WASHINGTON (CNN) - Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will continue in that position in the Obama administration for at least another year, a Pentagon spokesman said Thursday.
Geoff Morrell, deputy assistant secretary of defense and Pentagon press secretary, told CNN, "Secretary Gates met with the president just before Christmas and gave him a commitment to stay on the job for at least another year.
"They agreed to revisit this issue again later this year, but for all intents and purposes their original agreement still stands: he (Gates) serves at the pleasure of the president indefinitely and he is honored to do so, though he certainly looks forward to one day retiring to his family home in the Pacific Northwest."
Gates served as secretary of defense in the last two years of the Bush administration, and stayed on in the post when Barack Obama took office.
Obama desperately needs to keep at least ONE adult at the controls, lest he experiences a complete and total meltdown. And Janet ain't that guy...
Obama is the no action problem! He talks/reads as "prince of prevarication" with impunity! 🙁
good spot for draft dodger Gates.
he avoided military service during Vietnam.
this midget should be in a circus.
THE ROCK
Gates have become the cornerstone of President Obama's war on terror. Obama is not letting Gates go anywhere.
GREAT!!! Secretary Gates is a very good and it will be sad to see him go when he doess
Gates has done a terrific job. He's the only person that served in a high level position in the bush admin that I can respect. I'm glad he's staying on.
The only good move the FOOL Barack has made in an entire year....
One sane person in the Obama administration. Can you imagine who Obama might appoint. We got a tax cheat at treasury. Maybe Benedict Arnold for Defense? Oops...he's dead! Maybe Tom Hayden the perennial anti-war protestor?
Bob Gates is an experienced bureaucrat or senior government official. This is intended to be a compliment at a time when there aren't enough credible senior members of the current administration in Washington.
Gates is quietly effective and has a lot of common sense, both somewhat scarce in Washington no matter what administration is in charge.
President Obama seems to know this and is wise to ask Gates to stay on. Gates is equally wise to do so and is serving this country well in the process.
Robert Gates is a true Patriot. I wish there were more like him in D.C.
Pkm get rid of gates he is just another gop bush man he wants us to stay in irac no matter how many lives it cost us
Secretary Gates deserves admiration in bucket loads. He's the only bi- partisan government official or politician, in the last 12months especially.
There are a lot of politicians ( Senate and House) and governors who could learn from this man about when to speak up, when to shut up,
and just do the job you were appointed to or elected to .
Then think, of the people for the people and by the people as he clearly does irrespective of political master!!
So refreshing, and good!!
Regards,
Hodgson.