There is a fine line between transition and continuity...

[win_in_06]

...and to me, this is straight up continuity. I am pretty sure that there is no precedent in the last 50 years for keeping the same SecDef and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Now that they are appointing Admirals and Generals to head regional commands, the continuity is set:

By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Mar 18, 2009 17:07:06 EDT

Navy Adm. Michael Mullen and Marine Gen. James Cartwright have been nominated for second terms as the chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday.

In addition, Gates announced that he has nominated Adm. James Stavridis, commander of Southern Command, to lead European Command; Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser, deputy commander of Pacific Command, to lead Southern Command; and Adm. Robert Willard, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, to lead Pacific Command.

Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/03/army_gates_mullen_car..

[Occam Bandage]

1. Gates has done a very good job so far.

I don't see any reason to believe Mullen won't.

[babylonsister]

2. Maybe hiring people with experience trumps anything else?

I think there's a lot of merit to experience vs. being a brat who has to change everything. Knowledge rules, and I like that.

[win_in_06]

3. Agreed, but that but that can hardly be described as change

[Occam Bandage]

5. I don't understand this viewpoint.

I don't particularly give a shit which ass sits in which chair. I care what policies are enacted and how. Gates has done an exemplary job of following Obama's lead; why should Obama replace him with someone less able to do so?

How is an experienced person capable of enacting new and beneficial policies less "changey" than an inexperienced naif who spins his wheels for three months trying to figure out the organization, all while the Bush policies remain unchanged through virtue of administrative inability to enact any alternatives?

[babylonsister]

6. Jeeze. So we want someone there who doesn't know what he/she is

doing, in the name of 'change'? No, we want a bright person to agree or disagree with the new president, and I think Gates does both.

I think the change we are getting is a president who listens to everyone.

And how cool is that?

[firedupdem]

4. With two wars going on....wouldn't we want people who have been

there still around? :shrug: I think this is why Gates was kept on.

[NavyDavy]

7. are you upset some air force or army officer didn't get appointed to

the post?

[FrenchieCat]

8. The Obama Administration is about to institute some big time changes

in the Defense Department....from cancelling quite a few big item defense weapons,
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/03/17/gates_readies_big_cuts_in_weapons/

to getting rid of DADT. The last thing he needs to is fight that battle with some newbies, when the ones that are there have the credibility required to go against the MIC.


What are you thinking?

Hel-Looo. Is anyone at home? :crazy:

[TheBigotBasher]

9. I agree

This is why the UK has a permanent Civil Service who act impartially and Special Advisors who cross the line between the Civil Service (their employer) and politics. The Permanent Secretaries allow for necessary continuity, while the Special Advisors role is to ensure the delivery of the elected Ministers agenda.