War in Iraq ‘Personal’ to Gates, Nominee Tells Senators

American Forces Press Service ^ | Jim Garamone

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2006 -- Defense secretary nominee Robert M. Gates spoke today on how the war in Iraq has touched him personally -- 12 graduates of Texas A&M University, which he has led as president for the last four years, have been killed in Iraq.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, left, listens as Sen. Carl Levin questions Robert M. Gates, defense secretary nominee, during a Senate Armed Services Commitee confirmation hearing, Dec. 5. Photo by Cherie A. Thurlby  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Gates is President Bush's nominee to succeed Donald H. Rumsfeld as secretary of defense.

“I would run in the morning with some of those kids; I would have lunch with them,” Gates said during his confirmation hearing at the Senate Armed Services Committee. “They would share with me their aspirations and their hopes, and I would hand them their degree and attend their commissioning. And then I would get word of their deaths.

“So this all comes down to being very personal for all of us,” he added.

As of yesterday 2,899 servicemembers have died in Iraq. “Every one of them is an individual tragedy for a soldier who has been killed and their family and friends,” he said. “And I see this.”

He said people have talked to him about the pressures of the confirmation process, but the real pressure came when he met a woman who had two children in Iraq. The woman told him, “For God’s sake, bring them home safe,” Gates said. “That’s real pressure,” he added.

Gates promised to listen closely to people, draw his own conclusions and make his own recommendations. “I did not give up being president of Texas A&M University … to come back to Washington to be a bump on a log and not to say exactly what I think and to speak candidly, frankly and boldly to people at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue about what I believe and what I think needs to be done,” he said.

[SandRat]

Kennedy looks more like he's sleeping one off rather than listening!

[unkus]

Kennedy is a real disgrace.

[Williams]

The more I hear from gates the less I like. I hope to God his only view of military missions is not bringing everyone home safely because he had lunch with them or met their parents. I understand the human side but you save lives by fighting effectively.

next strike against him: A university president. Masters of meaningless bureaucracy.

Wants a political solution involving our enemies in the region that are developing nukes and causing all the trouble. Oy.

Was on that idiotic Iraq Study Group.

I see a disaster coming that will lead to this man's resignation, or worse his survival in spite of it.

[livius]

The latter is more likely. I am underwhelmed, too. Of course, one never knows - I was very enthusiastic about Condoleeza Rice and expected great things from her, but she has turned out to be as wimpy as Powell (although a little less treacherous). Maybe Gates will do the reverse and really surprise us all, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

[Cicero]

Gates is a smart guy. I'd say this is a no lose answer to stupid Democrat questions, and a sympathy getter for the press.

Whether he'll do the right thing is another matter, but this remark doesn't bother me.

If I was being interviewed, I'd love to tell these guys to get stuffed, but probably this kind of answer works better at getting yourself confirmed.

[sure_fine]

"Kennedy looks more like he's sleeping one off rather than listening!"





today is the anniversary of the end of prohibition 1933, you think they didn't party?

[sure_fine]

him and his son were probably closing down every Speak Easy they could find lastnight

[mkjessup]

Well let's all try to keep in mind that Gates is the guy that Bob Tyrrell over at the American Spectator has known for 20 years, and believes in. Gates had the late CIA Director Bill Casey's endorsement and support. In fact Tyrrell refers to Gates as being Casey's protege'. That says something right there.

Tyrrell's commentary on the departure of SecDef Rumsfeld and the incoming Bob Gates is worth the read:

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=10638

[SandRat]

Perhaps more like a wake, since booze smuggling is how his Daddy made his money during Prohibition.

[doc1019]

Considering that prohibition supplied the seed money that allowed him to be the millionaire he is today, I doubt he was celebrating. He was more likely lamenting (with drink in hand) the fact that prohibition didn’t last longer.

[RightWhale]

In the sense Gates said this, he is right. It is personal for many of us. We have relatives there, and been there and going back again. There is an immense gulf between these and the rhetoric from the MSM and Congress. It's hard to believe we are on the same planet.

[Pondman88]

W and Gates got two years to clean this thing up..if they don't, if it goes bad, Hello President Obama.

[Names Ash Housewares]

“For God’s sake, bring them home safe,” Gates said. “That’s real pressure,” he added."



Yeah well, That's not your job sir. No man has that ability. And if you think you do, then you do not belong in this job.

[stop_fascism]

He's doing a remarkable job of democrat @ss kissing. He must really want the job.

[caisson71]

My goodness. What is President Bush thinking about appointing that spineless SOB to replace Rummy? Rumsfield is three times the man Gates hopes to be. Gates belongs at Texas A&M rather than in a position to make tough decisions. It's no wonder that the Dims love this guy!

[caisson71]

My goodness. What is President Bush thinking about appointing that spineless SOB to replace Rummy? Rumsfield is three times the man Gates hopes to be. Gates belongs at Texas A&M rather than in a position to make tough decisions. It's no wonder that the Dims love this guy!

[uncbob]

Kennedy is a real disgrace.

The voters in MA that are the bigger disgrace

[unkus]

Dumber than a bunch of sheep.

[maxwellp]

I will miss SOD Donald Rumsfeld. He made me feel safe and our troops also loved him. I can't figure out President Bush sometimes.