(Army Times) Editorial: Smart to stay with Gates

[unhappycamper]

Smart to stay with Gates

In an interview with Military Times last July, President-elect Barack Obama praised Defense Secretary Robert Gates for bringing a “level of realism and professionalism and planning” to his job, and for running the Pentagon “more effectively.”

He was already hinting what came to pass: that Gates could be asked to stay on as defense secretary. And now Gates has agreed.

Gates will be the first defense secretary to stay on after the presidency shifted to a different political party.

For military people, who voted overwhelmingly for Sen. John McCain, Gates’ decision might be seen as a vote of confidence in the new administration. Any fear that Obama would “cut and run” in Iraq or eviscerate the military can be set aside, at least for now.

In his two years on the job, Gates has worked hard to restore accountability. He swiftly sacked the Army secretary over his inadequate response to the Walter Reed scandal and pushed out the Air Force secretary and chief of staff in the wake of the nuclear weapons controversy.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/community/opinion/army_editorial_gates_121508/%2e