26-11-2008, 03:35 PM
Another awful Obama cabinet choice.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/deadline...-democrats
Obama puts faith in Bush's defence secretary
He may have promised change but Barack Obama has chosen to retain Robert Gates
Robert Gates, US defence secretary, speaks during a promotion ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday. Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP
It may have been the economic crisis that delivered the election to Barack Obama but his consistent opposition to the war in Iraq was also a key plank in his campaign – first to be the Democratic nominee, and then for president.
So it might therefore be surprising that he has retained the services of a Bush appointee, Robert Gates, as defence secretary. What's more, Gates has publicly disagreed with Obama's commitment to a 16-month timetable for withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq.
The Washington Post says the appointment "would probably disappoint some on the left of the Democratic party, who would prefer a clear and sharp break with Bush-era policies".
Politico.com agrees "it could lead to criticism from his party's left wing that the lineup is more hawkish and less revolutionary than his supporters expected".
But it adds:
"The appointment has substantial advantages for Obama, who now can keep his pledge of drawing down troops in Iraq with the aid of an architect of the Bush administration's successful troop 'surge' strategy."
It is further evidence of Obama's commitment to bipartisanship. While Gates may be a Bush appointee, he does not have a Republican background and is one of the more respected members of the outgoing administration. He is credited with helping to revive the defence department after the highly controversial stewardship of Donald Rumsfeld, and with bringing about the improved situation in Iraq.
US News and World Report recently dubbed him one of America's best leaders, lauding his emphasis "of moving beyond simple brute force" - unusual for a military man.
CNN says the pros of appointing Gates include ensuring continuity and demonstrating Obama's self-confidence. It believes it could lead to policy conflicts: over the speed of the Iraq withdrawal and the space defence project, for example, and importantly could delay much-promised "change".
Is Obama simply being pragmatic in employing someone from the Bush administration with a shared affinity for "soft power"? Or is he rowing back - in the critical area of defence - from his message of change?
***
Gates official Bio:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/gates-bio.html
Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
http://www.defenselink.mil
Dr. Robert M. Gates was sworn in on December 18, 2006, as the 22nd Secretary of Defense. Before entering his present post, Secretary Gates was the President of Texas A&M University, the nation’s seventh largest university. Prior to assuming the presidency of Texas A&M on August 1, 2002, he served as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M from 1999 to 2001.
Secretary Gates served as Director of Central Intelligence from 1991 until 1993. He is the only career officer in CIA’s history to rise from entry-level employee to Director. Secretary Gates served as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from 1986 until 1989 and as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser at the White House from January 20, 1989, until November 6, 1991, for President George H.W. Bush.
Secretary Gates joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1966 and spent nearly 27 years as an intelligence professional, serving six presidents. During that period, he spent nearly nine years at the National Security Council, The White House, serving four presidents of both political parties.
Secretary Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, has twice received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and has three times received CIA’s highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.
He is the author of the memoir, From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insiders Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War, published in 1996.
Until becoming Secretary of Defense, Dr. Gates served as Chairman of the Independent Trustees of The Fidelity Funds, the nation's largest mutual fund company, and on the board of directors of NACCO Industries, Inc., Brinker International, Inc. and Parker Drilling Company, Inc.
Dr. Gates has also served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the American Council on Education, the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America. He has also been President of the National Eagle Scout Association.
A native of Kansas, Secretary Gates received his bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, his master’s degree in history from Indiana University, and his doctorate in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University. Dr. Gates is 63, and he and his wife Becky have two adult children.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/deadline...-democrats
Obama puts faith in Bush's defence secretary
He may have promised change but Barack Obama has chosen to retain Robert Gates
Robert Gates, US defence secretary, speaks during a promotion ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday. Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP
It may have been the economic crisis that delivered the election to Barack Obama but his consistent opposition to the war in Iraq was also a key plank in his campaign – first to be the Democratic nominee, and then for president.
So it might therefore be surprising that he has retained the services of a Bush appointee, Robert Gates, as defence secretary. What's more, Gates has publicly disagreed with Obama's commitment to a 16-month timetable for withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq.
The Washington Post says the appointment "would probably disappoint some on the left of the Democratic party, who would prefer a clear and sharp break with Bush-era policies".
Politico.com agrees "it could lead to criticism from his party's left wing that the lineup is more hawkish and less revolutionary than his supporters expected".
But it adds:
"The appointment has substantial advantages for Obama, who now can keep his pledge of drawing down troops in Iraq with the aid of an architect of the Bush administration's successful troop 'surge' strategy."
It is further evidence of Obama's commitment to bipartisanship. While Gates may be a Bush appointee, he does not have a Republican background and is one of the more respected members of the outgoing administration. He is credited with helping to revive the defence department after the highly controversial stewardship of Donald Rumsfeld, and with bringing about the improved situation in Iraq.
US News and World Report recently dubbed him one of America's best leaders, lauding his emphasis "of moving beyond simple brute force" - unusual for a military man.
CNN says the pros of appointing Gates include ensuring continuity and demonstrating Obama's self-confidence. It believes it could lead to policy conflicts: over the speed of the Iraq withdrawal and the space defence project, for example, and importantly could delay much-promised "change".
Is Obama simply being pragmatic in employing someone from the Bush administration with a shared affinity for "soft power"? Or is he rowing back - in the critical area of defence - from his message of change?
***
Gates official Bio:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/gates-bio.html
Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
http://www.defenselink.mil
Dr. Robert M. Gates was sworn in on December 18, 2006, as the 22nd Secretary of Defense. Before entering his present post, Secretary Gates was the President of Texas A&M University, the nation’s seventh largest university. Prior to assuming the presidency of Texas A&M on August 1, 2002, he served as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M from 1999 to 2001.
Secretary Gates served as Director of Central Intelligence from 1991 until 1993. He is the only career officer in CIA’s history to rise from entry-level employee to Director. Secretary Gates served as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from 1986 until 1989 and as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser at the White House from January 20, 1989, until November 6, 1991, for President George H.W. Bush.
Secretary Gates joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1966 and spent nearly 27 years as an intelligence professional, serving six presidents. During that period, he spent nearly nine years at the National Security Council, The White House, serving four presidents of both political parties.
Secretary Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, has twice received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and has three times received CIA’s highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.
He is the author of the memoir, From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insiders Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War, published in 1996.
Until becoming Secretary of Defense, Dr. Gates served as Chairman of the Independent Trustees of The Fidelity Funds, the nation's largest mutual fund company, and on the board of directors of NACCO Industries, Inc., Brinker International, Inc. and Parker Drilling Company, Inc.
Dr. Gates has also served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the American Council on Education, the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America. He has also been President of the National Eagle Scout Association.
A native of Kansas, Secretary Gates received his bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, his master’s degree in history from Indiana University, and his doctorate in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University. Dr. Gates is 63, and he and his wife Becky have two adult children.
The shadow is a moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort. To become conscious of it involves recognizing the dark aspects of the personality as present and real. This act is the essential condition for any kind of self-knowledge.
Carl Jung - Aion (1951). CW 9, Part II: P.14