WASHINGTON (CNN) – Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who was a prominent member of former President George W. Bush's Cabinet, told CNN that he is enjoying working for Bush's Democratic successor.
In an interview broadcast Sunday on CNN's State of the Union, Gates praised Obama’s approach to decision-making as the nation's commander-in-chief.
"He is very analytical," Gates told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King. "He is very deliberate about the way he goes through things. He wants to understand everything. He delves very deeply into these issues."
Gates, who previously worked for 27 years in the CIA under six presidents, was the first defense secretary to be asked to remain in office by a newly-elected president when Obama kept him on.
The Pentagon chief was diplomatic when comparing Obama to other former occupants of the Oval Office.
"I'm not going to get into comparing the different presidents, Gates said. “I very much enjoy working for this one."
From CNN Politics
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No surprise here! Anyone would be joyed to work for someone who is actually intelligant.
If he does no better than he did when he was the President of A&M he is surely a poor administrator. The dorms were falling in, he was never there and we are so thankful for him to be gone. He is a Survivor, pure and simple, and will say whatever he can to keep his job and nose clean. What a farce this man is.
The comments here are very disappointing. It's no wonder our jobs are being moved abroad.
The ability to think logically in Americans is all but gone. We are a nation of shallow thinking, unintelligent extremists.
Shame really!
A credible Republican tells the truth as he sees it and you dare malign him? And you wonder why the RNC was almost obliterated last year?
Use your brain- that is if you still have one.
How pathetic..when our Secretary of Defense, a GWB appointee, comes out with a few positive words for our current President, all the righties start peeing all over themselves in a blind rage.
It must suck being a righty...I would hate to be so angry and delusional.
My Mother was a Republican for 51 years. Now she isn't and that says it all!
Mr. President continue to fight through all the racism and bitterness thrown your way.....you will succeed.
Yes supporters, please come out and show your support for the president.....he needs to see that same support you showed before.
May god keep you in his light Mr. President
Gates is not stupid enough to bite the hand that feeds him.
Let's see wasn't it under Gates watch that 9-11 happened?
Maybe he is stupid after all.
To everyone who thinks President Obama would be lost without his teleprompter: He, like every other politician today, uses a teleprompter when giving speeches. (Before teleprompters, politicians read their speeches from paper – all 186 words of the Gettysburg address were written down and then read by President Lincoln).
We all had dozens of opportunities to see President Obama speak without using a teleprompter or even notes during the presidential campaign – during the debates, press conferences, interviews, Q&A sessions, and the like.
And while he occasionally made a gaff, in general he did and does very well. Why? Because he's an intelligent, articulate, thoughtful person. (Oh, and he can put together and say a proper English sentence – pretty cool!)
So get off the teleprompter thing already, folks!
What do expect Gates to say? King – this is an intellectual site. All you very smart liberals do is name call the repubs. That is intellectual?
how refreshing – a compliment from a republican about President Obama -
Being smart and well-educated is a must for a modern-day President. Having common sense is also essential.
Because the U.S. is the only super-power and the biggest economy in the world, without an understanding of history (ours and that of the countries we are most closely tied to, as well as those that could do us the most harm), economics, science, the environment, social issues and culture, our president would be unable to make the best-informed and wisest decisions on our behalf.
What I like about President Obama is not only his intelligence, but his intellectual curiousity and ability to synthesize information to come to a decision. He's also wise enough to call on informed counselors during his decision-making process.
Good to see some more people with common sense posting comments. Nearly every post I've read is right on the mark. Tony, I'm forced to agree with the majority on this board-you can't expect 8 yrs worth of damage to be fixed overnight. Bush is already recognized as the worst President in history and will get no competition from Obama for that title.
Helen of N.Y. is a true nut and should not be allowed out of her cage.
bush and the red state bozos nearly destroyed america.
hopefully, never again do we have to deal with a retard , war maker,
redneck creep like bush.
Regarding "Obama and intelligent?Just unplug the teleprompter and watch the fun." Well, at least he writes his speeches and can read a teleprompter . . . nobody can say as much for the former president. Plus, what basis would one have for saying such a thing? Just watch how articulate President Obama is in any press conference, interview, or town-hall meeting and compare him to ANY current or recent GOP president or presidential hopeful . . . they can't hold a candle to him.
You know what I get tired of? People who click on an article and then start ranting about CNN or whomever being biased, left-wing or right-wing, blah, blah, blah. Why do you bother to read and post if you really feel that way? For example: I know that Fox News is biased so I don't both to go there or watch that network.
GOP died in the 20 century
Republicans only support breaking the bank if we're killing something. 2 pointless wars costing somewhere around a trillion dollars? No problem. I've never seen anything like it-people actually protesting AGAINST health insurance.
He Enjoys Working for Obama.
Every one will Enjoy Working with someone Intelligent like Obama.
Gates was working with Bush the Idiot before.
It's even sweeter that Gates conveyed his praise for President Obama to an obviously Republican Anchor (John King).
I know this is beyond Bush's understanding, but someone should have introduced him to something we call Quid Pro Quo!
I understand it's hard for a cowboy to appreciate this concept, especially one who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
God bless America and our leaders!
Secretary Gates,
You are NOT a real Republican and NEVER were. You are hereby kicked ouf the Republican Party for the heinous and unforgivable crime of working with Democrats to protect our country.
The Central Committee of the GOP
Newt Gingrichovitch
Rush Limbaughnov
Sarah Palinowsky
Letterman said it all
'I Can't Tell You How Satisfying It Is to Watch You Work'
If Obama is really wants to understand everything, if he really delves deeply into the issues then he knows a lot of things he pretends to not know and he is lying about others.
He would know that those opposed to the health care bills written in the House and Senate so far are not for the status quo. They are just opposed to certain aspects in these bills. They are not opposed to getting everyone covered and protections from losing coverage if you get sick or lose your job. They are opposed to a public option and bills that add to the deficit and bills that amount to a government take over of health care.
He would know that the CBO says that people on Medicare could lose some benefits based on the health care reform proposed cuts to Medicare. He would know that the mailing sent out by Humana were telling their Medicare customers no more than what the CBO said and do not deserve a gag order and federal probe.
He would have known that ACORN gets millions in federal money when he said he was not aware of that.
He would not have called the white cop stupid before he got all the facts on the incident.
He would have known that Van Jones was a self proclaimed communist and that he believed that Bush was behind the 9/11 attacks before he appointed him.
He would know that advisors Cass Sunstien and E. Emanual have written in books were they state that the elderly and disabled do not deserve equal health care and other benefits from the government because the government does not get the same value out of the money spent as it does on young and able bodied people.
If Obama is what Gates says he is, then Obama has a lot of explaining to do about a lot of things he has said and done.
Now What HATERS!!! Find fault with GATES so it can bounce onto President Obama – or VICE VERSA!!!