think keeping Gates on is a very good thing!
Gates is a VERY Smart man and knows the score.
Obama does not know the score yet-it will take him a year or two to get up to speed.
Meanwhile America doesn't miss a beat with Gates still in charge!
Keeping him for a year will be a good transition to the next sec'y of defense. Every appointment is temporary, with the person needing to be suited to the situation at hand. That was the failure of Rumsfeld. When 9/11 happened, the job changed, and he was the wrong guy for it.
It's a proper and shrewd move by Obama. Gates kicked butt after Rummy was fired, and he is much brighter thast the majority of the neo-con knucle draggers who make up the republican party
I think with what's going on right now with the wars that it's a very smart move to keep Gates on.
Obama is brilliant!!! What team he is producing!!!!! Just maybe, Obama and his team will beable to get us out of this mess we are in!!!! God Bless them all!!! And this republican supports them all!!!
All of America better do the same if they want this country to succeed!
so that makes one good and smart decision by Obama.....hope to see a few more though I'm not holding my breath.
I am sure we will find many problems the Bush administration has left for others to solve. Bush made a awful mess of this country and we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg now. Just wait a few months and we will see how inept Bush really was.
Obama is a very smart man and he was so right in asking Gates to stay on. It says a lot about Gates that he is willing to stay and help.
Obama has made some brilliant choices (except the Hill & Bill show) to help him try to rebuild America. The task at hand is mind boggling and I pray every day he will be able to bring this country back to its greatness.
Is it Jan 20th yet? Bush should begin his years in prison for crimes against America Jan 21st!
How big a heart Obama has! And how genuinely Gates is serving the country!
I AGREE with David Goldman! Gates IS brilliant, and I believe this once again proves to us, that President-elect Obama is brilliant! A wise man will surround himself with wise people, even if the people do not always agree with them!
We have had eight long years of neo-cons, its time for some SMART in D.C.
And yeah........ talking to our enemies, will help keep America safe!
People, please!
It seems to me that President elect Obama is doing exactly what he said he would do. Establishing a Cabinet of the best people who all have the best interest of OUR COUNTRY in mind. From National Security Advisor to his economic team, these are all people with experience and respect both in Washington and around the world.
No, he will never please everyone. There will always be those far left or far right who will scream and fuss like the little children they are. Truth is, the majority of Americans are not that far apart in their views. We want honest, open government with justice applied equally regardless of income level, religious persuasion, gender or age. Keep us safe, economically sound and able to speak our minds and we'll be happy.
Let's give the man a chance to make good on his vision before we either make him a diety or a devil.
I think Gates is NOT the typical Bush administration lackey.
They brought him in because they had to do something to look a little bit more credible. And that was the only reason.
Gates knows he is a transitional pick to keep some continuity in this time of crisis.
In a year or so, I think Obama will pick his own guy for the job. I would love to see Sen. Lugar. Show a little more bipartisanship and put in a smart, accomplished guy.
He must do as he's told. This is not George Bush at the controls drinking and driving.
Long as Gates follows Obama's orders he will do well.
We want out of that Iraq war soon as possible....no if's and's or but's about it.
I am sure this guy is loving all the media attention he's getting. BTW, he never ever got as much in the past and I am sure he is delighted.
A very good move by the president-elect. Gates is smart, hard-working, thoughtful, strong, and is not an idealgue. Also, thanks to Karen in Phoenix, a republican, for her gracious comments. Maybe we really CAN all do this "pulling together" thing.
Gates sounds like a man who knows what he's doing,
and under Obama adminastration he will be good.
I wish he could get rid of gates right now but under the circumstances I think the move to keep him for a little while was a good move. I don't trust gates, but you better believe Obama will not be hoodwinked by him. He has this attitude to me that he is really not on the same team as all of the other cabinet selections. I will be glad when he is cut loose and Obama can choose someone else.
barack should have put wes clark in gates position.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss...
Larry C.: <>
This is where WE come in, Larry. Pressure from constituents really does work - remember the bail-out and all the e-mails sent by the people? With Obama's more transparent leadership, we have no excuse not to engage and determine the direction of our country. They will ignore us at their peril - because we CAN read and we CAN think - that's why we voted Obama!
Terry in Lakeland,
Obama has made some brilliant moves since he won the election. He has chosen highly qualified individuals for the top posts. But as usual, you Republicans are always so negative and have nothing nice to say. Why don't you just sit down and shut up for the next eight years.
If he wants to keep his job long enough, he must do as he is directed, right?
Ken Sawyer December 3rd, 2008 12:06 pm ET
Why should we need a Secretary of Defense? Obama promised his voters he is going to negociate his way through his term just as Clinton did when he ignored the first attack on the World Trade Center.
________________________________________________
If Clinton had not ignored the attack on the World Trade Center and many other warnings there may not have been a 9-11 and the course of history would not have taken us to the terrible place we are now!
It is going to be different. I'm sure that accountability is a word in our dictionary and not a myth.
Politicians can say whatever they want during the campaign, but once it's over, they'll have to look at the real facts and go with REALITY to secure peace.
I worked for one of the companies that was bidding on the Presidential helicopter replacement program. Our team was an all American team that had the safest helicopter already designed, built and proven. The other team had to design from the ground up and was lead by a foriegn manufacturer. Their 'ace in the hole'? A Texas company was doing the interior decorations for the helicopter.
Time to take politics out of the equation.
YAWN....I guess even Democrats agree-Dems can't run the military.
"he is much brighter thast the majority of the neo-con knucle draggers who make up the republican party" This is from Independent from NY.
Please learn to spell BEFORE you accuse others of being stupid, dumb, ignorant, or the like. "Thast" What's that supposed to be. "Knuckle" has 2 k's. So I guess that makes Gates smarter than some NY Independents, too.