Gates Suggests He'll Work Towards Obama Goals
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, whom President-elect Barack Obama has asked to stay on in his current position, today suggested he is open to speeding up U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center, two of Obama's stated goals.
As the Associated Press reports, Gates said in a press conference that military commanders are now looking at how they might pull troops out in accordance with the 16-month timetable pushed by Obama during his presidential campaign.
"Commanders are already looking at what the implications of that are in terms of the potential for accelerating the drawdown and in terms of how we meet our obligations to the Iraqis," Gates said.
As the AP notes, "although he has repeatedly insisted that any drawdown in Iraq must be based on security conditions there, Gates said he now finds the 16-month time frame agreeable, since Obama has said he will listen to his commanders and pull forces out responsibly." He pointed out that the new security agreement in Iraq had changed the situation for the U.S.
The only Republican thus far named to Obama's cabinet also said he would work with Congress on legislation resulting in the closing of the Guantanamo Bay facility.
And he addressed the fact that for the past two years, he has talked repeatedly of his intension to leave Washington at the end of President Bush's term.
"I guess I would say that I was engaged in my own form of strategic deterrence," Gates said, according to the AP. "It was my hope that if I made enough noise about how much I did not want to stay here and how much I wanted to go back to the Northwest that I wouldn't have to worry about the question ever being asked." But when asked, he said, he could not say no.
As the Associated Press reports, Gates said in a press conference that military commanders are now looking at how they might pull troops out in accordance with the 16-month timetable pushed by Obama during his presidential campaign.
"Commanders are already looking at what the implications of that are in terms of the potential for accelerating the drawdown and in terms of how we meet our obligations to the Iraqis," Gates said.
As the AP notes, "although he has repeatedly insisted that any drawdown in Iraq must be based on security conditions there, Gates said he now finds the 16-month time frame agreeable, since Obama has said he will listen to his commanders and pull forces out responsibly." He pointed out that the new security agreement in Iraq had changed the situation for the U.S.
The only Republican thus far named to Obama's cabinet also said he would work with Congress on legislation resulting in the closing of the Guantanamo Bay facility.
And he addressed the fact that for the past two years, he has talked repeatedly of his intension to leave Washington at the end of President Bush's term.
"I guess I would say that I was engaged in my own form of strategic deterrence," Gates said, according to the AP. "It was my hope that if I made enough noise about how much I did not want to stay here and how much I wanted to go back to the Northwest that I wouldn't have to worry about the question ever being asked." But when asked, he said, he could not say no.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
The British Empire fell when resources became over-extended and her foes slowly installed rebellion insurgency in each of the conquered territories.
The political ideology of USA sponsored capitalism only gains acceptance and agreement when economic performance is strong.
We live in the era of wars of economics rather than wars of political ideologies.
Iraq receives more confusing signals about which is vision to follow. As long as they can sell oil, they don''t need our economic advice.
I voted for him because he said he would have the troops out of Iraq on a firm 16 month time table.
Now he has changed his position on this issue.
This is not what I voted for. Shame he and the media screwed Hillary in the Primaries. At least she is hones.
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Posted by assemblyofso at 07:41 AM : Dec 03, 2008
I don''t believe Hillary would pull the troops out either. There was a reason "code pink" demonstrated over Hillary, she''s too hawkish and this included Iraq. The campaign was full of empty promises and the candidates KNEW this and played the game to win an election.
I voted for him because he said he would have the troops out of Iraq on a firm 16 month time table.
Now he has changed his position on this issue.
This is not what I voted for. Shame he and the media screwed Hillary in the Primaries. At least she is hones.
Suggests???? You *** well better you dufus. He''s gonna be your boss - and don''t forget it.